The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1871-01-13
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REPORT.
On the Proposed Green Creek I'm.
provement.

COLUMBUS, OHIO, Dec. rs, 1870
]. d. BoTEFUB, ESQ, Chairman of Committee:
In compliance with your request that
make an examination, and report to YOU nv
views in regard to your contemplated Green
Greek water power, 1 examined the point on
Green Creek selected by Mr. Smith for the
erection of a dam across the valley of that
stream, and the line OF his survey for canal
to the river, l then went to Green Spring near
the "Stoner Mill" and made careful measure
ment of the water flowing from it through the
mill race. This being a very dry season there
was no surface water flowing into, and but
little water leaking from the race, the uuanti-
ty of water flowing from the Spring was as
certained to be GO cubic feet per minute. I
also examined the spring near the Hedges
Mill' but had not time to measure it. The
necessary measurements were afterwards tax
en- by J. II. McArdle Esq, of Fremont, and
sent to me, from which 1 ind that the water
flowing from the spring is 600 cubic feet per
minute. This gives US the product of both
springs, that can be relied upon at all times of
the dryest season 1860 cubic feet per minute.
Judging from the character OF the stream
below, and its bluff banks, I think that the
loss by evaporation and absorption that would
ordinarily take place in canal of equal
length would be fully made up by the springs
and seapage from the bluff banks into the
stream, so that we may safely calculate on the
full quantity of 1860 feet, possibly more at any
point where the dam may be located. The dam
should be carefully constructed so as to permit
no perceptible loss by leakage, and throw the
whole quantity into the canal OR race. From
this point to where the water is to be used, a
loss by leakage and evaporation must be pro-
Ia1 ba
upon the care with which the canal is built,
and ought to be very small. The whole loss
ought not to exceed l3 cubic feet, per mile
per minute or q canal three miles in length saw
40 cnbic feet per minute, leaving l,320, feet
per minute for hydraulic purposes at the river
during every day and night in the yea-. In
addition to this 1t Is safe / think to assume
that for six months in the year, land probably
more) the water from the surface, and lateral
branches flowing into the stream, that NAV be
passed through the canal for use, viii be more
than equal Gn three months) to the quantity
supplied from the springs as above. The
quantity and value of this additional supply
you who are familiar with the stream, and the
uses to which 1t may be supplied in those
months, can judge better than 1 can. The
quantity will depend to some extent upon the
capacity Of the pond or Reservoir formed by
building the dam acress the valley of the
stream.
The profile sent me by Mr.. Amsden, shows
that dam ten feet high at the Creek, viii
give fall at the uver OF 30 feet. Mr. Smith
reports fall at the river on his survey of 40
feet The amount of power produced by
given quantity Of water, is in direct proper
ton to the amount Of available fall, over
which it is used therefore the same quantity
Of water used on fall of 40 feet would pro-
duce only four ffths 10y the effective power
that it would on fall Of so feet. For pres
ent purposes 1 shall base my figures on q fall
of so feet.
have been furnished copy Of a letter
written by Samuel Fouer of DAYTON, 10 Mr.
Amsden, in regard tc the value of your water
power on given basis. The large experience
and ability OF Mr.. Fouer, as Civil Engineer,
and his intimate acquaintance with the subject
Of hydraulics, entities his opinions, and figures
to great confidence in this case shall there
fore IN the main adopt lis conclusions as to
the value Of this power, and referring YOU to
ms letter for details, Will give results only.
Mr.. Fouer figures on 80 feet fall ard 1860
cubic feet OF water, while have the same full
Quit and 1921 feet of water as a constant
supply. The value at Fremont where YOU
nave but little power, ought to be more than |
1t Dayton, where they have a largo amount of !
t, but will assume 1t to be the same, which |
Will make it entirely safe.
By dividing the total fall into three parts, |
Ar. Fouer makes the value of 1860 feet of |
Fater $500, per year. This would give as |
he value Of 1920 feet Of water SO, 10 per wear.
If to this we add an equal quantity of wa |
er for SIX months in the year as above assum- |
ID at the same rate of value 1885, we have |
IN aggregate value OF $3.50 per year.
Mr.. Smith estimates the cost of the improy-
nent on his survey at SIS, ,29G.60 exclusive of |
1ght Of way, land for mill purposes and land |
iamages caused by the erection of the dam |
&c. have not been able to obtain a COPY of |
DIR. Amsdens estimate, and have not the ne
essary date from which to make an estimate
myself, and can not therefore compare the
ost Of the two locations.
The interest paying capacity of the improve
nent as private enterprise will of course de-
'snd upon the cost of construction, including
light OF way, land damages, which should be
scertained as nearly as practicable. Beyond
his question OF paying interest however is an
ther, and more important matter for the pro-
erty owners, and business men of Fremont to
onsider, which is, the influence upon the bus
ness, wealth and prosperity of the town, that
1ill result from creating and putting into use
Tlthln the corporate limits, a permanent and 7
Onstant hydraulic power, equal to I25 horses J.
nd an additional amount equal to l25 hors-
8 during SIX months of the year and perhaps
lore. On this subject it is unnecessary for
le to express any opinion, as the business
len of Fremont are fully competent to Judge
it for themselves. 1 shall therefore for the
resent at least leave the matter for their con-
Iteration. Very Respectfully,
S. MEDBERY.