The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-05-21

WANT hN|HRpRINH
Dan n0r0lo0moD4 20 0un
WV - :
TO be UTILIZED.
The Folsom Water Power Company Makes
Public Its Intentions.
SACRAMENTO TO BE THE GARDEN-SPOT.
Unlimited Water Power for FaCtOriGS-ElGCtrC Power
and a Domestic Water Supply for This City
And all the Land Of The County to be
Brought Under Irrigation.

Most of the inhabitants of Sacramento
City and County have heard of the works,
so many years in progress, on the Amer
lean River, near Folsom, for damming the
river and diverting its waters, first, for
power purposes, and secondly for the
general irrigation of the entire county;
but few of them have had any really ade-
quate conception Of the bearing of the
works on the future of the city and
county of Sacramento. Now that the
construction has so far advanced as to
promise a definite certainty of compile
ton, to the point of availability within
the next year, it is undoubtedly timely
that we should give some account of the
works, their condition and of the benefits
that may result therefrom to Sacramento
City and County.
THE DAM AND CANAL OF THE FOLSOM
WATER POWER COMPANY.
AS long ago as 1866 the foundation was
laid for this dam across the American
River, at point about two miles above
Folsom and one-third of a mile above the
locality where was subsequently located
the Folsom State Prison. The work has
been continuously in progress, either on
the dam or the canal leading from it. In
1868 the State of California became inter-
ested in the work, receiving a convey
ance of the site for prison. and grant
of water power privileges on the canal, at
the said prison, in consideration of Civ
ing the aid of convict labor in the con-
struction of the dam and canal.
In 1874 additional concessions of lands
were received by the State, charging the
site for it's proposed State Prison, in con-
sideration of additional grants of convict
labor to construct the work Owing,
however, to unforeseen delays in the COM
pletion of the prison, it was not until
1882 that the State commenced to dis
charge its contract to furnish convict la
Dor.
The Folsom Water Power Company
had, in the meantime, acquired the prop
erty from the original owners, with all
its franchises and contract rights. Diff
ferences OF Interpretation as to the con-
tract of the State to furnish convict labor
led to litigation, wherein the decision was
against the State, and a temporary sus-
pension of work by the State convicts
followed.
The late Governor Waterman, advised
thereto by the energetic and clear-sighted
Warden of the Folsom Prison, Charles
Aull, recognized that most valuable in
terests of the State were being allowed to
lie dormant, perhaps ultimately to be en-
tirely sacrificed, and on the Governors
initiative, backed by the active co-opera-
ton of the then Board of State Prison Di-
Tectors, a new contract was entered into
ON the 5th of May. 1883, between the State
and the Folsom Water Power Company.
providing for a large increase in the mag
nitude of the dam and canal, for a pro-
portionally more ample water power
privilege to the State at the prison, and
for q necessarily increased contribution
of convict labor by the State.
Under this modified contract work was
at once actively commenced, and has
been since vigorously prosecuted with
all the force of the labor available ct Fol-
som Prison, and of an immense outfit of
steam machinery furnished and operated
by the Folsom Water Power Company.
THE GREAT BULRHEADs.
Additions to the dam, headgates and
retaining wall of section one of the east
side canal have made the work one of
Tar greater magnitude than was at first
contemplated, entailing a proportionate
increase OF time in construction.
The dam, headgates and section one re-
tanning walls, down to the location of
estate Power House, We're, however.
finally finished some months since. and
are of an extent and stability scarcely
equaled by any similar work in the
world. For more full understanding of
these works the following details are in
structive:
The hight Of the dam is 50 feet, width
on top a feet. width on bottom 81 feet,
length $50 feet, masonry contents 1880
cubic yards. The material is granite
blocks of the most solid character, and of
the largest dimensions, laid in the best of
English Portland cement, OF which over
10000 barrels were consumed in the dam
and head-works.