6. Epoxy-resin modified coal-tar paint, three coats,
(second coat sand filled),

7. Red-lead priming paint, TT-P-86a, Type IV, four coats
(second coat sand filled).

8. Polyester resin reinforced with chopped glass fibers.

Moderate

1, Hot-applied polyvinyl chloride--polyvinyl acetate copolymer.
2, Epoxy-resin modified coal-tar paint, one coat system.

Low

1. Hot-applied epoxy resin.
2. Epoxy-resin modified coal-tar paint.

These tests were established to give results that would show the rela-
tive resistance of the protective coatings to abrasion. No attempt

has been made to relate quantitatively the test results to the rate of
erosion which occurs under field conditions. Because many other fac-
tors other than erosion affect a field application, recommendations
will not be made on these results alone.

Results of the tests on materials with a sand-filled coat demonstrate
a marked improvement over the same materials without a sand-filled
coat. Table 2 shows these comparisons. See table on following page.

Each of these materials was also compared to coal-tar enamel which
is generally considered to have very good resistance to sand and silt
erosion, The results of these comparisons are shown in Table 3 on

page 19.

The unlined steel showed very good resistance to erosion. However,
erosion alone is not the most serious threat to steel pipe. Under
some field conditions, corrosion can be expected to penetrate the
pipe wall much more rapidly than erosion. For this reason, it is
necessary to maintain a coating protection on the steel surface,

Conclusions

In addition to the rating of protective coatings given earlier, the
Paint Laboratory found that sandfilling dramatically improved the
erosion resistance of many paint materials. C190 Ottawa sand was
used as the filler, being sprinkled liberally on the freshly applied
paint surface. The improvement in erosion resistance of these
easily applied materials is quite encouraging.

17



"Optimum rates of the esters of 2,4-D in oil-water emulsions were 4 to
8 pounds of acid equivalent per acre, In Utah experiments, the emul-
sions generally were less effective when the amine salts of 2,4-D

were substituted for the esters. Neither ester nor amine formulations
of 2,4-D were effective on cattail when applied in water alone or with

a commercial wetting agent. The addition of AMS or sodium salt of TCA
at 20 pounds or more per acre increased the effectiveness of amine

and sodium salts of 2,4-D. However, these mixtures generally were
inferior to esters of 2,4-D plus diesel oil at 2.5 to 5 percent by

volume of spray and emulsifier,

"Optimum volumes of 2,4-D-diesel oil-water emulsions varied directly
with the density and height of cattail growth and averaged about 240
gallons per acre for cattail in the boot to early flowering stage. The
emulsions were much less effective in spray volumes of 80 gallons per
acre.

"Two applications of 2,4-D per season, the first at a preflowering or
early flowering stage and the second on regrowth in late summer or
early fall before frost, were necessary for satisfactory control and
reduction in stand of cattail. Single applications, especially at
post-bloom stages, were ineffective at all locations.

"The optimum rates of amitrole were 8 to 12 pounds per acre. The
addition of wetting agents or diesel oil increased the effectiveness of
initial applications of amitrole in Washington but not in Wyoming.
After re-treatments, the importance of the additives was less obvious.

"The optimum rate of sodium salt of dalapon was 20 pounds per acre.
The effectiveness of this herbicide was increased considerably by the
addition of diesel oil and emulsifier or of a suitable wetting agent.
The sodium salt of dalapon was more effective than an ester of dala-
pon in Washington,

"Limited tests showed no advantage in mixing amitrole and sodium salt
of dalapon or either of these herbicides with 2,4-D.

"Amitrole and sodium salt of dalapon were most effective when applied
at a late stage of growth from August 5 to September 5 in Washington.
In Wyoming the optimum dates were about August 1 for sodium salt of
dalapon and September 1 for amitrole. Single applications of either
herbicide at a preflowering or early flowering stage were much less
effective in Washington, Wyoming, and Montana.

"Amitrole and sodium salt of dalapon were as effective in 40 gallons
of water or oil-water emulsion per acre as in greater volumes of 80,
160, or 320 gallons.

"Erbon was effective on cattail in Montana. The optimum rate of
erbon was 40 pounds per acre.

