The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1840-02-15
NORTH BRANCH DIVISION.

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in length. Navigation opeaed on it the first
day of April, and continued with as few in
teruptions during the season, as from the
wretched condition of the locks and aque-
ducts, could have been expected. The locks
between Northumberland and Nanticoke,
were originally constructed of wood; and
having been ten years in use, from the nat
ural decay OF timber, it will be apparent 10
all, that navigation could only be kept up
| by the closest attention.
On the 29th of August last, proposals
we're received for rebuilding all the wooden
locks on the North-Branch division, the
aqueducts over Mill Creek and Lodges
Run, all the defective bridges on the divi-
sions, and for constructing a substantial
towing path along the pool Of the Nanti-
coke dam. Contracts were entered into a,
prices favorable TO the commonwealth,
but the scarcity Of funds prevented the rapid
progression Of the work. The locks will
be bull; upon the combined plan with wood
and stone.
The feeder dam, at Lackawsnns, was
swept away by the food last spring, and
the shute of the Nanticoke dam was very
seriously injured. The latter has been
placed under contract, and the repairs will
be completed in time for the spring naviga-
ton.
By the fourth section Of the act of the 9th
day of July last, entitled Gan act TO pro-
vide for the repairs Of the several lines Of
canal and rail road, and to continue the i'm
provements of the state, the canal COM
missioners were authorized TO change the
location OF the feeder dam on the Lackawan-
ma river and if necessary, to extend the
feeder up said creek to distance not ex-
ceeding two miles--if, in the opinion of
the commissioners, after careful examlna-
ton by competent scientific engineer,
they shall deem such change necessary to
promote the interests of the commonwealth
and secure the permsnency Of said work"
| The board, accompanied by their ensin-
eer, Mr.. Warford, personally examined the
proPso5oG siGt; Change o. iSean5h ., ts sue' - Il
dam, and are OF the opinion, that for the
purpose of introducing ,he Lackawanna as
feeder, it will not be necessary 10 extend
the canal two miles up that stream. A
good location occurs about one third Of a
mile above the old dam, which, for all the
uses Of a feeder should be adopted; but il
the legislature designed 10 furnish TO the in
habitan,s of Lackawanna valley, who are
at present cut off from the improvements
by the rapids in that stream, an outlet for
their rich mineral and agricultural products,
by extending the canal beyond the "Falls,
which occur within the first two miles,
then the dam should be constructed about
one mile and seven-eights above the former
location. At that point there is an eXcell-
, ent site, requiring little over two hundred
feet wier, on rock bottom, and between ma
tural rock abutments of coarse sand stone
Fifiy-eight feet of Leckage would be requir
ed to descend from the pool formed by this
! the dam and locks sre estimated to cos
! $96,OOO,OO. No appropriations having
: q been made by the legislature, for the accom-
plishment of the proposed change the boarC
$ directed the temporary dam, which haC
been hastily thrown up TO supply naViga
ton. 10 be kept in repair throughout tn,
! season-and postponed decision until fur
i ther Legislative action could be had on tn
+ subject. If the lower location be adopte
d the dam and additional feeder are estimate
! to cost $ll 10000
In addition 10 the repairs now under con
l. tract on this division, requiring very larg
l. sum to be appropriated, the board woul
= recommend that psovision be made for cor
'' sructing a towing path bridge across th
pool of the Nanticoke dam--iOr deepenin
J. about FIVE miles of the lower end OF III
ct first level below the dam,-fcr about or
70 mile Of protection wall below Berwicl
n originally constructed Of timber, an
u for erecting a guard lock at Hemloc
I'd creek to protect the canal below, in times
'e hoed.
es The following is the estimated amount II
IL quired for repairs, viz:
n Renewing eight locks, $66,3s6 6
ne Aqueduct over Lodges run, 1876 2
Aqueduct at Mill creek, 1880
al Repairing NanIicoke dam bal
IS ance) 1862
p Repairing shute at Nanticoke dam, 4,376 z
d, Constructing towing path along the
e, pool of Naniicoke dam, $4,000
is Rebuilding and repairing 60 bridg-
pit es (balance) 3l,sS5
ls- Castings. 100
be Rebuilding walls, l3,5OO
in Repairing weigh lock at Nor!hum-