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% Las Vegas, Nevada December 16, 1951 The Colorado River Commission of Nevada Henderson, Nevada Gentlemen: On December 3, 1951, the Colorado River Commission author­ized us to investigate and report on the feasibility of increasing the capacity of the Lake Mead Water supply system, originally con­structed for Basic Magnesium, Inc., from 30 to 50 million gallons per day. By this increase in capacity, it would be possible to serve not only the industries at Henderson but also to supply sup­plemental water to the Las Vegas area. In addition, the proposed facilities would make it possible to supply exchange water from the Las Vegas artesian area to the Henderson industries in emer­gencies. The investigation has reached a point where it is now possible to present an interim report showing that the project is not only feasible and practical from an engineering standpoint but its cost, we believe, is well within the bonding capacity of the Las Vegas Valley Water District, The technical data, developed in support of the project, is presented in considerable detail in the accompanying bound report entitled, "INTERIM REPORT ON LAKE MEAD WATER SUPPLY." The facilities required to increase the capacity of the system to 50 million gallons per day and to supply the Las Vegas region as well as the Henderson industries are as follows: . 1 - Replace the six easting intake pumps with new pumps and motors. The existing units have 400 horse power motors and, with 5 units operating, will deliver approximately 30 million gal­lons per day under present operating conditions. The proposed re­placement units would have 800 horse power motors, and 6 units operating, would deliver more than 50 million gallons per day at the lowest anticipated lake level under the new operating condi­tions. Under the new conditions, a standby pump would not be necessary because of the availability of water from the Las Vegas area in case of emergency and because of excess capacity except at lowest lake level. • The cantilever design has been checked with the builders, the American Bridge Company, and the total loading, due to the recommended new units, is well within the loading cap­acity of the structure. The design of the 40" pipe line, through­out its entire length from intake to Henderson, has been checked and, under the increased head, will still be understressed. The estimated cost of the new pump’s and installation is $174,300. 2 - No change would be necessary at the existing booster station other than to increase the range of the existing meter register. The existing pumps will deliver 50 million gallons per day to a site near the Manganese Ores plant. xJ