11



desired position while working on the lower end of the connecting
rod, Or, it can be used to assist in the installing of a piston and
rod assembly.

To do this the piston is forced gently down through the ring compressor
to the position where the top ring has just entered the cylinder. Nor-
mally, it will hold the piston in this position, The tool can be placed
over the piston as before but with the control valve closed. When

the assembly is lowered by pulling on the connecting rod, the tool

will act as a snubber, restricting downward movement so that the
assembly will not fall free, and the rod can be guided onto the
crankshaft bearing.

As to a source for the necessary vacuum, from 18 to 20 in. of
mercury and sufficient capacity to overcome any leakage past the
piston rings can be secured from the inlet manifold of a car or
small truck. Of course, the capacity requirements of the vacuum
system are in direct proportion to the condition of the piston rings.
In using such an engine source, it is usually best to increase the
idling speed about 100 rpm. to increase the volume.

As a word of caution, with the tool in pulling position and the vacuum
applied, the operator must use care in handling the connecting rod
and keep his hands out of a position where they would be caught as
the piston is raised. The lifting capacity of the tool on a 6-1/4-in.
bore piston is nearly 250 lb. with 18 in, of vacuum.

A patent is pending on the tool. Present production has been pri-
marily for users of tractor engines. For further information write
to Chief Engineer, Bureau of Reclamation, Denver Federal Center,
Denver, Colorado 80225, Attention: Code 410.

KERR
PORTABLE POWER

Two new portable generators have recently appeared on the market.

Each of these generators is designed to supply both alternating-current
and direct-current power.

One of these generators is designed to replace the standard automobile
generator. Under normal operation it supplies 12 volts direct current;
but by flipping a switch mounted on the dashboard; it is converted to

a 110-volt alternating-current generator. This generator produces
2,300 watts at 110 volts. The generator is only slightly larger than
the standard automotive g ‘nerator and can be installed in any car or
truck without alterations. The generator and control panel will cost
approximately $200.

21



eliminate spreading, grass seeding and weed growth control of removed
spoil material. It would also provide for the desired capacity.

A suggestion by Fred Kuhnly concerns the use of a cut-down dozer blade
on a small dozer to break up silt accumulations and pondweed root
systems. This is not an entirely new approach in maintenance of this
type of lateral, but equipment to accomplish the work had to be devel-
oped. Track equipment with adequate power and yet small enough to
work in laterals of 5- and 6-foot bottom widths was needed. A tractor
with the necessary power and traction had to be used but the dozer

Photo No, 3

Photo No, 4

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18


through the cylinder to a point where the rings will expand and
hold the piston until it can be removed by hand. However, these
methods are difficult and frequently result in accidents that can
damage one or more of the engine parts.

On the larger sizes of diesel engines there is a means provided for
this operation, usually an eyebolt screwed into the top of the piston.
Why not develop a tool to carry out this same operation on the medium
size engines?

This was the problem attacked by two maintenance specialists in
Wyoming, who developed a tool and procedure for carrying out this
operation.

The tool and method is extremely simple, but the use of a vacuum as
the pulling power is very unusual. Basically the tool consists ofa
plastic cylinder of the proper diameter with rubber seals at top and
bottom. On top of this cylinder is placed a square plastic cap with
two openings. One is attached to the suction source and the other
is a valve to control the amount of vacuum and the resulting pull.
Operation is as simple as the parts of the tools themselves. Place the
lower end of the transparent cylinder in the proper location over the
piston in the engine, being sure to seat the neoprene ring seal. The
cap is then placed over the upper end using a similar ring seal, With
the valve open the hose is attached to the vacuum source (engine intake
or small vacuum pump) and the power started with the valve open.
This intake valve is then closed slowly to develop the vacuum until the
piston is raised past the first ring. Control of the raising is simple
and easy. The freeing of the rings from the cylinder breaks the vacuum
seal, and the expansion of the ring or rings hold the piston up until it
can be removed by hand.

Photograph at left shows
tool in position with
piston raised and the
tube to the engine pro-
viding the source of
vacuum.

