Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1849-11-30
JAMES RIVER Il KANAWHA CANAL.
PRACTICABILITYEOF THE WATER LINE.
EXTRACT fran the Chief EDoineo,se Penort

j ne neXtstep IN the progress OF the improvement en-
braces by common consent the extension to Covingon
And as lar am acquainted with the views of the
stockholders and the opinion of the public there is no
difference ofopinon as to the plan ofhs portion of the
improvement All agree that the water line should be
carried to Covngton.
The only question, therefore, to be submitted to your
consideration in relation to this part the line is, whe
Their the time has arrived for an application to the le
glslature tor the means OF prosecuting the work
Without pretending 10 enter into the discussion | will
offer few practical reasons why think it advisable
to continue the work on without interruption.
First. After the completion oil the canal to Bucha-
nan, OF which there but little doubt, during the next
year, we will have large number Of well trained me-
chancs, which we have been abourng for three years
to collect who could be Immediately transferred to the
extended works. but should they be dsbanded BY sus-
pension of operations at Buchanan, it will require like
or even longer period to collect together force SO
efficient The further remove of the line into the in1e
nor will increase the difficulty Of mastering new force
and subject us to greater delay than has been ex
perleneed IN the prosecution OF the work between
Lynchburg and Buchanan.
Secondly The contractors now on the line many of
whom 1t Is presumable would take contracts are fully
equipped with cranes, derrcks and TOOLS which to them
would be much active capital in the commencement
OF new Jobs, and which, together with the profits it is
hoped they will realize from their present contracts
would enable them to prosecute their with yipour
and more proht to themselves and satisfaction to the
company.
And lastly. The contractors now on the line would
be enabled to take the work cheaper by about the diff
ference in the first of their tools and machinery and
the amount they would be worth if employed on the
extended work. so that the Of the equipments OF the
contractors IN effect much capital of the company
that would be lost by suspension OF the work. Many
other reasons might be adduced shew WHY the work
should be pressed forward but the limit have prescribed
to myself will not admit of their being brought forward
here; they will however, readily those acquant-
ed with the long deferred expectations ofthe public
In relation to the extension of the canal west to Cow
ngton aud the union of the waters OF the James and
hanawha rivers every years experience and observa-
ton confirm in the views have heretofore express
ed believe it entirely feasible and practicable 10 carry
the water line across the Allegheny. The only ques-
ton involved is that fcost, and that regard as minor
consideration compared with the great and important
interests at stake.
Although the almost unprecedented drought and long
continuance OF dry weather in the mountains will for
many years come sgnaZe the past as the 'drv sea-
son.; our rain gauges indicate 80 inches of downfall
water, which, alter the usual allowance for evaporation
and wastage, will be sufficient, emitting the water from
running streams to afford sufficient supply for the
summit level, and the passage OF 26O boats per day
1t has been stated in reports heretofore made to the
company, that 1t is thing to gather rain
water into reservoirs tor the supply omuch longer levels
than required to be ted from the same source on the
summit level OF ine nevertheless the plan of artj-
lcal reservoirs Is denounced experiment the like
| OF which was never heard of before. And even the
mode OF ascertanlng the annual fall of rain water on
the Allegheny assaled with rdicule though the same
as that adopted all over the world, and practised by
philosophers and in their interesting nvestqa-
tons OF the physical sciences But for my part truth
is the great result at which wish to arrive and care
but little in what position that result places me in regard
to the opinions OF others, especially ofthose "who with
100 much PRIDE to study and too much wit think,
underVaue what they do not understand, and condemn
| what they do not comprehend" With the hope how
ever, OF making some impression, on this class of
men, nave taken some pains during the past year to
collect information with regard to the extent which art-
cla reservoirs are relied upon feeders for the summit
levels OF canals IN our country and the success which
has attended them In lieu OF any detailed statement of
the numerous facts elected by correspondence and de-
rived from books and reports beg leave to substitute
and invite attentive perusa of the following very able
and comprehensive letter of w Minor Roberts, Esqr.,
| who deseryedly ranks amongst the most distinguished
practical engineers OF the country.
