The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-09-11

We published, on Saturday last, the Report of
the Joint Special Committee ofthe Common Council
10 which was referred the question of eXcavating
the surface soil, and whatever Of vegetable matter
1t contains, from the bed of the new Lake now in
process of construction near the Relay House on
the Northern Central Railroad. The conclusions
of the Committee, whe her wise or unwise we do
not at present propose to discuss 1t it were
proper that the work should be done, economical
considerations ought not TO affect the decision of
the question; but if it is believed from an exami
nation of the nature of the soil and of its comno
nent elements, that no i'll effects can arise from let
ing II remain, the expense of its removal should
certainly be avoided. This is point upon which
contrary opinions are current, and without VEN
turing to decide who is right and who is wrong,
we leave the matter for the present where the Com
mittee has left ito the final action of the Board
u water Commissioners. We propose, how
ever, TO lmpart such information as we
nave been able to obtain by personal
inspection, and by conversation with the Chief
Engineer, with regard to the Water Works Them
selves; their present condition. and the period at
which they can be made useful to the civ
Ihese works, as most of our readers are aware con-
slst OF Lake, of more than of one hundred acres
IN area, situated in the valley of Roands Run. two
hundred and twenty-five feet above tide: of n
solidly constructed Dam which has been Auno
across rocky gorge for the purpose of combining
the waters OF the lake; Gate House of dressed
stone, brick tunnel, or Conduit for CONVEYING
The water OF the lake into the high service reser
voir, known as the Hampden Reservoir which is
TWO hundred and seventeen feet above tide.
oouole line Of ast-ron pipes, which, leading from
the latter crosses the Falls little below the Clip
PEI Mills, follows the course and partly occupies
the bed OF the Northern Central until it reaches
the lower service or Mount Royal Reservoir, about
one hundred and fifty feet above tide, and after
connecting with the Reservoir, continues onward
until it forms junction with the mains which are
already in use throughout the city. 1t was the
opinion of the ;ef Engineer, as expressed in his
Report to the Water Board, under date of the 9th
of January last that if greater difficulties were
encountered than have already been surmounted
the entire works could be brought before the close
of the present year, ITO that stage of progress
(which would afford to the city all the practical
''benefts 10 be received from their completion
How accurately this promise bears prospect of full
filment the following statement will show The
Lake, with the exception of moving off and burn
ing the heritage upon its surface, is already in a
condition to be flooded with water to such depth
as may be necessary to fill the conduit whilst that
portion of the work which is still to be done can,
it is said, be finished before the lst of January.
The Dam is also sufficiently advanced towards
completion to admit of storing fourteen feet of wa.
ter at the point where it enters the conduit,
and the work upon the Gate-House is in state
of forwardness which will enable it to be put
to use by the first of November next.
The unfinished masonry upon the Dam and Gate
House, will not in all probability, approach COM
pletion until next Spring, as stone work of this
kind cannot safely be done during the winter
season. but this will not interfere with the use of
both for water supply. AS regards the conduit
connecting the lake with the Hampden reservoir,
with the exception Of short link at the mouth
of the waste weir, it has been ready for use
for nearly nine months, and the reservoir
itself 10 SO nearly finished that W ter NAV
be let into it certainly by the LIST of No.
vember next, and possibly earier-wbat re-
mains at present to be accomplished being the
lining of the inner slopes with stone; the com.
pletion of the efluent and infuent gate-houses
and short link of brick conduit, all of which
are well advanced. The connection from that
point with the new Mount Royal reservoir is to be
formed, ~ We have already stated, by double