PX-D- 41376NA

Figure 3

PX-D-41375NA

Figure 2

The studies described will be con-
tinued and it is intended, as new
materials and proprietary products
are developed or marketed, that
additional tests be initiated. The
results of the tests will be used in
recommending materials suitable
for use on irrigation systems, and
elsewhere as needed, to inhibit
the growth of algae and other self-
attaching organisms.

Copies of Report WC-14 can be
obtained for $1.25 by writing
Publications and Film Manage-
ment Unit, Code D-841, Office
of Chief Engineer, Bureau of
Reclamation, Denver Federal
Center, Denver, Colorado.



fovea 80 RODS
ARRESTOR INTERVALS ~~~ 77> >> ~~ 5

Hammer flatten $ face of ““—~f
6 gage bare copper wire---~.

-Galvanized

Double staple galvanized wire staples

to copper face contact--
6 gage bare copper wire 4'long---~..

wh, My
FBR att

at i i»

-Galvanized staples
outside No.6 bare

LIGHTNING ARRESTOR -

3 TO 6 WIRE FENCE



as a drive for the feeding mechanism. The seed can is connected by
a flexible hose to a built-on feeder tube on the back of the subsoiler
shank. A small plexiglass section is inserted at the base of the can
to enable the operator to check on bait feeding. By changing the posi-
tion of the two bolts that hold the feeder mechanism to the subsoiler,
the depth the torpedo penetrates in the ground can be regulated from
4 to 16 inches. The flexible tube connecting the can to the tube on the
back of the subsoiler shank will lengthen or shorten to permit a con-
tinuous flow of bait as the depth of the torpedo is changed.

Costs

The cost of the constructed "burrow-builder" was $469. 94 but this
could be reduced to approximately $450.00 if a number of machines
were to be made,

Operation

The "burrow-builder" is designed to construct an artificial burrow
and bait it with poison baits in one operation. For effective use in
pocket gopher control, a number of adjustments must be made. The
depth of gopher runways first must be determined by measuring exist-
ing burrows, and the machine then must be set at the ‘desired depth.

A few short trial runs should be made and the top link adjusted so that
the machine rides the ground with the wheels barely packing the soil.
If the "bite" of the torpedo is too great, the wheels start dragging dirt;
if the "bite"' is too little, the torpedo will not stay in the ground.

The condition of the soil has to be such that a good burrow can be made.
This usually means that there is enough moisture in the soil to make it
firm into a pack when squeezed in the hand.

Pocket gophers inhabit areas from sea level to the tops of our highest
western mountains, and are found in both agricultural and rangelands.
The "burrow -builder" can be used for control of gophers in any area
where soil conditions and the physical aspect of the land make it pos-
sible to drive over the area with a tractor and construct a good artifi-
cial burrow.

In order to make a good burrow it is necessary that the soil is moist.
In the arid West this condition can usually be found in the spring or
fall of the year.

The effectiveness of the "burrow-builder" is dependent upon the gophers
finding the artificially-constructed runway and using it long enough to
find the poisoned bait. In order to make this possible, the artificial
burrows are constructed at a depth so as to intercept the greatest number
of natural gopher tunnels, Figure 4. This will vary with soil conditions
and the species of gopher being controlled. The distance between arti-
ficial burrows across an area is determined by density of gophers and
the species involved, Figure 5.

19



after construction. District Manager W. D. Parish discovered soon
after placing the new concrete lined laterals in service that the clear
water and semitropical climate were very favorable for aquatic growth
in the new laterals,

This growth is especially bad where earth accumulated in the lined lat-
erals from newly constructed embankments and in reaches of lateral
above checks where velocity of flow is often reduced. In several
instances, the growth clogged almost the entire lateral section. Ditch
riders complained that they were unable to deliver sufficient quantities
of water to meet delivery requirements.

Irrigation in the Mercedes District is on a year around basis for
citrus, vegetables, cotton, grain, and pasture. It is difficult to find
periods of limited irrigation when the laterals can be taken out of serv-
ice for cleaning, and the District found hand cleaning was too time
consuming and expensive.

Mr. Parish noted that several manufacturers build machines that
possibly could be used to clean the new concrete lined laterals at a
much faster rate than by hand labor, After investigation, the District
purchased in April 1964 for $20,375, a track-mounted hydraulically-
actuated excavator. The wrist-like action where the 5-foot wide bucket
is attached to the boom and the sensitive hydraulic controls permit
fast efficient cleaning of the concrete lined lateral sections.

Original plans were to take laterals out of service for quick machine
cleaning. An unexpected bonus developed that was highly pleasing to
the District management, when it was found the machine satisfactorily
and efficiently removes aquatic growth and accumulated silt without
taking the laterals out of service. This is very fortunate as it is dif-
ficult to schedule interruption of service in laterals because of the
year around irrigation requirement.

The photograph on the front cover shows the machine in operation in
the Mercedes District with lateral flowing at less than one-half design
capacity. Total depth of the 3-foot bottom width lateral section at

this point is 3 feet and 3 inches. It is estimated the machine cleans
about 4,000 lineal feet of lined lateral per 8-hour shift at an operating
cost of about $20 to $25 per mile, not including depreciation or owner-
ship expense.

Mr. Parish anticipates many other District operation and maintenance
uses for the machine such as loading materials, excavation for repair
work, and cleaning of drains, particularly near structures, Further
information can be furnished upon request by the Division of Irrigation
Operations, Mail Code D-400, Bureau of Reclamation, Building 53,
Denver Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225.



