A brief mention on the monitoring of the behavior the Jones Falls River and respective Conduit surge events.
still waiting for https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/ to post the precipitation data. Oddly this week is missing but perhaps the data requires validation.
Sadly this specific sensor has loss funding and will be shut down October 2018. Fortunately funding for this sensor was renewed.
I: This pre-surge oscillation is interesting and do not believe it to be artifact. II: Initial downpour, we see a typical 1200 cu/ft bump up. The systems new load should of been short lived as it return to base line . <200 cu/ft sec daily flow was see all through June until July 20, 2018. 2018. III: A massive 4300 cu/ft sec surge, fueled by a sudden downpour near 1200hr. The upper valley was certainly still draining residuals, however the surge/wave event is apparent.
Also see the 2400 cu/ft sec bump up just after the 4300 cu/ft sec surge. Almost like a wave? Is this a surge coming from the 1200hr downpours in the upper portion of the valley catching up? IV: Missing section was all riddled with artifact. All this discharge volume must of wrecked havoc on the sensor.
V: Whats interesting about this particular surge is see how “fat” that peak is. The surge really held its discharge volume. sustained discharge of 4000 cu/ft sec. VI: Another sizable surge. System is almost like oscillating with these daily downpours.
VII: I believe that the over all systems load led to this mother of all surges (Note: exponential curve green line). Look how sharp that spike is, there is no doubt, it must of came through as a wave.
Velocity was in congruence with the surges and worth to compare.
| Jenkins Run Storm Sewer Tunnel | Jenkins Run Stream | Guilford Avenue / Jones Falls Conduit Construction Tunnel|
Jenkins Run Stream is an ancient stream drains into the Jones Falls River Basin. It still exist today but pretty much has been forgotten due to it being covered over and buried in an underground culvert or tunnel. The original upper portions were constructed in the late 1870’s . Its construction spanned over a period of 30 years related to general mismanagement, lack of funds, numerous pitfalls and delays. Like many storm water drains buried in Baltimore, difficulty arouse from the varying geological conditions and numerous springs encountered. The torrential nature of this stream during periods of extreme downfall would succumb to violent flooding. Compounding these complications included poor workman ship of its contractors. Which, on a few occasions required the reworking of the drains foundation at one point. A a remarkable interceptor, with a robust history that is not even touched in this writing.
The Jenkins Run Storm sewer, intercepts and drains a moderate portion of the North Eastern drainage basin of Baltimore City. Most notably the Carter Alley stream (which had already been buried for some time) was junctioned into the tunnel via the Old Carter Alley Sewer. The At one point it crosses under the Union Railroad tunnel and in turn serves as a drainage point via a 33cm (13 inch) cast iron pipe(ref.). Its tunnel network traverses through a portion of Greenmount Cemetery. At one point the tunnel even crosses near a section of old graves. It is quite well preserved and shows little signs of wear. Tunnel sections vary significantly throughout including: height, width, design and material composition.
The “newer” lower interceptor tunnel was finished in 1912, with the completion of the JF conduits and the Guildford Avenue Diversion tunnel. Chief Engineer Calvin Hendrickson awarded the work contract to the “Fisher Brother Company”. Hendrickson reported to the Baltimore Sun during a walk through tour that this final portion of the tunnel was bored through solid rock to the size of 365cm (12ft). At its deepest point the tunnel lies 16 meters deep (52 feet). Its construction team were described as looking like “miners”. The most modern 20th century methods were used to in its boring . Costly modern machinery that ran off compressed air were used and the workers had the luxury of electrical power to light their work area. Power being provided by a generation plant off Preston street. (ref.c)
It should be noted that before its completion, the lower portion of the Jenkins Run Interceptor drain was used as a haulage construction tunnel. Materials were hauled in and out of the tunnel. Much of the excavated rock was processed and used in the concrete mixtures in the tunnels found downstream. At its completion, the loathsome CSO / SSO #72 was placed. It boasts a significant steep grades, staircase / drop falls, full brick tunnels, brick arch horseshoe tunnels, masonry granite, overhead flume, long curves, numerous stone granite side drains and a CSO/SSO purge discharge point. In the upper mid section of the tunnel, houses a sizable double junction chamber. The western tunnel is old granite stone construction drain, that doesn’t work well. Standing water and old air back in there . The eastern shaft is the continuation of Jenkins Run. Basically, the further you go back, the older is gets. And the Jenkins Side goes back deep, well above North Ave and with its limited surface access presents the most fearsome environment in an already dangerous city.
