Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-07-11
WASHINGTON,S WATER SUPPLY.
Progress OF Work ON the Auueduct
Extension.
MAJOR LYDECKER REPORTS AS TO WORK DONE
IN JUNE.

Major Lydecker, in his report to the chief OF
engineers of the operations for the increase of
the water supply during June, states that the
gap in the dam at Great Falls. across the main
Virginia channel, has been completed with the
exception of some bolts and cramps. This
leaves only the gap between Conn's Island and
end of the dam In the Virginia channel to be
oullt ana the coping put on the old dam. The
contractors have no stone of consequence on
hand, and nothing further towards the actual
construction can be done until stone is prepared
at the quarries. 1t is expected that during July
the necessary preliminary work for putting the
remaining masonry in will be done as Ear as prac-
Work on making connection between the
distributing reservoir and the tunnel was com.
menced June and Is now under progress.
Inc total excavation in the tunnel during the
anontn n was 1,O77 feet and average daily pro-
gress OF 5.9 feet. The total amount excavated
20 July 1st was 13, 49S feet, leaving 7,217.S to
be excavated.
Work progresses on all parts of the reservoir
Inc dam has steadily Increased. The dressing
completed. The work on the west conduit and
pipe line has progressed, but has been retarded
ny Sc Sc Veral springs which were developed. The
work on the main connections is practically
conPieted, as far as laying The pipes is con-
serned. No more can he laid until the gate
mouse Is constructed. The rs inch pipes are yet
TO be caulked, but 1t is deemed best to delay
THIS work until everything is 'nally settled.
For Preventing POlluti0l Of tho Water.
MAJOR Lydecker has reportN TO the chief Of
engineers that the work of maAaing the changes
at Great Falls to prevent the Aater of the canal
from entering the river just at I'VE the aqueduct
inlet is in progress. The cana. .authorities have
been twice writton to in reference to leasing
the land lying between the canal and the river
above the aqreduct inlet, but as yet no reply
has been received. A partial preliminary sur
vey has been made Of the Vicinity of the re-
celVlng reservoir tn devise elan and prepare
estimates of the cost Of DETECTING the creeks
which now discharge into the reservoir and
cause them to discharge into the river below
the reservoir. These plans and estimates are In
course OF preparation. The water supply now
passes around this reservoir directly to tin dis
measurements were taken to-: determine the
amount of water used in 24 hours. During
July it is proposed to continue work on the
changes being made at Great Falls and such
routine work as may be Necessary.
The Ffsh.ways at Grl.at Falls.
Major Lydecker also reports zhat active ope-
rations for the erection of fsh.ways at Great
Falls were commenced on the Sst of June On
the Sd work was started on the.temporary dam
across the branch and the or erfiow channel
across Falls island. The overflow channel was
completed on the 10Th and the cam on the Doth
Since then large force has beln employed in
excaVatlng foundations for the oth and 9th sec
tons OF the tSh-Way and building traInway
from the canal to the site of the work. The con-
tractors eXcavated 5I1Il cubi,, yards OF rock
during June. Work on the coiiract OF John E.
Lyons Will be continued duringsIuly.