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with a bolt cutter, the spikes can be used instead of eye bolts, at a cost
of only about 4 cents each, which includes the cost of labor for bending
and cutting. The jig for bending the spikes and one of the finished
spikes are shown in the photographs below.

In addition to the saving in the cost of material, there was an
additional saving of time in the use of the pointed spikes which were
easier to drive into the logs. The U-shaped open end formed in the
spike made it possible to drive the spike into a log part way, and a tie
line, which may be holding several logs together, can then be snapped
under the hook end of the spike before driving it completely into the
log over the wire. With a closed eye-bolt, the end of the long towing
line would have had to have been threaded through the opening in the
eye-bolt.

Cable Drum for Holding Wire Scraps

Various kinds of scrap wire is used for tying the logs together--
old telephone wire, power line wire, fence wire, etc. There had to be
some device for holding and dispensing such scrap wire and the cable
drum made from scrap and shown on top of the boat cabin was fabricated
by the resourceful employees.

RoR KR

34

GPO 933308


DOG CATCHER
(Suggestion R2-59-161)

A device for removing dogs or other small animals from canals
is shown in the sketch below. The device was the suggestion of Donald J.
Berry, Supervisory Engineering Technician, Tracy Operations Field
Branch, Central Valley Project, California. The suggestion enables a
ditchrider to remove animals from the water without the danger of being
bitten.

In the operation of the concrete-lined Contra Costa Canal with
its steep slopes of 14:1, it becomes the ditchrider's duty to rescue
small animals which either accidently fall or deliberately jump into
the water. They cannot escape from the canal because of the steep banks.
Dogs are the most common animals that become trapped in this way. Pre-
viously a rope noose was used to extricate the animals, but this often took
many tries, depending upon the skill of the ditchrider, before the animal
could be caught. After the animal was pulled onto the canal bank the
rescuer was exposed to attack by the frightened animal, especially when
an attempt was made to remove the noose.

The device suggested is now in regular use along the Contra
Costa Canal System. The two 5-foot sections are threaded together for
use, fashioning the loop in the’ plastic covered cable: In extricating
an animal the loop is placed around the animal's midsection and the cable
is drawn tight, securing the excess cable to the cleat provided on the
handle of the device. Upon removal, the cable can be quickly released.

<Plastic covered cable

-#" Conduit pipe

Coble outlet eye

¥ Coupling-riveted
Teer ie

ne a a

F° Nipple-rivete
to. conduit pip

Extension-$" conduit pipe”

---5 Ft

Cleat (for f
securing cable)”

11



and deteriorating surface shown at right that has been in service for a
similar length of time, but exposed to the sunlight.

OR KKK

The photograph at
left shows the black-
fly cocoons adhering
to the concrete at the
inlet to a siphon, al-
though the concrete
surfaces were treated
with the antifouling
paint.

Preparations for
repainting must in-
clude the removal of
adhering algae and
cocoons as well as
loose deteriorated
concrete and other
foreign matter.

ALUMINUM MARKERS FOR TRANSMISSION TOWERS
(Suggestion R2-57-116)

As a result of a suggestion
of Electrical Engineer William
Eckhoff, that aluminum decals
be used in the marking of trans-
mission line towers, automotive
equipment and other property, the
Bureau's Regional Office in Sac-
ramento, California, decided to
try the idea for a year in the
marking of identification letters
and numbers on transmission line
towers, as shown at left.

Regional Supervisor of Irri-
gation and Power Martin Blote, has
announced that the tests have proved
the markers satisfactory and that
this method of marking is now being
used region-wide at a savings of
some $1,500 per year over the pre-
vious practice of stencilling the
identifying letters and numbers.

Further information on the use
of the markers can be obtained by

writing the Regional Director, U. S. Bureau of Reclamation, Sacramento,

California.

KK Kk
21


and tules below the canal and contributed to the general water-logging
of adjacent irrigated farm lands.

The canal was originally designed with a 16-foot bottom width,
a 6.95-foot normal water depth, and14:1 side slopes. Considerable ex-
cavation would have been required to remove the existing subgrade mate-
rial to provide a side slope of 23:1 on the upper bank, which is presently
recommended, had buried membrane type canal lining been utilized for
seepage control in this reach. For this reason, the decision was made
to construct a nearly vertical cutoff barrier, as shown in the drawing on
the facing page. The figure illustrates the work involved, showing the
relative dimensions of the excavated trench, the location of the plastic
curtain, etc. Field investigations indicated that it was approximately 28
feet from a point 18 inches above the normal water level in the canal to
the top of the clay layer underlying the section.

Project forces constructed benches on the lower side of the
canal with bulldozers, as shown in the photograph on the preceding page.
The top of the bench
was 18 inches verti-
cally above the oper-
ating water level of
the canal and was used
as the working level
for a dragline with a
1-cubic yard bucket,
as shown at left. The
cutoff trench varied
from 26 to 28 feet in
depth, with the slope
of the upper portion
being about 1/2:1,
while the bottom por-
tion was practically
vertical.

Several samples of plastic materials were submitted to the
Bureau's Engineering Laboratories in Denver, Colorado, for initial eval-
uation well ahead of the field installation. The most promising of these
samples was selected by the manufacturer for the field trials from the
test results supplied. Selected for the cutoff curtain was an 8-mil thick
vinyl plastic. This material, prefabricated into a single sheet 30 feet
wide and 400 feet long, was shipped to the site of the work in a wooden
crate measuring 4 feet in width, 8 feet in length, and 2 feet in depth.

A sample of the plastic used is attached below.

The plastic had been folded,
using an accordion type fold 4
feet wide. In order to reduce
the tension that would be inflicted
upon the material in unfolding and
spreading the 400-foot long single


SPLIT-RING COLLAR SUPPORTS OPERATING SHAFT
(Suggestion R3BC-58-133)

Outlet works at Hoover Dam, located on the Colorado River and
a part of the Boulder Canyon Project, include eleven 84-inch and twelve
72-inch needle valves which are hydraulically operated by use of water
at penstock pressure. The control stands are located on a floor above
the needle valves and the 4-way piston type control valves are located
under the needle valves. Shafting passing completely through the needle
valves is used for connecting the control stands to the 4-way control
valves.

