The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-09-28
FALL INSPECTION,
Water in City Reser-
voirs is Remark
ably Low.
PAXTON BASIN NEARLY DRY.
p" alter in Holden, Lynde
Brook and Parsons Low
est for Years.

me IAN inspection Of the city water
supply was conducted yesterday. Tho
L@ct that there has been little rain tho
past summer is patent to all but a.
Visit to the city reservoirs is necessary
IN order to fully realize what the
drought means.
All reservoirs are unusually low but
at Paxton the fact is especially notice.
able, This immense basin which has a
capacity Of 5Oo,oOOOOO gallons, is COM
paratively dry at present, in fact one
member Of the inspecting party sug-
gssted that it would be a good idea to
substitute signs reading mo farming
allowed" in place Of the notices pro-
hl5iting fishing, At present, the only
eyIuence OF the immense body Of water
usually n evidence is a small brook
running through the basin and forming
a small pool at the dam.
This reservoir which plays so proni-
nent a part in the water supply is to
be made the scene of extensive changes
during the coming year. The dam is
ming the reservoir to its full capacity.
II IS planned to build a new gate house,
strengthen the dam and change the
location of the outlet in the immediate
future, entailing considerable work.
In fact, the main object of the nspec-
ton was to look over the ground where
changes are necessary rather than to
develop anything new in the system.
Z I hay nlf 70 Mt oh
templated is the construction Of new
dam below the present one az Holden
| reservoir to form an additional storage
basin. The natural conditions are per-
feet as the lay of the land forms a per-
feet basin below the present dam. The
intervening territory will be denuded of
trees and vegetation and the loan taken
off. This work, together with the build
ing of a dam, will give another much
needed addition to the storage system.
The cost is estimated at about 500, 600.
| Another action contemplated Is
cleaning the bottom Of the main reser-
| voir At present parts Of the bottom
are muddy, and in the minds of city
officials the deposit of loan should be
removed. The past season has demon
strated the need Of additional storage
facilities and while there is sufficient
water in Holden reservoir at present TO
! last three months even without rain,
| the wisdom of additional storage basins
is obvious The inspecting party, made
up of Mayor Dodge, Water Commits
sioner John G. Brady, Water Registrar
| George w. Batchelder, City Engineer
f. A. Mcclure, Aldermen Thomas j..
Barrett and John r, Back, Councilmen
F. D. Johnson John Rivard and Louis
j. Kendall and the press representa-
tives, left the city hall shortly after 8
o'clock.
At Parsons reservoir, as at others,
the water is much lower than usual.
The present amount is estimated at
100000 gallons. At Lynde brook the
water is almost Is feet lower than at
the time of the spring inspection. The
present depth in the reservoir is %. 80
feet. The present supply is estimated
at 275, O00,O 900 gallons. The usual amount
is 6S1, 100000 gallons. The low water
mark was reached Sept. 10, when a
depth of %. 20 feet was registered.
At Lakeside the capacity of 100000
gallons is reduced to about 100000 gal
lions. In connection with the inspec-
ton of the reservoir, members of the
Iparty went over the new house which
10 III pltNCSS Va SSAASeA NSSiSAA ava NAN~
keeper
The most exciting event of the day
took place on the dam Of Paxton re-
servoir, where Mayor Dodge ended the
lexistence of a water snake which meas
ured 315 feet in length.
At Holden reservoir the low water
allows of several much needed repairs.
A part of the bottom is being gravelled
and the dam newly faced with stone set
in cement. Yesterday the water showed
a depth of 215O feet, giving 450,0OO,OOO
gallons of water, against a total capa-
city Of 72700O0O0 gallons.
Water Commissioner Brady made an
interesting statement during inspection
] of the meters at Lynde brook. Figures
; show that the city derives revenue from
only about half the water metered.
The balance is used. in case of fire, for
street watering and other municipal
purposes. .. "a
| One of the most pleasant features OF
the inspection was the dinner served at
Paxton inn. Landlord Daniels did MIN
( self proud and heard nothing but praise
( for the repast. Water Registrar George
w Batchelder takes charge Of the en-
tertainment on occasions of this sort
! and his Judgment was voted second 10
none.