Report of the Board of Consulting Engineers for the Panama Canal (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1906 Excerpt: ...of the tributaries, all of which, at and below Obispo, are eliminated by a Lake Bohio at the summit level (65 feet) favored by the technical commission. In fine, it is my personal belief that to adopt a sea-level project would be not only to deprive the present generation of business men of all benefits to result from the opening of an isthmian canal to commercial enterprise, but also to involve the Government in expenditures too enormous to be justifiable. To double the necessary time and expense of construction without materially improving the canal is certainly not wise; and the passage of a few modern locks is far less objectionable than to incur the risks of delays and accidents inherent in a regulation of the Chagres based on its total diversion below as well as above Gamboa, and this is unavoidable with a construction at sea level. The river is transformed from a friend into a formidable enemy. (i) WATER SUPPLY OF THE CANAL FOR THREE VARIANTS, ASSUMING A LAKE AT GATUN RAISED TO ELEVATIONS 85 FEET, 60 FEET, AND 30 FEET, THE LATTER COMBINED WITH A LAKE AT BOHIO RAISED TO ELEVATION 60 FEET. The first point to consider is what is known as to the fundamental elements of the problem. FLOW OF THE RIVERS. As will be seen farther on, it is only during the months of February, March, and April that there can be any serious question of water supply for operating a canal with locks, the daily flow of the streams amply providing for any demands during the rest of the year. The run-off at Bohio during the dry season, in cubic feet per second, is known for fifteen years, the average volume being 1,371 second-feet and the minimum being 742 second-feet, the latter occurring in 1903. In like manner the average yearly run-off at Bohio is known for fourteen years, t...