1914-03-08-sr-p5-long-lake-floods-lapray-bridge
March 08, 1914 Spokesman-Review Page 5:
OLDEST ORCHARD IN COUNTY GONE
Washington Water Power Dam at LaPray Bridge Causes Flooding of Trees.
TO BE BURIED 30 FEET
Long Lake Has Now Backed Up 10 Miles and Is Slowly Rising.
John Grende, a farmer living at Long lake at the site of the old LaPray bridge, was in the city yesterday and said that the rising waters of the lake, due to the closing of the gates of the Washington Water Power company’s giant dam, had submerged the oldest orchard in Spokane county. It was planted by the LaPray family nearly 50 years ago.
“This orchard is a landmark in the neighborhood, and I understand they are the oldest trees in Spokane county,” said Grende, “It is on the first bench above the Spokane river, and when Long lake is filled to its prescribed depth, through damming the river, it will be covered 30 or more feet.
“Long lake has now backed up nearly 10 miles, and is slowly rising. At the site of the LaPray bridge, where the full channel was about 660 feet wide, the water has spread to a width of 1700 feet. At my house, about one-half mile from the bridge, Long lake will be one-half mile wide.
"The city park board has managed to get the irons from the two spans saved from the LaPray bridge to shore, while the water has covered the abandoned span on the Stevens county side, All of the old timers at the bridge thought that the city had waited too long, and were pleased to see that the two sections of the bridge were rescued."