The bearing that supports the lower section of the control
shaft is inside the 4-way control valve. Consequently, this section of
the control shaft must be supported from above before the control valve
can be dismantled. Because of the corrosive action of the Colorado
River Water, the piston-type valves must be dismantled and cleaned an-
nually. Cleaning operations include removing the loose rust and scale
which is deposited in
---~ Shaft to manually - operated the water passageways
handwh eel and removing a lime
coating which collects
on the machined sur-
faces.

<Shear pms A device that has
been permanently in-
--S pli fe rth talled on each of the
~ spit r E6626 ore Sarre ting large needle valves at
See Detail @ the Hoover Powerplant
and which has been
very satisfactory is a
split-ring collar shown
_-Needle valve body in the sketch at left.
Support for the lower
shaft in the manner
indicated was a sug-
gestion of Houston I.
Wheeler, Powerplant

— Mechanic, who head-
3 Sockebhead fs) quarters at Boulder
ma
ONT

---Shaft to hydraulic. Control valve
for needle Valve

co o
ap Serew City, Nevada.
%

People responsible
for maintaining needle

etal, valves of the type de-
pera @ scribed on other Bureau
HOOVER DAM works have probably en-
SUPPORT FOR CONTROL SHAFT countered similar prob-
ON NEEDLE VALVES lems and can depend upon

the suggested device
supporting the weight of the lower operating shafts.
2K OK ok ok
32



the necessity of employing divers, Howard D. Thomas, Engineer in the
Power Field Division, with headquarters at Coulee Dam, Washington,
designed a unique hydroscope which can be used from a small boat, but
gives the inspector the advantage of seeing the bottom as it appears
from the lower end of the hydroscope; that is, only three or four feet
distant.

A shop drawing of the hydroscope is given on the preceding
page. Briefly, the hydroscope consists of a 4-inch diameter aluminum
pipe about 15 feet long with a lens system at each end equivalent to that
of an ordinary telescope, but with the two arranged to face each other.
This has the effect of moving the eye point the length of the tube, but
results in no magnification. The field of view is 53 degrees so that a
circle 4 feet in diameter can be seen at a distance of 4 feet.

The hydroscope weighs 80 pounds and is arranged to float verti-
cally with the upper end two feet out of the water. On a normally bright
day, no additional illumination is needed in water 20 to 25 feet in depth.
With lights attached to the hydroscope, a clear view is possible at all
times. Additional sections of pipe can be added in the middle section to
adapt the device to deeper water.

Cost of constructing the hydroscope was about $325. The amount
saved would be the difference between the cost of employing a diver for
inspections and the cost of handling the equipment. One advantage is
that the hydroscope is immediately available for use whenever any trouble
is suspected, while a diver usually cannot be obtained for several days.
Another advantage is that when a diver is used, he will often roil the
water and impede the view by walking in the silt and mud found in the
bottom of a canal.

Since the drawing gives no information on the lens system used,
it should be noted that the eyepiece has a 14-inch focal length and is 54
millimeters in diameter. The telescope objective lens is a cemented
achromatic 1016 millimeters (40-inch) in focal length, 83 millimeters
in diameter, magnesium flouride coated. Variations can be used if the
scope dimensions are changed.

As stated previously, visibility is increased by the addition
of artificial light. In deep water the addition of a floodlight mounted
near the lower end will supplement natural illumination. If further
information is desired, write the Project Manager, Columbia Basin
Project, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Ephrata, Washington.

Rokk KE

18



ONE-MAN DITCHER

Mr. Axel Persson, retired manager, Lower Yellowstone
Project, Sidney, Montana, states that one big advantage of the ditcher
shown below and on the following page is that it is coupled directly to
the power unit and hydraulically operated, making the work accom-
plished with the ditcher a one man operation.

Commenting further on the piece of equipment, Mr. Persson
states that there has been a need for improved mechanized maintenance
equipment to increase the efficiency in maintenance on irrigation sys-
tems and at the same time reduce labor costs to a minimum. Due to the
limited demand for certain types of maintenance equipment, manufacturers
have been slow in developing this type of equipment; however, more re-
cently, efficient and very useful equipment is now being developed. The
ditcher described and shown here and bank slopers described in previous
issues of the bulletin are comparatively recent equipment developments
aimed at irrigation maintenance problems.

The ditcher has two hydraulic controls; one on the plow and one
on the traveling gear. The dimensions of the ditcher are: 10.6-foot
blade, 10-foot wing spread, and 30-inch depth of blade. The ditcher can
be adjusted to clean any size ditch from 1 foot to 4 feet in depth, and can
be raised to clear the average structure or ditch bank that the power unit
can clear. The ditcher shown in this article and in use on the Lower Yel-
lowstone Project, is mounted on a crawler tractor. With the quick break-
away hose connections and hitch, the ditching unit can be dismantled in
two minutes.


repainted again this spring. More difficulty is encountered in keeping
this second flume in condition. The antifouling paint has only served
for two irrigation seasons and it is contemplated that it will be painted
prior to the beginning of the irrigation season with the antifouling paint
at the rate of 1 gallon per 200 square feet.

Covering the
flumes with a shed
roof definitely has
advantages. The anti-
fouling paint in the
shade of the roof, as
shown at left, is in
much better condition
than that exposed to
the direct sunlight as
shown in the photo-
graph on the preceding
page. An estimate of
the annual cost of
maintenance with the
shed roof is close to
that for more frequent
painting.

It is estimated that the annual cost of painting is now $1.08
per linear foot of flume. The cost of the shed-type structure to cover
the flume is estimated to cost $20.00 per linear foot. Some painting
would have to be done under the sheds at about 6 to 7 year intervals.
Interest on the investment would have to be added to the cost as well as
the cost of maintenance. A distinct advantage, however, and an impor-
tant one, is that the shed could be constructed during the winter and it
would not be necessary to clean and paint the flumes during the rush
period just before the start of the water season, when weather suitable
for the painting operation permits.

