The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-02-12

make such examinations and surveys as may be
necessary to determine upon the best and most
available mode of supplying the city of WASH
ington with pure water, and to prepare plan
and estimate Of the probable cost of the same,
to be reported to Congress at its next session.
On the 25th of January, 1851, report Of the
Secretary of War was made to Congress upon
this subject, transmitting the report made u
that Department by Colonel GEORGE w
HUeHEs, of the corps of Typographical Engi-
neers, through J, ]. ALERT, the colonel in
command Of that corps.
From this report we learn that, by the addi-
tional aid of one thousand dollars contributed
by the city of Washington, Colonel HusHEs
was enabled to prosecute his investigations.
His instrumental surveys were directed mainly
to the Rock creek source Of supply, while ex-
tensive and careful reconnaissance were made
of all other sources from which favorable re-
rults might have been expected.
| The Potomac river, above the Great falls,
is the point to which the attention of many has
long been directed; but, after deliberately exam
ming the subject, by means Of the surveys OF
the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company and
other media of information, Colonel HUoHEs
arrives at the conclusion that there is no ques-
ton that water may be brought from that
source in abundance, and at sufficient ele-
walton to supply every portion of Washing
ton; but, he adds, 81 do not exaggerate the diff
Z fculfes and cost when venture to suggest
9 that it could not be accomplished without an
enormous expenditure Of time and money"
"The only feasible plan," he adds, "unless all
considerations of cost be disregarded, by
which water can be derived from the Great
Falls, would be through iron pipes, laid near
{ Nv coincident with the desceiss Of the canal,
tapping that work above lift lock number 20,
3 at an elevation of l6l feet above ordinary low
tide, and l4s miles from the basin in George
town. To reach the projected reservoir in
Washington, diverging from the canal at
some suitable point above Georgetown, would
increase the distance to not less than l6 miles,
8 and would involve the expense of crossing
Rock creek by high aqueduct, OF by com
bination of an arched bridge and an inverted
: syphon." ~
| Diminishing this project as impracticable, 1t
least at the present day, Colonel HucHEs in
|
Rock creek course was commenced near St.
Johns church, on the north side of Lafayette
square, opposite the Presidents house. He
says: &
"Thc creek was repeatedly guaged at different
places and different days. determine the daily
discharge of water during the drycst portion Of the
season. These observations resulted in tho con-
viction that sufficient supply Of water could b
obtained, and at such elevation as to furnish
every portion of the city, a short line, and at
reasonable cost II also found that excellent
natural sites might be selected for receiving and
distributing reservoirs. and in fact it offered many
| striking advantages for the object in view, and
would probably fulfil all the conditions of the pro-
blem-the supplying the city with pure water at q
| moderate expense.
"The following are the levels of some of the moro
prominent points within the city, above ordinary
| low tide: ~
The foundation of st. Johns church.. $3.50 feet.
Corner OIL and 18th street west....... 62.l0 /"
| Base Of Observatory. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. $500 "
Eastern base of the Capitol. ........... $3.50 g
Corner of N and llth streets west. :. .l0s.70 /"
The highest point in the city. Immediately in
the rear of the buildings called Franklin Row.
Crock creek, for nearly it's whole course, may
be described q very rapid stream, falling in ono
section sixty feet in less than mile"
The following extracts are made from the re-
port, without reference to the order pursued BY
Colonel HUaHEs, and solely with reference to
condensation. We take it for granted that all
persons desiring minute information will refer
to that document itself:
"The highest point which we reached Rock
creek 1913 10 feet above tide, for 90 feet above
the highest point in this city,] at distance of
| oko 0,u;lo fro, hr,a chi from
proposed receiving reservoir, of say 81 miles. AZ
| this elevation considerably greater than was
necessary for object, and az the upper portion
of that part of the stream comparatively slug
gsh, ii was thought most cxpedient to select the
initial point of location for the conduit some four
miles lower down, by which, while we had the
command Of more water than above, at a sufficient
height for all practical purposes, that length Of
aqueduct would be saved, even If, in both cases,
we assumed the same height of dam for rctentive
reservoirs. Beside this, excellent position for
dam was offered, with a natural rock foundation
and abutmcnts At this point, near the southern
boundary of Mr.. Darius Clagett's farm, the valley
ia very narrow, being contracted by high rocky
promontories either side while the valley open
| ing widely mmediately above may be converted
into capacious retentive reservoir.
at is usual in estimating for the supplying offs
town with water to allow to each soul thirty gallons
daily. This il the highest calculation have seen,
and is doubt ample for all the uses OF city,
cept for manufacturing purposes
| According to the recent census, Washington
city contains 40,O27 inhabitants. This would
quire for present wants l,200,sl0 gallons of water
daily. II is, therefore, perfectly apparent that
most abundant supply of wnter can be procured
| from Rock creek on the plan have proposed. An
| allowance of 100000 gallons daily may be
garded as very liberal supply for the present; and
to meet this the capacity of the distributing
vor might be reduced to 900 900 of gallons which
would greatly diminish its cost. have, however,
estimated for one of larger dimensions"
| After making the most liberal deductions for
seasons of extreme drought, &c., Col. HuGHEs
assumes | | 81 ,40S gallons as the daily flow Of