THE BURROW-BUILDER AND ITS USE FOR
CONTROL OF POCKET GOPHERS*

Introduction

Previous pocket gopher control techniques have required hard manual
labor whereby the operator generally has had to probe for underground
runways and place bait, all by hand. The 'burrow-builder" offers a
mechanized method by which the operator constructs and baits an
artificial gopher runway in one operation. This method allows the
gopher to find the control agent.

The purpose of this report is to describe the "burrow-builder", how
it operates, the results that have been obtained so far in tests, and
to list other possible applications.

Construction

The ''burrow-builder", Figures 1 and 2 on the following page, is made
up of three basic pieces of machinery: (1) A tool carrier bar with one
24-inch subsoiler shank, less chisel and boot, equipped with an 18-inch
coulter disc and frame; (2) one seed corn can with standard bottoms,
and one large whole center drop plate equipped with one #5-302 press
wheel drive assembly, less press wheel; and (3) two wheel assemblies,
including axles, spacers, cup, and two 4" x 8" tires and tubes.

Torpedo

The torpedo, which is 2-1/2 inches in diameter and 20 inches long,
forms the burrow and facilitates the placement of the bait. It is made
of hard steel and is attached to the bottom of the subsoiler shank; the
front end is solid and hard-surfaced to resist wear. The torpedo is
sloped at a 60-degree angle to give it ''bite'’ and to hold the machine
in the ground. Its cylinder has a hole through the midsection where
the feeder tube connects, and is open on the posterior underside to
provide an outlet for the bait.

Bait-Feeding Mechanism

A seed corn can is mounted on the rear of the subsoiler, and a two-
wheel assembly is fastened to the can by means of metal supports
and a chain drive. The wheel assembly is mounted over the rear of
the torpedo in a position to pack the soil over the cylinder and serves

*Reprinted from Special Scientific Report--Wildlife No. 47; Depart-
ment of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C.,
January 1960; by A. Lorin Ward, Branch of Wildlife Research, Denver,
Colorado, and Dr. Richard M. Hansen, Colorado State University,
Fort Collins, Colorado.

16



field was 20 to 25 feet. About three pounds of bait were used on each
acre. Under these conditions 85 to 100 percent control was obtained.

Baits used in the tests on mountain gophers were formulations of
Compound 1080 and whole oats. The whole oats were found to be
more acceptable to these gophers in laboratory tests.

There were no accidental or secondary poisonings in any of the test
areas even though baits were exposed within 100 yards of farm dwell-
ings. Dogs were frequently observed in the baited areas, Crop dam-
aged due to the operation was negligible, and no objections from the
landowners were registered.

Possible Applications

Other possible uses of the burrow-builder' would be in controlling
other rodents. Such rodents as kangaroo rats, grasshopper mice,
ground squirrels, meadow mice, and deer mice have been found dead
in the artificially constructed burrows; however, the machine has not
been tested against these animals.

It is also likely that fresh-cut, root-type baits, such as carrots,
could be used in the machine. Carrots diced to 3/8-inch have passed
through the feeding mechanism without plugging. Work is being done
to perfect this procedure.

For Assistance

For further information, please contact the authors of this article:
A. Lorin Ward, Biologist, Branch of Wildlife Research, Bureau of
Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, Denver Federal Center, Building 45,
Denver, Colorado; or Dr. Richard M. Hansen, Biologist, Forestry
and Range Management Section, Colorado State University, Fort
Collins, Colorado.

SPRAYING WEEDS IN INACCESSIBLE AREAS
(Suggestion R7-65S-15)

Maintenance forces of the South Platte River Projects Office, Love-
land, Colorado, found it difficult to control weeds from the single
operation and maintenance roadway located on the downhill side of
canals in their area. It was particularly difficult to reach weeds on
the far side of the canal, although the truck-mounted spray rig used
for the work was equipped with adjustable booms that can cover a
26-foot wide swath. To expedite the work Messrs, Herman Krening
and Albert Kramer of the Irrigation and General Maintenance Divi-
sion, suggested a hand-spray gun with hose and reel be purchased and
assembled on the truck to make it possible to reach the weeds across
the canal and also those in areas not accessible to the truck. Since

22



CORN CAN
WITH STANDARD BOTTOM

or

a
ut’
TUT

Ae! SHAFT

lserocrers,
ler reerm i

Two WHEEL
ASSEMBLIES WITH
AXLES, SPACERS,

“PITCH

%
cups, ano
| Two 4x8"
TiRES AND TUBES
. fae
| u REAR VIE

Vann

t

‘.
y

DOUBLE YOKES:
Sena Ka" =

moveL 108-1 Too

| CARRIER. BAR WITH wn
ONE 24” SUBSOLER EXFENOED
SHANK. LESS CHISEL =

AND B00T Fron &

g

kf

DETAIL OF Lew ty

TORPEDO

DETAK OF
$2 FEEDER TUDE
x
aa
Tt

Figure 3--Parts of the burrow-builder

18

mat

SIDE VIEW



— —
G & For slope, see plan and profile Owgs: a i I

Post encasement.