In the photographs above, the condition of the paint with and
without the protection of the shed are illustrated. The smooth, adher-
ing paint under the shed in the left photograph, that has been in service
two irrigation seasons, is in sharp contrast to the scaling, peeling

20


CLEARING FLOATING LOGS FROM RESERVOIRS

Winter storms bring a huge pile of logs and other debris into
Shasta Lake, the 4,493,000 acre-foot reservoir created by Shasta Dam
on the Sacramento River in northern California, and an integral part of
the Central Valley Project. The logs are a threat to navigation and a
menace to life and must be cleared away. Clearing is done by "snaking"
the logs by boat to shore where they are fastened to trees or other logs so
fastened, and where they can be burned when the water level in the res-
ervoir is lowered.

Faced with the big operation involved in clearing the logs
from the lake, Marine Foreman W. Evert Rice, Tugboat Operator
Arthur M. Parks, and Motor Boat Operator Meral A. Elliott, began
devising a means to do the work faster, easier, and ina less expensive
manner. They devised a hinged platform that enabled them to work at
water level from the boat while tieing the logs together; a drum to hold
scraps of wire used for tieing the logs together; and a jig for making eye
bolts from big spikes that are driven into the logs and through which wire
is threaded for the towing operation.

Water Level Working Platform

The working plat-
form shown in the photo-
graph at left swings
over the side of the
boat and provides a
platform on which a
crew member can stand
while driving bolts or
spikes into the logs
for towing to shore,
either one at a time
or several fastened
together. Without the
platform, the whole
operation would be ex-
tremely difficult and
hazardo because one
could not reach the
logs and drive the
bolts from deck level.

Eye Bolt Jig

Eye bolts of the
size necessary cost 25
cents or more each.
, By devising a jig from
pipe and by clipping
the heads off spikes

33


BILL OF MATERIAL

Single Phase electric motor $HP 4", 4"L 12-0"
Gear box . Weed rack
12" shoft 12'-6" one Weed rack
12" shaft two 10" Sprocket for 13" shaft four
6 x6" two 13" bronze bearings
6 x od six link chain
a"x 2d one
= Check spacing before welding _|_y
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fi i ote
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— Wooden bearings--

15

Bottom of

conal- Pia



A similar method
of benching used in
the cutoff curtain in-
stallation was employed
for the buried lining
installation as shown at
left. The benches,
about 10 feet wide,
were leveled by dozers
18 inches in elevation
above maximum water
elevation in the canal,
allowing ample free-
board. A dragline ex-
cavated the invert 2
feet below normal canal
grade.

Cutoff trenches were provided at both ends of the reach to be
lined, and the 8-mil thick vinyl plastic, identical to that used in the
cutoff curtain installation, was placed over the canal perimeter, tuck-
ing the film into the cutoff trenches. It was held in place at the berm
by hand placement of loose earth. This installation required a single
sheet of the film that was 40 feet in width and 350 feet long.

The slopes of the canal were left essentially as excavated
with the dragline. That is, no special trimming or rolling was performed
although one pass with a motor patrol or grader, had there been one
available having the mold board angled to trim the slope, would have
produced a much better subgrade or base for the plastic at practically
no cost. The sequence of operations is shown in the photographs below
and on the following pages.

The plastic film,
after removal from the
shipping crate, was
placed near the center
of the reach to be
lined and methods simi-
lar to that used in
placing and handling
the film for the cut-
off curtain were fol-
lowed. Since the in-
stallation was ina
curved reach of the
canal, some folding of
the film was necessary
on the inside of the
curve,



freezing and thawing, and after normal aging. The more exacting
evaluation of those compounds and materials which show promise in im-
pact screening tests will be by shear bond tests similar to but smaller
than those used by Mr. Earl J. Felt, reported under "Resurfacing and
Patching Concrete Pavement with Bonded Concrete, "Highway Research
Board Proceedings, Volume 35, page 444, 1956.

Field Applications

On the basis of the tests made to date, and since other labora-
tory data are not available yet ona variety of compounds, the Bureau's
Laboratory has suggested the epoxy materials be used in limited ap-
plications for concrete repairs in the field. The bonding agents are
relatively expensive at present, one gallon of the material costing
about $20. That is enough material to treat about 250 square feet of
surface area. The filled patching materials of course are used at lesser
rates depending on the thickness of the patch to be applied.

It is suggested that all proposed trial applications be approved
by this office. Certain procedures and precautions must be followed
in the use of these materials. Proper handling is necessary to avoid
hazards to the health and wellbeing of personnel that come in contact
with them. Sources of the materials and proper handling directions can

30


the patches for the cylinders; No. 50 sand for the blocks. The patches
were 1/4-inch thick.

The patched cylinders were left at room temperature overnight,
then placed in a fog room for 4 days. The block specimens were placed
in a fog room for 4 days immediately after initial set had taken place
in the mortar patch. The specimens were air-dried for 1 day after re-
moval from the fog room before being subjected to test.

Impact tests, which are often used to evaluate the adhesion of
one material to another, were used in these preliminary evaluation studies.
The force of an impact blow causes disbonding proportional to the adhesion
when such factors as elasticity, flexibility, structure of the joining ma-
terials, etc., are considered. When similar topping layers are compared,
a correlation between impact resistance and adhesion exists. For the test,
a 600-gram steel ball was dropped onto the patch. The ball was dropped
from a height of 8 feet above the base of the specimen. Distance of travel
to the cylinder patches, therefore, was 6 feet 11-3/4 inches, and 7 feet
10-1/2-inches for the cylinders and blocks, respectively. The cylinders
were struck in two places; one on the patch over the chipped base area
and one on the unchipped base, each blow about 1-1/4 inches from the
edge of the cylinder. The block specimens were struck near the center
of the patch.

