The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-10-20
The Blue Eal til Water Power.

The question that has long agitateo
the minds Of our people and one that
is of paramount Importance to the flu
turc growth and prosperity of the city
of Mankato, is the establishment of a
water power of sufficient capacity to
induce the establishment here of man.
utactories. Years ago the idea of
utilizing the Blue Earth river for this
purpose was conceived, and an imper-
feet survey taken, which has been al
lowed to slumber in quiet until few
months since, when DR.. McMahan
brought the matter before the Board of
Trade, and later, called the attention OF
the City Council to the importance. Of
the project, urging that body to cause II
careful survey of the river by the city
engineer, together with estimates US To
the probabable cost of dam and the
excavation of canal through which to
run the water. The Council acted upon
the suggestion, and authorized engi-
neer Brown to pr. coed in the survey,
which he did, completing his work last
week.
Mr.. Brown has taken great deal
Of pains to make the SUI sey complete
and reliable. The question has been
raised whether or not by constructing a
dam ten feet high, it would not cause
the overflow of certain lands along the
river bed, and in answer to this, the
engineer finds that by Locating the dam
at the point known as Slbley's Mound,
and throwing up cheap dyke work for
about 500 feet above this point, would
obviate the overflow. The banks of
the river, back as far us the Red Jacket
mill are sufficiently high to protect the
surrounding country from damage by
floods. The bed of the river, eleven
feet below the present surface, (which
is about low water mark,) is found to be
solid rock bottom. BY raising the
water 10 feet above its present height,
As is proposed, at the mounds, the water
would be backed up to very near the
Red Jacket mill, but would not, in the
estimation of the engineer, disturb that
water power in the slightest.
The Blue Earth could be tapped by
The construction Of race at point
between the old brewery and the
mound, and run to where the old S. NJ. {
iepot was formerly located, where it is &.
thought the most feasible place to con-
truct whatever manufactures may be
induced to take advantage of the pow
r. From thence, the water, after hav. A,
ng been used, could be run to the c
Minnesota river, 1900 feet distant. I
The fall thus attained would be IA I
Get, which would give sufficient power
or all practical purpt ses, and give to
dankato what she reeds and must
ave before any considerable manufac
uring interests can be induced TO To- L
ate here. The entire length of the race,
rom the Blue Earth river to the old
epot grounds, would be- three quarters
I mile, and the approximate cost of
he dam, which would be four hundred
eet long, is placed at 100000 and of
he canal or aqueduct $4,000 making
total for the entire work, $4,000. q
Mr.. Brown, as we said before has
cen very precise in every minute de-
all connected with this important sur Il
ey, and his map aud profile, prepared L
Or the City Corucil is extremely COM
rehensive. The importance to Manka- u
,, of water power is of too great mo- II
lent to allow this project to rest here, but Il
should be taken :, hand and pushed )
, completion. Even adding $4,000 s
} the engineers figures, cannot the city u
etter afford to invest $4,000 in an en- u
,rprise of this nature, which will year. II
Y add wealth and Importance to our 5
interests and growth to q
ur population, than to plod along in II
he. old-time rut of indifference 1t 8
'ould so seem, and now all will await II
18th eager expectancy the further 81
Movement and development for first a
lass water power for Mankato.