The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1907-11-02
The New Reservoir

splehdld eHoftS are being put
forth by the city officials to con-
serve an abundant water supply
of the people of IDAHO
Springs. and one cannot fully appre-
ciate the magnitude of the undertak-
ing without driving to the scene Of ac-
tive operations some twelve miles up
Chicago creek.
In the first place it must not be
understood that the new reservoir is
for the purpose of a direct suppl Of
water, as the present system of reser-
voirs is amply sufficient for all present
needs, but as reserve supply to meet
every condition and contingency that
may arise at any time in the years to
come.
Quoted by experienced engineer.
natural reservoir site was selected on
Chicago Greek about two miles below
the Chicago lakes and this site was
secured
Before a single move could be made
toward reservoir construction it
was necessary to construct wagon
road some FIVE miles along the side
of the mountain where before had only
existed blind trail kept open by
fishermen going to and from the lake.
and this road building was place. in
the hands Of A. f. Straub, and that he
is an expert in this line is evidence by
the splendid results attained. From
the forks of the creek to the
reservoir site one can now drive
comfortably over smooth, wide road
of easy grade for the entire distance.
the most of the way being a vertable
lane through magnificent growth Of
sight and adds very materially to the
pleasure Of the trip. In fact, after
travelling over some of the most wide
ly advertised scenic roads of the west.
the conclusion is reached that the Chi
cago- Reservoir road has them all beat
a great many city blocks.
But at the objective point, the reser-
voir site, is where one sees and be-
comes imbued with the idea of life and
activity, for there is witnessed the
erection of monument of enterprise
that will stand as long as life will last.
having for its object the accommoda non
of the human family with commodity
that is at once essential and necessary
ant as pure as the requirements of ma
lasting storehouses s-the eternal
SHOWS.
The work of contracting this store
house is under the direction of George
S. Wilkie, the contractor, the person.
al work being in charge of V. l. Nox-
on, assisted by Wesley Kenaedy,
foreman in charge. The site select
ed covers natural basin Of about
eighteen acres, and when bacted by a
concrete dam of some twenty two feet,
will have storage capacity of ap-
5000, 900 gallons of wa
ter which may be controlled By valve
syetem that can regulate the flow at
all times. At the time of the Siftings
visit, thirty men an twelve team
We're employed and everything moved
along with clock work precuson. The
has abolished the penny.
wise and pound foolish poll
y, and on the other hand has
adopted modern methods of dam con-
'truction, labor-saying devices being
installed wherever possible. A case in
point is the establishment Of engine,
.rackage and skip-way with self-dump-
ng arrangement that reduces the hand
ing of material to the minimum and
With speed increased with each yard
If dirt handled.
In constructing the dam embankment
he water sluicing system viii be used
which insures solidity that can be OBJ
aimed in no other way.
In fact. intelligent. thoughtful con-
ideration is being observed throughout
he work, and results will demonstrate
he advantage of scientific knowledge
,ver haphazzard methods.
The contractor has had constructed
model camp for the care of employees
md teams, and careful investigation
,eveals a truly ideal condition. Bunk
,ouses, dining hall, stables, shops, ETC.,
rave been provided with an eye single
% comfort, cleanliness and convenience,
and test of the food convinces one
hat this essential has not in the least
oeen neglected. In fact. Camp Noxon
provides meal today that cannot be
axcelled by any kitchen in Idaho
Springs.
1t is the suggestion Of this paper
that every citizen make days trip to