In addition to this
basic purpose, the

tool can be used with
equal success for two
other operations in
connection with piston
maintenance. By
controlling the vacuum,
the serviceman can
hold the piston in any

20


Fig. 2A. Pipe "YY" before Fig. 2B. Pipe "YY" after testing.

testing. Three coats of coal- The only visible damage is the
tar paint, CA-50, second coat removal of the CA-50 from the
reinforced with ASTM C-190 tops of sand grains. View shows
Ottawa sand. condition after four runs,

Fig. 2C. Pipe 'ZZ" before Fig. 2D. Pipe "ZZ" after testing.
testing. Lining consists of The main effect after four runs
four coats of red-lead priming is the removal of paint from
paint, TT-P-86a, Type IV, the tops of the sand grains.

second coat reinforced with
No. 20-30 mesh Ottawa sand
(ASTM C-190),


Turbulence, waves or surges in the discharge box may cause trouble in
reading the water elevation in the box. In some cases it may be nec-
essary to shield the contactor or use a stilling well. Generally, how-
ever, the ditchrider will learn to accurately determine the water
elevation in the discharge box from the action of the ammeter needle.

Materials used for this system were a D.C. Milliameter, a 6-volt elec-
tric lantern battery, No. 29 neoprene covered electric wire, brazing rod
and standard electric cord connectors. The electric wire was ordered for
this installation. The other materials were used because they were avail-
able. The ammeter was procured from the Project radio repairman.
Other makes or types of ammeters would work equally as well if they were
sufficiently sensitive for the low voltage used. A more sensitive ammeter
might require a resistance coil to prevent damage to the ammeter when it
ig connected to a submerged contactor, Neoprene covered wire was used
as the wire from the pump to the discharge box was buried.

Photograph No. 3 shows
a general view of Lateral
W20F24 pumps and dis-
charge. The discharge
box is right of the power
pole in the upper left of
the picture. Each of the
15 HP pumps can deliver
6-1/2 cfs at the 13, 4-
foot lift.

The cost of the ammeter
assembly is minor, A
good ammeter can be
obtained for less than
$5.00. The battery
and electrical plugs
should cost less than
a dollar. The cost of
the box is insignificant.
Photo No, 3 The cost of the wire
will obviously depend
on the number of plants and the distance from the plant to the discharge
box. The installation can be made by the ditchrider or regular main-
tenance men.

If additional information is desired, please write to the Project
Manager, Bureau of Reclamation, Post Office Box 815, Division
Avenue and C Street NW., Ephrata, Washington.



Photo No.

PALRZ-DAAI LEI NA

Photo No.

Photo No.

8

9

10

blade cleaned 29 miles of
lateral in 9 days fora
field cost of $500. By
comparison, an excavator was
usually used for this type
of work requiring an oper-
ator and oiler, The esti-
mated time for cleaning of
this 29 miles of lateral
with the excavator was 20
days. Based on present
equipment costs and wage
scales this method would
have cost $2,200. The sav-
ing in cleaning cost was
$1,700. In addition, it
was estimated that the
extra cost involved during
cleaning to spread the
spoiled piles of silt

plus seed and extra weed
spraying was $200.

A reduction in the amount
of aromatic solvent neces-
sary for pondweed control
results from more thorough
smoothing out of small silt
bars. The value of this
and the benefits of the

silt moving through the
laterals for seepage con-
trol are side benefits and
difficult to evaluate. The
effectiveness of this
machine and results of
the work have proven its
value in the Columbia
Basin area, and it is
planned to expand the
program in coming
nonirrigation seasons.


Photo No. 5

blades on this size tractor are 9.5 feet in length. The long blade
could not be used in the bottom of a 6-foot lateral, and on the side
slopes it removed grass above the waterline and dug into the bottom
of the channel.

A surplus dozer blade was cut down and mounted at an angle on a dozer
so that the width of the blade was the same width as the dozer tracks.
Photographs No, 5, 6 and on the front cover show the machine in opera-
tion.

Photographs No. 8, 9 and 10 on the following page show the finished job.

Savings from this
suggestion will
result from less
cleaning cost as
well as benefits
from silting for
seepage control,
pondweed control,
and cost of dis-
posing, seeding, and
weed control on
excavated material.

