The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-08-03

was. in part, concentrated near the
center of the dam, and no scour took
place at the toe of the dam. The CEN
ter of the scour was along a line 200
feet down stream from the toe OF the
dam, and the debris of the scoar was
piled 400 feet below the dam.
The foundation OF the return wall at
the east end Of the dam and the
foundation If the river wall of the
powerhouse were started at a level III
feet lower than the base of the dam,
and the flood water will be detected
away from them by the curve in the
return wall. have therefore no fear
of destructive scour along their
fronts.
The cutoff wall now to be built is
what would have been part of the
original construction had there been
evidence in sight that the substantial
rock under the head-gates did not ex-
tend far into the hill beyond the
hesd-gates. The preparation for
starting this wall has been necessarily
slow because of the depth and ma
ture of the trench and materials.
When the walls are complete l believe
the whole works will be- as safe and
substantial as any other great work
of their class, and that the power
house may then be completed and the
pumping and electric machinery soon
therefor be made ready for use. 1t is
unfortunate that the work on the
powerhouse is being delayed by the
work on the cutoff wall, bat neither
the break or the delay is serious
matter. 1t was not anticipated that
the work of the cutoff wall would be
necessary. 1t has become a conting-
ency of the construction, and it will
now make the east shore end of the
work complete, safe and cure.
Mr.. Gorham 2. Low, @. E., whom
you have requested to assume charge
of the work as resident engineer, has
had long and varied experience in
charge of the construction of public
works similar to these, and for several
of the largest cities. He will urge the
work forward to com oletion as rapidly
and economically as is possible and
will, l am sure, render your honorable
board faithful and valuable service.
Very respectfully submitted,
j, II TANNING,
Consulting Engineer.
July 26, 1898.
PRESENT STAGE OF THE WORK,
1t is we'll known that Capt. VIM @.
Walsh at the solicitation of the board
of public works, of which he is men,
Der, has been in charge superlntend-
ing the work at the dam ever since
the resignation of Engineer Groves
about two weeks ago. Yesterday
when Captain Walsh turned the work
over to Engineer Low, he did so
SO much because he was be-
and responsible task which he
was carrying out without any COM
pensation, but because victory along
the line of his hope had just been &C.
conlplished.
IL was recited last week in this
paper how the work of excavation
had been interfered with fol few
days by the down stream bluff of the
excavation settling and threatening
to topple over on the men at work
That bluff was cut down and the work
of excavation resumed. Yesterday
morning just before Engineer Low
took charge hole about three feet in
circumference was gotten down to
what appeared to be solid ledge of
rock, over which water was flowing
slowly. This hole ia near the
fifth head gate, or the
most easterIy one now standing.
This layer of rock is about three feet
above the level of where the water
went through the perpendicular side of
the power house foundation. Captain
Walsh thinks that level will be main.
tanned under the three headgates that
were removed. The formation of ear h
and rock under these three h adgates
and east of them into the bank is of a
very much mixed character; and if 1t
shall be found that this solid rock
shelf runs under the three headgates
il is not known how far it runs back
into the eastern bank. If it runs well
back into the bank the work
of excavation will soon be
finished. Mr.. Low was seen
about it yesterday afternoon, but re-
fused to express an opinion until he
got better acquainted with the work
and got down to the level of the out
let through the power house founda.
ton. He took hold of the work yes
terday and took hold with master
hand. Engineer Tanning says he is a
very ga e man and the people of Aus
tin may be assured he will go to- bed
rock before the masonry work IL com.
menced. All is now running smoothly
and we'll at the darn