Some Engineering Problems Of The Panama Canal In Their Relation To Geology And Topography

RELATION OF DIFFERENT FACTORS TO ENGINEERING. 11 CLIMATE. In computing the cost of any engineering project due weight should be given to the effect of climatic conditions on labor efficiency and also on construction plans. RANGE OF TEMPERATURE. The Canal Zone has a moist tropical climate, modified by oceanic conditions, and therefore showing little yearly and daily variation of temperature. Tlio nightly average is 71° and the daily about 85° F. The daily range of temperature is greatest in the dry season, for then there are few clouds to obscure the sun’s heat in the day or to absorb and reflect the radiation from the earth, at night. The highest re- corded temperature over a number of years is 97° F., observed at Ancon February 13, 1906, and the lowest 59° F., observed at Bas Obispo February 9, 1907. RAINFALL. On the Canal Zone there are two seasons—one short and relatively dry, the other long and wet. The dry months are January to April, inclusive; the other months are wet. The wettest period is from September to December. Most of the rain falls during the day, be- tween 10 a. m. and 4 p. m., but may fall at any time. The average yearly precipitation over a number of years for Panama is as follows: Ancon or Panama City (Pacific side), 71 inches; Culebra, 90 inches; Monte Lirio, 135 inches; Colon, 129 inches; Porto Bello, 170 inches. Tropical conditions generally add to the cost of engineering work, from causes as follows: (1) Inefficiency of native labor; (2) ineffi- ciency of imported labor working under tropical conditions; (3) cost of sanitation; (4) loss of time during heavy rains; and (5) hindrance to engineering works through floods, etc. These factors added many million dollars to the cost of the canal. They are all discussed at some length in the annual reports of the Isthmian Canal Commission. AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST PRODUCTS. The question of subsistence for the vast army of canal employees was, of course, a vital one. It was found that American vegetables could not be profitably grown in the Canal Zone. In fact, most of them, as well as oats, wheat, barley, and most kinds of American, grasses, could scarcely be grown at all. Hence, those products were imported from the United States. A great cold-storage plant was established at Colon, with, smaller distribution plants along the zone. In this way fresh moats, vegetables, and fruits were brought in and distributed in prime condition. The inventors of canned goods and cold storage wore certainly heavy contributors to the campaign of canal construction.