The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1904-02-20
ENGINES REPORT
ON THE P. l. DISTRICT
A Complete and Careful Review by Engineer A. j. WI
ley on The Condition of District

The cause of the numerous breaks on the side
hill lies in the layer of soft sandstone upon which
the gravel rests. The water percolates to some
extent through the whole body of gravel with
out doing any harm, but is concentrated by the
impermeable sandstone and flows along on top Of
it until it reaches the outer edge. Here it is pre-
vented from escaping by the lower bank of the
canal which laps over it. By the time the perco'
lating water has reached the edge of the sand
stone it is at considerable depth below the
canal, but the pressure is all taken up in friction
among the gravel so long as it is flowing freely
The conditions are changed, however, when this
flow is stopped by the overlapping canal bank.
The water slowly accumu1ates among the gravel
until the whole mass is saturated, and the pres
sure increases until the weakest part of the canal
bank gives way before it. There are two ways
of stopping this action. One is to prevent the
accumulation by inserting drains in the bank to
carry off the water, but unless the whole bank
should be plugged full Of holes one would never
be sure that all the water was drained off. The
better way is to do as I have recommended and
shut off the leak from above, by substantial
trench carried down through the gravel and into
sandstone, and then filled with puddled earth and
gravel; the trench to be placed at the outer
edge of the canal.
AS to the character of the work that has been
done, so far as it has been finished it will COM
pare favorably with any canal work that have
ever seen, both in fneness and uniformity of
slopes, and in the method of placing the material
in the banks. I measured the canal in many
places and found it always of the correct dimen-
sions, or larger than called for. The work is
great credit to Mr.. Hedden and is such that any
engineer might be proud of his connection with
1t. l was ESPECIALLY pleased with his very COM
pete and systematic notes, matter in which
many otherwise capable engineers are deficient
end. Is the classification of the work in ac-
Cordance with the contract.
The classification seems fair and reasonable
and I saw no reason to dispute the Justice of any
part OF 1t except that between stations 272 to 288
on the contract of w. P. Carter.
This work was in the charge of an assistant
engineer who made the classification and reported
1t In writing to Mr.. Hedden. After this engineer
had left the service of the District he reported
that this was not fair classification, and that he
had been unduly influenced by Mr.. Heddin in
making it up. So far as I can ascertain, the
undue influence" consisted in an order from
Mr. dedden to his assistant to be as liberal in his
classification as he conscientiousy could under
the contract. 1t is always customary for the
chief engineer to leave the classification of the
work to the assistant in whose charge it is, onlv
interfering in case of request from the assistant
Tor advice, or after protest from the contractor
tnat the assistant is unfair in his classification.
The material in question was hard nan
which comes under the loose rock classification
and in which the test consists in the noss;hi1;tu
OF its being plowed with certain number If
horses. 1he only man who could possibly be
sure IN the classification of such material is rhe
one who saw how many animals it required m
ploW it. Mr. Hedden was engaged upon another
piece OF work and left his assistant who was en-
gagged upon this piece to classify it bv observing
from day to day how difficult it was to move
cannot see how Mr. Hedden is in the SLIGHTEST
degree to blame in the matter or how he co,1d
have done otherwise than he did.
SO far as it is possible to classify such nater.
Id atteF the work has been done I have made
Si"SS'ncauon OF 1t and find that between stations
z7z ana 2S05o where the assistant reported r.
MI hedden 1861 yards of loose rock there is on.
y 044 yards, an over classification of 1917 yards,
, 3rd Why it is necessary to issue bonds for
the completion of the work.
Inc original estimates upon which the bond
issue was based were made in 1890, or OYER for~
ears ago. time when the prices of all the o,o
neneS which enter into the cost of co,s+r,,o.:-.-
rocts s fa- lower tnan at the time when the con-
d "''S i0F construction were entered into, The