The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1916-01-06


extension of the ground eastward was
relatively fat country IN the settle
ment the upper portion that broke
away remained practically parallel to
its original position and the benches
which formed the upper part of the
slide had not changed their relative
positions. though they were badly
broken up while the lower strata were
squeezed out across the canal.
subsequently the broken mass
moved into the cut, reducing the depth
of water from As feet to nine inches at
one point. Until August, 1915. the
dredges were able for the most part
to keep up with the movement as it
came down, and probably would have
been able to maintain this condition
had not a movement occurred on the
west bank, necessitating work on this
side to the detriment of the east side.
Where Obstruction Lies.
"A crack was found on the slope of
Zion hill in June, 1914, but observa-
lions made upon it showed no move
ment and the solidity of the hill was
never doubted. Subsequent to the
break on the east side gradual but
general breaking up of the west bank
followed, and the crack on the slope
increased in size and new ones devel-
oped farther up the hill, until finally
one extended to elevation $50, the
limit of the present break. The move
ment into the cut from the west bank
occurred early in August, 1915, when
section of Zion hill broke away and
settled down. The edge of the break
on this side is also curve.
"The movements from the two sides
are toward the central portion of the
inclosed area, and at this central por-
ton is the obstruction to the channel.
1t first appeared as an island forced
up from the bottom, then as a PENN
sula projecting from the east bank,
and, finally, was pushed entirely
across the channel, completely clos
ing it.
THE dredges in attacking the clos
ure have made little Roadway thus
far, for any gain was offset by a
movement in the vicinity or in the
rear of the dredges, forcing them to
withdraw and begin again their ap-
prOaches on 1t. These successive
movements are due in large measure
to the rains, which were above the
average through October The amount
of material blocking the canal at this
locality could be easily removed in ten
days but for the recurring movements.
When a cut is secured through this
mass and it can be held, some idea
can be formed of when the passage
of ships can be resumed, but until this
is accomplished it is impossible to
make any predictions.
SIuicing Produces Results.
"Sluicing the obstruction is produc-
ing some results, and the nozzles are
being increased and streams with
greater pressure are to be put at work
to force the material to the dredges
and to draw down the material which
is the cause of obstruction. This sluic-
ing, however, will not decrease the
amount of material to be handled by
the dredges. In the meantime, the
dredges not employed on the obstruc-
tion are working to the north of it dig
ging the channel to full depth and as
much wider than the prism as is nee
essary to remove those portions of the
slide. 1 81
"In moving toward the cut the ma
terial on the east side is forming into
a succession of waves, which move
gradually into the prism. The one
that occupied part Of the channel in
October is being dug away, except at
the obstruction, another has formed in
it's rear, and still another is forming
up the slope of the hill. This mate
rial in moving down has at the same
time taken away the support of the
everything rock on the north side of
Gold hill, which, being scanned, be-
comes overbalanced and breaks away,
producing the same results as oc-
Cured on the south face of Gold hill
during the removal of Cucaracha
slide.
"On the west bank the wave effect
is also evident. Here the bank was
pushed forward horizontally into the
channel, followed by a settlement of
the mass. The benches in some por-
lions still maintain their relative posi-
ton with respect to each other, but
the ground in their rear settled, form
ing sink holes on the side away from
the prism. There is some movement
northward along the axis of these de-
pressions into the prism. The south
ern portion of this west bank has
come to rest, but projects into the
channel
1.-THE breaks in the vicinity of Gu
Zebra cut were handled by excavations
in the prism and by steam shovels
tightening the banks above; at Cuca-
racha a great deal of material was di-
verified from the prism by sluicing.
When the break of October 10, 1914,
occurred an examination was made
to ascertain if relief could be afford
ed by either of these methods, but nei-
Their was practicable for the east bank.
Some of the Difficulties.
"The confguration of the ground
made it impossible to sluice any mate
rial away from the prism. Steam SHOW
els and trains could not operate on
any portion of the broken mass, which
was incapable of giving them neces-
sary support, and SO far as concerned