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August 15, 1914 THE THIRD SET OF LOCKS August 15, 1939
new channels is important in computing the
cost, determining the manner of excavating the
material, and preventing landslides, which
proved so troublesome during the construction
of the Canal. The drilling and other subsurface
investigations have indicated that all of the
locks will have sound, igneous rock foundations.
and that with the proper precautions as to slope
of the channel banks no serious delays will be
occasioned by landslides.
Much study has been given to the production,
handling and storage of gravel, cement and other
simpler than it was during much of the Canal
construction work, as the total amount of excavation
for the new locks and channels will be less
than one-third of that required in building the
Canal, and ample spoil areas are located within
a short distance of all three lock sites and near
the two bypass channels. The use of these areas
will not be definitely determined, however, until
a definite plan is made for the dry excavation.
One of the important studies which has been
pursued in connection with the third set of locks
and the probable traffic increase through the
aile of the most important problems in the operation of a high-level canal is the water supply. Madden Dam. which was completed
about six years ago, provides a great auxiliary storage basin for the waters of the Chagres River several miles above Gatun
Lake. This is a view of the dam and spillway. The new dam also provides an important altxiliary electric power supply.
The power plant is at the right.
materials which will be used. The necessity of
having readily accessible at all times an ample
stock of these materials at all three lock sites is
of utmost importance. It has been proposed to
construct deep water wharfage facilities in
Gatun Lake at Gatun and at the north end of
the present" Pedro Miguel locks for use as unloading
points for gravel barges, cement ships,
and vessels carrying other materials. It is contemplated
that the provision of these facilities
would be advisable whether the cement is
manufactured on the Canal Zone or is shipped
to the Isthmus from other points.
It is believed that the handling and disposition
of the spoil from the excavation will be much
Canal in the future is the provision of an ample
water supply for the lockage of ships. Although
the problem is not of immediate importance, it
is foreseen that when traffic through the Canal
increases enough to tax its capacity it will be
one of vital importance. At present the water
supply stored in Gatun Lake and Madden Lake
is ample even during the longest dry seasons.
However, studies have been made on this particular
subject many times and the problem has
been given special consideration in the course of
the present studies.
An enormous amount of water is used in the
operation of a high-level canal in locking ships.
Each lockage up or down from Gatun Lake uses
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