Problems in Concrete Dam Construction on the Pacific Coast

The first thought that arises out of a long experience in the building of dams is that no two of them are exactly alike and no one plan of operation is the optimum for more than a single location. This is true in spite of the obvious fact that different contractors might have different plans for the same work. Thus, it is evident that the success of an operation is measured by the correctness of what might be called its diagnosis. In the case of one notable California dam, the plan of an unsuccessful bidder for handling the work was so radically different from the one actually used, as to indicate definitely that they were not equally good and could not possibly produce anything like the same results in costs or speed.