Attach with

Symmetrical about € conal or lateral

inlet transition

End pane! of right-of-way
Te” fence; for detais, see 325-0-144

b= Bose width of
i canal or lterai Ly End post

oe

Safety net-””
TYPICAL PLAN

For Iz.1 side slopes
3! For 2:1 side slopes

-2#"Std. galvanized pipe

” Concrete anchors
ELEVATION

Ez! Wit beveled washer
Faz’ Turnbackie,
shackle and eye,
or hook and eye
i Thimble

‘8°Eye bolt with square nut
‘and cu! washer

“$ix6" Turnbuckle body

‘elongated link or J | <2 tenal or dt Anchor par. centered m concrete anchor
as directed. ~~ pa <.£4@6" Both ways
x 4'Bar on gach side, “~16"Max,unless a“
bolted @ 12" centers otherwise shown an
6x6" No.6 gage welded ‘Clear
mire fabric (Galvanized) Stondord 180° hook

NET, CABLE AND ANCHOR ASSEMBLY “uf Clear

NOTES

Post encasements and concrete anchors to be placed in
undisturbed earth or compacted fill

For locations where this protection 1s required, see design
drawings for conveyance structures.

jUREAU OF Reclamation

CENTRAL UTAH PROJECT
VERNAL UNIT-UTRH

STANAKER SERVICE CANAL
SAFETY NET

13



Rating speed, or rpm., indicates the engine speed at which the horse-
power rating is produced. It is not necessarily the same RPM at
which the engine is set for use in a particular vehicle. This differ-
ence occurs when the same engine is used in various types of vehicles.
While it might have the same capacity rating in all uses, the engine's
actual output and rpm. will be set to correspond with the power needed
for a particular unit.

Accessory load defines how the engine is equipped for a given rating.
Accessories (fan, generator and air compressor) are power users

and a higher rating can be obtained by excluding them in rating calcu-
lations. A maximum capacity rating normally is achieved in part by
excluding accessories. The fan is the largest power consumer, taking
as much as 30 hp. from an engine in a 40 yd. /struck wheel tractor-
scraper.

Load duration specifies how long the engine must hold the load to estab-
lish the horsepower rating. Extreme output can be taken from an
engine only for a short duration. A maximum rating generally states
the load is held for a period of 5 min. A flywheel rating is based on
unlimited vehicle operation as long as it is used for the purpose for
which it is designed.

When these factors are understood and properly defined, it is easier
to know what the various rating systems mean.

Throughout the industry, six general rating descriptions are used:

(1) Maximum: the bare engine, sea level correction, extra rpm.
and 5 min. of load (extra rpm, means beyond what is applied in
the vehicle),

(2) Maximum: bare engine, sea level correction, applied vehicle
rpm, and 5 min. load.

(3) Maximum: bare engine, sea level and temperature correction,
vehicle rpm. and engine's rated load.

(4) Flywheel: without fan only, sea level correction, vehicle RPM,
and vehicle Toad (vehicle service load conditions).

(5) Flywheel: with accessories, sea level correction, vehicle rpm.

and vehicle load.

(6) Flywheel: with accessories, factory conditions, vehicle rpm.
and vehicle load.

The practices of principal manufacturers of construction machinery
vary widely. Thus arises the problem for some customers of trying to
compare unlike horsepowers when preparing to apply machinery to
various jobs.



CURB ANGLES FOR CATTLE GUARD
(Suggestion R7-64-87)

Mr. Claude E, Murphy, Construction Inspector, Farwell Unit, Middle
Loup Division, Missouri River Basin Project, Nebraska, noted that it
was costing considerable money to straighten and replace cattle guard
wings that were damaged by traffic slipping off the cattle guards. His
suggestion to reduce the hazard to farm and project vehicles as well as
prevent damage to the guard wings is shown on the sketch on the following
page, and has been adopted for use in the preparation of future specifi-
cations to be prepared in the Office of Chief Engineer.

The suggestion entails the use of two 3- by 3- by 1/4-inch steel angles
welded on the cattleguard and located on each side of the traveled sur-
face with the steel angles horizontal legs extending toward the center-
line of the roadway. The vertical legs are lined up with the ends of

the bars, rails or pipes forming the roadway portion of the guard with
the legs bent outward at each approach end so that they become hori-
zontal in a distance of approximately 8 inches. This presents a sloping
surface to the wheel of a vehicle that might be at the edge of the guard
when entering or crossing the cattleguard.

*
*
*
*

25



after construction. District Manager W. D. Parish discovered soon
after placing the new concrete lined laterals in service that the clear
water and semitropical climate were very favorable for aquatic growth
in the new laterals,

This growth is especially bad where earth accumulated in the lined lat-
erals from newly constructed embankments and in reaches of lateral
above checks where velocity of flow is often reduced, In several
instances, the growth clogged almost the entire lateral section. Ditch
riders complained that they were unable to deliver sufficient quantities
of water to meet delivery requirements.

Irrigation in the Mercedes District is on a year around basis for
citrus, vegetables, cotton, grain, and pasture. It is difficult to find
periods of limited irrigation when the laterals can be taken out of serv-
ice for cleaning, and the District found hand cleaning was too time
consuming and expensive.

Mr. Parish noted that several manufacturers build machines that
possibly could be used to clean the new concrete lined laterals at a
much faster rate than by hand labor, After investigation, the District
purchased in April 1964 for $20,375, a track-mounted hydraulically-
actuated excavator. The wrist-like action where the 5-foot wide bucket
is attached to the boom and the sensitive hydraulic controls permit
fast efficient cleaning of the concrete lined lateral sections,

Original plans were to take laterals out of service for quick machine
cleaning. An unexpected bonus developed that was highly pleasing to
the District management, when it was found the machine satisfactorily
and efficiently removes aquatic growth and accumulated silt without
taking the laterals out of service. This is very fortunate as it is dif-
ficult to schedule interruption of service in laterals because of the
year around irrigation requirement.