The control or
blank specimen, fab-
ricated by applying
mortar directly to the
surface to be patched
without a bonding
agent, as stated pre-
viously is shown at left.
A segment of the patch
was broken and dis-
bonded upon each im-
pact of the steel ball
on the cylinder patch.
The patch to the cyl-
inder after the epoxy-
polysulfide bonding
agent had been applied
as a brush coat to the
surface is shown in
the upper photograph on
the preceding page. No apparent damage was evident after impact on the
specimen and the points of impact can be clearly seen as depressions in
the patch.

The patch applied to the control or blank block specimen is
shown in the photograph at left on the following page. The patch was
completely disbonded from the specimen on impact and it will be noted
that a crack extends through the patch and block. The photograph at
right, also on the following page, shows the result of impact on the
block specimen the surface of which was treated with the bonding agent

27


sheet of plastic, it was decided to place the film near the center of the
installation and un-
fold about one-half

of the material up-
stream from that

point first; later
unfolding the remain-
ing 200 feet in the
downstream direction.
Accordingly, after
about half of the ex-
cavation had been com-
pleted, the film was
spread on the upstream
reach, as shown at
left, by 8 menina
simple and rapid opera-
tion. It was then
lowered into the trench
gradually, until ap-
proximately 13 feet of the sheet
remained at the bench level. This
allowed for ample material in the
bottom of the trench on the clay
layer.

To minimize the possibility
of water getting under the plastic,
a shallow trench about 1-foot wide
and 1-foot deep was cut into the
bottom and side of the trench, and
the curtain was securely anchored
in the trench.

Close examination failed to
reveal any tears or rips due to
the unfolding or placement; how-
ever, some of the nailheads used
in the fabrication of the shipping
crate punctured the material in
transit and these had to be repaired
onthe job. This was accom-
plished effectively and simply
with a liquid adhesive applied to
the surface of the plastic and ap-
plication of a patch of the vinyl
material.

P3-D-16104

In order to determine if the 8-mil thick material was strong
enough to resist puncturing or tearing when placed over a rough subgrade,
lower photograph above, the material was very closely observed during

the backfilling operation, which was accomplished with a bulldozer. In
4


"C"EAST CANAL
APPROX. STA. 75 . f_-------4---
(ORIG. DESIGN) <

77 DRAGLINE , 1 YD. BUCKET
7

LS) MINS

S

.

DURING EXCAVATION
; AND INSTALLATION
771.5 MIN, (MEASUREMENTS ESTIMATED)

a /]

WA

ay]

PLASTIC ve

CUT-OFF 37
curTAIn--~ |[“g

3)

af

X
=

—

~a------------- 26'- 28"

a NS

7 CLAY LAYER

LOWER COST CANAL LINING PROGRAM (REGION I)
EXPERIMENTAL PLASTIC CUT-OFF CURTAIN INSTALLATION
BLACK CANYON IRRIGATION DISTRICT
NOTUS, IDAHO

FIGURE 3



The lower sprock-
kets are attached to the
frame through hard-
wood bearings. These
are highly recommended.
At the canal bottom, a
two-foot flap gate,
shown at left, allows
for passage of the clean-
ing angles. Prior to
the installation of the de-
vice, the trashrack was
remodeled so that the
rack and cleaning de-
vice frame now rests
on a 13:1 slope.

The automatic cleaning device can be improved according to Mr.
Nutley and steps will be taken toward improvement as time permits. Sug-
gested improvements include an extension of the trashrack at least 3
feet above the operating deck and possibly evena six-foot extension
would be better. Sometimes, the flap gate which permits passage of the
cleaning angles at the bottom of the canal becomes too heavy to be lifted
when the screen is partially plugged with debris. This can occur par-
ticularly when the device has not been in operation for a period of time.
Shortening the flap gate would improve this condition. It is also be-
lieved the spacing between the cleaning angles should not be more than
five feet.

In summing up his discussion of the subject, Mr. Nutley stated,
"The question is, of course, does it work? We believe that we saved the
$2, 100 cost of remodeling the structure the first year. It does a fine
job of cleaning algae and floating moss and one night in four hours, dur-
ing and after an 85-mile wind, we took enough tumble weeds from this
trashrack to make a pile 20 feet wide, 12 feet high, and 100 feet long."

OK OR OK OK

UNDERWATER INSPECTION SCOPE
(Suggestion R1-57-111)

The irrigation feeder canal on the Columbia Basin Project,
Washington, carries water from the pumping plant headworks to the
balancing reservoir and is full of water much of the year. The section
below the radial gates cannot safely be drained without lowering the res-
ervoir; in avoiding damage to the concrete lining which would result
from hydrostatic head behind the lining, the section above the gates can
only be emptied very slowly.

Experience with the canal has shown that occasional inspections
are desirable, and much of this must be done with water init. To avoid

16



WILLOWS
ROAD AND TULE}

fo}

6 WATER
. y yp LEVEL
a

7

'--CONDITION BEFORE LINING
INSTALLATION.

~~ORIGINAL DESIGN
“c" WEST CANAL

COMPLETED CROSS - SECTION.,

1 ~ 2.0' MIN. BACKFILL

‘-g-MIL THICK VINYL PLASTIC MEMBRANE.
MAX. PERIMETER APPROX. 38.0.
PLUS 1.0' ANCHOR AT EACH BERM.
LENGTH OF SECTION APPROX. 350' LONG.

LOWER COST CANAL LINING PROGRAM (REGION IL)
EXPERIMENTAL BURIED PLASTIC MEMBRANE INSTALLATION

BLACK CANYON IRRIGATION DISTRICT
NOTUS, IDAHO

FIGURE 5



SPREADER BOX ON DOZER BLADE
(Suggestion R2-57-9)

A spreader box mounted on the dozer blade of a tractor was
constructed to spread roadway base material on the canal bank operat-
ing roads of the Lindsay Unit, Fresno Operations Field Branch, Cen-
tral Valley Project, California. The box provided a uniform spread
depth and width of material end dumped on the roadway from trucks,
and was a joint suggestion of T, R. Meyer, Canal Superintendent, and
Equipment Operators Lee Goodson, and J. B. McPhetridge.

