The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-09-15
FOR STORING WATER.
Great Work of the Santa Fe Complet-
ed in Arizona.

Among the various improvements
winch have recently occupied the atten-
ton of the AtchisOn, Topeka & Santa
Fe railroad officers no question has re-
celVed more consideration than that of
the water supply along the entire sys-
TEN both as regards quantity and quail
lIy. At three points in Arizona extern
slNe dams and reservoirs have been
constructed for the storage of water
during the dry seasons. At the present
time the road is employing ANALYSTS to
determine just how the varied kinds of
water found along the line can best be
brought into condition fit for use on
the engines. And lastly the company
is erecting a new kind of water tank
IN the form of a. steel cylinder to re-
place the wooden barrel structures
which have been the standard pattern.
Three large reservoirs have been built
in ArizOna-at Ash Fork, Seligman and
Walnut. These will furnish water for
railway purposes which in the past has
been hauled distances ranging from 25
to so miles over more or less steep
grades. The reservoirs were completed
four months ago and it is too early to
decide as to their exact value. One has
filled up satisfactorily at Seligman that
at Walnut is leaking on account of the
SOIL, While the third-at Ash FOrk-has
not had enough rain to test it's capac-
lty. In all these reservoirs have cost
about 1925, 0O0
The Ash Fork reservoir is built of
steel from the designs of F. H. Balm
bridge, and the work was carried out
under the supervision of Chief Engineer
John Dun of the Santa Fe. The weir
is constructed in a canyon which runs
water from February to May and in
July and August, but is dry the remain
der of the year. The average daily ser
vice is estimated at 80. 900 gallons The
water supply for this district was form
erly brought either from Williams, 81
miles away, or from BellemOnt, As miles
distant.
The drainage area above the new res
prVOir is bO1It 40 SQUARE miles The
weir impounds &c, 600 600 gallons, and is
designed to Withstand a, flow of six feet
over its crest. 1t is an enlarged steel
structure of the type of wooden weir
used on the Kern river in California.
The concrete used in the work was
made of one part of Portland cement,
three parts sand and five to six parts
of broken stone. The reservoirs at Sc
igman and Walnut are built of stone.
Perhaps the most important part of
the water question is that which is now
referred to expert analysts to determine.
The Santa Fe runs through a country
containing nearly every known kind of
water, and the effect of these fluids up
on the boiler tubes and engines is often
disastrous. The Southern Pacific some
time ago took up the question of treat
ing such waters so as to minimize the
harm resulting from their use. The
Santa Fe is now going into the same
question in a more elaborate manner.
The chemists report that all these wa
tiers are susceptible of improvement.
Where large quantities of mud are
found filtration is resorted to- In the
case of carbonates, lime water is added
and so waters containing sulphate of
lime magnesia, potash, soda and free
sulphuric acid, all yield to proper cor
receives.
The remarkably low price of steel has
led to the introduction of a steel cylin-
der water tank, which seems to be deS-
tined to supersede the old-fashioned
wooden barrel tank on a framework
structure. The new tank rests on the
ground, and the supply pipe runs out
at the proper height for serving loco
motives The lower part of the tank
leaves lots of room for settling, and a
pipe at the bottom affords means of
cleaning out the tank whenever re-
ouired. These cylinder steel tanks con-
tain from 10000 to 100000 gallons, and
have given general satisfaction. The
Rock Island road is also introducing
this kind of tank.