Jenkins’s Outfall
Historical Quotations:
“The Jenkins Run Drain empties into the Jones Falls between Preston and Hoffman streets runs northerly via Carter alley to a point 135 feet north of Lafayette avenue and thence northeasterly to a point in Boone street north of Twentieth street For 3,270 feet to a point in Walcott street it has cross sections of from 163 to 49 square feet and is built with a segmental arch Above this it is circular and 10 feet 6 inches in diameter It drains nearly 900 acres including Homestead and that part of Waverly east of the York Road It has two principal branches
In Hoffman street to Home wood avenue 4 feet in diameter
In Girard avenue to Barclay street 3 feet in diameter .”
(ref. 1)
“The heading of the tunnel under Guilford avenue has been extended from the entrance of the retaining wall between Biddle and Chase streets to a point 250 feet beyond Preston street a total distance of 8oo feet The heading of the Jenkins Run Sewer tunnel has been extended through to meet the large tunnel a distance of 430 feet The rock excavated from this tunnel is being crushed and used to form the concrete conduits in the bed of the Falls below Chase street.”
(ref. 2)
TUNNEL EXPLORATION NOTES:
Exploring a massive 12 foot drain, from within another massive drain requires knowledge, planning, physical fitness and wit. Such a treacherous adventure should not be carried out by a casual urban explorer, the ill prepared or weak hands. When this drain was discovered, research seemed to point that this tunnel was draining what was once known as “Jenkins Run”. An ancient stream that was buried & covered over well over a century ago and is the largest buried stream outfall in the Jones Falls Conduit system. Every time this tunnel was passed, a strong curiosity beckoned for its penetration. What lies inside was an unknown, granted its overall large size, one could only assume it was the beginning of a large storm sewer network. If subsequent research was on point, it seemed that sizable chambers may lay within. Years later, infiltration was undertaken and the curiosity laced with patience & preparation paid off. A strong wind pours out of this tunnel, however, it was decided that subsequent exploration would require a Multi-Gas Detector.
The Buried Outfalls Entrance into the system The tunnel briefly bears right before straitening out, most likely for hydrological considerations as it meets the underground Jones Falls river Jenkins run and Carter Alley Junction Chamber Looking up the stairway towards the later portion of it.
The original Jenkins Run diversion chamber photo source (ref .2)
A quick video glimpse of Jenkins Run Outfall
references:
a)Report of the Sewerage commission of the city of Baltimore , 1897
Partial view of the Final Chamber looking south. The daily flow of the river is diverted into a flume (on the left hand side) at velocity. The other 3 flood stage conduits, sit considerably higher.
2000 meters deep within this system ,far from the rivers infall, so cut off from the outside world above. Lies a large magnificent chamber with brick laden floors, walls constructred with Portland poured concrete . These original JF tunnel conduits were designed to “run under pressure”, with a capacity of 16,750 cubic foot per second (cfs) (ref.a) In here lies a majestic timeless jewel , buried in dark layers of clay, sand and soil. Wrapped in concrete and Baltimore Brick base. A beautiful preserved time capsule of classical 1900’s sewerworks. Chief Engineer Hendrickson’s ultimate showmanship.
It is here that the conduits now split into 4 conduits. These are the actual Jones Falls Conduits in which the entire system is pseudonymously referred to as. The chamber hosts a number of features to be mentioned. The Guildford Avenue diversion tunnel brick floor widens to form a broad stage like floor, a masonry masterpiece. A true demonstration of utilizing Baltimore’s deep red Bricks in a subterranean art form. The eastern conduit is responsible for handling the Jones Falls river daily dry weather flow via a high velocity flume. The river drops 1.8 meters (6ft) into a flume and is ultimately compressed as it narrows(ref.a). The other 3 celled flood stage conduits actually sit much at a greater height. The floor grades up to an incline. As stated previously the brick resembles a large uphill stage, a large amount of surface area can be appreciated. Two of the three conduits are 518cm x 518cm (17ftx17ft) with the far western conduit sizing in at 243cm x 442cm (8ft x 14.5ft)(ref.a) On the western wall sits a modern day aluminum ladder that has succumb to maybe a decade of floods. Evidenced by its bent and mangled state, simply sheered off near 20 feet up. Offering no real use or service for descent or escape. Now only acting as a gear hanger. Just as you enter the flume chamber a massive iron flap valve is recessed into the eastern wall. It is thought with some certainty that this is the Old Hillen Street sewer or Old Hillen Street combined sewer overflow valve. Apparently the flap itself has succumb to vicious currents and is ripped from its mounting points (much resembling the iron valve flaps seen in Jenkins Run Storm Sewer Tunnel )
View looking north, some 2500 meters from the entrance.
References:
a.)I-83 Construction from Gay St to Fleet St at President St, Baltimore: Environmental Impact Statement , 1979
Many of the environments & areas presented on this website are hazardous, and were only entered on the basis of extensive training, experience and planning. Do not try to access these sites / tunnels / storm sewers , they should not be trifled with. The intent of these pages are to provide historical documentation. An explorer already risked their life, so that you can explore virtually from home… so stay safe, and stay away! Consider this neither a disclaimer, nor a recommendation.
