The observations were made by uncovering a joint and measuring the leakage therefrom for 10 min. A graduated glass measuring to drams was used. The rate of leakage varied from 5 drops to 45 oz. in 10 min. Of the joints uncovered 57% was found to be leaking. It is rather remarkable that, in the large leakage of the 11-and 12-in. pipe between Coyote and Bonito, only one out of every eight joints was leaking. This indicates a physical defect in such joints. The largest leak found on one joint was at the rate of 17,280 gal. per day. Leakage between or through the staves is not measurable, as it is not fast enough to come away in drops unless there is some imperfection in the wood.
The insignificant leakage of 120 gal., stated above, is from the 11-in. pipe in the pumping main between Coyote and Corona. The present maximum working pressure on it is 100 lb. per sq. in. All the figures given above include visible and invisible leakage, the latter being such as does not appear on the surface. The visible leakage is but a small part of the total.
Stopping the Leaks.—Generally, any ordinary leak is readily stopped by pine wedges. Sometimes a loose joint requires individual bands bolted around it. Bran or saw-dust is effective in stopping the small leaks which cannot be reached by the wedges. The good effect of the latter is likely to be destroyed by a rapid emptying of the pipe. If the water is drawn out faster than the air can enter through the air-valves, heavy vacuums are formed down long slopes, and the air forces its way in through the joints and between the staves. The result is that the pipe will frequently leak badly for some time after it is refilled, although it may have been tight previously.
A full pipe and a steady pressure are highly desirable. This doubtless accounts to some extent for the extreme tightness of the wood pipe in the pumping main.
Grade Lines.—The hydraulic grade lines, shown on Plate V, were laid as best fitting the controlling elevations. The various diameters of pipe were determined by Darcy's general formula, with C = 0.00033 for wood and = 0.00066 for iron pipe, checking by Kutter's formula, with n = 0.01 for wood and = 0.012 for iron. These coefficients were taken as conservative and on the safe side, and such they proved to be. It was desired that the line should carry not less than 5 sec-ft. to Nogal and half as much beyond.
Velocities.—The pipe line from Bonito Creek to the Nogal Reservoir affords excellent conditions for velocity and capacity measurements, there being no distribution service from it. Beginning at the creek, it consists of 12,700 ft. of 10-in. wood pipe, with a hydraulic grade of 0.03338, followed by 48000 ft. of 16-in. wood pipe, with a hydraulic grade of 0.0030625, ending on the south rim of the Nogal Reservoir. There is an open stand-pipe where the two pipes and grades join.
When this section of the line was laid, the last car of 16-in. pipe was late in arriving and, as it was desirable to get water into the reservoir as soon as possible, 500 ft. of 10-in. pipe were laid in the lower part of the 16-in. line, near the reservoir, as indicated on Fig. 2, which shows the hydraulic grades and the pipe diameters of this section of the line.
When the first two velocity measurements, of March 10th and 31st, 1908, described below, were made (after the line had been put into service on February 20th, 1908), the 500 ft. of 10-in. pipe were still in the 16-in. line, and the hydraulic grade was defined by the solid line, ABCDE, Fig. 2.
When the third measurement, of May 12th, 1909, also described below, was made, the 10-in. pipe had been replaced by 16-in. pipe, and the hydraulic grade was defined by the solid line, ABE.