Payette enterprise. (Payette, Canyon Co., Idaho) 1909-1935, 1923-03-01
AMERICAN FALLS
DEVELOPMENT

: DEVELOPMENT
The extensive work which the
idaho Power Company has started
at the American Falls for the en-
largement of the East Side power
plant discloses much of interest, and
is another indication of faith in the
future of the State.
The scope Of the undertaking and
the plans for its carrying out are OF
such magnitude and so varied that
it is not possible in brief article
to do justice to the subject. 1t will
not conflict with the plans of the big
reservoir project, as the location of
this work is below the site of the
proposed big dam.
The Power Company has establish
ed quite an extensive camp to care
for the working force Of rs to $50
men or more, as the stage of work
requires. This camp comprises a
dwelling house for the Resident En-
SAASStJ oAA DoihuOuoCo, UnOoo udll,
kitchen, bakery, refrigerator room,
storeroom, warehouse, machine and
blacksmith shop, woodworking shop,
bath houses, showers, electric light,
water and sewage system. This all
promises much for the welfare and
comfort OF men and for rapnd and eff
ficient work.
A storage yard near the railroad
depot in American Falls will care
for the heavy lumber, gravel, cement,
steel, machinery, etc. Two stiff-leg
derricks will be installed, one for
handling gravel, the other for the
heavy machinery; also a power load
er for placing gravel on trucks for
delivery to the power plant.
From the storage yard to the plant
a distance of about three quarters
mile, the Power Company is con-
structing a new roadway, requiring
grading and garveling of practically
its entire length. This will provide
~ NNAAONN anu 1SFOl iOau 1OI
and relieve the city streets of the
wear and tear of heavy trucking.
The principle followed in all this
preliminary planning and work, and
to be followed throughout the de-
velopment, getting the works into
operation in THE shortest possible
time-is to cut down the cost of
money during construction, a factor
in the economics of the situation
which all public utilities take into
first consideration, as it results in
saving of costs and, ultimately. their
lessening.
The first thing On the program
will be the "unwatering" of the river
bottom where the new machinery
is to be placed The foundation work
will be done about forty feet below
the water level, and two large cof-
ferdams will be constructed for this
purpose. Pumps will be in operation
night and day to keep the foundation
location as free as possible from
water.
The structure which will enclose
the hydraulic works will be of con-
crete, requiring some 5000 cubic
yards, sc fet by % feet and 60 feet
high In. efefct it will be a block
of concrete within which two 5000
horsepower turbine wheels and other /
hydaulic machinery will be encased, |
withtunnels and shafts as means of
access. On top of this structure
will be the two new 5000 horsepow-
er electric genrators and equipment,
housed within a metol-cov cred build
ing.
This is a new and most economical
type Of construction and is called the
outdoor type, and, viii lie achieving
equal. If not greater, Efficiency, Is
much less expensive tn an ordinary
types, which is further evidence of
the economics practiced by we'll or
sanized public utilities, the aim of
which is to reduce costs, which are
in the electric service bills
% the users.
IL is intended go ma ke the power
olant and its grounds ar achievement
n which the communi ty and state
will have great pride.
The Mississippi man aoad "a who