Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-10-17


THE DISTRICT.
The following is the report of Major Lydecker
on the Potomac water supply:
OFFICE WASHINGTON AoUEDUcT,
| WASHINGTON, October 5th, 1882
Brig Gen H. G. Wright, Chfef OF Engineers,
GENERAL:-I have the honor to submit the fol-
lowing project for carrying into effect the require
ments OF the act to increase the water supply Of
the city OF Washington and for other purposes,
approved July 18th, 1882:
The first section directs that certain surveys be
made, and specific the manner in which title to
lands required for the purpose OF the act Shall be
obtained. In this connection, 1t is provided, a
preliminary TO active operations, that the Secre-
| tary or War shall cause to be made survey and
map of the land necessary to extend the WASH
ington aqueduct from its present eastern terminus
street extended, and OF the land necessary for
reservoir at that point. the capacity OF which shall
not be less than ooOo0oo gallons: and like sur
vey and map.of the land necessary for dam across
the Potomac river at the Great Falls, including
the land now occupied by the dam across Conn's
lsland," &c. THE section OF the act is quoted in
| full
The data supplied by previous surveys within the
designated limits have made any extended survey
Tor that object in view unnecessary. and this is
| fortunate circumstance, because among the spe-
ciic appropriations to carry out the provisions of
fraying the expenses of such surveys In addition
to the data available, however, certain examina-
| tonS and local surveys were essential before an
Intelligent presentation OF the subject could be
submitted; and have assumed the responsibility
masng the same b believing that they are pro
pay for land to extend aqueduct s51 $40, and "to
pay for land for reservoir ss5 $50 Since the date
| OF my assignment to the charge OF the work every
possible attention has been given to the
compilation OF the data and to the pre-
line Of conduit limiting lines of new reservoir and
OF all the lands to be acquired. The map VIII be
cable, and Will then be presented as the basis of
proceedings In obtaining title to lands as required
| NJ oofd fho
Con or several items OF work, and the third appro
pirates for the same. [Here follows the appropra-
tons In the act for the extension OF the AQueduct,
| its construction, Gel
| The report continues-"For the immediate re-
important one. and its consideration has been the
subject of most careful study; believing, however,
that detailed statement on this point would ex-
tend the report unnecessarily, / simply submit
| Tor the present that the construction OF tunnel
from the distributing reservoir to that proposed
on the heights, near 9th street extended, will ac-
complish the desired object in the best and most
substantial manner, and at the least COST and in
the M shortest time practicable; there is no reasona
Ole DOUBT that this tunnel can be carried through
terminal points, and under these circumstance % ass
Its construction would become simple piece of
engineering work. The cost and rate OF progress
| would depend entirely on the character of machi-
nery IN use ana In the degree OF intelligence with
Which the work is directed. Based on the known
cost OF completed work of like character. s. per
CUBIC yard for the excavation would be outside
eStmate-it would probably cost less. The length
OF the tunnel will be about 81 400 feet, requiring
total excavation, including Shafts of about &C. $50
cubic yards. Estimated at s. per cubic yard the
total cost OF excavation would be about $3.50, ,O0O
saeaVmg ssn balance In the amount appropriated or
SIouOO, aVallable for contingencies, Such for in
stance, as inning for the tunnel whenever it might
| be found necessary.
every indication favorS the assumption), 1T is ap-
parent that we can rely in the certainty upon
continuous progress of the work OF construction.
regardless OF season or weather-upOn its per-
manence without expenditure for repairs, and
upon Its subsequent enlargement at small ex-
pense. The only alternative to tunnel would be
a surface conduit. which would offer none OF the
advantages referred to above, while the natural
features would require very considerable in
crease in its length, in order to avoid excessive
| excavation, and complicated engineering diff
direct llne Besides, the surface conduit would de-
strip whoh not Be the case ns
doubtful II this land could be acquired with the
sum allotted for that purpose With these views
ton OF the tunnel system, leaving minor details to
be determined upon after obtaining the conclusive
data that VIII be supplied in sinking the Initial
smart, at the site OF the new reservoir; II compact,
solid rock Is not reached within a reasonab BILE
limit the project can be modified before
that Which would have been req required for tof
series OF preliminary borings, sufficient
10 warrant positive solution OF the Question.
| This work should be done by hired labor, and the
purchase of material in open market, as that is the
only way In which its rapid and economical con-
work is such that its details must, in marked de-
gree, 6e determined during its progress, and they
contingencies involved being matters Of specula-
ton, would advance contract price to the highest
probable figure, in this way for6dding to the work
suspected difficulties. The pressing de-
mand man,d for the immediate beginning Of the
possible period of time and in the most perfect
manner. is opposed to celays necessary for adver-
.isenent and awards, attended by the risk Of get
nr irru Onc 10
tor; the work Is so extensive and VIII require
SO large an original outlay TO supply the machin-
doubtful If many among the competing bidders
would possess the requisite capital, experience
yor is in the depression east OF the grounds of the
Howard university, and the area OF land that
must be acquired for the purpose is sixty-six
whether the sum appropriated is sufficient; but
that question has no material bearing on the i'm.
the excavation and embankment required in its
construction are equalized as nearly as practic-
able being approximately 500 600 cubic yards. The
sum appropriated Is believed to be ample It is
proposed to do this work by contract after adver.
tising In the usual manner
Deta1led plans for raising and extending the
dam at Great Falls have not yet been prepared
the work Will be similar in character to that
'ne to Ga ana when n1eS
purchases in open market, for substantially the
same reasons as heretofore stated In relation to
made the subject of a special report at an early
date. Consideration Of the question relating to
the necessary main connections for furnishing an
ample water supply to Washington and George
town Is deferred for further examination, as is
also that relating to the protection OF the Chesa-
peake and Ohio canal, as provided for In the act
| In addition to increasing the water supply, the
act provides "for the erection Of suitable shways
at the Great Falls OF the Potomac, and at the
dam to be constructed under the provisions OF the
act In accordance with plans and specifications to
be prescribed by the US. Commissioner Of Fish
and Fisheries" and appropriates for that purpose
the sum OF $4,000 These plans have not yet been
prepared, but arrangements have been made to
commence the necessary preliminary surveys, to
| 6e conducted under the supervision OF an agent
designated by the honorable Commissioner.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. j. LYDECKER,
| Major Engineers, U.SA.
Gen. Wright's Recommendation.
Gen. Wright. chief OF engineers, in submitting
the report to the Secretary of War, writes under
date Of October 12: 81 have the honor to submit
herewith preliminary project presented by Major
q. j. Lydecker, corps OF engineers, for carrying
into effect the requirements OF the OF July IS
1SS2, for increasing the water supply OF Washing
ton. In this project Major Lydecker explains