The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-09-15
The Survey of the Adirondacks.

OF the water supply to be obtained from
the Adirondacks, the Albany Evening
journal has the following:
"The source ofthe Hudson river is in four
comparatively small lakes-known respec-
lively as Round, Catlin, Rich and Harris
lakes the surplus waters ofwhich pass UNI
| obstructedly from one to the other into their
outlet, the Hudson. The water arising
from the melting of the winter SHOWS, an
nualy more rapid and early as the sur
rounding forests are cleared passes into
| the Hudson without restraint ut season
when everywhere water is abundant, car
rying with it immense quantities OF earth
and depositing it where the force of the
current is snent, thus forming the bars we
are so frequently required to remove.
Hon. Alexander Barkley, the present ef-
ficient canal commissioner of the eastern
division of the canals, early realized the
great danger menacing our canals from n
| failure of the Hudson river navigation, and
during the last session of the legislature Sc
cured small appropriation to enable him
to make surveys, maps and plans for dam
ming the outlet of lakes and constructing
reservoirs on the head waters of the Hud-
son river During the past three months
corps of engineers has been employed by
Mr.. Barley surveying the four lakes which
are inc source OF lHc huusOu, alsO
| Raquette, Forkcd and Long lakes and their
tributaries. while the surveys are as yet
incomplete, sufficient progress has been
made to determine important facts, viz:
That it is not only feasible TO add largely
to the supply of water from the present
source of the Hudson by the erection of
| suitable dams, but also that the immense
volume of water which now passes from
Raquette, Forked and Long lakes and Cold
river may be turned into the Hudson by the
erection of II single dam across the outlet
of Long lake below its confluence with Cold
river, and cutting channel one mile and
half in length and eleven feet IN depth. The
volume of water which could thus be d.
verified from the St. Lawrence we should
| judge to be five told greater than that which
flows into the Hudson from its present
| source.
By the erection Of dams at the outlets of
each of the lakes we have named, itappears
that seven reservoirs combining an acre Of
nearly or quite one hundred miles in length,
| can be constructed while scarcely disturb
ing the present outlines OF the lakes, In
these vast reservoirs the water can be ac-
cumulated and stored during the fall rains
and spring thaws, and controlled and sup
piled 10 the Hudson during the summer
months as needed. In this manner and AT
u comparatively moderate cost it is claimed
that the navigation OF the Hudson can he
materially and permanently improved, and
maintained at all seasons, and the usual
spring freshets in great measure avertcd.
Besides furnishing the additional supply
of water, the Improvement would secure for
our own markets, the vast quantity of Valu-
able timber which the lake rcgisn abounds,
which otherwise can only find an outlet and
market through the ST. Lawrence and be-
sides adding to the natural wealth OF the
state would contribute largely to the rev.
enues and tonnage of the canals.
If the final report of the engineer shall
confirm all that is now claimed for the
proposed improvements, there can be no
doubt but the legislature will approve and
make the needed appropriation to commence
and complete the work.