With reference to the above photographs, the side panel of the
spreader box was constructed of 3/8-inch plate steel about 24 by 30
inches in size and further cut to fit and welded to the dozer blade with a
spread width of 10 feet. The side panels were later lengthened to about
4 feet to better carry the material in the spreading operation. (The
top of the side panels had not been cut off at the time the photograph
was taken.) The panels were braced with 3/8-inch by 2-inch strap iron,
extending from the midpoint of the panel to the dozer blade.

Shoes were welded to the outside of the side panels with the
bottom of the shoe flush with the bottom of the side panel 4-1/4 inches
below the dozer blade. The shoe cut into the roadway surface about
1/4 inch giving a finished spread depth of material of about 4 inches
and a sharp shoulder to the surfaced roadway.

Many improvements could be made in the box, according to the
project employees responsible for the idea and its fabrication. A
heavier steel angle, say 3/8-inch by 2-inch by 2-inch, at the top and
bottom of the panel would have been more satisfactory in preventing the
box from warping out of position when spreading around curves. Shoes of
different depth could be provided for spreading thinner or thicker layers

22


AST Cop ‘d . bo NoT Department of the Interior

opeRAT OWE ND MAINTENANCE

EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURES
RELEASE NO. 29

July, August and September 1959

LAST COPY - DO NOT REMOVE

CONTENTS

Plastic Film Cutoff and Canal Lining

Land Corner Monuments

Dog Catcher

Automatic Weed Rack

Underwater Inspection Scope

Control of Algae and Black Fly Attachment to Concrete Flumes

Aluminum Markers for Transmission Towers
Spreader Box on Dozer Blade

New Compressor Adapted to Truck Mounting
One-man Ditcher

Concrete Bonding Agents

Base Plate for Current Meter Rod
Split-ring Collar Supports Operating Shaft
Clearing Floating Logs from Reservoirs

LAST OPY - DO NOT REMOVE


among other manufacturers who have also furnished plastic materials
for other installations, is experimenting with the development of prod-
ucts suitable for both exposed and buried plastic lining materials.

Several suggestions were made for improvement of packaging.
It was suggested that a heavy cardboard carton would be preferable to
the wooden crate, providing the plastic material is not too heavy or
bulky. This was recommended to avoid damage and puncture of the
film in packing, in transit, and in unpacking. If the heavy material or
large piece of material is to be required, and a wooden crate must be
used, a heavy cardboard or other suitable lining should be provided in-
side the wooden crate with special care given to the fastenings on the
crate. It was also suggested that the plastic be folded each way from the
center and also accordion folded from each end toward the center to fa-
cilitate unfolding in the area in which the lining is to be placed.

Mr. William B. Kays, the manufacturer's representative who
assisted in the installation, recommends the use of an acrylic adhesive,
if available, for patching the film.

The installations were cooperative efforts. The University
of Idaho, located at Moscow, Idaho, and represented by Mr. Dave Hen-
dricks, of the University Engineering Experiment Station, performed the
preliminary field studies, under agreement with the Bureau of Reclama-
tion. The preliminary work included coring and logging the materials in
the field and measurement of seepage losses from the canal reaches. The
University will, as part of a general cooperative agreement, continue to
evaluate the installation over the next several years.

Arrangements for and the general coordination of the work was
the responsibility of Mr. Homer Graham, the Bureau's representative on


The lining material was placed rapidly and without difficulty,
as shown below, with the air temperature at 34 to 35 degrees F. and with
the wind velocity up to 15 miles per hour.

It should be pointed
out, as will be evident
from the photographs,
that the side slopes as
excavated for the lining
were approximately
1/2:1 in lieu of the
23:1 slopes used in
previous installations
of this kind. This was
done purposely to re-
duce the amount of ex-
cavation necessary on
the hillside location.

550 a, One obvious advantage
P3-D-IGi ig i aa of placing the material
° : over steeper side slopes
is that the plastic mem-
brane is buried far
deeper at the toe of the
slope than in the usual
buried membrane in-
stallation, and there-
fore, less likely to be-
come damaged during
future cleaning opera-
tions with necessary
heavy cleaning equip-
ment.

Material excavated
from the canal was used
to cover the plastic
membrane. Placement
of the cover was ac-
complished by both drag-
line and dozer. In the lower photograph the cover material is being de-
posited on the membrane in the bottom of the canal. The cover on the bot-
tom was spread to a minimum thickness of 2 feet. Side slopes were then
replaced to the original 13:1, as shown in the photograph on the following
page.

The buried membrane installation also was accomplished with a
minimum of difficulty and in an entirely satisfactory manner as described.
Cost of the 8-mil thick vinyl plastic, prefabricated and delivered at the
site was estimated to be about $0.35 per square yard, although materials
for both installations were donated for the work by the manufacturer which

8


Concrete Patching

A brief test was made on a catalyzed epoxy resin patching ma-
terial that had been made available. The material, which contains an
inert filler, was applied to a hole chipped in the top of a cylinder
specimen and as an edge patch to a chipped edge. After curing, the im-
pact tests were run.

Results of the im-
pact tests are shown in
the photographs at left.
No apparent damage is
evident in the center
patch. The concrete
base of the edge patch
broke rather than the
patch after three im-
pact blows. At the
left edge is a break
in the concrete edge
caused by one impact
blow on the original
| af concrete to the speci-
pxowso7 ie 3 3 men. Regular impacts

sas on these materials will
be made on specimens
similar to the mortar
patches, rather than
on a restrained patch.

The lower photo-
graph shows the broken
concrete base of the
edge patch sh
upper photograph at
right side.

The photograph on
the following page
part of a specimen
ricated for extension
tests and shows the

PX-0-14014 : z eye? ae break in the mortar
block rather than at
the interface or within

the resin mass when the specimen was broken. The material is the same
catalyzed epoxy resin compound used in the above cylinder patching tests.