New LISBON, OHIo October 9, 1849
| MAJOR WALTER GwYNN, Chief Engineer
| OF the <0ntes Rirer and Rdndloha Canal.
DEAR SIR: In accordance with the promise made to
youn August last, herewith present statement in
regard to several OF our northern canals which aIe de-
pendent Tor their supply OF water upon artificial reser-
yors.
The absence of the late President of the Penpsvvona
and ONO canal company and the illness of their
che gneer, have prevented from obtaining infor.
nation, IN detail, concerning that work; nor have
been able to procure as many facts desirable
speeding the Ohio canal. The other works. upon which
have heretofore been engaged engineer, you will
find more particularly described.
First The Sandy and Bearer canal, seventy three
miles IN length connecting the Ohio canal at Boluar
eighty miles south of Cleveland with the Ohio river at
GMSgoao, forty miles below Pntsburg.
The summit level fourteen and one half miles; three
miles OF the western and mile Of the eastern div-
sion are supplied during the summer almost entirely
from artificial reservoirs.
The summit is little five hundred feet above
Lake Erie; and the surface OF the principal reservoirs
when filled, is about twenty-five feet above the canal
and can be drawn down that depth.
ihere ~ were three reservoirs ~. designed but Of
been completed and used The others are nearly finish
ed and oil them will be put in operation this fall II
IS In reference to the West Fork reservoir only that my
observations may be considered as derived from pract
cal experience and my remarks will therefore be chiefly
confined to this one
This reservoir when full will cover five hundred acres
but at the present height at which the temporary waste
Weir placed 1t overows about four hundred and y
| acres. In dry weather the minimum flow of all
the streams emptying into the reservoir as thoroughly
tested by series OF careful measurements is Sirtu
cubic feet per minute drains tfreke square miles Of
country, about twothirds of which are cleared and cu
tyated; all OF billy rroing character The average
al OF ram is rather more than three feet but in my ca
caauons have assumed it at thirtysix inches This
gives downfall, per square mile of 80 635 200 cubic
1eet, and total downfall in twelve square miles of
o5o22,4oo CUBIC feet. Experience has shewn that
TINS reservoir Will nil In the spring, and afford in addition
WAFER Ior ABOUT three runs OF stones during the whole
year, ~
have estimated the annual evaporation in this region
from such body OF water, at ortytwo inches; beey-
ing at the same time that this is rather above the actual
quantity As the reservoir is gradually drawn down
during the summer assume the average surface eyano
rated rom at three hundred acres which gives for loss
by evaporation 457 $4,000 cubic feet As nearly as
could be determined, there was an average flow dnrino
the year, for the of the mills leakage and otherwise
o. about tour hundred cubic feet per minute, making for
Inc year, gloI4oooo cubic feet The quantity actually
stored up or canal use independently Of the preceding
Items was about 200 oooO 600 cubic feet that the en-,
tire available quantity about 4lo24o 0OO or about
tour tenths OF the entire downfall of rain
The whole extent of country above the plane of the
summit, at command for reservoir purposes is about
eighty square miles but twelve Of which are yet brought
lhlo use apprehend that Tor the largest trade it will
never be necessary for the company to avail themselves
OF all the drainage within their control
| Aecon9 The Erie Ertensioa Canaiin Western Penn
yVania' running north and south, connecting the Ohio
river at Bed0er, twenty-eight miles below Pittsbnrq
with the lakes at the harbour of Erie; one hundred and
| thlIty-six miles III length.
Inc summit is five hundred and ten feet above the
lake, and distant therefrom torty- and one half miles
The supply Tor this distance NORTH and fifteen and one
hall miles south, including summit OF about four miles
comes entirely from the Conneaut reserUoir. This was
the acreage flow from which, during the summer of
1852 was three hundred and twenty-five cubic feet per
minute. The lake was raised by means of artificial
| mounds, eLPceD ieet above ts H.