Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-04-30
VOL. XLvIII. NEW SERIES. VOL. XXI

rangement. this river interlocks its lakelets and
streams with the two terminal branches OF the Hud-
son, the Rock, Cedar anu Indian, Its great noun
tam tributaries-with the various streams. which,
like the east and west Canada creeks, discharge
their waters into the Mohawk with the upper
sources of the Black, Moose, Independence, Beaver
ana Oswegatchie which flow west into Lake Ontario
with the Grass and st. Regis. which flow north to
the st. Lawrence and with the Ausable and Sara
mac which pour their torrents into Lake Chsmplan.
From the singular position OF this basin, lying di
rectly on the divide of the plateau, almost physi
cal paradox, it follows that the lakes which SIT
uated near the separating line between this extern
siye basin and those adjacent to it, already named
are susceptible of easy diversion from their natural
courses 10 different and totally opposite water
sheds. This fact, which has long been known TO all
careful observers of this region, is not only one OF
interest, but may become one Of great Importance
in the turning to best account these rich water
treasures OF the State. Not only can some OF the
subordinate lakes be thus made TO contribute their
share where will prove of greatest service to the
public needs but several OF the largest natural re-
serFoirs may, without violence or injury 10 any
section, be thus brought to contribute their vast ac
cumulatons at points where every additional cubic
foot OF water is OF priceless value in aiding TO solve
the great commercial problems. which are row de
mandiDg the attention Of the stats.
But Prof. Benedict discusses the question
with reference to FIVE reservoirs on the Ra-
quette, three on the west Hudson, and nine
teen on various other tributaries, concluding
as follows:
The quantity of water here provided is about two
and one-haH times the amount demanded 10 sus-
tain the Hudson river at Troy one foot above its
summer and autumn stage.
Reservoirs may be increased in number. to any
extent desired, at rate OF cost, differing little from
that contained in the estimates given above.
finally, although the subject, specally that per-
tanning to the Hudson river, broad and Intricate
one, and demands further and exhaustive examina-
tons, have the fullest confidence in the resalts
above set forth. and believe that additional nvesti
satlon viii confirm their soundness and practical
value.
1t is not to be inferred from the fact thatexamina
tl0ns and estimates OF cost have been made the
eight prominent reservoirs hereIn discus sediye on
the haquette and three on the Hundson, and espe
cially as regards the remaining nineteen which
were subjected TO a less rigorous survey-that the
construction OF the whole or even any considerable
part OF them, is Immediately necessary or expe-
dent. The reverse OF this is unquestiunaby true.
The policy pointed at in this survey isDovel in many
OF Its features, involving great interests and deli
cate principles. Ii should not bo adopted, there
fore, without full knowledge and consideration o.
all the requisite facts, and above all, of direct,
experimental test. The early construction of one
two of the nearest reservoirs on the west branch
of the Hudson, Catin, Rich Harris. n cost Of
$500 to $50 0OJ, and yielding supply OF from six
TO fourteen, or even twenty millions of cubic feet,
would probably meet the immediate wants Ct the
state and test the soundness OF the policy proposed
The cost here set down for the results so
valuable as the increase Of the volume of
water one foot above its usual summer Or
autumn level at Troy (S426,j12,) is consid-
erably less than one-half of the sum already
expended upon the river between Lansing
burgh and New Baltimore. Since 1879
there have been spent for the purpose of i'm
proving the navigationof the river between
these points, the grand total of l,l23, sol.
%, and yet at times the supply Of water has
been very deficient and navigation almost
suspended II Mr.. Benedict's calculations
are correct, the State can employ its money
to no better purpose than in the construc-
ton of storing reservoirs upon the head
waters of the Hudson, and, a. he suggests,
the experiments can be tried at a triiling ex-
penSe.