The photograph on the front cover shows the machine in operation in
the Mercedes District with lateral flowing at less than one-half design
capacity. Total depth of the 3-foot bottom width lateral section at

this point is 3 feet and 3 inches. It is estimated the machine cleans
about 4, 000 lineal feet of lined lateral per 8-hour shift at an operating
cost of about $20 to $25 per mile, not including depreciation or owner-
ship expense,

Mr. Parish anticipates many other District operation and maintenance
uses for the machine such as loading materials, excavation for repair
work, and cleaning of drains, particularly near structures, Further
information can be furnished upon request by the Division of Irrigation
Operations, Mail Code D-400, Bureau of Reclamation, Building 53,
Denver Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225.



CLEANING CONCRETE LINED LATERALS

Mercedes Irrigation District No. 9 comprises 68, 000 acres of irrig-
able land located in Hidalgo and Cameron Counties in the Lower Rio
Grande Valley of Texas. Climate of the area is semitropical and the
average annual rainfall in the District is 24 inches. Temperatures
range from an extreme high of 110° to an extreme low of 16°, witha
mean value of 74°. Normally there are 362 days above freezing dur-
ing the year.

Under a $10, 800, 000 repayment contract executed on July 18, 1958,
the Bureau of Reclamation is completely rehabilitating the District
distribution system. Existing earth and deteriorated lined canals
are replaced with either new concrete lined sections or concrete
pipelines with round, rubber gasket joints. In addition to reducing
seepage losses, the rehabilitation work facilitates weed control, an
unusually difficult problem in this warm, humid climate.

Laterals with design capacities that can be contained in concrete pipe
ranging in size from 15 to 42 inches in diameter are constructed as
buried pipelines by District forces with pipe furnished by the Bureau
of Reclamation. The 30-inch and smaller-size pipe is a heavy-wall,
unreinforced, pressure-pipe manufactured locally. The 36- and
42-inch pipes are reinforced, and the smaller sizes are reinforced
where heads exceed 20 feet. The District has constructed about 138
miles of an estimated final project total of 238 miles of pipeline.
Rate of progress is currently about 40 miles per year using one crew
working six days a week,

Cost of concrete pipe averages less than $17,000 per mile for all
sizes, and ranges from about $8, 000 to $52,000 per mile. District
Manager W. D. Parish estimates District costs for labor, gates and
other materials at about $5, 000 per mile.

Farmers in the District are particularly pleased with the new pipe-
lines which furnish better service, eliminate the old weed infested
open ditches, and return many acres of unneeded right-of-way to the
farmer for production of valuable crops.

Laterals with design capacities too large for concrete pipelines were
constructed by contract with an open section and slip-form lined with
2.5-inch thick unreinforced concrete. All of the concrete lining con-
struction is now complete and 55 miles of concrete lined laterals were
constructed in the District between September 1960 and October 1963.
Concrete lined laterals have bottom widths of 3 or 5 feet and range in
depth from 2.5 to 6 feet. Average overall construction costs for the
lined laterals is less than $65,000 per mile.

The Board of Directors of the Mercedes District retained responsibil-
ity for operation and maintenance of project works both during and



PREVENTING ALGAE ATTACHMENT TO IRRIGATION STRUCTURES

Laboratory Report No. WC-14, under date of April 24, 1964, prepared
by the Water Conservation Branch of the Division of Research, Office
of Chief Engineer, Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, Colorado, isa
progress report of 1963 field evaluations on antifouling materials for
algae prevention. The investigations summarized in the report are
part of the aquatic weed control field research program being con-
ducted by the Bureau of Reclamation, in cooperation with the Crops
Research Division, ARS, USDA. The field study of antifouling mate-
rials is made possible primarily by the further cooperation of the
Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District of Northeastern Colorado
and the Bureau's Region 7 in canals constructed by the Bureau on the
Colorado-Big Thompson Project; however, other cooperative field tests
in irrigation canals of Regions 1, 3, and 7 are also included.

Earlier studies of materials that would reduce the tendency of algae

to adhere to concrete irrigation structures have been published in
previous issues of the Irrigation Operation and Maintenance bulletin.
The two more recent issues that contained a discussion of the research
program were Releases Nos. 37 and 40, to which referral is made for
a more complete discussion of the research program.

Results to Date

The study now in its fifth year reports briefly that of 38 paint mate-
rials, some special coating applications and several algaecidal
concrete additives, certain vinyl-based, high cuprous oxide content-
type paints continue to show the best results on the basis of both
algae inhibition and durability after 4 and 5 years of exposure; a
coating of metallic copper applied as a molten spray to a concrete
panel has continued to give good algae prevention during 3 years of
exposure; and various algaecidal materials incorporated into and
on the surface of concrete panels did not show any degree of algae
inhibition.

Continuing Studies

Three views typical of the method of field evaluation are shown in
Figures 1, 2, and 3. The first is a view of the concrete lined St.

Vrain Supply Canal, looking upstream with some of the painted sec-
tions on the right side.

Figure 2 shows a VR-3 coating containing 20 percent tributyl tin
oxide and is relatively free of algal growth following the third season
of exposure, as compared with the adjacent unpainted concrete
lining.

