Tease Mawray - Engineers notes, a simple thing.

An engineering project needing imagination

Tease Mawray �" Engineers Notes, such a simple thing.

To set the stage, although a triumph in ecological circles, the removal of the Zingaroon Salt Water Dam, located in North Africa, specifically near Ain Temouchen, east of Algiers, on the Mediterranean Sea, and by all known 1800s engineering standards, seemed a simple task.
       Financed and built in 1838 by neighboring Oujda, Morocco, as a shared construction saltwater reservoir to be used for road building, one could say "a real jewel in the crown" of solidarity between the two countries; the dam was declared unique in many ways, but of intense interest was the way the retaining walls were constructed.
Constructed with millions of individual "handmade" straws and the prized sacred "red clay" of the Atlas Saharan, not to mention millions of gallons of the famed caustic guano "Al-Shitean" collected from the caves of the vicious biting Tsetse, these rare and exquisite red clay bricks were carried on the backs of thousands of tribesmen who were forced into servitude at the time.

       These millions of red clay and straw bricks were stacked and locked together in an ingenious locking pattern never seen before, they were stacked and locked a thousand feet into the air and across the great Zingfinnanarian divide in such a way as to form a world wonder of sorts which became an architectural masterpiece crowned the ninth wonder of the world by many engineering masters! It is said, that to stand at its base in awe was to be sole changing, an experience only those who by King's decree, were in a unique position to experience.

       The brick marvel was built by native Zingaroon tribes, who at the time were nomadic people. Roaming the Hauls Plateau and the Grand Erg Occidental grasslands of inner Algeria. The dam has become a great piece of history and the pride of millions to the warring tribes on both sides of the border. It is said, to say "a fragile peacekeeping element" of both societies is the understatement of the century.

       Although not at the time, more recently these bricks have become even more precious, gaining historical significance when of consideration are the land masses which more recently also gained a "Historical Regional Significance" status by the World Archeological Society, and although not wanted, in by doing so did the W.A.S. infuse its own "ownership" of sorts on the dam.

       Having no legal authority to do so, nevertheless, this new "status" created by the W.A.S. complicated things further, as this new "dedication" means that the earthen clay's and highland grasses taken from these areas and used in the brick-making process have themselves individually become "essentially sacred" historical artifacts, and in essence, gained incredible protections and heightened values; religious implications notwithstanding.

       To date, and of minor interest to medical scholars, and although there is no direct evidence mentioned here; to state links between ongoing outbreaks of severe genital boils, painful pustules, swelling, burning skin, rashes, and any relationship between local farmers bathing in the dams salt water which has become infused with aforementioned famed caustic Tsetse guano used in the brick binding processes, must be dissuaded by any means. As they say back home, "The tents are up, and mum's the word".

       That being said, to demolish the dam, and therefore remove the bricks and/or harm them in any way by demolishing the dam using high explosives, as was the original plan by both countries and with the world now watching, is clearly out of the question.

       Not to mention, where exactly does one move millions of bricks, how do you carry them, and at what cost of time, labor, and incredible expense? In addition, what do you do with millions of gallons of salt water that would, albeit momentarily, flow unabated and uncontrolled south towards the small village of Naama, and onward creating who knows what ecological disaster?

       And besides, where the hell do you put seventeen hundred "Kingdanroon" tribesmen, families, goat herds, and nomadic horse herds temporarily? As far as public opinion and nomadic goat herders living on historic warring tribal lands are concerned, it's simple, you don't. We need solutions.

       Rumor has it, there is a tribal genius of sorts named AlKarish-Alkasann, a local braggard and drunkard who has worked the problem. According to locals, through one of his many black market information channels, he has become privy to the problem at hand; and it is said, that after drinking many calfskin botas of the spicy Singari-Shaman "Sun" wine, and sensing riches, AlKarish-Alkasann in all his glory, has arrived at the solution. A blessing for his clan and those who wish him well.

       It is said, while standing behind his tent and pissing onto the ground, and into his very private catch basin, he noticed a small pipe coming from the bottom of the foul-smelling hole. He noticed his "glory" was being drained by this small pipe, and quickly ran downhill into the glistening crystalline desert sands and grasses of his ancestors, not to be seen again! A multi-generational thing for sure, but to him, this was a true miracle and explains the reason for his robust goat herds which for centuries have fed on these sacred grasslands. This also explains his legendary powerful "manhood", perhaps a simple thing, perhaps not. His goats eat the grasses, and he eats the goats, a simple thing.

       That was it he thought! Simply put, a large pipe with valves at the base of the dam, run the pipe to the sacred dessert sand crystals and drain the dam just as his "glory" hole had drained, a simple thing!

       And then, leave the dam wall standing as a temple of sorts, a testament, and a massive shrine reflecting his people's achievements and precious solidarity between the two nations.

A simple thing.

The End.