National Republican., 1883-08-02
OUR WATER SUPPLY.
Further Quotations from Maj. Lydcokcr's
Report as to the Extension OF tho Works
10 Give Increased supply.

Further Quotations from Maj. Lydeckor's
Report as TO the Extension OF tho Works
TO Give Increased supply.
Maj. Lydecker, in his report on tho Wash
ington acqueduot extension portion of
which appeared in The REPUBLICAN yester-
day, states that the subject of extending the
acqueduct from its present terminus to tho
high ground north of this city, where the
new reservoir Is to be located, has been the
subject of careful study by him. Referring
to the tunnel plan, the report states that "the
construction of tunnel from the distributing
reservoir to tho high ground named will ac-
complish the desired object in the best and
most substantial manner at the least cost and
in the shortest time practicable. There is no
reasonable doubt that this tunnel can be car =
ried through solid rock in direct line between
the terminal points, and with the perfected
machinery of the present day its construc-
tiOn would become simple piece of engineer
ing work. The cost and rate of progress
would depend almost entirely on the charac-
ter of the machinery i'll use and on the degree
of intelligence with which the work is
directed. Based on tho known cost of COM
pleted work of like character, $3 per cubic
yard for the excavation would be an outside
estimates it would, in all probability, cost
loss. The length of tunnel will be about
cluding shafts, of about G6,250 cubic yards
Estimated at 50 per cubic yard, the total cost
reaches about $o30,000 leaving a balance of
the amount appropriated (the act appropriates
$500, 34.55 for the aqueduct extcnsion) of
$4,000 available for contingencies, such, for
instance, as lining for the tunnel wherever
found necessary. If the tunnel can be driven
in solid rock land every indication favors
this assumption), IL is apparent that we can
rely with certainty upon continuous
progress of the work of construction, regard
less of season or weather; upon its perina-
nence, without expenditure for repairs, and
upon its easy subsequent enlargement at tsmall
expense.
His objections TO surface conduit are set
forth in the statement that "the only alter
native to tunnel would be surface conduit
which would offer none of the advantages
referred to above, while the natural
features would require very consid-
cradle increase in its length, IN order
to avoid excessive excavations and compli-
Gated engineering difficulties, such as would
follow its construction in direct line. Be-
side the surface conduit would demand the
appropriation of continuous strip of land,
which would not be the case if the work is
made entirely in tunnel, and it is very doubt
full If the land could be acquired for tho sum
allotted for that purpose" (S51,370).
The report then recommends the adoption
of the tunnel system, leaving the arrange
ment of minor details until after the initial
shaft has been sunk at the site of the new
reservoir. If compact, solid rock is not
reached within reasonable limit the project
can be modified before arriving at any ex-
penditure approximating that which would
haze been required for series of preliminary
bearings sufficient to warrant positive solu-
tion of the question.
1t is also recommended that the work
glOulU 1nna hU nd oil
terial purchased in open market rs matters of
economy and facility, the difficult character
of the work rendering the letting of contracts
almost impracticable, while such letting
would also prevent the immediate commence
ment of the much-needed improvement.
The site of the new reservoir is described
as being the depression east of the Howard
University grounds and the area rs sixty-six
acres, for the purchase Of which 5.250 was
appropriated. In the reservoir so located the
excavation and embankment required in its
construction are equalized as nearly as posi-
Bile, being approximately 100000 cubic yards.
The sum of $431, ,273.75 was appropriated for
this work and it is believed to be ample. 1t is
proposed that the eXcavating and embank-
ment work shall be advertised and let by
contract.
Plans in detail for raising and extending
the dam at Great Falls have not yet been pre-
pared, but the work will be similar to the
present dam, and it is proposed, too, that it
shall be carried on by hired labor, the supplies
being purchased in open market. The qucs-
tions oflaying mains and making tho neces-
sary connections for furnishing an increased
supply of water, and that of the protection of
the Chesapeake and Ohio canal from damage
by overflow, by raising the dam, are deferred
for future examination. For constructing
adequate fishways at the dam, the act appro-
PIRATES $4,000. This work will be done un-
der the supervision of the fish commissioner
when the plans are finished.
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