Figure 3 is a vinyl resin cuprous oxide paint that exhibits good algae
prevention following five seasons of exposure.

14


Further information concerning the tractor and blade can be obtained
from the Division of Irrigation Operations, Code D-400, Building 53,
Denver Federal Center, Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, Colorado
80225.

HOW TO UNDERSTAND HORSEPOWER RATINGS

(Reprinted from the August 1964 issue of Western Construction
with the permission of the Editor)

Do construction men really understand the horsepower ratings in
their vehicles? Rating systems for wheel loaders, track loaders,
wheel tractors, off-highway trucks, motor, graders, track-type
tractors and tractor-scrapers vary greatly among manufacturers of
diesel equipment.

While horsepower can be readily defined with precision as an expres-
sion of rate of work output, it's hard to be sure of what a vehicle's
working horsepower is on the basis of the advertised rating. Basi-
cally there are two types of vehicle horsepower ratings, one based on
performance and the other on capacity.

Performance horsepower ratings report the actual work output of the
engine as applied to the vehicle. Capacity horsepower ratings are
generally described as maximum and tell the potential of the basic
engine. Although both are actual ratings, they give the engine output
under entirely different conditions. Thus they are not comparable
and comparisons may be misleading.

As different definitions of horsepower are used, it is apparent that a
more complete understanding of ratings is needed. If owners know
the basic factors involved in determining horsepower, it can assist
in the understanding of horsepower ratings.

The four factors involved in engine horsepower ratings are:

Sea level correction,
Rating speed on RPM,
Accessory load, and
Load duration

How do these affect horsepower ratings ?

A sea level correction allows for the theoretical affect on engine
rating caused by differences in ambient temperatures and barometric
pressures. The air density where an engine is rated varies between
manufacturers, because of differences in location. By correcting
ratings to sea level standard conditions, a basis for comparison is

provided. The ratings, however, show only potential outputs under
the specified conditions.



Figure 4--Artificial burrow intercepting natural pocket gopher
burrow

Figure 5--Field near Livermore, Colorado, after treatment with
burrow-builder, showing surface disturbance

20


Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation

IRRIGATION OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE —
BULLETIN NO. 51

January, February, March 1965

In This Issue:

Cleaning Concrete Lined Laterals

Maintenance of Roadways on Lateral Banks

How to Understand Horsepower Ratings

Portable Weirs

“Hookaroon”

Lightning Arrestors for Fences

Self Cleaning Weedrack

Canal and Lateral Safety Net

Preventing Algae Attachment to Irrigation Structures
The Burrow-Builder and Its Use for Control of Pocket Gophers
Spraying Weeds in Inaccessible Areas

Curb Angles for Cattle Guard


The portable weir shown in the
photograph at left, with canvas
attached, can be dropped into a
farmer's ditch to serve as a
check and weir. The top rod
spans the ditch from bank to
bank and supports the weir in
a vertical position while the
canvas acts as a portable can-
vas dam.

The two photographs below show
a weir fabricated by the North
Side Canal Company at Jerome,
Idaho, and can be used to check
farm deliveries or serve as a
measuring device until a per-
manent installation is made.

PX-D-47347NA

PX-D-47348NA


To illustrate the effect of these rating definitions, it is best to take
as an example an engine set at 100 hp. and defining this horsepower
as flywheel with accessories, or number 6, as indicated above. This
particular engine corrected to sea level standard conditions (29,92 in
Hg and 60 deg. F.), which is the flywheel definition, number 5, could
bring the horsepower rating as defined to 104.

Moving to flywheel definition, number 4, and removing the fan only,
could raise the horsepower rating to 114. The next area, number 3,
is a maximum or capacity type rating. The bare engine is corrected
to sea level at engine manufacturer's rated load and could result in
horsepower rating of 120. The next maximum rating, number 2, has
a short duration load but at the vehicle operating speed that provides
a possible 135-hp. rating. The ultimate of capacity ratings, number
1, might reach as high as 150. Thus, the same engine with a flywheel
horsepower output of 100, as indicated in number 6, could, by these’
various definitions, have as high as 150 hp. maximum for rating
purposes,

In another phase of understanding horsepower ratings, it is obvious
the intended use of vehicles and normal application conditions can
allow different flywheel horsepower settings for essentially the same
engine and still provide equal service life.

How is it best to provide realistic horsepower ratings? It has become
apparent so far that the best starting points for understanding are rec-
ognizing that maximum horsepower ratings reflect capacity, or capa-

bility, and that flywheel ratings indicate the actual output performance.

Flywheel horsepower output of the engine is set by the manufacturer
to provide good service life in a vehicle. Thus, no limitations are
made on the operation of the vehicle as long as it is used for the pur-
pose it was designed and built. It becomes the manufacturer's respon-
sibility to set the engine output to match intended usage of the machine
without working limitations and still give good service life.

Owners recognizing that there are differences in horsepower ratings
will buy construction vehicles with a better understanding of what the
machines can do on the job.

PORTABLE WEIRS

Mr. John V. Walker of the Regional Irrigation Division of the Bureau
of Reclamation, Boise, Idaho, has suggested the three photographs on
the next page be included in the bulletin for the benefit of those who
have a need for portable weirs.


92

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MAINTENANCE OF ROADWAYS ON LATERAL BANKS

The Bureau of Reclamation recently constructed under five construc-
tion contracts, 23 miles of new concrete lined laterals to replace
earth and deteriorated lined laterals in the La Feria Irrigation Dis-
trict, located in Cameron County in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of
Texas.

