Equipment Used on Upper Embankment

The mechanical equipment used included locomotives, side dump cars, spinkler wagons, reversible road machines, a concrete mixer, a turntable, conrete rollers, and two 2,000 gallon cars to furnish water. Supplies were freighted in from Nampa in heavy wagons holding from five to six tons and drawn by horse teams. Homesteaders were given preferential employment and paid on an eight hour day basis.

The steam shovels excavated 30,000 cubic yards of the dam's foundation. When possible the shovels placed the material, the rest has hauled in dump cars drawn by the locomotives.

The water needed was held in a reservoir built for that purpose. It held 25,000 gallons. Water from the Ridenbaugh was diverted to fill it. A well was dug for emergency purposes.

Originally water came into the reservoir from the Boise River through the Ridenbaugh Canal which had been extended into the side of the proposed reservoir. It was soon found that the 50-mile canal was not capable of carrying enough water for all the land in the Deer Flat area.

The Ridenbaugh Canal was a real pioneer, having been established in 1865 in the Boise Valley by William Morris. Upon Morris' death in 1878 his nephew William Ridenbaugh inherited the canal system. Ridenbaugh, a dynamic businessman, was rumored to have at one time attached the Idaho Railroad on a claim of $4,000...

...and chained the engine to the track at Nampa until the amount was assured. The train was then allowed to depart in charge of a Deputy Marshall. Within two years Ridenbaugh has sold the canal system but his name remains with the canal.