One man with the
tractor and cut-down

Photo No. 6


Figure 3

The sand charges consisted of 3 pounds of sand plus 2,000 c.c. of
water, The gravel charge was made up of 3 pounds of No. 4 aggregate
plus 2,000 c.c. of water. The charge occupied about one-third of

the pipe section volume. Figure 3 shows a typical section with the
erosive charges used.

The materials tested were divided into categories according to the
degree of erosion developed. Those materials that lost less than

5 percent of their weight or thickness per run were rated ''good,"
those between 5 to 20 percent were rated ''moderate,' and

those losing 20 percent or more per run were classed as having ''low"'
erosion resistance. Any material partly worn through to the steel
after one or two runs is classified as "poor.'' Following is a list

of commonly used protective coatings and their classification:

Good
1. Epoxy-resin coal-tar mortars.
2, Epoxy-resin mortars.
3. Three-coat epoxy-resin paint (second coat sand filled).
4. Coal-tar paint, CA-50, three coats (second coat sand filled),
5. Red-lead priming paint, TT-P-86a, Type IV, two coats
(second coat sand filled), plus two coats of phenolic-resin

base aluminum paint.

16


one ammeter for any
number of pumping plants.

A standard female electric
cord connector was perma-
nently installed near the
control valves at a point
convenient for plugging in
the ammeter, One terminal
of the connector was grounded
to the discharge pipe or the
plant grounding system. The
other terminal was connected
to the wire to the discharge
box. It was found that a
1/8-inch bronze welding rod
made a better contactor at
the discharge box than the
copper wire, The wire from
the pump, shown in Photo-
graph No, 2, was connected
to a definite length of weld-
ing rod. A weir gage was
mounted on a board attached
to the inside of the discharge
box. The zero end of the
weir gage was set the exact
Photo No, 2 length of the contactor above
the top of the discharge box
weir. The contactor was then mounted on the weir gage board so that
when the top of the contactor was set on the desired weir gage setting
the bottom of the contactor would be at the elevation required to give
the desired flow of water.

In the operation of this device the ditchrider goes first to the dis-
charge box and sets the contactor at an elevation or weir gage reading
to give the desired flow. He then goes to the pumping plant and plugs
in his ammeter, The ammeter will show a full current flow if he is
going to decrease the water. It will show no current flow if he is
going to increase the water. For a decrease of water he adjusts the
valve until the ammeter shows a zero. For an increase of water, he
adjusts the valves until the ammeter shows contact between the water
and the contactor. In those cases where the discharge box does not
have a weir outlet, the weir gage must be set to some other reference
elevation, Whether or not the rider will go to the discharge box after
he has made his water adjustment rrobably will depend on the distance
from the pump to the discharge box and the operator's faith in his
ammeter,


The other generator is

a portable, gasoline-
powered unit. A 3/4-horse-
power 2-cycle gasoline
engine turns this generator
at 6,300 rpm. The unit is
very compact, it occupies
less than 0.4 of a cubic

foot of space and weighs
only 12 pounds,

However, this generator
produces 300 watts at

115 volts alternating
current. It produces a
standard 12 volts direct
current; but with the addi-
tion of a converter; the
generator will produce 400
watts of 115 volts direct
current,

Figure 1 The entire unit plus con-
verter will cost approxi-
mately $110,

Figure 1 above is a view of the portable generator,

Figure 2 below shows the standard-type generator that can be mounted
in a vehicle,

These generators could be the solution to many difficult maintenance
problems such as: The operation of
power tools for on-the-spot repairs
in remote areas, providing emer-
gency lighting systems, recharging
batteries, and supplying power for
posthole drilling,

Further information on the genera-
tors can be obtained by writing the
Chief Engineer, Bureau of Reclama-
tion, Denver Federal Center, Denver,
Colorado 80225, Attention: Code 410,

Figure 2

22


aes

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Reclamation

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURES
RELEASE NO. 47

January, February and March 1964

CONTENTS

Controlling Silt Accumulations and Pondweeds
Water Elevation Measuring Device

Safety Screens
Control of Common Cattails in Channels

Cut-Off-Walls for Check Structures
Erosion Studies of Pipe Lining Materials
Pulling Pistons With a New Tool

Portable Power
Avoid Broken Tailpipe Brackets


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SAFETY SCREENS

Safety screens of different types and constructed of various materials
have been used on Bureau irrigation canals as safety nets upstream

from underground pipes, siphons, tunnels, etc. The Regional Engineer,
Bureau of Reclamation, Billings, Montana, has called our attention to
safety screens being installed on the Riverton Project, Wyoming.

