The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-09
4 new BATHING BEACH
Walter j. Douglass Report TO the
District Commissioners.
stevens Recon-
mepdations Gone Over-A scheme
and improvement OF the Pool i'm
Hot Wcather-DetaiIs of the Plan.

The question Of constructing a new bath
ing beach in the inner basin, which would
not be affected by tide and storm, has been
frequently discussed by the District Com
missioners. Accidents have not been many
at the present site, but the cost of inspec-
ton and maintenance are considerable, and
the variations of the tide are such as 10
make the bathing beach in the outer basin
a little uncertain and treacherous.
W X Stevens, Superintendent Of the
beach has given the subject much atten-
ton, and favors removal 10 the inner
basin. AT the request of the Commission
ers. that the matter should be submitted TO
a competent engineer, with view 10 OBJ
tanning an expert opinion on the feasibility
of the plan, Walter ]. Douglass. of the
Surface Department, was detailed to &C
over the plans prepared by Mr.. Stevens and
the specifications for the proposed i'm
provemeDt.
The report of Mr.. Douglass has just been
received by the Commissioners, and is be-
ing carefully considered by them In gen
eral he approves of Mr. Stevens plan. but
has worked out a new scheme founded
upon the original plan, which he thinks
will give better circulation of the water
II
hot weather Mr. Douglass pan in brief
contemplates a construction OF the bottom
which will ensure i.25 feet of water wi III
several diving pools having depth of 10
TO u feet. The latter will be clearly de-
fined and marked so that the element Of
danger viii be removed.
MIR. Douglass speaks at length with ref
erence to the circulation and change of
water in the basin. The area TO BE- utilized
tTV. Il.
estimated volume of water viii be 10000
geo gallons. of which 100000 gallons can
be changed daily if desired. This in Mr.
Douglass opinion. will ensure the purity
of the water and keep it from becoming
Cnduly warm beneath the rays of the sum
lIer sun.
Regarding the sewer canal along the
northwest line of the basin. il is remarked
that it will not affect the purity of the
water in the swimming pool, and that it is
the intention of the Engineers Depart
ment TO remove the canal within few
years
The cost of constructing a beach as pro-
posed in the inner basin, and OF one OF
equal capacity in the outer basin Mr..
Douglass conceiyes to be about equal. He
thinks, however, that the maintenance OF
the beach on the outside would involve
greater cost and produce less satisfactory
results. Attention is called 10 Inc fdct
that the outer basin is an important ele-
ment in the development Of Potomac Park.
in consequence of which a larger bathing
beach. near the present site. would be OBJ
jectionable and would finally have TO be
abandoned. From this consideration Mr.
Douglass deduces the conclusion that ii
would be better economy TO improve the
inner basin at once.
The opposition to the scheme put for
ward by the Capital Yacht Club is disposed
OF in few words. Mr.. Douglass says the
winter anchorage for this club affects very
few citizens. while the bathing beach may
lay claim to being a deservedly popular in
stitution.
The plan for changing the water in the
inner basin contemplates using the tide
for that purpose. Variation + in tide
in the outer basin is four and half
feet daily. To cleanse the swimming pool
therefore, il is proposed TO construct a
double flume. The upper chamber is at the
level of the inner basin and SO constructed
as to draw down the pool about two feet
The lower chamber is four feet below low
tide and leads into the bottom OF the pool
BY drawing down the pond at low tide. by
opening the upper chamber OF the fume
will remove the surface water Closing this
and opening the intake gate, while the tide
is flowing, fills the pond again from the
bottom. thus changing and circulating the
water by purely mechanical means
The cost of the project. including labor