Additional studies on the epoxy-polysulfide bonding agent, the
epoxy patching materials, and other materials for use as bonding agents
and patching materials are being continued in the laboratories, The
studies will include tests made after alternate wetting and drying, after

29


cH s9512

prior to placement of the patch. The specimen broke cleanly through the
patch and block. There was no evidence of disbonding in the adhesive

layer or in the patch.

Bonding Old Concrete to Old Concrete

To obtain some
idea on how the epoxy-
polysulfide would per-
form as a bonding agent
between old concrete
and old concrete, two
3- by 3- by 1-1/2-inch
blocks were cemented
together, cured, and
then tested under im-
pact. The surfaces of
the two blocks were
cleaned, etched, rinsed,
and then dried. The
bonding agent was brush-
applied lightly to each
of the surfaces to be
joined, again follow-
ing recommended pro-
cedures. The blocks
were then placed to-
gether and left at room
temperature to cure,

No pressure was applied
to the joint during cur-
ing. After 6 days, the
impact test was made,
with the point of im-
pact being on the joint.

The photograph above shows the result of three impact blows on

the joint. No loss of adhesion is evident.
is as ifa single solid block were broken.

28

The break in the specimen


areas where there was undercutting which tended to stretch the plastic
during backfilling, slack was provided as necessary by lowering the
material slightly from the berm. It was then anchored at the berm with
a hand placed layer of loose earth.

There was no evidence of punctures or tears, indicating that
a plastic material with a relatively high tensile strength can be used
over a rough subgrade
without injury, pro-
viding the backfilling
operation is carefully
done and the backfill
material does not con-
tain sharp rocks or
cobbles.

The previously
stockpiled material
from the trench ex-
cavation on the up-
hill side of the canal
was gradually dozed
into the trench.

After the trench was
completely filled, the
cover for the film on
the lower bank was
worked up the slope,
as shown in the upper
photograph.

The entire job
was accomplished in
the period March 30,
1959, when excavation
was started, through
April 4, 1959, when
the canal was placed
in operation as shown
in the lower photograph.
It would seem the plas-
tic has possibilities
in emergency repairs
of a canal during the operating season, as well as providing a more per-
manent cutoff of seepage losses.

Buried Membrane Lining Installation

The experimental buried plastic canal lining also was placed
on the Payette Divison of the Boise Project in the ''C"' West Canal.
This canal had a bottom width of 7 feet, side slopes of 1$:1, and the
normal operating water depth is 3 feet. The figure on the following
page illustrates the method used in placing the lining in a 350-foot
long reach of the canal.

5


CONTROL OF ALGAE AND BLACK FLY ATTACHMENT TO CONCRETE
FLUMES

Release No. 6 of the bulletin for September-October 1953 re-
ported problems encountered with algae and naiad concoons on concrete
flumes of the Black Canyon Canal, Payette Division, Boise Project,
Idaho. The problem continues to be a very troublesome one in that the
carrying capacity of the flumes is seriously reduced because of the at-
tachment of algae and concoons to the sides and bottom surfaces of the
flumes.

Several surface coatings have been applied to the concrete sur-
faces over the years to reduce the attachment of the foreign adherents;
among these are CTP-3 paint, catalytically-blown asphalt, and more
recently an antifouling paint. In addition to the paints and coatings of
asphalt, chemicals which inhibit or retard the growth of algae were
mixed with CTP-3 paint, and again more recently, a roof has been
placed over a short reach of one flume to determine the effect sun-
light has on the algae.

In commenting on the more recent attempts at control of both
algae and concoc: attachment, Mr. John Walker, Manager, Black Canyon
Irrigation District, who is responsible for the operation and maintenance
of the project facilities, states that covering the flumes will not control
the black-fly activity and that the concoons do appear in tunnels and
siphons. The infestation is usually heavier on rough surfaces. Turbu-
lence or high velocity of water flowing in the flumes and tunnels reduces
the problem.

The antifouling paint seems to inhibit the growth of the black-fly
concoons to some extent, but whether this is because of the characteristics
of the paint or smoothness of the surface has not been established by trials.
The heaviest infestation this past year has been in a tunnel 9 miles from
the head of the canal.

The antifouling
paint applied to the
bench flumes has given
generally good results.
The first flume immedi-
ately below the point
of diversion, Station
0+00 to 6+30, isin
fairly good condition,
as shown at left, and
the coating is expected
to last through another
year, the third irriga-
tion season since appli-
cation. The second
flume, Station 86+52 to
102+00, will have to be



Denver Federal Center, Denver 25, Colorado.

OK OK OK

25

The mobility of
the ditcher is shown
in the photograph at
left. Attached to the
pick-up truck, it can
be moved from place to
place quickly and with
a minimum of effort or
lost time.

An example of the
clean job performed by
the piece of equipment
is shown in the two
lower photographs on
this page.

Mr. Persson re-
ports that the ditcher
will cost approximately
$1,500 f.0.b. the fac-
tory, plus extras that
may be required for at-
tachment. This year
the project was able
to clean approximately
150 miles of ditch and
surface drains at an
average cost of $8.00
per bank mile. The
one-man operation is
a saving in man power
alone of more than the
cost of the ditcher.
Work performance is
considered superior
to any other ditchers
the project has owned.

The ditcher is
not carried in stock
by the manufacturer,
but will be made up
on order in approxi-
mately 30 days. If
further information
is desired, write
U. S. Bureau of Recla-
mation, Code 400,


PLASTIC FILM CUTOFF AND CANAL LINING

Two experimental installations of plastic film were made under
the Bureau's Lower-cost Canal Lining Program this past spring (19
a part of the evaluation of plastics for such purposes. In one installation,
as shown on the cover of this issue of the bulletin, the film was installed
as a cutoff curtain in a trench excavated on the inside of the downhill bank
of the canal prism. In the other installation, as shown below, the film
was placed as a buried membrane.

