The Arizona sentinel., 1890-03-15

pumping water for domestic purposes,
all present an air thrift and enterprise
that is captivating.
Upon reaching the initial point Of
the reservoir embankment where the
canal enters, the broad levee, twenty
feet wide across its top and as solid and
hard as a turnpike, was assembled
and the drive continued as far as it
was constructed-some 7,400 feet.
In some places the levee is 249 feet in
hight with sides sloping at the ratio
of two to one, making width of base
at this point lis feet. 1t is built OF
earth taken from either side and from
one hundred to one hundred twenty
pressed bowl scrapers of II cubic feet
carrying capacity each, are employed
IN taking the earth to the top Of the
great dam.
Every facility is provided for con-
Quoting the work in the most substan-
tial as we'll as economical manner.
The workmen numbering about go
men with 10 teams, are divided into
six gangs, to each of which is assigned
a section of 600 linear feet of the dam.
Under the watchful eyes of the fore
men layer of loose earth, perhaps
eighteen inches thick, is laid uniform
ly upon the top of the enbankment.
Water is then sprinkled upon it by
means of hose coupled to a CONT
nuous line of iron piping laid along
the base and supplied by a force
pump. After thoroughly moistening
the earth heavy corrugated rollers are
passed many times over it and the
process is repeated as often as ne ces-
sary until each successive layer is
solidly packed and made as firm and
hard as a turnpike when a new course
is added, and by these continuous
accretions the great structure gradually
reaches the line of the grade and i,
then finish upon the top and sides as
neatly and accurately as a carpenter
bevels a peace of lumber with hi,
plane.
Up to date about 10000 cubic
yards of earth has been put in position
covering a length of 400 feet Of
Elevee. OF this amount $500 linear
feet has been completed up to grade
There yet remains about 6,400 fee
of embankment to build, which will re
quire about two and one half months
for its construction with the present
force.
The contract of MacRitchie & Nicho
includes the whole work of con-
struction in every detail, and the COS
will approximate $l38,000. A few
modification in certain portions o
the work may run up the cost abou
$4,000 above these figures.
The gate at the outlet Of the reser
| Ill |, ILL Il Il III
where these materials can be used tt
the best advantage. The outlet viii
be through a three-foot iron pipe laiC
in brick work, for which purpose g
huge brick kiln is nearly ready fo
burning near the point at which thy
viii be used.
The site of the reservoir is a natura
basin across which the dam is bo;n4
constructed 1900 feet in length. Tn,
deepest portion viii be a little over 3
feet, and the area the water will cove
is about 1900 acres. It's upper side i
open and being the natural course O
large water shed, a great volume o
storm waters will be gathered and i'm
pounded, exclusive of the continuous
flow of the canal proper, and wher
once filled the land owners below will
be insured abundance of water durin
the dryest seasons.
1t is indeed busy scene and a.
one approaches the work the moving
teams plying back and forth resemble
a nest of industrious ants. Mr.. Bueh
man. the photographer, succeeded ii
securing several fine views by instan-
taneous process, Of the active oper
atoms.
The camps of the men look like g
| primitive mining camp of fair proper
| lions. There are few substantial
buildings erected for permanent occu-
patton, among them being commo