The official opening of the initial storage unit of the Walker River Irrigation District took place at Topaz Lake.
The news representative was fortunate enough in meeting early in the day John. A. Beemer, chief engineer oft the Walker River Irrigation District, and in obtaining form him detailed information bout the big project.
It was explained that Topaz Lake with its 45,000 acre feet capacity is the first of the four proposed reservoirs to be completed and used. As a temporary arrangement, and in view of comparative low cost, use in conveying flood waters of the West Walker to Topaz Lake was made of the two-mile canal planned and partially constructed years ago. The reservoir outlet is a tunnel 2,100 feet long, 9 1/2 feet high and 9 1/2 feet wide, of modified horseshoe shape, with reinforced concrete walls 10 inches thick.
Leading from the tunnel outlet to the river 2 1/4 miles distant is a canal. Storage water is released from the reservoir by means of double sets of four gates each, the raising and lowering devices for which are in a galvanized iron sheeted building 58 feet above the tunnel.
Under plans approved and adopted the storage capacity of Topaz Lake will as needs require be increased to 87,000 acre feet by building an embankment 3,500 feet long and 30 feet high at one point, by constructing a new high canal 4 1/2 miles long, also a small embankment near the tunnel shaft. The level of the lake will be raised 20 feet. The estimated cost of increasing the Topaz Lake reservoir to 87,000 acre feet is $175,000.
This continues the Appeal’s review of news stories and headlines during its Sesquicentennial year.
