Sacramento daily record-union., 1888-11-16
THE FOLSOM DAM.
PROGRESS OF THE CONSTRUCTION
WORK UPON IT.
The Temporary Dam Blown Up
Yesterday and Water Turned
Through the New Structure.


Folsom is the most important piece of
public work now in progress in the State,
considering the beneficial relation it Will
sustain, when completed, with the man.
agement and work at the State Prison, and
the innumerable manufacturing industries
which will be promoted by the motive
power it will furnish.
The work upon the dam proper, which
could not be commenced until the
low water of the fall season was reached,
has since been prosecuted with the utmost
vigor and successful results. The tempo
rary dam for turning the water from the
bed of the river through fume was CON-
pleted in September, but the laying of stone
was practically commenced on October 1st
From that date to November 10Th, or in 45
days, 10000 cubic feet of granite was laid
The laying of that amount of material. in
such class of work, and in so short
space of time, with only six masons, three
only of whom were fully experienced work
men, denotes remarkable expedition in
work, and justifies the high degree of salts
faction felt by Warden Aull and the engi-
uScT III L a. II dt tut pIO-
gress made.
The concrete foundation beneath the
solid masonry has an average depth of
four feet, but on the lower side of the
dam it is much greater by reason of the
downward pitch of the bedrock. The
width of base of the structure on the bed
rock is 81 feet, and will be 25 feet on top
when completed The hight of the struct-
ure at the present time is 20 feet and
inches, and when completed will be 60 feet
The entire length of the dam will be 469
feet. OF this 2lS feet is the tangent, or por-
ton extending directly across the river;
121 feet of curve, by which the water will
be turned to the State Prison side of the
river, and 130 feet of wing for conducting
the water to the canal. 1t is estimated that
about one-sixth of the masonry work of
the entire structure is now completed, but
considering the great difficulty in control
ling the flow of the river, and in getting
the foundation laid, much more than that
proportion of the work is done.
The accompanying cut gives a sectional
view of the dam, and in connection with
the above description, shows its relative di-
mensions. The right hand side of the cut
represents the hack side of the structure,
and the left hand side, the face, the long,
sloping surface forming an apron of solid
granite. upon which the water will pour
from the top of the dam and be carried out
ward away from the foundation, to pre-
serve it from injury. The lower, dotted
section OF the cut represents the concrete
work upon which the masonry is built, but
does not show the extreme thickness of
concrete laid under the face side of the
structure, which was required in following
the pitch of the bedrock.
The top line OF the black section running
across the cut about an inch from the base,
represents the hight to which the dam is
now built most of the way across the river.
The structure, from the concrete on the
bottom, TO this line, is laid in solid granite
masonry except three openings which are
four feet square, and run entirely through
the structure, as shown by lighter engrav-
ing between the two black surfaces. These
openings are to let the river current pass
through while the dam is being built and
will be closed when the structure is fully
completed, by means of heavy flood gates.
When the upper part of the dam is done
and these gates are closed, the opening on
the face side of the dam will be filed in
with granite masonry.
The light portion of the cut above the
black section, represents parts OF the dam
yet to be built, the work upon which can
be much more rapidly carried forward than
that of laying the foundation and construct
ing the openings referred to.
THE TEMPORARY DAM BLOWN UP.
By invitation of P A. Humbert, engineer
in charge of the work, quite a number of
prominent citizens and members of the
press from Sacramento and elsewhere
visited the works at the dam yesterday, to
witness the destruction of the temporary
dam just above, SO as to let the
water pass through the opening in
the permanent structure as above
described. To remove the temporary dam
mine containing 800 pounds of blasting
powder and 100 pounds of giant powder
was arranged in it. When everything was
in readiness the mine was fired by cleo
tricity. and column of debris and sand
about so feet in width was thrown 100 feet
or more into the air with terrific force
As soon as the smoke cleared from the
air so that the result could be seen, the
work of destruction was found TO be en-
tirely successful and the water commenced
to pour through the old dam and the open
| ings designed for it in the new structure.
Before many hours the entire volume of
water now carried by the American river
was flowing through the three openings in
| the new dam.
The hume which has heretofore carried
| the water of the river past the construction
works will now be removed and that side
of the main dam will be built up to CORE
spond with the other. This will be effected
in one week if the weather is good. Should
pleasant weather continue thereafter, the
work of building up the entire surface
| of the structure will be proceeded With
and continued until it is overtopped
with the rise of the river During the
rainy season work will be carried forward
upon the wing and canal When low
water another summer permits resumption
/ of work upon the main portion of the
dam, everything is to be in readiness tc
push the project forward with the utmost
| speed, with the expectation to complete il
before the rains set in next fail.
After witnessing the destruction Of the
temporary dam, Warden Aull invited the
guests to mis- residence at the prison, where
a samptuous lunch was provided by the
Warden and Mrs. Aul!, with Mr.. and Mrs
Humbert joining in extending honors tc
the guests.
During the lunch hour, the following
toasts, appropriate to the occasion, were
given. and appropriate responses made
| Warden Aull acting as master of cere-
monies: "The Sacramento Board oil
Trade and its Relations to the Industries
Promised by the Folsom Water Power.
responded to by Joseph Steffens: Fol
som, May it Become the Lowell OF
the West" response by ]. H. Burnham
1.-The Part Performed by the Governor and
Warden Aull in procuring to the State the
Advantages of the Great Folsom Water
Power" offered by J. H. Burnham, who
called upon Warden Aull to respond.
"The Future of Sacramento" response
| by E. G. Hart: The Folsom Water
Power Company" response by II. P. Liv-
ermore;" The Press, response by one OF
the Bohemians;'' .'The Constructing En-
gineer,' response by P. A. Humbert; THE
Ladies' response by w. P. Coleman; THE
Mercantile Interests Of Sacramento" re-
sponse by VIM. Ingram, Jr. The party
then responded with glasses to the toast,
The Health of Governor Waterman" and
the pleasant occasion was brought to a
close.