Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1913-04-09
DAILY CAPACITY IS IMMENSE
1T WILL CARRY, If RUN FULL
TILT, THREE MILLION GAL
Ions EACH DAY
IT INSURES PURE WATER
BY ENABLING THE COMPANY TO
STORE A SUPPLY WHEN
RIVER is CLEAR

The Aqua Pura company today
placed IN use for the first time It's
new system of canals and fumes for
the filling of the giant reservoir built
in the Peterson calgon near the Hot
Springs two years ago. This is an
event Of significance in the history OF
Las Vegas as it means, practically
no matter what may be con-
dition Of the Gallinas river wa
tershed, that this community will
be assured always Of an ade-
quate water supply absolutely free
from dirt.
The canal was completed last fall
after many months Of arduous and dam
gerous toll. at cost Of $4,000. II
extends from a short distance below
the company's ice dam at the ex-
tremity Of the Hot SPRINGS branch Of
the Santa Fe railway along the south
side Of the canyon to the Peterson
canyon, a distance Of over two miles.
For several hundred feet the canal is
carried in fumes, at some places, at
dizzy height above the earth and at
others on trestles crossing deep fa-
vines.
The canal is composed Of various
materials. For long stretches it is en-
tirely Of wood. At other places it is
Of earth and in still other locations
it is Of cement. In some spots it is
blasted out of solid rock. It has a
capacity Of 100000 gallons Of wa
ter per day, but is not being operated
at its full capacity. Superintendent
Powers estimates that it is turning
into the reservoir about 100000 feet
per day at present.
short distance down the stream
from the furthest ice house In the
Gallinas canyon diversion dam Of
concrete, ten feet in height. turns the
water into the new canal. It flows ra-
pidly through the intake and hurries
down the canyon toward the big reser-
voir. To travellers on the scenic
highway the canal appears to run up
hill. Some good engineers who look
ed at the work last summer told the
water company officials that they
would have difficulty in making wa
ter run through the flume, as the force
Of gravity would have to be overcome.
Superintendent Stephen Powers Of
the Aqua Pura company. who design
ed and constructed the canal, only
smiled. He had taken the most care
full Of measurements and was well
aware that the downward pitch was
sufficient to carry the water rapidly
to the big reservoir.
Mr. Powers built the canal entirely
with local labor When he struck
some Of the dizzy heights. especially
on the big cliff at a point about half
way between the upper and lower ex-
tremities Of the waterway, it was
necessary TO crawl along the face Of
the rock upon ten-inch boards ball
anced upon steel spikes that we're in
serted into the solid granite by means
of hand drills. It was a precarious
footing, with a sheer drop Of over 100
feet.
Many Of Mr.. Powers laborers refus-
ed to go on with the work. Selling
drill he climbed up upon the scat
folding and began working The less
timid laborers, seeing that ar. Pow
ers did not fall. IN spite Of hia risky
loothold. consented TO return 70 work
they completed the canal without fbe
loss of q single Ife aud with 30 So
rioua injuries.
Mr Powers was obliged 81 he ean
slansly upon fhe nama NEer tma
q new support Has anshefea laiq Ile
faok De aas aliIsa g. aeleEH3f s