Last week on ongoing Eagle Lake’s Bly Tunnel saga of 1928, the Tule and Baxter Creek Irrigation Districts needed to raise some $50,000 to correct the defective inlet as suggested by the consultation with Engineer Wise. On August 12, 1928 a special meeting of the Lassen County Chamber of Commerce was held for the sole purpose to devise ways and means obtaining money urgently needed by the irrigation districts. It was important to have the work done as quickly possible to assure that water would be available for next year’s crops. Chamber President A.J. Mathews stressed without the water there would be a loss of some $60,000 in crops and some 3,000 acres would be fallow. Mathews continued it was a vital interest to every taxpayer in Lassen County. Without the water, these land would be abandoned, thus a loss on tax roll. The ripple effect the county would probably have raise taxes elsewhere to make up for the deficit. It was decided to have a subscription drive to raise the funds, in the similar manner how the community did to attract the Fruit Growers Supply Company to locate its sawmill in Susanville.
After delays, work commenced on the Bly tunnel on October 15, 1928, when the assembled supplies, equipment and work force were in place. Dynamite blasting was the first priority. Work progressed better than anticipated, especially with the weather cooperating. By Christmas the work was completed and under budget, too.
Next Week: The water quality issue.