The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1934-06-22

$500 kilovolt-ampere capacity each and two
generators of 10000 kilovolt-ampere capacity
each. The larger units exceed in size the largest
yet manufactured, the $1,000 horse power tur
bines and 76,500 kilovolt-ampere generators in
the world-famous DnieprostrOy plant In Russia
One Of these mammoth generators will weigh
over 100000 pounds, will measure 40 feet in
diameter and stand 80 feet high.
. This power plant will have total capacity of
1,S35,OO0 horse power or four times the amount
developed on the American side of Niagara Falls
and nearly double the amount developed both at
Niagara Falls and Muscle Shoals, even when the
latter reaches the peak of it's capacity. 1t will
be operated and maintained by the city of Los
Angeles and the Southern California Edison COM
pany, under the general supervision Of director
appointed by the secretary of the interior. The
city will generate power for the states of Ari-
iona and Nevada, large number of southern
California municipalities and for the Metropoli-
tan Water district and the Southern California
Edison company will generate power for COM
pany purchasers.
An essential part of the project is the con-
struction of the All-Amercan canal so-called
because 1t is entirely within the United States
1t will begin about Is miles northeast of Yuma,
Ariz, where the Imperial diversion dam will
be built, and will connect with the present sys-
tenn of irrigation bitches in the Imperial valley,
q distance Of about 80 miles, At the same time,
a 130-mile extension of this canal will pass east
of the Salton sea and carry water to the ada
cent Coachella valley.
From the beginning Of the All-American canal
near Yuma it will pass through a ridge of shift
ing sand and there the deepest cut will be about
100 feet deep. A growth of vegetation on each
side of the cut and a systematic spraying of the
loose sand nearby with crude oil will prevent
clogging of the canal. Siphons culverts will
be needed in many instances to carry the canal
under numerous washes.
Plans call for ten of these on the main line
and 70 on the Coachella branch Siphons will
also be used to carry the water under the Alamo
and New rivers. The canal is expected to cost
at least S27,00O,O00 and bids will be asked soon
by the bureau. Plans contemplate maximum
canal capacity of $4,000 second-feet.
The Imperial dam, to be of the floating type
will be LOO feet long and will raise the river
level % feet. The canal will provide irrigation
water for $4,000 acres In the Imperial valley
and an additional 10000 acres will be brought
under cultivation by the Coachella extension.
Some distance up the Colorado river will be
located the Parker dam, intended both as a
power plant and as diversion dam. Designs
for this hydroelectric plant rapidly nearing
completion. There, 265 miles directly across the
state from Los Angeles will originate the water
supply for the Metropolitan Water district.
The Parker reservoir will be located approx
mately 80 miles downstream from the Hoover
dam and is a natural site for diversion barrier.
The cost of construction for the aqueduct and
dam will total 900 and the annual oper-
ating cost for the aqueduct will run slightly
S60O0OO0.
The first 113 miles extending west to Shavers
Summit will require heavy expenditure for con-
struction and operation. as the line will make
an ascent of 1,500 feet. Power from the Hoover
dam will be used to operate pumping lifts. The
aqueduct is designed to handle continuous flow
of 1900 second-feet. There will be considerable
mileage of open canal sections of pressure pipe,
considerable gravity conduit pipe and numerous
tunnels used to transport over 100000 acrefeet
of water each year to the municipalities of
southern California.
Although the Metropolitan Water district Is
paying for the construction of the Parker dam
by the reclamation bureau, the project will be
of immense Importance to the Southwest. Ulti-
mately, 1t is proposed to build power plant at
the dam and then to extend transmission lines
on down the river to the Imperial dam, using
the power thus delivered to pump water for irri-
CATION purposes in the vast undeveloped area in
Arizona This project will be known as the ella
development
One unique and interesting phase of the gigan-