Baxter Creek Siphon Update

Secret Valley CCC’s doing repair work on the Baxter Creek siphon, 1936—C.H. Bennett Collection

Last year, I briefly wrote about the Baxter Creek Siphon.  Since then I do have some additional information. First a little background. The siphon was portion of the Baxter Creek & Tule Irrigation district’s distribution of water from the Bly Tunnel at Eagle Lake. A siphon was needed to convey water over the Susan River, then to a canal along Bald Mountain to Baxter Creek.

The siphon made of redwood and a diameter of 52 inches. The main siphon was three miles in length. In 1935, a flood damaged a portion of siphon where it crossed Susan River.

Susan River, 1935 — Lola L. Tanner

What is puzzling about the first photograph is why CCC’s were working on repairs to the siphon, as Bly Tunnel had been abandoned due to low water levels in 1935. May be some one was optimistic that water would flow again from Eagle Lake.

Tim

2 thoughts on “Baxter Creek Siphon Update”

  1. How the heck did they start the siphon? I assume they just blocked the low end and filled it, but that process would still be fraught.
    Matt

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