El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1914-09-05
RAPID PROGRESS
MADE ON DAM
Month of August One Of the
Most Satisfactory Since
Construction Started.
BY E. H. BALDWIN.

Elephant Butte, n. ", Sept SAC
cording TO E. H. Baldwin. engineer in
charge OF the building Of the Elephant
Butte dam. the month of August from
a construction standpoint WAS in many
ways the most satisfactory since the
work started. Not only was more ma
sorry placed than during any previous
month. but the excavation, the quarries.
the working space on the dam and the
general condition OF the work is per-
haps in better shape than ever before.
Based on expenditures the dam. in
Guiding all auxiliary features. is now 20
percent completed. The weather was
excellent for construction purposes and
labor conditions quite satisfactory.
There are now nearly 1zUU men en-
ployed, which is the most ever at work
The force will be increased with the
idea OF diverting a portion 10 the con-
struction Of the embankmenL
Much Masonry Laid.
During the month $4,000 cubic yards
OF masonry was laid, OF which amount
II percent was plum rock the balance
concrete. THis makes a total to date
Of 100000 cubic yards. or about IS per-
cent of the estimated amount in the
completed dam For the 26 days worked
this gives an average Of 1925 cubic
yards per day. The best days run was
on August p, when 1871 cubic yards
Of masonry was placed; the best preyi-
Gus days run was on March p. when
1888 cubic yards was placed While the
amount placed Is not a record 1t shows
consistent running, and 1t is expected
that an average monthly output OF So
600 cubic yards VIII be maintained for
the balance Of the year
six different blocks Of masonry are
being worked on each about 100 feet. in
length The highest block is now at
elevation 1880. which is 2lT feet above
bottom OF foundation, 116 feet above
bottom Of old riverbed and only 81 feet
from the top Preparations are now
being made to suspend operations on
TO the lowest block.
Constructing Outlets.
The gates and outlet pipes are TO be
built in the two easterly blocks now be-
are now being constructed The two
lower service pipes, five feet in diam
eter, are completed for about half their
length. while the two upper service
ton IS in place for the three lower
penstOck pipes. also for about half The
length Of the sluice tunnels Concrering
Tor these pipes is slow work, as they
require considerable difficult form work
and a different mix Of concrete. Some
delay has been OcCasioned by failure OF
gate manufacturers to deliver ma
-erial on time, but a change Of program
enabled work to continue advantage
ously.
Excavation at abutments was in
through the month and the de-
gelOpments at the westerly abutment
)f the dam II was expected that the
excavation would be excessive. but sat
rock was found within reason
able depth and lying in such a position
IS 10 make an excellent footing for the
lam. At the eaSterly end similar con-
lluOns were found and in a few days
ne masonry at these points viii be well
above old river level The eXcavating
gangs are wholly separate from the
gangs and they prepare one
End while the other end is being con-
,reted; in this way there is no conflict
u work and a place always ready for
masonry The total excavation to date
S $4,000 cubic yards.
Quarries Working Constantly.
IN general The Quarries have been
working continuously with a constantly !
Increasing force. the total OUTPUT for
ne month being $4,000 cubic yards.
ne sand cement plant operated three 3
'nl4ts daily ana manufactured $500 (
'arrels Of sand cement practically all I
y which was used during the month. ]
ne total manufactured to date is 2S5,-
UU barrels The well drill worked all 1
ne month drilling drainage holes in the I
IN, Wnlie the calyx core drill operated 1
uI4hg the latter part Of the month. The 1
anu oerrlck furnished 600 cubic yards ]
u ssnd 10 mixing plant making a total j
o cate Of $4,000 cubic yards.
rest pits have been put down at en- 4
'dLhInent site to locate suitable Dor {
OH plls- Studies Of sections have been
ldue m oItlce and preparations are be- /
lE made to start work on this feature
ot later than October !. on a suitable
cale 10 insure its completion early I
- season In the meantime some I
Z E urinary work. preparation Of camp. |
elSE supply etc. Will be done.