Flooding, Tuolumne, 01/11/1862, another report quoted at mjbarkl/surveyor.htm , questions follow; note under "Fourth" the width of Dry Creek in the vicinity of Gallo Winery which may include all of what is now downtown Modesto - Modesto did not exist until 9 years later when the railroad was built through: Stockton, December 26, 1862. Hon. J. F. Houghton, Surveyor-General. Dear Sir :--In response to your questions in relation to the late flood, I have obtained from Mr. J. D. Morley, of Stanislaus County, the following replies in relation to the effects of the flood in that county, and also certain other information which is thereto appended: First:--The extreme height above low water mark at well designated points upon the Tuolumne and Stanislaus rivers, was twenty feet, but where the Tuolumne River flows through the mountains, the extreme height was fifty or sixty feet. The extreme height above low water mark at well designated points on the Merced River and Dry Creek, was fifteen or sixteen feet. Second:--The water attained its greatest height on the tenth or eleventh of January. eighteen hundred and sixty-two. Third:--The lands in Stanislaus County adjacent to the Tuolumne, Stanislaus and San Joaquin rivers, and Dry Creek, were overflowed to the depth of eight or ten feet. Fourth:--All lands bordering upon streams in Stanislaus County were overflowed. The Tuolumne and Stanislaus rivers overflowed land to the width of about a mile; the San Joaquin, in Stanislaus County, overflowed lands, to the width of from five to twenty miles. Persons living upon lands overflowed by that stream, only saved their lives by fleeing to the mountains and high lands. Dry Creek overflowed lands to the width of from one-quarter to two miles. Fifth:--The banks of the Tuolumne and Stanislaus rivers have been very seriously affected by washing; in some places the width has been increased from two hundred to fifteen hundred feet ; and whenever those p. 101 rivers rise five or six feet, there will be three or four channels at different points, all occasioned by the washing of the late floods. The banks of the San Joaquin are very little changed, the river retaining its original channel. Tuolumne River, by changing its channel and overflowing its banks, has destroyed many ranches by washing away the soil. Sixth:--The Tuolumne and Stanislaus rivers have changed their channels in many places, and large sand bars have been formed in those rivers. The San Joaquin retains its original channel, and there are no bars to obstruct the navigation. Seventh:--There was a deposit of light sandy material upon most of the submerged lands in Stanislaus County, varying in depth from six inches to four feet Eighth:--Upon the Swamp and Overflowed Lands in Stanislaus County the depth of water was about ten feet, the current running west-northwest. The deposit was less than upon some of the higher lands, varying in depth from four inches to two feet, the deposit upon submerged lands near the mountains and low hills being always greater than upon the lower lands. The deposit upon the Swamp Lands was more of a vegetable character than that upon the higher lands. Nine-tenths of the crops upon the Tuolumne and Stanislaus rivers were destroyed, and many houses were swept off; a general destruction of fencing occurred [8 years before first barbed-wire patents, most fences were apparently stone or wooden-rail]; many cattle and horses perished in the flood; the destruction of timber was very great, caused entirely by the soil being washed away from the roots of the trees by the immense volume and velocity of the water. Many of the ferry-boat landings were entirely destroyed by washing of the banks, changes of channel and formation of bars. In relation to Merced County, on the Merced river the effects of the flood were very similar to those occasioned by the Tuolumne and Stanislaus rivers. The effects of the flood in Mariposa County, generally, in consequence of the face of the country being more hilly, were that so great an area was not overflowed, and the injuries were confined principally to mining improvements upon the banks of the Merced River and various creeks, the water rising as much as fifty or sixty feet above low water mark. At such times as I receive information in relation to the flood, I will send it to you. Yours respectfully, W. H. LYON8. [The 8 questions:] First: The extreme height above low water at any well designated points upon streams in your county. Second: Date of highest water. Third: The general depth over the adjacent lands. Fourth: The approximate quantity of land overflowed in your county. Fifth: If the banks of the streams have been seriously affected, state in what manner and to what extent. Sixth: If any bars were formed, or considerable change of channel occasioned, state the facts and circumstances. Seventh: If there was much deposit upon submerged lands, state the general depth and character of it. Eighth: Upon swamp and overflowed lands, state the depth of water and general direction of the current, depth of deposit, etc. [1861-62 was the least of the 7 monster storms over the previous 1800 years.] --mike
Posted on: Mon, 24 Jun 2013 09:04:12 +0000
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