The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-02-24

Although there are a few persons IN
the city who have a vague idea Shat
some work is being done in that dlrec-
t;on. it is not generally understood
that but a few miles distant work is
being performed which will in few
weeks time bring into Salt Lake cree
trio energy 10 the extent of 7,OuV-horse-
mower. but such is the case.
Rig Cottonwood canyon exists IN
the minds of the great majority of the
citizens of this metropolis as a spot
where one can enjoy camping out IN
summer time The breezes blow COOL
the fishing is good, although fish are
not plentiful. the scenery grand be-
vond description. 1t was in playful
mood that nature tossed mountains
aside and piled up hills in the prim-
eval epoch when Big Cottonwood was
created Shale formations We're SET on
e7ga and t1,acbite piled fiat against
them high UP in air for miles ana
miles. Huge chasms yawn at ones
feet. while formidable boulderS hang,
as they have for thousand years
over ones path threatening all who
venture underneath with instant de-
struction.
Tun1bling over rocks and dsshing
through channels. worn as the ages
have come and gone, is a stream which
has for its source a snow-caDped alti-
tude of over 10000 feet. Beginning
with the silvery stream which leaves
the little lakes away up among the
crags and peaks, it rolls downward
through the picturesque gorge, aug
mented on the way by numerous
l-vy
the time the famous stairs are
reached it becomes a wild and rushing
torrent.
About three years ago a young cleo
trician Of this city conceived the idea
that the immense power Of this stream
should be utilized and made to serve
some purpose. instead of dashing itself
IN vain against the huge stones. He
carefully looked the ground over, in
terested some capitalists in the scheme
and the result is that within four or
five weeks this city will have 5000
horsepower in electric energy added
TO its present store. In few months
more an equal amount will be brought
in by another company.
A Herald man visited Big Cotton
wood yesterday and was surprised at
the amount and magnitude of the
work which is being and has been per-
formed there. both by the Big Cotton
wood company, the Utah Power COM
pany and Frank Gillespie. The COM
bined forces of these three have
amounted all winter to about 200 men
BIG COTTONWOOD COMPANY.
Inasmuch as the Big Cottonwood
company was first on the ground and
will be in running order as soon as the
LIST Of April, it win receive attention in
advance of the others
The first consignment of machinery
has arrived and was being placed in
position yesterday. while the gates
which change the flow of the water of
the stream into its reservoir were shut
for the first time. This company has
done work at an actual cost of nearly
S4OO,OOO and its plant when completed
viii be valued at a round million. In
fact it is stated by those III authority
that the amount of power and light
contracted for at this time will bring
IN revenue TO the figures which will
pay fair rate of interest upon this
sum.
The reservoir Of the company is To-
Gated at the head of the "stairs" and
IS formed by building a dam almost
due east and west across the old coun-
" road. a distance Of several hundred
feet. This dam is sixty feet or more
az the base and about eighteen feet at
the TOP and is well-constructed piece
OF work. Indeed, it was necessary IN
nave lt well made, as the building and
pants are below aud defective worl,
might result in the washing out of the
same OU' VI llie
The reservoir covers eight acres of
ground when empty and eleven and q
halt acres when filled. The AVERAGE
qeprh OF the water is sixteen feet
On the west side of the reservo;,. &c
natural wall of rock about f25 foot in
thickness Through this was bored a
tunnei through which the pipes which
Ieaq 10 the power-house are connactal5
WIN big stand pipe eighteen feet
nls J when stands on the west side
oi ~, ~ Whlch me valves are located
,-L. ne pipes winch lead to the power
dIe mammoth specimens of tbe VOL
q the best boiler makers in Tho ,,,o oUi
Lhey are steel, in sections sbo,,t
thirty teet in length and range fro,,o
vhe-quarter TO one-half an inch ~
tnlckneSS and are tested to q b,-d,-.,,i
&c capacity of 200 pounds pressure : - |
TIE square inch These pines are Co.. |
ana one-half feet in diameter and -. |
poiLed together at the Joints uith |
eighty bolts one and ona-o,,.,t -. |
.nches IN diameter. TIE distance fro,,,
tle reservoir to the oower-bousa az - |
z,SVo feet, about 800 of which are .I |
lIost !eVeI and the fall in tho |
lSiLalHlIg zO0O feet is $50 feet. An ;des |
% the enormous pressure obtained cor
DC imagined when it is stated that If
d noe were bored in the pipe al its I
eel CINNAMON at the power house. the |
same GO De 1ne diameter of an ordinary |.
knitting needle a person holding his