Design width of lateral banks for use as roadways on both sides of

the newly lined canals was only 8 feet minimum. Although this width
is less than desirable, insufficient borrow material on existing rights-
of-way and extremely high cost of additional rights-of-way over valu-
able crop lands prevented design of additional bank width. Fortu-
nately, unanticipated optional use of drain bank spoil available within
relatively long haul distances and use of large conventional grading
equipment by construction contractors, resulted in more than the
required 1 foot of earth freeboard above the concrete lining and in
finished bank widths of about 10 feet in most instances.

However, La Feria District

— 3 ditchriders and maintenance
> a personnel found it difficult to
maneuver cars,and trucks around
some of the sharp curves in the
newly lined laterals with road-
ways built to design width of 8
feet. It is also difficult to use
conventional large grading equip-
ment for minor repairs to the
roadways and embankments.

Manager R. T. Hensley of the
La Feria District solved this
problem by attaching a 5-foot
grader blade to a rubber-tired
farm-type tractor to maintain
the surface of the curved road-
ways and to widen banks con-
structed with more than the
design freeboard of 1 foot. See
photograph at left. The tractor
is also very useful in making
minor repairs quickly to the lat-
eral roadways and embankments
at miscellaneous locations, where
settlement or erosion may occur after heavy rains on the newly con-
structed lateral banks,

Cost of the tractor purchased in October 1958 was $2,310, and the
blade cost $300. Although the tractor is available for lateral roadway
repairs, it is used primarily with a mower attachment to mow weeds
on lateral banks.


Figure 1--Burrow-builder

Figure 2--Burrow-builder in operation


the spraying is done in rattlesnake-infested areas, and water of high
velocity is flowing in the canal, it was found necessary to modify
the equipment to support the hose leading to the spray gun to accom-
plish the work in an efficient and safe manner. This required con-
siderable adaptation.

A folding boom to support the hose that could be quickly assembled

and disassembled and still be attached to the spray rig in a manner

that would be permissible for transportation on the highway was devised
and constructed. The boom, 25 feet 7 inches long with a total weight of
only 80 pounds that folds up to form a compact unit 7 feet long is shown
in the photograph above in use along the Charles Hansen Feeder Canal
of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project. A reel-mounted hose expedites
any changes needed in hose length. Distances up to 75 feet from the
truck can be covered with this device, and the hose is supported in
such a manner as to prevent it from dragging on the ground or in the
water,

Another view of the spray rig and boom that was constructed in the
Project's Loveland Irrigation maintenance shop is shown in the photo-
graph on the next page. The boom was constructed in three sections
and folds along the vehicle bed when not in use, The sections are
tapered. The first section is made of l-inch angle iron, 1/4" thick,
and the second and third sections are made of 1/8-inch by 1-inch angle
iron. The final section of boom consists of a 1-inch oak dowl 4-1/2
feet in length. The boom is used with 125 feet of 1/2-inchI.D,. high
pressure hose,

23


CLEANING CONCRETE LINED LATERALS

Mercedes Irrigation District No. 9 comprises 68, 000 acres of irrig-
able land located in Hidalgo and Cameron Counties in the Lower Rio
Grande Valley of Texas. Climate of the area is semitropical and the
average annual rainfall in the District is 24 inches. Temperatures
range from an extreme high of 110° to an extreme low of 16°, with a
mean value of 74°, Normally there are 362 days above freezing dur-
ing the year.

Under a $10, 800, 000 repayment contract executed on July 18, 1958,
the Bureau of Reclamation is completely rehabilitating the District
distribution system. Existing earth and deteriorated lined canals
are replaced with either new concrete lined sections or concrete
pipelines with round, rubber gasket joints. In addition to reducing
seepage losses, the rehabilitation work facilitates weed control, an
unusually difficult problem in this warm, humid climate.

Laterals with design capacities that can be contained in concrete pipe
ranging in size from 15 to 42 inches in diameter are constructed as
buried pipelines by District forces with pipe furnished by the Bureau
of Reclamation. The 30-inch and smaller-size pipe is a heavy-wall,
unreinforced, pressure-pipe manufactured locally. The 36- and
42-inch pipes are reinforced, and the smaller sizes are reinforced
where heads exceed 20 feet. The District has constructed about 138
miles of an estimated final project total of 238 miles of pipeline.
Rate of progress is currently about 40 miles per year using one crew
working six days a week.

Cost of concrete pipe averages less than $17,000 per mile for all
sizes, and ranges from about $8, 000 to $52,000 per mile. District
Manager W. D. Parish estimates District costs for labor, gates and
other materials at about $5, 000 per mile.

Farmers in the District are particularly pleased with the new pipe-
lines which furnish better service, eliminate the old weed infested
open ditches, and return many acres of unneeded right-of-way to the
farmer for production of valuable crops.

Laterals with design capacities too large for concrete pipelines were
constructed by contract with an open section and slip-form lined with
2.5-inch thick unreinforced concrete. All of the concrete lining con-
struction is now complete and 55 miles of concrete lined laterals were
constructed in the District between September 1960 and October 1963.
Concrete lined laterals have bottom widths of 3 or 5 feet and range in
depth from 2.5 to 6 feet. Average overall construction costs for the
lined laterals is less than $65,000 per mile.