Also furnished, in addition to a drawing of the screens, was the method
of screen assembly and a list of materials required for the screens.

Assembly Procedure

With reference to the drawing on the following page, 10-foot lengths

of conduit are used for horizontal legs of the frame, and three pieces
of conduit are cut 2 feet long for vertical legs. Fabrication is started
by threading 10-foot pieces of conduit through vertical bars of the wire
mesh. When the center of the section is reached, insert the conduit
into tees on the assembled center member,

Make up end sections using 5/8-inch mild steel rod cut in 6-inch lengths
and bent to 90° angle. The protruding rod from each vertical leg is then
inserted into the horizontal members. The wire mesh is then pulled
tight and wrapped around end legs.

The screens are attached to cables stretched across the canal using
three cable clamps for each panel. The panels can be made up in
varying widths and lengths.

Material Required

Conduit, thin walled 3/4 inch, 26 ft at 10 cents/ft = $2.60

Corners, 5/8-inch mild rod, 2 ft at .075 cents /ft = 15
Wire Mesh, 26-inch high, 6-inch spacing,

11 ft at .055 cents/ft = .60

Galvanized tees, 3/4 inch, 2 at .30 cents/each = .60

$3.95

Labor Cost - 2 man hours at $2.00/hr = 4,00

Total cost $7.95

Assembled weight - 15-1/2 lbs

oR

*
*



WATER ELEVATION MEASURING DEVICE
(Suggestion R1CB-61-36)

The process of adjusting the flow of water from the relift pumps in
Block 89 of the Columbia Basin Project was frequently a tiring and
time-consuming process. The quick acting butterfly valves in the
bypass pipe could not be calibrated for a predetermined flow per turn

of the control handle. The ditchrider would make a trial setting at
the pump, then walk to the discharge box to check the flow, then back
to the pump for further adjustments. Four or five round trips were
not unusual. It was very desirable to provide some means whereby the
ditchrider could determine the elevation of the water in the discharge
box while he was still at the pump. Several mechanical methods were
contrived, but none were successful.

A simple electrical system was finally worked out by Assistant Irriga-
tion Manager, Joe Kirk, and Watermaster, Joe Woolf, Electrical Engi-
neer, Phillip Joray, furnished the electrical assistance. This system
consisted of an ammeter, a 6-volt battery and an electric wire from
the pump to the discharge box. The principle involved is that when
one terminal of the ammeter is connected to the battery and the other
terminal of each of the ammeter and the battery is connected to the
ground, the ammeter will register an electrical current flow. This
principle was used by permanently grounding one of the battery termi-
nals and connecting the other terminal through the ammeter to the wire
running to the pump discharge box, see Photograph No, 1 below. At
the discharge box, the wire was suspended in the discharge box with
its end exactly at the desired water elevation, When the water is at,
or above, the desired elevation both terminals of the battery are
grounded, and the ammeter registers a current flow. The ammeter
will, within limits, register increased current flow as the end of the
wire is submerged in the water.

There was obviously no

point in having an ammeter
and a battery at each pump
plant. A wooden box about
3" x 3" x 5'' was constructed
to house the battery and hold
the ammeter. The ammeter
was installed in one side of
the box so that the dial

would be easy to read. One
end of a double conductor
electric wire was connected
to the battery and ammeter,
and the other end connected
to a standard two-prong male
electric plug. Each ditch-
rider therefore, required only

Photo No. 1


TABLE 3

Ratio of the average percent loss
Material per run of a lining material to
that of unsanded coal-tar enamel
TT-P-86a, Type IV, 4 coats* 0.71
CA-50, 3 coats* 0.40
Epoxy-coal-tar paint, 3 coats* 1,15
Epoxy-resin paint* 0,37
Vinyl-resin paint, VR-3 0.33
Epoxy-resin coal-tar mortars 0,12-0,195
Epoxy-resin mortars 0, 28-0. 43
Polyester resin reinforced with
glass fiber 1.01
Unlined steel 0.024
Cement-asbestos pipe (no lining) 0.12

*Indicates sand-filled coating material.

