38 
Transactions Texas Academy of Science. 
[84] 
gestions as might be timely, and furnish a statement as to the probable 
cost of replacing that portion of the darn across the Colorado river which 
was destroyed by flood in April, 1900, and securing from farther injury 
that portion which now remains standing and uninjured,” I have visited 
the site of the said dam, made such examinations and measurements as 
were practicable without great expense, and respectfully submit the con- 
clusions to which I have been led thereby. 
Any estimate of this kind, in the absence of definite plans and speci- 
fications which are to he complied with, is at best uncertain and unsat- 
isfactory; and in this case it has been assumed that those which con- 
trolled the original construction would be followed in the renewal, in 
order to preserve uniformity of appearance of the entire dam when com- 
pleted; but with such modifications to secure stability, and for the sake 
of economy, as are herein suggested for your consideration. 
The report herewith submitted is from the standpoint of a builder, 
guided by some experience in construction of similar work in other 
localities, and from information obtained in your city as to various 
details of cost, and will, therefore, ignore technical questions as to cause 
and manner of failure, etc., which have been so ably and exhaustively 
discussed by well informed and intelligent observers who have given 
much time to the study of the facts. Only the conditions as. they now 
exist will be considered. 
The engineering problems involved demand the most painstaking, care- 
ful investigation, and these you will doubtless submit to some member 
of that profession in whom you have entire confidence, and whose advice, 
plans and specifications, when once adopted, as well as his instructions 
with regards to details during the progress of the work, you will rigidly 
abide by, I may be pardoned for suggesting that some of the questions 
thus to be most carefully studied in the light of the unfortunate expe- 
rience you have had are: 
(1) Whether it will not be better to abandon entirely the present 
location, and in rebuilding adopt one by which you will avoid the 
“faults” or unreliable strata in the geological formation which seepas to 
have been the prime cause of the trouble you have had, both with the 
foundation of the dam and the construction of your bulk head masonry 
and power house. Of course, a large amount of material will be availa- 
ble by salvage from the old dam when removed, and from the debris 
from the portion destroyed. 
The surveys, soundings and careful investigations already made by 
the eminent professional gentlemen who have been connected with your 
work heretofore will greatly facilitate the decision of this point, 
(2) Whether, in view of the observed action of the overflow in time 
of flood, a modification of the profile or cross-section of your dam is not 
advisable, wherever it may be built, the up-stream face to be battered 
