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Methods of Design and Construction

The St. -::·ranc is Dam was bui 1 t by the Department of

Water Works and Supply of the City of Los Angeles , by the

City's own forces and not by contract"

The design of the dam and the foundation conditions

were not passed upon by independent engineers and geologists.

The exploration work and testing of foundation

materials prior to reaching a decision to build a dam at this

site, were entirely inadequate to definitely determine the

true qualities of the bedrock and the proper type of dam to

build at the site.

The exploration work, both before and during construction,

was practically limited to the boundaries of the concrete

structure and did not adequately reveal the topography and

character of the bedrock structure beyond these boundaries.

The inspection of the work during construction was very

limited and defective in principle owing to the fact that the

inspections were made by the same peopie who were directing

or doing the work, without adequate check inspection by an

independent personnel to reduce the effect of personal error.

Extensive exploration work, inspection and testing of

materials and consultations with experts unquestionably would

have revealed the true character of the site and prevented

this calamity

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