The gravel charges were found to be approximately seven times as
destructive as the sand charges. On this basis it is believed that
silt would have no adverse effect on the better linings.

Copies of Chemical Engineering Laboratory Report No. P-93 are
available and can be obtained by writing the Chief Engineer, Bureau
of Reclamation, Denver Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225,
Attention: Code 290.

RRR E

PULLING PISTONS WITH A NEW TOOL

(Reprinted from the September 1963 issue of WESTERN
CONSTRUCTION with the permission of the Editor)

THE PROBLEM of raising a piston and connecting rod assembly up
through the cylinder of an internal combustion engine is a common
and annoying problem for mechanics. This is particularly true if
the serviceman goes through the crankcase side plate ports of the
engine to disconnect the connecting rod bearing cap.

Weight of the assembly and the drag of the piston rings make the removal
impossible by hand and the serviceman usually resorts to prying the
assembly up with a bar, placing a small jack in the engine crankcase,

or inserting a wooden block between the connecting rod and crank-

shaft journal which will lift the assembly when the engine is rotated. By
using any one of these make-shift methods the piston can be forced up

19



CONTROLLING SILT ACCUMULATIONS AND PONDWEEDS
(Suggestion R1CB-61-67)

Many laterals in the Quincy Watermaster Section, of the Columbia

Basin Project, Washington, are required to carry their maximum capac-
ity in making required deliveries, and water must be rationed to farms
during the peak period of the irrigation season. Appreciable water

loss from seepage in some of the laterals is a contributing problem

in lateral capacity but pondweed growth is most rapid and also must

be controlled since it accumulates silt and further restricts capacity.

Silt accumulations in the moss growth starts erosion of the channel
around such accumulations. This is especially true in contour later-
als where pondweed growth accumulates silt on the inside of curves
and causes erosion on the outside.

Photographs No. 1, 2,

3 and 4 illustrate the
conditions described dur-
ing the 1960 irrigation
season,

The silt accumulations
have to be removed or
broken up from the pond-
weed so it can be washed
out at the beginning of
each irrigation season.
This is usually done by
mobile excavating equip-
ment with as little bank
disturbance as possible.
In the fall of 1960 the
possibility of breaking

up the silt accumulation
and the established pond-
weed root system without
removing the silt was
discussed, The advan-
tages of this were: Dis-
turbing the moss roots
would hold back regrowth
the next season; spreading
out the silt would make

it possible for the silt

to be carried along in
moving water and result
in some silting to diminish
lateral losses; and would

Photo No, 1

Photo No. 2


"Ammonium and sodium salts of TCA and various soil sterilant
herbicides were only partially effective at several locations.

"Repeated applications of aromatic oils showed some promise of
controlling cattail in Utah. Single applications of oils gave only
temporary control in Idaho and Washington,

"No single chemical application or mechanical treatment eliminated
common cattail. However, one application of amitrole, erbon, or
sodium salt of dalapon, two applications of 2, 4-D-diesel oil-water
emulsion, two cuttings below the water level, or three sprayings with
aromatic oil per season greatly reduced the stand the first year and
frequently eliminated or nearly eliminated cattail in 2 or 3 years.
The cattail not standing in water was more persistent than cattail
standing in water, except when treated with aromatic oil, Repeated
spraying with this oil was equally effective in either case."

