The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1926-04-01
WATER is AGAIN
IN MAIN DITCH
Third Break Repaired and
Small Head in-Muldrow
Explains Accident

The third break is fixed and the
water is running down the ditch
1t is small head as yet,-no
chances will be taken by printing too
fast. Water will be taken to Hover
Friday and down lateral one Friday
afternoon or Saturday, and will be
brought to full head as fast as reas-
enable. safety will permit.
The second break occurred Friday
afternoon about one and one-half
miles above Kennewick on a steep,
sandy sidehill, in the spot where the
concrete was placed in the fill made
last fall. to replace the old flume
that replaced the concrete lined fill
that went out in 1919. This fill re-
placed the flume that was built in
the two breaks at this spot in 1906.
Whether there were any breaks in
this exact spot before 1906 I am un-
able to learn-tHere were several
near by. This last fill is the sixth
time at least, that the ditch has been
rebuilt in this exact spot.
The cause of Fridays break was
settlement of the fill under the con-
crete, allowing the side slab to draw
away from the bottom, thus opening
a crack. The water followed along
under the concrete to new head
gate and followed the pipe out. 1t
was known to me that there was
slight leakage in this pipe, as had
inspected it before the fact was re-
ported to the office. At that time
it was not dangerous. However, plans
had been made to send the extra crew
there Friday afternoon before the
water arrived. These plans were in
terrupted at noon by a reported break
at the 18th mile. l rushed the crew
there, but fortunately Mr.. Better,
patrolman on this beat, had caught
this hole in time to stop it, as it
would have been bad one.
The work of digging out and puddl-
ing in this hole delayed the crew
until late afternoon, so that they ar
rived at the lower point a little too
late. Mr.. Ball, the patrolman, follow
ing the water, found the leak when
it was quite small and worked hard
to stop it but could not shovel fast
enough. arrived in time to help him
make one last effort but we could
not hold it. The speed with which the
water cuts out this soil under several
feet of pressure is unbelievable to
anyone who has not see it.
By the way, among the many wild
and wierd stories going the rounds,
is one that full head of water was
in the ditch. This is pure piffle and
is amazing that there
are people foolish enough to peddle
such stuff. There was only about
quarter-head running and as the
water marks plainly show, and as is
proper for the early stages Of spring
priming.
This break was refilled and water
started in few hours less than two |
days. Cost was $210. 1t was dry fill, |
rapidly made in the usual way and |
who saw it thot it was a |
good fill. So it was. But about two
hours after the water arrived a leak |
appeared out Of gopher hole, at
The toe of the bank in the old fill,
Just below the new one. This was ev-
IDENTIFY hole that passed in under
he concrete just below the break. /
Four men and several boys were pres
INT, two of us got in the water and
ocated the hole near the center of
he ditch. The others filled sacks and
passed them out as fast as we could
ramp them in. Several other men ar
lived, but in spite Of all we could do
he bank went out under our feet in
/ few minutes.
The matter was thoroly considered
~ the board before it was decided |
% replace the fill rather than build |