El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1915-02-03
DAM IS 83 PER
CENT COMPLETE
Water Is Now Being Stored
and Floods Cannot Dam
age the Structure.
by f. II. BALDWIN,
Construction Engineer.

FIenbant Butte n. NJ, Feb. 3.-The
work accomplished during the month
of January on the dam is of special IN
terest Farlv in the month the tlume
that has carried the entire flow of the
Rio Grande for more than two years
was closed and the river placed under
absolute control. This was erected
January and Z, the water passing
through the outlets provided in the
dam for the first time at p, m, jan
uary Z. Another interesting feature was
the placing of more masonry than dur
ing any preceding month.
Much Masonry Laid.
Aside from the few days del$y due to
closing the flume and the preparations
necessary before that could be accom-
plished, conditions were very favorable
for a record run On masonry WORK me
best days run was on January 70, "hen
a total of POSI- cubic yards Of mass
masonry was placed; this was made up
of 2129 cubic yards of concrete and az
cubic yards OF plum rock. The placing
of this amount of concrete required the
mixing of $500 barrels, or II II car
loads of cement, 100 cubic yards OF
stone and SIS cubic yards of sand and
gravel The day shift of eight hours
placed 1900 cubic yards Of concrete and
$40 cubic yards Of plum rock, total
of 1870 cubic yards Of masonry. The
night shift could have done as well, but
was handicapped by shortage OF
crusher rock.
Dam in No Danger.
During the month 38,400 cubic yards
Of masonry were placed, daily aver
age of 1880 cubic yards. The bulk of the
work was done in the flume and win
ter blocks. though several other blocks
were worked on. The lowest part of
the masonry is now at an average ele-
walton of 1850. or 46 feet above the
bottom Of the old river bed. The abut-
ments have been brought up to 1915 or
higher. so that the dam is absolutely
safe from any danger due to floods, Tor
even should an unprecedented flood
Overtop the dam, it would pass harm
lessly over the lower blocks Of mason
ry. The quantity of masonry placed to
date is 456,860 cubic yards.
Excavation Continued.
Excavation continued without Incl
dent OF note; the abutments were
worked on internationally with the ma
sorry The west abutment is showing
up much better than anticipated, an
excellent quality of rock being found
within a reasonable distance of the
surface. The east abutment is also
proving satisfactory, although there is
considerable excavation at upstream
side, but this is far from Objectionable,
as it provides natural cutoff The
excavation for the month was 220G
cubic yards, making a total to date Of
SS8,500 cubic yards.
Quarries Operate Full Force.
The quarrieS have been operating
with their full force, and were pushed
to their utmost to provide material for
the large quantity Of masonry placed.
The sand cement plant operated three
shifts, with few exceptions, and pro-
duced $4,000 barrels of sand cement,
which is our record to date.
The power plant delivered sol, 400 k.
W. H., which is also a record for this
project.
Gates and Valves.
With the exception of some piping
necessary for operation, the erection
OF the gates and valves is completed.
The seven gates and valves on the
lower level have all been operated and
work very satisfactorily. The last time
they were closed the entire operation
of closing seven gates occupied only
10 minutes.
Work on the EngIe road continued.
but with reduced forces, on account
of temporarily diverting some of the
men to the Guarries. While not com
pleted, the road can be used in case
OF emergency
Progress on Embnnkment.
Excellent progress was made on the
The working force con-
sists OF 165 men and lis head of stock,
which is probably all that viii be
needed. All features of this work, the
placing of earth, rock, crushed stone
and ripPap5 are going along together.
During the month the following mater
ial was placed: Earth, 1910 Gu. yds.;
rock, 1928 cubic yards; crushed stone
500 cubic yards; riprap, 734 cubic
yards. The principal quantities to date
are $1,000 cubic yards of earth and /
10000 cubic yards Of rock.
Labor conditions have been excel
lent. and weather conditions were ideal |
until the end of the month when sew
eral SHIFTS were lost on account OF /
rain. The Elephant Butte Storage
project, including all auxiliary feat |
ures, is now So percent completed.