The Washington herald., 1921-02-16
Great Falls Power Plant Project
Outlined By U. S. Military Engineers
Approved by Federal Commission

Leverin, on the other hand, claims
that his method Of construction is
greatly superior in stability and en-
durance 10 the ordinary form OF
concrete dams of rigid construction.
The Secretary Of the Interior re-
ferred the Levering plans to the
technical force Of the Interior De-
psrtment. and the report received
is as follows:
Interior Report.
I'VE have discussed with Lever
ing his scheme for dams in Potomac
River and have examined his
sketches. In general, his scheme
involves the construction Of two
overflow dams-one at Great Falls
rs feet high and the other at Chain
Bridge $50 feet hhh. the latter to
carry an overflow between 20 and 30
feet in depth. The proposed dam
above Chain Bridge would entirely
drown, out Great Falls and the
gorge below. and destroy one Of the
most picturesque erecreative grounds
in the East.
The proposed dam is OF ma
sonry and steel, which in the ag-
gregate would have nearly or quite
the cross section OF a standard ma
sOnry dam. but which would be split
into two distinct parts and the in
tervening space filled by sluiced-in
earth. This earth, which. during
construction and possibly there
after, would be saturated with
water. introduces indeterminate
and varying conditions which prob
ably would cause the entire press
ure to be thrust on either Of the
two parts independently Of the
others.
Lacks Precedent.
The type Of dam proposed is with
out precedent, and consequently an
estimate of its safety cannot be
based on experience by comparison
! with existing structures. The avail
able data are insufficient to form
basis for a theoretical study as
/ to its safety. II adopted, a highly
experimental structure OF prob
lematisal safety would be placed
where it would-endsnEer the lives
and property OF the people Of Wash
| ington.
Even II the design Of the dams
were believed to be safe we cannot
find that IL has either theoretical
or practical advantage over that OF
standard structures which have
years Of demonstrated safety behind
them.
In the absence OF experience
demonstrating safety under similar
conditions, or of a design that will
permit determination Of stresses by
proved and accepted engineering
methods, no radical design for a
high dam endangering life sRd
property can be justified.
signers of Report.
"It is our opinion that Mr. Lev
ering's scheme should be given nc
further consideration.
"(Signed) n. c. Grover. chief hy.
draUlic engineer, Geological Survey
Z r G. Bebb. engineer. Reclaim atIoN
Service; John c. Hoyt, hydraulic en-
gineer, Geological Survey: A II
Horton. hydraulic engineer. Geo
logical Survey; Charles A. Bissell
engineer, Reclamation Service. "
NJ. Reed. chief irrigation engineer
Indian Service; G. c. Stevens. by
draulic engineer. Geological Survey
Harmon Stabler, chief engineer. Lane
Classification Board. Geological Sur
vey. and r. w. Davenport. hydrauli
engineer. Geological Survey.
''Levering's plans and report ar
submitted without further Commen
for the information OF Congress
The Secretary Of War has also bee
requested ia refer the PROPOSE,
plans to the Board OF Rivers AM
Harbors for examination and report
This report, upon receipt. will b
submitted to Congress.
'Lafe Pence presented for the con
sideration Of the Commission tn
desirability of so limiting the heigh
of any dams to be built on the Po
tomaC River that the construction o
railroads down the river valley {
Washington would not be preCIudeC
This possibility has been Kept j.
view and ii is probable that ther
will not be interference with rail
road construction should such con
struction be found desirable.
NEWTON n. BAKER.
Chairman"