Cutoff Curtain Installation

The "'C"' East Canal of the Payette Division of the Boise Project
at the site of installa-
tion, is located on the
side of a low hill, as
shown at left, where
the subgrade material
generally is a sandy
loam, but consists in
some reaches largely
of fine and coarse clean
sands overlying a rel-
atively impervious clay
layer located approxi-
mately 14 feet below
the bottom of the canal.
High seepage through
this section fostered
the growth of willows



AUTOMATIC WEED RACK

"The Kennewick Division of the Yakima Project (Washington)
probably has about the same floating debris problems that all of you
have experienced, '' stated Mr. Van E. Nutley, Manager of the Kennewick
Irrigation District, which operates and maintains the irrigation facilities
recently completed by the Bureau of Reclamation. "Corrective devices
include, among others, the usual canal fence weed traps and many sloping-
pipe weed racks . . . However, the most troublesome spot on the canal is
a siphon entrance which is also the entrance to a direct connected turbine

pump."

"The Amon siphon and pump entrance, at mile 25, which takes
all the main canal water (243 cfs), came equipped with a trash rack set
ona 1:1 slope, with one-inch openings. With this rack absolutely clean,
the average velocity through the one-inch slots approaches 5 feet per
second. Nobody has to tell you what a little running algae; a few dead
fish, and a 25-mile wind, to bring tumble weeds into the canal, will do
to this structure."

Mr. Nutley was discussing the weed removal problems encountered
in his operation of the irrigation system, at an Irrigation Operator's
Conference in Boise, Idaho, February 18 and 19, 1959, and the installa-
tion of an automatic weed rack is shown in the photograph below.

Angle-iron bars moving upward by sprocket-driven endless chains,
carry weeds to a conveyor which in turn carry the weeds to a pit which is
provided to trap and burn the weeds.

The most troublesome spot to which Mr. Nutley referred was
provided with a trashrack as shown on the following page during original

12


construction. The rack was installed on a 1:1 slope and had one-inch
clear openings between longitudinal bars which were supported by cross
members at 4-inch centers. It was difficult and time consuming to pre-
vent obstruction of the trashrack by weeds, moss, and debris. The close
spacing of the longitudinal bars of the rack probably contributed to the
problem, though the rack is necessary if the trash, etc., are to be kept
from the pumps.

To overcome the problem, the irrigation district installed the
electrically powered angle-iron drags, attached to endless link chains.
These were operatedfrom sprocket-driven pulleys on both sides of the
rack. To date, the device has proved very satisfactory in removing weeds
and debris from the rack and with additional modification proposed, will
be even more efficient in operation.

Many of the ideas incorporated in the Amon siphon rack clean-
ing device were taken from a similar installation made to protect and
clean a trashrack at the Grandview Irrigation District pumping plant on
the Yakima Project. Mr. Oscar Hanby, an operator at the Chandler
Power Plant, built the Grandview device. The Amon installation, as
shown in the sketch on the following page, consists of a rigid steel frame
supporting a lengthened standard Bureau trashrack, which is cleaned by
33- by 33-inch angles connected on each end to moving chains. The clean-
ing angles move about 5 feet per minute.

As shown in the photograph above, a 1/4-hp motor provides the
power through a stoker gear box and a 1-3/4-inch steel shaft at the top
of the rack. The upper bearings are connected to the frame in sucha
manner that they are adjustable to allow taking slack out of the chain.

14


OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURES

Release No. 29

July, August and September - 1959

INTRODUCTION

A long needed and requested item is being forwarded with this
issue--a subject index for the bulletin. It is stapled to the outside of
the back cover so that it can be easily detached. The articles in this
issue, Release No. 29, have been included in the index. It is contem-
plated that the index will be brought up-to-date and issued once each
year with the second quarter release.

This bulletin, published quarterly, is circulated for the bene-
fit of irrigation project operation and maintenance people. Its princi-
pal purpose is to serve as a medium of exchanging operation and mainte-
nance information. Reference to a trade name does not constitute the
endorsement of a particular product, and omission of any commercially
available item does not imply discrimination against any manufacturer
It is hoped that the labor-saving devices and less costly equipment de-
veloped by the resourceful water users will be a step toward commer-
cial development of equipment for use on irrigation projects in a con-
tinued effort to reduce costs and increase operating efficiency.

To assure proper recognition to those individuals whose sug-
gestions are published in this and subsequent bulletins, the suggestion
number as well as the person's name is being given. All Bureau offices
are reminded to notify their Suggestions Awards Committee when a sug-
gestion is adopted.

wR RK OK
Division of Irrigation Operations

Commissioner's Office
Denver, Colorado



of material. Constructed of scrap material by O&M forces in 4 hours
of welding time, the idea saved in equipment operation and did a very
satisfactory job in meeting a maintenance need.

The method of spreading speeded up the truck haul, as the
trucks were able to travel over the spread material, where otherwise
the surface would not have been prepared for travel until all material
had been spread.

RK
NEW COMPRESSOR ADAPTED TO TRUCK MOUNTING

One of the leading manufacturers of air compressors has in-
troduced a 125-cfm rotary model adapted to mounting in a maintenance
truck with power for driving the compressor provided by the power take-

off of the truck.

This could be a
very convenient ar-
rangement for mainte-
nance crews needing
considerable quanti-
ties of compressed air
in their work, but who
for one reason or
another find it incon-
venient to trail a
conventional wheel-
mounted compressor.

Utilizing the
truck's power also re-
sults in a considerable
saving in first cost as
well as in equipment
maintenance cost. An
idea of the compactness
of the unit may be ob-
tained from the photo-
graph at left.

The cost of the
125-cfm rotary com-
pressor unit as shown
is about $2,700 in Denver, Colorado. The split shaft power takeoff to
drive the uni priced at about $400. Further information on this piece
of equipment may be obtained by writing the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation,
Code 400, Denver Federal Center, Denver 25, Colorado.