The Board of Directors of the Mercedes District retained responsibil-
ity for operation and maintenance of project works both during and



SELF CLEANING WEEDRACK
By
Eldon L. Johns
Columbia Basin Project, Washington

"Build a better mouse trap and the world will beat a path to your
door, "' the maxim goes. In this case perhaps it could well be edited
to read, build a better weedrack and O&M personnel will beat a path
to your desk. Although possibly not the ultimate, a new and better
type of weedrack has been developed on the Columbia Basin Project
that is simple to construct, requires less material to build, and by
using existing chutes or inclined drops, it is particularly well suited
to combing out large weeds such as Russian Thistle or Mustard which
are common to the Project area. Several views of typical racks are
shown in Figures Nos. 1, 2 and 3,

Figure 1

Constructed of one to one and a half inch diameter pipe or square
tubing, the rack has a flat metal plate at the upstream end and an
operating platform at the downstream end, where weeds are collected
and burned. The operating platform is made up of landing mats sup-
ported by laterally positioned pipes. The upstream flat plate has a
dual purpose. It smooths the flow of water through the rack and pre-
vents the water from splashing over the structure walls. The plate
also prevents weeds hanging upon the upstream end of the pipes forming
the rack. Whenever possible the plate and rack are positioned to take
advantage of any changes in the slope of the structure to minimize the
obstruction to the flow of water.

The real value of this weedrack, of course, lies in its self-cleaning

action. Since the rack does not require constant attention to keep the
weeds from impeding the water's flow, the weeds are easily removed

10


the individual panels. The principal factor involved in this excessive
weight seemed to be the 3" x 1/4" steel bars which were bolted along
the bottom and top of the panel.

A restriction of passage for debris down a canal or lateral can be
dangerous in that any appreciable amount of such material lodged at

a safety net will cause a partial dam in the water course and a cor-
responding rise in the water surface elevation which very possibly
could overtop the canal bank. A great many tumbleweeds blow into
canals and laterals during the windstorms, and it would be advanta-
geous from a maintenance cost standpoint, as well as safety, if such
floating debris could be passed on down the watercourse and flushed
out a wasteway. This danger from windstorms is accentuated at night
when ditchriders normally are not on duty.

Mr. Maxey suggests that the design of the individual panels be modi-
fied in the following way to facilitate the passage of debris past the
structure. The position of the vertical suspension chains or cables
which support the individual panels should be moved in towards the
center of the panels so that considerably less torque pressure would
be required to turn the panel sideways and permit a mass of weeds to
slip past the side of the safety net and float on down the watercourse.
In addition the overall weight of the individual panels should be decreased
as much as 60-75 percent, if possible, by narrowing the width and by
installing small and lighter weight steel bars on the top and bottom of
the panels. That much decrease in weight would greatly facilitate the
passage of weeds and other debris around, as well as under the panels,
and yet the net normally would hang in a position where a person
floating down the watercourse could reach it.

It also would appear that the safety nets could be shorter and still be
effective, particularly in the shallower canals. For example, ina
canal with water depth of 5 feet, the bottom of the net should not have
to be closer than 2. 5-3.0 feet from the bottom of the canal. A canal
with normal water depth of 5 feet usually is operated at a depth of
2.5-3.0 feet for only very short periods of time, principally during
the priming period in early spring, and a human being in the water
could still reach the net if it extended down to the top of the water
surface.

It is believed the suggested changes in design could assist materially
in making safety nets self-cleaning, thus greatly reducing the present
maintenance cost of manually pulling debris from above a net with a
weed hook. They also will reduce the possibility of a break in a canal
caused by a weed jam backing up the water and overtopping the bank.
While the monetary saving in maintenance cost would be appreciable,
the safety and stability of canals and laterals is much more important,
as a single break in a large canal could very easily result in thousands
of dollars in repair and damage costs.

KOK OK

12



IRRIGATION OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
Bulletin No. 51

JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH 1965

INTRODUCTION

Beginning on page 1, there is described a machine for cleaning
concrete-lined laterals which is in use in the Lower Rio Grande
Valley, Texas; on page 3 is an article from the same project dis-
cussing the maintenancé of roadways on lateral banks.

"How to Understand Horsepower Ratings,'' beginning on page 4, has
been reprinted with the special permission of the Editor of Western
Construction.

On page 11 there is an article on safety nets for canals and laterals and
also a drawing on page 13 describing installation of the nets.

Of special interest to some projects, will be the article on the Control
of Pocket Gophers which begins on page 16. This article is reprinted
by permission of the Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of
the Interior. Improvement of methods of controlling pocket gophers
has long been needed by farmers, ranchers, and others engaged in
agriculture. A new approach, one using a machine called a “"burrow-
builder'' has been developed. ‘This equipment attached to a tractor,
constructs artificial gopher runways at controlled depths below the
surface of the ground and mechanically places bait in the runways.
Tests in Colorado have shown the high potential this approach and
equipment have in controlling both the plains pocket gopher and the
mountain pocket gopher. The method and machine may also have
application in the control of other rodents,

The final article on pages 25 and 26 concerns a suggestion for the pre-
vention of damage to cattle guard wings by traffic crossing the guard.