Edit History //
Article Generation – Nov 26, 2016
Photos added – December 12, 2016
After leaving the Goliath Chamber : Junction Chamber II , the explorer enters into an ancient like vestibule, only seen by few. A passage into another outset, a unseen threshold of buried time . It is as symbolic as it is literal. Because at this point of the journey, you have crossed into the original, old Guilford Avenue Diversion Tunnel.
Upon entering Hendricks Folly, the air quality almost immediately changes. Almost like 2 distinct different atmospheres or gradients. Pockets of old, un-circulated air back in there. The explorer would push forward with much caution, as the air becomes thick, heavy and humidity laden. The explorer is concerned about this. It is assessed to be old air, stagnant air. The explorer continues to carefully assess the conditions. The mission could be aborted at any time. The density of the air in this section is evident when using flash photography. Proceeding forward, the tunnel landscape takes a drastic change. The floor is convex and brick laden, laid hundreds of years ago. For the first time, the explorer is one with the river. They walk in the river and not separate from it like the previous sections. The brick floor, is extremely slippery and the explorer ends up embracing the river, walking straight down the center. There is too much risk and energy expended by attempting to creep the sides of the sewer. The explorer finds that convex shape of the floor coupled with the ultra slick surface is difficult to remain up right. Water is leaking from the ceilings but the drops go unheard over the resonance of the rivers hum.
“The heading of the tunnel,under Guilford avenue, has been extended from the entrance of the retaining wall between Biddle and Chase streets to a point 25o feet beyond Preston street a total distance of 8oo feet” (ref. 1)
Approximately 100 meters deep inside this section, there is a massive storm drain outfall that draining a number of large buried streams into the diversion tunnel. It is always pushing out a high volume of air. A drain within a drain. The internal outfall tube is concrete with a brick laden bottom . After some research, it is concluded that this is “Jenkins Run”. Which means this massive tunnel leads into another network of century old storm sewers. In fact, as of 1909, it was draining 900 acres of area. Another excerpt from theSewerage Commission of Baltimore City Report dated 1912page 12 states:
“The heading of the Jenkins tunnel has been extended through to meet the large tunnel a distance of 430 feet The rock excavated from this tunnel is being crushed and used to form the concrete conduits in the bed of the Falls below Preston street”.
Jenkins Run Storm Sewer – AVOID remains with us and reminds us of the ideal plan of action.
Approaching the Outfall of Jenkins Run (left side) heading south.
As soon as the explorer navigates past this massive outflow, a strong wind is pressing on their back. Again, this is a comfort to the explorer. In contrast with the previous stagnant air pocket, this fast moving stream of air enables further penetration. Travel past this point continues to prove slow and strenuous. The sides of the tunnel remain convexed and angled upward. What feels like an eternity, the tunnel continues straight forward. Eventually, a slight bearing to the left is noted which obscures an possibility to assess what lies ahead. The tunnel wind begins to fade. After some time, the distant sound of rushing water is heard. The explorer is apprehensive in what lies ahead as the LED’s of the explorers lamps are only piercing the darkness so far. The tunnel finally straightens out again. The explorer finds themselves in the precursors of the Original Jones Falls Conduit…Jonesy’s Last and Final Run.
(ref.1) Annual Report of the Sewerage Commission of Baltimore City, 1913 , page 12
Many of the environments & areas presented on this website are hazardous, and were only entered on the basis of extensive training, experience and planning. Do not try to access these sites / tunnels / storm sewers , they should not be trifled with. The intent of these pages are to provide historical documentation. An explorer already risked their life, so that you can explore virtually from home… so stay safe, and stay away! Consider this neither a disclaimer, nor a recommendation.
Approximately 800-1000 meters, deep inside this stormsewer, lies a transition point from new to old. Its massive so some people always called it the Goliath Chamber. It is the Junction Chamber that converges the 2 1959’s built tunnels into 1 tunnel. The ceiling of the sewer increases in height furthermore. Its the largest chamber in the entire subterranean system. It is simply massive. The light from torches will be swallowed. Its that big. A century old jewel, buried deep under the city, with its citizens completely unaware of its existence beneath their feet.
Looking north from inside the Goliath Chamber, towards the end of Penn Station’s Chasm Halls
Many of the environments & areas presented on this website are hazardous, and were only entered on the basis of extensive training, experience and planning. Do not try to access these sites / tunnels / storm sewers , they should not be trifled with. The intent of these pages are to provide historical documentation. An explorer already risked their life, so that you can explore virtually from home… so stay safe, and stay away! Consider this neither a disclaimer, nor a recommendation.
