Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1868-11-26
Water Power of Maine.

account of the water power on three
of the largest rivers in Maine, taken
from the Report of the Commission
ers of the photographic Survey of
the State. This report was written
no doubt by Walter Wells, Esq, of
Portland, the Secretary. We, this
week, give the report of the several
water powers in this county -
The principal power in town. 1--WE
copy from the report) situated on the
Union river, at Ellsworth village and
above, the totsl fall beng eighty five
feet in about two miles, or one hun
dred feet in two and quarter miles.
Above this point the river is level for
q long distance, the upper dam flow
ing the current back about ten miles,
and slackening it about twelve or fif-
teen miles.
No estimate of the power has been
made by measurement. The river
is from ten to fifteen rods in width.
The current in summer at low water.
provi led there were no dams, would
be about four miles per hour; and
when the river is full about eight
miles. The power can be trebled by
using tie lakes above for storage of
water.
There arc thirty three ponds con-
tanning from 100 to 5000 acres each
and twelve will exceed 1000 acres
each. There arc also smaller ponds.
Most of the lakes and ponds have
dams at their outlets for the sole pur-
pose of driving logs in the spring,
and these lessen the spring frsshcts
materially.
Ere; hcrs hive never caused but
triaing damage upon this river, and
none for the past twenty-five years,
worth mentioning. The range from
high to low water may be perhaps.
six feet where the river is narrow.
The water now being employed
sometimes runs low in
severe drouths. As above stated at
slight expense copious supply for
the whole year could be secured, and
for mach larger use than is now made
of the power.
The mills work about seven m onths
ii the year; lie still in the winter and
carly spring. They might be work
ed all the year, 50 far as regards the F
supply of water.
The machinery has not been app
Piled with anv view to cconomizing
power. The wheels &c. are entirely
ordinary.
There are rorks in the vicinity, talcose
slate suitable for building. Law OF the
land above the falls tor almost the
entire two and quarter miles on the
m1ia river is favorable for the loca-
ton of mills, workshops, boarding
houses. &c. Excellent opportunities
offer for caaalling and for dividing
the waters Of the river. At one point
rather more than mile from tide
waters, a canal can be run for over
half a mile with fall of thirty two
feet, and in no way interfering with
the privileges above.
The power is employed almost cx-
clusivcly in the manufacture of lum-
Der. The mills have been running
fifty years; have largely increased in
numbers in the last twenty years,
during which time the populati II of
the town has increased from 2000 TO
5000 and its valuation in corrc-
spending ratio.
Average annual production, 3d.
100000 feet of long lumber; 200,-
900 sugar-box shocks; 200, 200 |
lathes; 100000 shingles; 200,-
600 clapboards, and a large quantity
of smaller stuff. Value of annual
estimated at from $780,
600 to $95Q,000.
The falls are situated upon tide
waters, and can be approached by
vessels of good capacity, at high wa
ter.
Cards stream is put down as hav-
ing at sometime had located on it two
saw-mills, one single mill, one grist
mill and carding mill.
Five powers are assigned to Reeds ,
pond stream. There are two dams
and mills. The others unoccupied.
II ,,,ht oc ell 49,. G..