If additional information or if a copy of Technical Bulletin No, 1286
is desired, please write to the Agricultural Research Service, United
States Department of Agriculture at Logan, Utah; Laramie, Wyoming;
Prosser, Washington; Huntley, Montana; or Meridian, Idaho.

wR KKK

CUT-OFF WALLS FOR CHECK STRUCTURES
(Suggestion RSRG-61-22)

Considerable difficulty is being encountered on the Ysleta Division

of the Rio Grande Project in Texas, in constructing the cut-off walls
for lateral check structures 4-feet deep, where wet excavation is nec-
essary or where a sandy subgrade makes it difficult to maintain a verti-
cal sided trench for the cut-off walls. The narrow 8-inch trenches

for the cut-off wall were originally excavated by hand methods until

a narrow trenching bucket was built to operate as a backhoe attachment.
Using either method a considerable amount of overexcavation occurs
and inasmuch as this cannot be backfilled, it is necessary to fill the
overexcavated volume with concrete at approximately $15 per cubic
yard, It is difficult to place the reinforcing steel in these narrow
trenches without causing additional overbreak of the excavation, neces-
sitating the removal of the steel and excavating again in some instances.
Six-inch-high steel forms are set on the edge of the excavated trench
and in the case of an overbreak, it is necessary to suspend these

forms over the edge of the excavation. This is difficult to do and
maintain good alignment.

Mr. Woodrow D. Roquemore, Ysleta Irrigation Field Branch, suggested
that these cut-off walls be precast, each upstream and downstream
cut-off wall to be made in two sections cut in half along the center-

line of the structure with a ship-lapped joint that could be bolted
together or encased in concrete when the floor slab is placed. These

12



Figure 1

Test Procedures
ae eee cures:

The tests were conducted by coating the interior surface of 8-inch-
diameter, 8-inch-long steel pipe sections with each of the materials
being tested. They were applied to a thickness recommended by the
manufacturer or by Bureau standards, whichever applied,

Figure 1 shows the testing apparatus in Operation, Each coating
was subjected to the same erosive action. The entire test Opera-
tion is given in the table below:

Run Velocity Duration Erosive
No. rpm fps Days Revolutions charge
1 33 1.1 14 660, 000 Sand
2 33 1.1 14 660, 000 Sand
3 9s 3.4 5 660, 000 Sand
4 33 Lt 14 660, 000 Gravel

Figures 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D on the next page are "before and after"
series of two of the more common coating materials.

14


OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURES
Release No. 47

JANUARY, FEBRUARY AND MARCH 1964
INTRODUCTION

The Operation and Maintenance Equipment and Procedures bulletin
is published quarterly, for the benefit of irrigation project opera-
tion and maintenance people. Its principal purpose is to serve as

a medium of exchanging operation and maintenance information.

It is hoped that the labor-saving devices or less costly equipment
and procedures developed by the resourceful water users will be a
step toward commercial development of equipment for use on irriga-
tion projects in a continued effort to reduce costs and increase
operating efficiency.

This issue includes an article on controlling silt accumulations and
pondweeds, page 1, and an article on the control of common cattails
in channels, page 10. An article from WESTERN CONSTRUCTION is
reprinted on page 19 with the permission of the Editor. The article
is entitled, 'Pulling Pistons With a New Tool."

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,

OK OK KK

Division of Irrigation Operations
Office of Chief Engineer
Denver, Colorado



AVOID BROKEN TAILPIPE BRACKETS

(Reprinted by permission of GRIST, November/December 1961
issue, a publication by the National Conference on State Parks,
Washington, D.C.)

Up at Waterloo Recreation Area, Michigan, they have no more
trouble with broken tailpipe brackets on trucks and autos since
James Hein replaced them with springs.

A rigid clamp around the
tailpipe holds the bottom

end of a helical cot spring;

the top loop of the spring
fastens into a hole drilled

in the end of a short piece of
steel bar bolted to the chassis.

"There's plenty of 'give' when
the going gets rough," says
Jim, '"Tailpipe don't break
off now as they once did with
the rigid brackets, "'

23

GPO 839-362



Cover Sheet. Photograph shows a surplus dozer blade cut
down and mounted at an angle on a dozer so that the width of
the blade is the same width as the dozer tracks. This equip-
ment has adequate power and yet is small enough to work in
laterals of 5- and 6-foot bottom widths, P222-D-41681NA


CONTROL OF COMMON CATTAILS IN CHANNELS

A recently-issued bulletin by the Agricultural Research Service,
United States Department of Agriculture summarizes "Studies on the
Control of the Common Cattail in Drainage Channels and Ditches."
For your general information the summary and conclusions of this
Technical Bulletin No. 1286 are given below:

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

"Common cattail is widespread in aquatic environments throughout the
United States and many other parts of the world and is an economically
important weed in drainage and irrigation canals, farm ponds, reser-
voirs, marshes, and the margins of lakes.