What Has Been Done

The machine has been field-tested against the plains pocket gopher
(Geomys bursarius) in alfalfa fields in Weld County, Colorado, All
tests were conducted in the spring of 1959 when the sandy-loam soil
was moist. Gopher populations were estimated to be 10 to 15 animals
per acre. A good artificial burrow was constructed at a depth of 9
inches, and the interval between these burrows across the field was

25 to 30 feet, Between 3 and 4 pounds of bait were used on each acre
and the average treatment time was 10 minutes. At this rate, one man
could treat approximately 50 acres per day at a cost of $1.50 per acre
(80 cents for bait, 30 cents for labor, and 40 cents for rental of
tractor). Under these conditions 90 to 100 percent control was obtained.

Baits used in these tests were formulations of Compound 1080 and milo
maize, and strychnine and milo maize with the addition of a small
quantity of Erigeron extract to increase acceptance. Recommended
baits for use in the ''burrow-builder'' may be obtained by contacting
district offices of the Branch of Predator and Rodent Control.

Soil conditions in the mountains of Colorado during the summer of 1959
generally were too dry for efficient use of the ''burrow-builder", so
tests involving the mountain pocket gopher (Thomomys talpoides),
Figure 6, were carried out in October in mixed alfalfa-grass hayfields

Figure 6--Thomomys talpoides

in Larimer County. The soil, moistened by recent rains, was a sandy-
clay-loam type with some rocks. Gopher populations were estimated
to be 10 to 15 per acre. A good artificial burrow was constructed at a
depth of 6 inches, and the interval between these burrows across the


The Irrigation Operation and Maintenance bulletin is published
quarterly, for the benefit of irrigation project people. Its prin-
cipal purpose is to serve as a medium of exchanging operation
and maintenance information. It is hoped that the reports herein
concerning labor-saving devices and less costly equipment and
procedures, developed by resourceful project people, will result
in improved efficiency and reduced costs on the systems of those
operators adapting these ideas to their needs.

To assure proper recognition of those individuals whose suggestions
are published in the bulletins, the suggestion number as well as the
person's name is given. All Bureau offices are reminded to notify
their Suggestions Award Committee when a suggestion is adopted.

MK Kk

Division of Irrigation Operations
Office of Chief Engineer
Denver, Colorado

The cover depicts a machine in operation

in the Mercedes Division, Lower Rio Grande
River Project, Texas, cleaning moss and
silt out of a concrete-lined lateral having a
3-foot bottom width and a depth of 3-feet,
3-inches.



With the devised equipment, the operator using the hand spray has
greater balance and more freedom to maneuver, This makes it
possible to spray weeds for longer periods of time without tiring
and with greater safety and efficiency. Another view of the sprayer
in action is shown below.

24


"HOOKAROON"

Another device observed by
Mr. John V. Walker, Bureau
of Reclamation, Division of
Irrigation, Boise, Idaho, in
his travels about the Pacific
Northwest projects con-
structed by the Bureau (see
Portable Weirs, page 6) is the
"Hookaroon" used to remove
check boards. This tool,
shown in use in the photograph
at left, is used extensively by
the lumber industry and can be
located in any good hardware
catalog.

7 t Mr. Walt Hoffbuhr, Manager,
P448-pss9252 of the Talent Irrigation Dis-
trict, Rogue River Basin Proj-
ect, Oregon, uses these tools to very good advantage, A light duty
type is recommended for the service required by Mr, Hoffbuhr.

LIGHTNING ARRESTORS FOR FENCES
(Suggestion R7-65-2)

In some areas the loss of livestock caused by lightning striking a

wire fence is not at all unusual. Severe electrical storms arise in
the Ainsworth, Nebraska, area, where extensive livestock on range
grass grazing across boundary fences necessitates a safety device for
their protection. Also government personnel opening and closing metal
gates while engaged in operation and maintenance of facilities are also
vulnerable to lightning exposure. In addition to the hazardous condi-
tion that can be created by lightning, there are overhead numerous
transverse crossings of power transmission lines to be considered.
Line breakage that occurs during high winds or from coatings of ice,
can cause a high voltage charge to be transmitted throughout the fence
lines and into the gate positions along the main fence lines.

Mr. Robert D. Fitch, Safety Officer, of the Niobrara-Lower Platte
Projects Office, Ainsworth, Nebraska, has drawn a sketch of an elec-
trical charge grounding arrangement that can be used along right-of-
way fencing adjacent to main canals, laterals, and on reservation
boundary lines. Where problems exist similar to those cited in the
Ainsworth, Nebraska, area, the suggestion may be very worthwhile.



Figure 2 Figure 3

from or destroyed on the landing mat platform, and a great deal of
time and labor are saved by not having to pick heavy clumps of weeds
from the teeth of the rack. Also, and at least equally important, there
is much less chance of this type of weedrack becoming choked with
weeds and flooding a lateral.

In operation since 1956, this type of rack, where applicable, appears
to be a real winner for racking up the weeds.

CANAL AND LATERAL SAFETY NET
(Suggestion R9-64-9)

The present safety nets which are installed in canals and laterals, as
shown on Drawing No. 325-D-136, page 13, are designed with panel
sections presumably to permit the passage around or under the individ-
ual panels of tumbleweeds and other floating debris which would normally
lodge on a 6"'x 6'' wire screen. However, William Maxey, Jr., of the
Division of Irrigation and Land Use, Washington, D.C., has observed
that the panels, which were placed on the Steinaker Service Canal, Vernal
Unit, and on the Florida Canal, Florida Project, were so heavy that they
could not be moved enough by the force of the water-soaked weeds backed
up in the canal above the net to allow the debris to get around or under

11