The tank is supported by a thick steel wall. The ribbed shape is sufficiently rigid to support the 2 million gallon tank. A full tank weighs nearly 17 million pounds!

 

 

 

This tower is climbed from the inside.

 

 

 

Inside - It's just a series of platforms and ladders.

 

 

 

 

And more platforms and ladders. Did I mention that it echoes a lot in here!

 

 

 

Finally to the catwalk over to the tank bottom center - about 70 feet up. 

 

 

 

 

The water line to the tank.

 

 

 

 

Standing on the catwalk looking down.

 

 

 

 

On the catwalk. The ladder going up the wall leads to a manhole through the wall to give workers access to the outside.

 

Standing on the catwalk looking up through the center of the water tank. Roughly 70 feet of ladder to a hatch at the top. There's 2 million gallons of water on the other side of this access tunnel.

 

 

 

 

Starting up the tunnel.

 

 

 

About half way with the catwalk below.

 

 

Close to the top. The opening above me to the right through the tunnel wall leads to .......

 

 

 

 

 

......... water. Lots of it!

 

 

 

 

This safety rig rides the center pipe on the ladder. It works just like the old bumper jacks. The stop notches in the pipe are about 6 inches apart. Makes quite a racket!

 

 

 

 

At the top of the tunnel.

 

 

 

 

The hatch. Fairly heavy - 1/4 inch steel.

 

 

 

On top - about 140 feet above the ground.

 

 

 

One of the views.

 

 

 

On top, looking back down through the tunnel.