Dewey County advocate. [volume] (Timber Lake, S.D.) 1910-1913, 1911-10-20

holds back millions Of gallons Of vatsr.
workmen dynamited the bank of the
canal leading from the Hatfield reser-
voir to the power house. releasing the
water into the bed of the river be-
low and thus relieving slightly the
strain on the main dam.
II the main Hatfield dam gives way,
the flood which will follow probably
will carry death and destruction down
the Black River valley. Officials Of
the company. however, say the dam is
one Of the strongest in the country and
they expect 1t to Withstand the strain.
The structure is two feet wider at it,
base than its total height and is built
of reinforced concrete.
Eleven Feet Of Water Over Dam.
Eleven feet of water is pouring over
the crest and sweeping down on the
stricken city of Black River Falls
and the intermediate farms and settle
ments. The village of Hatfield is un-
der water and the cottages of en-
plOyes constituting small village near
the powerhouse, two miles below, were
in fear that the dynamit-
ing of the canal would be insufficient
to ward on the destructive flood which
threatens to engulf the powerhouse
and settlement.
The water power company has had
300 men fighting to prevent the disas-
ter for nearly week. Farmers had
been warned in advance to expect the
break at any moment, and many of
them had fled with their families to
safety before the dyke gave way.
During the night, when the real
danger was apparent, a general alarm
was sent out. Residents of the valley
were warned to flee for their lives.
In an effort to save those who could
not be reached by telephone. Care
taker True of the Dells Dam, mounted
a horse and rode at breakneck speed
during the remainder of the night,
warning farmers to escape. Wagons
were loaded with household goods and
started for high ground, but as the
country is fiat Ior many miles. 1t is
not know whether all escaped.
Span of Bridge Torn Out.
The flood travelled from Hatfield to
Black River Falls in one hour. Farm
houses, fences, barns and other debris
filled the waters and the strain of
this debris. pressed against the wagon
bridge at that city by the rising tor
rent, tore out one span Of this struc-
ture. Residents of Black River Falls
were warned just after the break oc-
Cured and the contents of the busi-
ness blocks were rushed to higher
ground.
Upper Lake Is Emptied.
The Hatfield water power consists Of
two great lakes or reservoirs. each
covering several miles. The first, or
upper reservoir, has been retained by
the Dells Dam, a concrete structure
in solid rock on one side
and with a core wall running to the
west. It was this wall which gave
way, emptying the great lake into the
lower reservoir.
The lower and larger dam at Hat
field is built in the same way and the
water, rising swiftly, washed out the
several feet of earth covering the west
core wall here, and tore down the
canal and surrounding country. Eleven
feet of water poured over the
crest of the main dam. These breaks
brought about the present food, but
the main body of water is still re.
tanned in the lower lake by the big
dam at Hatfield.
The present flood is the worst in
the history of Black River. Torren-
tial rains above the reservoir sent the
water up repeatedly and the efforts Of
300 laborers who worked to prevent
the disaster, were of no avail. The
workmen have been called off, as moth
ing more can be done, and practically
all depends upon the strength Of the
big dam, and the elements.
The flood reached Melrose carrying
away roads and bridges, but the people
had been forewarned and escaped to
safety.