Meeting minutes from committee considering the question of serving railroad company facilities in Las Vegas, July 8, 1952

COPY MINUTES OF MEETING OF COMMITTEE SELECTED TO CONSIDER QUESTION OF SERVING RAILROAD COMPANY FACILITIES AT LAS VEGAS EXCLUSIVELY FROM SUPPLY OF WATER TO BE OBTAINED BY USING "SHOP WELL" AT LAS VEGAS, NEVADA. THE ORIGINAL COMMITTEE MET AT LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, MARCH 4TH, 1952, AND A SECOND MEETING CONVENED ON JULY 8TH, 1952, WITH THE FOLLOWING PRESENT: A. Bybee, Assistant Superintendent, Las Vegas, Nevada. Calvin Cory, General Attorney, Las Vegas, Nevada. P. G. Martin, Division Engineer, Los Angeles. L. W. Ashton, Bridge Inspector, Omaha. L. R. Maag, Asst. Industrial Engineer, Los Angeles. J. M. Anderson, General Water Service Foreman, Los Angeles. A. J. Scott, Plant Manager, PFE Company, Las Vegas. Please refer to report of meeting held on March 4th, 1952. 1. Mr. Calvin Cory has made his investigation regarding the question as to whether the LA&SL Railroad Company has a vested right in the 2.5 CFS in Well No. 1 in water field, and has made a report in his letter to Mr. Bennett, dated March 5th, 1952, in which he states in part: "I am therefore of the opinion that the railroad company may claim that its permit to use 2.5 CFS from Well No. 1 (which permit specifically designates railroad purposes) is a vested right acquired prior to March 25, 1939, and consequently capable of being transferred to a new point of diversion at the shop well." "In summary, the committee concluded to determine how much water can be developed at the shop well and to transfer all of the company's water rights to the shop well, even though the water developed does not equal the amount transferred. In view of the foregoing I believe this may be accomplished, notwithstanding that a lesser amount of water is actually available." In view of Mr. Cory's opinion as stated above, it is recommended by this committee that the 2.5 CFS be transferred from Well No. 1 in water field to shop well, and does not feel that Railroad Company should relinquish any of its water rights. 2. Division forces have completed the work of cleaning and reconditioning shop well, which included the addition of 72' of pump column to the 93' already existing, making a total of 165'. Two page report attached to Mr. V. W. Smith's letter of June 24, 1952, addressed to Messrs. Ashton, Adamson, Cory, Bybee, Maag, Anderson, Keane, and Scott, indicates that well was thoroughly tested without additional pump column, and secondly, with the addition of the 72' of pump column. The test with the additional pump column was made on June 13th, June 18th, June 19th, and June 20th, 1952, and indicates that well, in its present condition, will produce a total of 520 GPM (1.16 CFS) at 140' draw down (water clear), and that at 520 GPM it was impossible to draw the well to a lower depth than 140', leaving a length of column below draw down of 25'. Further tests indicate that pressure in line was: 30 lbs. at 307 GPM with 103' draw down 35 " at 300 GPM " 90' " " 40 " at 230 GPM " 85' " " It is further suggested by the committee that a standby well and pump be given consideration at the shop grounds. This to protect the company's interest in the 2.5 CFS being transferred from Well No. 1 in water field to shop well, and is also considered advisable in order to provide water in an emergency which might occur wherein there could be a breakdown of existing shop well, simultaneously with a shortage of water in city mains. Estimated cost of standby well referred to above is not included in following estimate. In view of the above the committee is now definitely in a position to recommend that the shop well be used to furnish water to the railroad facilities, including the PFE. The Division forces and Industrial Department have jointly prepared a plan to construct a 300,000 gallon elevated steel tank on 100' tower in shop yard, and to rearrange piping, together with valves, fittings, etc., and installation of a 500 GPM Booster pump to be used in connection with shop well for the purpose of boosting water from top of well to top of tank. One copy of plan referred to above is being furnished with this report, together with a detailed estimate showing the estimated cost in the amount of $84,420.00 investment and $2300.00 operating expenses, total $86,720.00. The plan and estimate referred to above includes service to PFE since mailgram from Mr. P. J. Lynch to Messrs. Hanson, Perkins, Neuhart, and Larson indicates that committee should "give consideration to the most practical method of developing an independent supply for the railroad and PFE Company". Not included in this estimate are the water lines to be transferred from the LA&SL to LVL&W Co. These lines are shown on attached print in red and yellow dashed lines.