Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1872-01-16


face during moderate stages, which,
alone goa to show that if the proper
equilibrium is once established for
any depth, the same would be pre-
served.
Upon the foregoing peculiarities
WAS based the plan ofthe experiment.
al improvements by means of wing
dams, and it was decided TO decrease
the breadth of the low-water channel
sufficiently to produce the required
depth, by building dams from alter
nate sides of the river. The ease
with which the sand could be moved
left no doubt as to the cutting of a
channel, but at the same time left
the stability of the dams in doubt
The dams were intended to confine
only the low water channel and were
built to the low water surface only,
so as not to impede high water.
x Twenty-Five dams were built DUR
ing the past season, varying from 80
feet to 700 feet in length, and gave a
total length of $500 feet. The ex-
periments were made at two points
-one near Dekorra, s miles below
Portage, and the other near Lone
Rock bridge. The dams were built
of stone and brush only, with little
gravel to stop leaks at the bottom
and prevent undermining.
Both portions of the river were
very bad, and the lower one in par
ticular, OF account of q misconstruct-
ed r. r. bridge.
The general results were all that
could be desired. The construction
of each dam caused an elevation of
the water above the same, which
again subsidized as the channel accom-
modated itself to the change of width
by the deepening of the river bed
There was usually general moving
of sand for some distance above and
below the contraction, and the sand
which was disturbed in the channel
was disposed Of on the spot, by be-
ing deposited in the eddy above and
below the dam, and not driven on
ward as it might be supposed to be
necessary, until the same should ul-
timately reach the gulf and be lost
A very marked instance Of this
kind can be seen at the pile portion
of the bridge at Muscoda, which is
filed up below the bridge for at least
100 feet with sand, some parts Of
which were higher than the bottom
lands; also about half that distance
above, the outline Of the lower bar is
convex-that of the upper is concave.
From the result OF tho imProvement,
thus far, | predict the same for ev-
cry wing.dam built, as soon as suf-
ticient sand shall reach it.
The latest soundings of the COM
parative surveys made in connec-
tioa with the experiments, gives al
ready, practically,a four feet channel
The channel was then still improv-
ing and adjusting itself to the curve
which was expected and had there
been time to exDend about $1,000
more, and had not the obstruction of
the atore mentioned bridge existed,
it would have been in my power to
report reliable 5 feet channel for
the z miles under construction.
As to the stability of the work |
have not the slightest doubt, although
repairs may and will be necessary !;
yet of the 5000 feet of dam, every
foot is as built, in place and l con-
slider the test which they withstood
when they were in such q stage that
the water was just pouring over in
one sheet, as much severer than any
they would be subject to in high
water, for it is known fact that
when the height of water above the
dam is considerable, as compared to
the height of the dam, the irregulari-
ties on the surface disappear, and the
water flows off freely, whilst that at
the bottom scarcely moves, and de-
posit takes place which makes the
work more secure.
As regards the cost Of the work,
this is below anything yet estimated /;
and so far has been $4,000 per mile,
including all expenses incident to
commencing work without prece-
dent. This can probably be reduced
to $4,000 per mile, and perhaps less
for the whole river, making q total
of about 100000. Additions and
repairs will necessarily follow, but
the expense will be comparatively
small. -
A question arises as to the ultimate
result in case a channel is formed
and the sand in the river disposed of,
but that other sand still continues to
be brought down. The natural re-
suit would be an elevating of the bed
of the river, and this conclusion led
me to inquire into the course and ex-
tent of the supply. An examination
of the river from Grand Rapids, To-
Gated the source in a number of sand
nils, from 10 to 80 feet high, which
gives a new supply every season dur
ing freshets. The hills are so located
that they can be secured against fur
Their washing away at a moderate ex-
pense and | do believe that. il this
much alone were done the river would
in time correct itself.
In conclusion, | would state that
having the advantage of last seasons
work the river can be diverted at
pleasure. 1t remains only for you,
gentlemen, to urge Congress to give
the necessary means to continue this
important work.
For the Wisconsin there will be no
appropriation required for the next
season as there are still SIS, 900 avail
able. Neither would there be one
required for canal between Green
Bay and Portage other than will be
needed to buy the Improvement and
make the necessary survey and ex.
animation next year.
f~The New York World publish.
es record of what is termed the
"bloody business" of the city for the
year 1871, with the following result