Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1893-03-03
ENGINEER ELLswoRTH's REPORT.
Stickney Brook and the West River
Sources Of Water supply.

Mr.. T.. A. Ellsworth, the hydraulic en-
gineer employed by the committee, begins
his report with an allusion to the import
ance, for a community like BrattlebOro, of
an abundant and never-failng supply Of
water He then mentions, as the three
requisites of every adequate system, first,
unfailing quantity; second, simplicity of
design and durability of construction;
third, comprehensiveness. OF the several
systems that may be employed the gravity
system possesses the qualities of safety,
durability and convenience in the largest
degree. Water elevated to a reservoir by
hydraulic power comes next, and system
of pumping by steam power third. Look
ing toward the introduction of the gravity
system Mr.. Ellsworth made a careful eX-
animation of Stickney brook, in the town
of Dummerston, which is the outlet of
Marlboro North pond, as the source of
such supply. From such approximate
estimates as he was able to make he has
no hesitation in recording the opinion that
the quantity of water which this brook
can supply is fully adequate for present
needs and for future requirements for many
years to come. January 26, after several
weeks of extremely cold weather, and after
a period of four months, in the fall of 1892,
during which the rainfall was only 80 per
cent of the average, he found 300 cubic
feet of water or 2250 gallons per minute
running in the stream, a quantity which
represents daily supply of 3,24O, 900 gal
lOns-enough, if constant, to supply pop
ulation of 81, 900 people. Were there any
ouestion that the brook would not furnish
a sufficient supply, this doubt could be re-
moved by acquiring the use and control of
/ the natural pond which covers 140 acres.
| The point on Stickney brook which Mr..
/ Ellsworth selected for the proposed collect
ing reservoir, which would be the head of
the system, sis about 800 feet distant
from the intersection of the West Dunn
merston road with the road leading up the
Stickney brook valley, and possesses ex-
ceptional natural advantages for the pur-
/ nose. 1t has the natural basin form with
steeply sloping banks on either side which
are drawn abruptly together at the point
where it is proposed to erect the dam. BY
the erection of a dam % feet in height
above the bed of the brook and l20 feet in
length from bank to bank, storage capac-
ity of 100000 gallons can be secured.
The elevation of the proposed reservoir is
254 feet above the top of the bottom step
of the Brooks library, or about 10 feet
higher than the reservoir of the present
system" A table is given showing the
height above IS points in different parts OF
the village.
Mr.. Ellsworth then proceeds to discuss
the size of the main pipe which would be
required to adequately supply the village
under this system. He takes for granted
that the present needs would not exceed
25O, 900 gallons a day, and that it would be
many years before more than l,OOO,OV
gallons would be required. Careful calcu
lations as to velocity and loss by friction
are given, and the conclusion is that II
inch main would give effective service fol
many years. He would recommend how
ever, 14-inch pipe to the junction OF thu
Stickney brook and West river roads, anc
l6-inch from there to the reservoir. TIT
estimated cost for the reservoir and malI
pipe is STE, O64; for street pipes, S51, 146
strengthening and superintendent, $3.50
making the total cost of the gravity sys
tenn $l36,O6O.
, Another method of obtaining waite
supply for the village would be TO take
from the West river and pump 1t into
. distributing reservoir to be built on tn.
, high ground at the north end of the vii
lase. The most convenient point for III
pumping station would be at the Weld mil