PAGE SIX
THE BEND BULLETIN, BEND, OREGON
SATURDAY. JULY 16, 1949
Qiant Blast Marks Official Start of Work on Ochoco Dam
Wind Whips Explosion Into Fog-Like Mass
Dust Cloud Billows From "Coyote Hole
"Bikini Cloud" Spread Over Hillside
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Picture No. 1: Huge puff of dust belches from "coyote hole" in basaltic cliff as blast,
marking official start of work in rehabilitating the Ochoco dam, is discharged. The Ocho
co dam, its downstream face stripped.is shown at left side of the picture.
Picture No. 2: Seconds after the blast was discharged in sleep cliffs overlooking the
Ochoco valley Just below the dam, the dust cloud started dissipating, with the heavier
mass tumbling into the valley. Lighter particles were creeping up the face of the cliff.
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Start of Work on Ochoco Dam
Marked by Big Blast in Cliffs
Official start of rehabilitation of the 30-year-old Ochoco
dam, on Ochoco creek about six miles upstream from Prine
ville, was marked Saturday by a huge blast set off in the base
of steep cliffs a short distance from the reservoir. Watching
the blast were thousands of persons, in cars parked along the
Ochoco highway and on hillsides overlooking the valley.
The blast, which sent a Bikini-like cloud of dust billowing
over the cliffs, was the highlight of a three-way program
sponsored by the Prineville chamber of commerce, under su
pervision of Joe D. Thomison, secretary. At a luncheon, serv
ed Saturday at the Ochoco inn, R. J. Newell,, who recently
retired as director of the bureau of reclamation in the Boise
district, was honored, and his successor, Harold T. Nelson,
was greeted. Tn the second phase of the program, Prineville
joined in the observance of the 100th anniversary of the
establishment of the department of interior, of which the bu
reau of reclamation is a unit. The blast was the third phase
of the program, marking the start of work on a project the
Ultimate cost of which will be well above the $1,000,000 mark.
This project calls for the complete rehabilitation of the
Ochoco dam, a weakened structure that in recent years has
been a menace to the rapidly growing city of Prineville.
Speakers at the Ochoco dam program included Lawson Mc
Call, secretary to Governor Douglas McKay.
The program Saturday afternoon also included a rodeo,
on the Crooked river roundup grounds, and an old time dance
that featured numbers by the Scotch band from Dayville.
Kilted Dancers Join in Ochoco Celebration
Within a minute after the discharge of the Orhoro blast, a Hill f northerly wind hiel
the cloud of dust into a fog-like haze that drifted over the valley near the d:im. "I turn
siinds of spectators, on the Orhoco highway and on hills, watched the extlilin.
Rodeo Also Feature of Celebration
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Members of the Scotch bagpipe band from Dayville were present for the Ochoco dam celebration.
They are pictured in action, with John MacDonald providing the music. A. T. Munro, at left, with
back to camera, heads the band. Also taking part were Mr. and Mrs. Claude Laughlln, John Murray,
Mrs. Lillian Mascall, Mrs. Mary Ward and Mrs. Ross Hodgkinson.
The Ochoco dam celebration In Prineville Saturday evening Included a preview of ll annual
Crooked river roundup, to be held In August, Jerry Kvans Is "up" on this burking luilmal, with
lilll Stryker, ex Prineville teacher, In the role of clown. Jerry rode the heifer to the $2 line. The
rodeo wun held in the Crooked river roundup arena.
Bureau Engineers View Ochoco Dam Work
Ochoco Reservoir Water Level Recedes
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United States bureau of reclamation engineers got together for a moment at the Ochoco dam cere,
monies Saturday. In the picture, from left, are J. W. Taylor, Bend, Deschutes project engineer;
Harold T. Nelson, newly appointed regional engineer, Boise, Idaho, and R. J: Newell, Boise, who re
, cently retired as bureau engineer following long service.
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To permit work on the upper face of the Ochoco dam, pictured here, the water level Is being rapidly
lowered, with the impounded flow released to Ouiioco lands. Later in the season, when most of the
water is released, facing of the upper skle of the dam will be started. Pictured near the center is
the reservolf tower.
McCall Speaker at Celebration
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Lawson McCall'prlvate secretary to Governor Douglas McKay, was
principal speaker at the celebration marking the start of work In
rehabilitating the Ochoco dam. McCall Is pictured here, speaking
from a truck a short distance below llie dam. ,