OR RK

23


A plastic cutoff curtain is placed in a trench
on the lower bank of a canal on the Boise Proj-
ect, Idaho, to reduce seepage losses. P3-D-16092


be obtained by writing the Commissioner's Office, U. S. Bureau of
Reclamation, Denver Federal Center, Denver 25, Colorado.

OK OK KK

BASE PLATE FOR CURRENT METER ROD
(Suggestion R2-59-160)

A steel toothed, swiveled, current meter base plate for making
wading rod current meter measurements in the sloped concrete-lined canals
is being used on the Contra-Costa Canal System of the Central Valley Proj-
ect, California. The device is a suggestion of Donald J. Berry, Super-
visory Engineering Technician, of the Tracy Operations Field Branch.

Considerable difficulty has been experienced in the past during
current meter measurements of small flows by the wading rod method
in small, lined canals. The difficulty arose when the straight rod was
placed on the side slope of the canal and held in a vertical position. The
rod was susceptible to sliding down the steep, relatively smooth slope,
thereby causing erroneous readings of current and depth at a particular
station or interval being measured.

_--Standard base plate-with holding teeth

---Wading rod section

~-Swivel

Concrete lining~~_
RK oo
~

_

i
|
| .

The device consists of case hardened steel teeth on the bottom
of a metal base plate as shown in the sketch above and aids materially
in holding the rod steady on the sloping concrete. A swivel permits
positioning of the wading rod and current meter in a vertical position.

Holding the meter properly allows the hub bearing to turn freely on the pin.

KK KOK
31



CONCRETE BONDING AGENTS

Tests preliminary to more exacting evaluation of concrete
bonding agents have been conducted by the Engineering Laboratories of
the Commissioner's Office, Denver, Bureau Reclamation. From these
preliminary tests some outstanding results have been obtained by using
an epoxy-polysulfide bonding agent.

mortar to old concre
bonding of old concrete to old concrete, and the pate f
crete, Of the materials included in the tests, the epoxy-polysu
ing agent proved superior to other bonding agents and generally
the bond to be stronger than the original concrete

oles in con-

de bond-

howed

Bonding Fresh Mortar to Old Concrete

mens w
tests,
6- by 1
and 3- by >
inch mortar blo
One half of the

der was chipped; tt
other half was left as
formed. The surfaces
to be patched (capped)
on all specimens were
then etched with a 5
percent hydrochloric
Px-D-14015 acid solution and rinsed.

Control specimens

on which the patch was
a applied without a bond-
ing agent were thoroughly
dampened prior to ap-
plication of the mortar.
Specimens to be patched
with the epoxy-poly-
sulfide bonding agent
were air-dried before
application of the
mortar patch,

The mortar for the
patch was a 2:1 sand-
cement dry-pack mixture.
No. 30 sand was used in

26


the Lower-cost Canal Lining Committee in Region1. Mr. John V.
Walker, Project Manager, Black Canyon Irrigation District, with
headquarters at Notus, Idaho, provided the necessary labor and equip-
ment for the installations and generally supervised the work. Mr. Wil-
liam B. Kays represented the manufacturer and Mr. L, M, Ellsperman
represented the Commissioner's Office, Denver, in the installation, and
supplied the information and illustrations for this article.

ae ROK OK

LAND CORNER MONUMENTS
(Suggestion R2-59-58)

Preserving land corner markers is a problem in most cultivated
areas and is no less a problem on the Klamath Project in northern Cali-
fornia and southern Oregon, constructed by the Bureau of Reclamation,
major portions of which are now operated by several water user organi-
zations. A method of overcoming the problem is that of burying the land
corner monuments.
This, of course, intro-
duces a second problem
--that of locating the
buried marker.

Burt Mitchell of
the Klamath Project
has suggested a method
of burial and location
that can eliminate the
problems. He points
out that land corner
monuments can be buried
in a capped pipe sleeve
in cultivated areas to
protect the marker from
damage by farming op-
erations; and that the
buried monument can
then be located by use
of an aquameter, a de-
vice used in locating
buried pipe lines.

The pipe, pipe cap
and the bench-mark type
monument are shown in
the photograph above.
Mr. Mitchell holds an aquameter, which quickly locates buried markers.

OK RK OK

10


£1, 689.13 -~,

aaa INSTALLATION

SECTION B-8

¢
| Cross members shall be
|

Sea"

rot less thon k square
inch in

ss sectional

End of grating to cross members spaced egually-~

|
ad
Bors 2xp-2" —
SECTION C-C

TRASHRACK
STEEL “GALVANIZED
ONE REQUIRED

oa

“124 C.t0C anchor bolts-r>

Teed

2 “@
. +

| |
i} - at
oye, <. af Projection.
* 0 ie, |e d's 12" Sg. hd mach bolt
LP OF ith Then mets,
eo] min. thread.
2 ?

+ 16-# Diabars spaced
‘aHernalely @
approx. OB"

TRASHRACK SEAT
STRUCTURAL STEEL
ONE REQUIRED

(4-8 Dia. oles
_ Bor anf i

TRASHRACK SUPPORT
ONE REQUIRED

NOTES

Grating panels shall be Type 1 welded tee! goonized
grating conforming with Federal Specifications RR-6-66)a
and with bearing bor sizes and spacing as crown on this
drawing

Naber ef panels making yp the crerat! width of trashack
to be determined by the zontractcn, buf no panel te be

less thon I2 nc7es wide.

Total estimated weight wo nae 2900 Ibs
REFERENCE DRAWING
AVON SIEHON OMLET TRALSITION-TRASHEACK
ANG CHECK STRUCTURE =~. 566-D-686

UNITED STATES

Dunas or Recasanion
VRRIMA PROJECT
HENNEWIEN DIVISION SACHINGTON
MAIN CANAL STA. 130/ + 27.30 TO STA 13224 6131
AMON SIPHON
TRASHRACK- SEAT 4no SUPPORT

ein LE ame LM can eZe_|
coves LV mmo

[Ree roeara B87 non ase

566-D-7/8

13