New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-01-20
Many hnottv Engineering Prob
lems Have First TO
Be Solved.

Just as the builders OF a slyscraper always
seem slow in starting the structure. though all
the while busy with preparations absolutely
essential, so the engineers who have New York
City's new water system IN charge. an enter
prise estimated 10 be more costly than the con-
struction Of the Panama Canal. appear to have
done little since they began. And, indeed, there
is little ocular evidence of progress. Visit that
part Of the Catsklls which is TO be drained of
6g060O00O gallons of water a day for the use OF
the metropolis. and one VIII find that Il looks
much the same as ever. Travel through the
district where eighty-siX miles Of aqueduct are
20 pipe the water TO the city. and there are few
signs OF the great tube.
And Yet a vast amount OF work has been 40
oomplshed and according TO engineers who are
Test able 20 judge of the difficulties OF the task.
il has been done with more than ordinary
CELEBRITY. vast drainage in the Eastern
Catskilla. including the Esopus Valley. has been
surveyed. Rodmen and lnemen have tramped
over its hills and through its valleys measuring
and stalking out every mile Of a region larger
than the State Of Rhode Island. Behring'S have
been made through hundreds Of feet of glacial
drift 10 determine the best positions for dams
Were all these borings made in one hole they
would penetrate into the earth for a distance
Of twelve miles.
AT the present time the great undertaking
has made this degree OF progress. Studies OK
all the sites for dams have been made, and the
position Of the vast AshOkan dam. which is TO
hold in check an artificial lake three-fourths the
size Of the Island OF Manhattan has been posi-
lively determined. Drawings OF the dam are
now being perfected. so that it is expected that
in May il win be possible to advertise for BIDS
T-1ereupon the actual work OF construction may
begin. SURVEYS have been completed 10 deter
mine the ownership Of about seventeen thou
sand acres which are TO he purchased by the
CITY. on these surveys the condemnation pro-
ceedings will be based. the first OF which may
begin next week Tests Of the bottom of the
Hudson River have beSo made. resulting in the
final determination Of that part Of il between
Storm King and Breakneck Mountain as the
place where the aqueduct Will cross through
tunnel far below the river. The route of the
aqueduct for two-ffths of its length has been
definitely fixed and drawings Of more than one
eighth Of il have been finished. This part is the
eleven mile stretch between Croton and Peeks-
kin. Bids for the construction Of this section
NAV he advertised for in few days. Some pre-
7ir,inarv surveys have been made in the Ron
dotIr and Schoharie watersheds Surveys Of the
land necessary for the Kensico and Hi View
reservoirs have been completed, and maps are
in an advanced state of preparation for the con-
dernnation of this property. inter SHE mas
also been selected. Experts have also peeh
making tests of soil and Of rock. experimenting
with various kinds of construction materials
md making studies OF the rainfall IN the dr.
ferent watershed districts and OF the now OK
Tbair streams.