The Passaic Flood of 1903 | Page 9

4.64 | 17,550 8 p. m. | 4.59 | 17,250 9 p. m. | 4.54 |
17,000 10 p. m. | 4.51 | 16,750 11 p. m. | 4.49 | 16,700 12 p. m. | 4.37 |
16,000 14. 1 a. m. | 4.37 | 16,000 2 a. m. | 4.35 | 15,925 3 a. m. | 4.35 |
15,925 4 a. m. | 4.33 | 15,800 5 a. m. | 4.34 | 15,850 6 a. m. | 4.31 |
15,700 7 a. m. | 4.27 | 15,500 8 a. m. | 4.25 | 15,300 9 a. m. | 4.17 |
14,900 10 a. m. | 4.08 | 14,500 11 a. m. | 4.05 | 14,325 12 m. | 4.02 |
14,150 1 p. m. | 4.02 | 14,150 2 p. m. | 4.01 | 14,100 3 p. m. | 3.97 |
13,900 4 p. m. | 3.94 | 13,750 5 p. m. | 3.85 | 13,300 6 p. m. | 3.75 |
12,775 7 p. m. | 3.75 | 12,775 9 p. m. | 3.71 | 12,550 12 p. m. | 3.66 |
12,300 15. 6.30 a. m. | 3.50 | 11,525 1 p. m. | 3.41 | 11,050 6.30 p. m. |
3.41 | 11,050 16. 6.30 a. m. | 3.00 | 9,125 1 p. m. | 3.00 | 9,125 6.30 p. m.
| 2.91 | 8,700 17. 6.30 a. m. | 2.5 | 6,900 1 p. m. | 2.5 | 6,900 6.30 p. m. |
2.5 | 6,900 18. 6.30 a. m. | 2.5 | 6,900 1 p.m. | 2.41 | 6,500 6.30 p. m. |
2.33 | 6,200 19. 6.30 a. m. | 2 | 4,900 1 p. m. | 2 | 4,900 6.30 p. m. | 2 |

4,900

DAMAGES.
GENERAL STATEMENTS.
Estimates of flood damages are always approximations only. It is
possible to determine with a fair degree of assurance the cost of
replacing structures which have been carried away, to estimate the
value of goods destroyed--especially if they be commodities stored in
shops or warehouses--to calculate the amount of operatives' wages lost,
and in the case of general mercantile business to estimate the damages
incurred through consequent reduction of trade. Destruction by flood,
however vast, is incomplete. It differs materially from destruction by
fire, for often destructible property is of value after floods have passed.
Buildings which are inundated still retain value, and many kinds of
merchandise are not totally destroyed. Therefore when the amount of
damages is calculated there is always to be taken into consideration the
fact that a part of the material which has been flooded can be reclaimed,
and retains some proportion, at least, of the value which it had
previously possessed. Furthermore, damages by flood enter into
practically every detail of social and business affairs. There are losses
which are severe to one or more persons, and which can not be
appreciated except by those whom the floods have actually overtaken.
Therefore estimations of flood damages can be only approximate, and
while a measure of accuracy may be reached with respect to a part of
the losses, there remains a necessity for approximation which can not
be classed with carefully computed damages along other lines.
HIGHLAND TRIBUTARIES.
Along the three northern tributaries, the Ramapo, Wanaque, and
Pequanac, and at their confluence with the Pompton, the destruction by
flood waters was far greater than along the Rockaway, Whippany, and
upper Passaic, or in that area described as the Central Basin. In the
drainage areas of the three tributaries last mentioned the waters were

higher than in the flood of 1902, but the general effects were of the
same nature, and consisted principally of flooded lands, houses, and
washouts. There were few radical cases of complete destruction like
those which marked the course of the flood in the northern tributaries.
The principal interest is therefore confined to the Pompton and the
three highland tributaries which discharge into it.
Ramapo River.--The greatest destruction was along the Ramapo. It is
the largest of the upland branches, and was therefore the heaviest
contributor to the main stream. Throughout the flood period the stream
was especially violent, causing great apprehension in the lower valley.
The destruction along several stretches of the valley was almost
complete. Nearly all the dams failed, and every bridge across the river,
with one exception, was carried away. Some small villages were swept
bare, and the damages to realty value and personal property were
excessive.
It was only by strenuous measures that the dam impounding the waters
of Tuxedo Lake was saved. If this had failed the destruction along the
entire course of the river, even to the cities in the lower valley, would
have been enormously increased.
The dam at Cranberry Pond, in Arden, failed in the early part of