"Life history studies of common cattail were made in Utah in 1949 and
1950 and in Montana from 1958 to 1960. Control studies were conducted
in Washington, Utah, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming from 1947 to 1960.

"In Montana the achene-like fruit of common cattail germinated and
the seedling developed either submersed in water or on wet soil. A
single seedling grown in a culture tank produced as many as 98 non-
flowering shoots 2 to 48 inches tall and 104 crown buds in the first
season.

The shoots of older cattail developed slowly from crown buds in early
spring, elongated rapidly in late spring, and reached the flowering

stage by early summer in Utah and Montana. Pistillate spikes matured
by late summer. The spikes contained an average of more than 200, 000
seeds. New crown buds began to develop in midsummer after pollination
and produced vegetative shoots during the remainder of the growing
season. Numerous new crown buds developed at the end of the growing
season,

"In Utah the level of carbohydrates in cattail roots and rhizomes was
relatively high in early spring but decreased rapidly during vigorous
growth in late spring. The seasonal low was reached when the shoots
began to flower in early July. Thereafter, the trend was rapidly
upward throughout the growing season, except for a brief period in
late August coincident with the rapid development of new shoots.

"Severance of shoots below the water surface two or three times in one
growing season during preheading or early heading stages reduced the
stand of cattail 95 to 99 percent in Montana and Utah, respectively.

"Twenty-eight herbicidal formulations were tested alone or in combina-
tion for control of common cattail in Washington. Many of these for-
mulations and several additional herbicides were tested also in the
other four States. The most effective and economical herbicides at all
locations were esters of 2,4-D in oil-water emulsions, amitrole, and
the sodium salt of dalapon.

10


walls are cast flat with the reinforcing steel extending straight
above the top of the cut-off wall, so that it can be bent in either
direction depending on whether the wall is to be used upstream or
downstream. If the walls are precast the thickness of the wall can
be reduced from 8 inches to 4 inches, thus effecting a saving of one
half of the concrete volume. The narrow trenching bucket and the
backhoe can still be used to excavate for the cut-off walls and inas-
much as one half of the heaviest cut-off wall will weigh slightly in
excess of 2,500 pounds the backhoe also can be used as a crane to
set the precast pieces. The backfill around the cut-off walls can be
compacted with pneumatic tampers to a density greater than the
density of the original materials.

The suggestion has been put into use whenever circumstances require
it. A set of cut-off walls is precast for each size of check structure
and stored in the material warehousing area. Whena check structure
excavation is encountered that is wet and has a tendency to slough,
causing overexcavation that would have to be filled with concrete, the
crew picks up a set of precast cut-off walls from the stock. These are
used on the structure and the precasting yard crew makes up another
set to maintain the stock on hand,

In approximately 80 percent of the cases the sidewalls of the excava-
tion for the cut-off walls will stand vertically. The reinforcing

steel and forms are set and the concrete for the entire structure is
placed monolithically. If the work can be accomplished in this
manner we believe it is cheaper and makes a better structure to build
the check in one concrete placement. However, when wet excavation
for the cut-off walls is encountered, we can use the precast concrete
cut-off walls and greatly expedite the work.

RRR
EROSION STUDIES OF PIPE LINING MATERIALS

The Paint Laboratory of the Chemical Engineering Branch, Office of
Chief Engineer, Denver, Colorado, has recently released a report on
the continuing research of the Bureau of Reclamation in the field of
protective coatings for steel pipe. These latest tests were conducted
under situations which simulate conditions found in siphon pipes or
sheet metal flumes subject to erosion by abrasive material in the
water.

These tests were used to evaluate the erosion resistance of epoxy
mortars, epoxy coal-tar paints, some of the newer synthetic resin
materials, and sand-filled conventional paints. Other tests were
made to determine the erosive effect on unlined steel pipe and

asbestos-cement pipe. The resistivity of these materials to erosion
is compared to that of coal-tar enamel,

13