The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1883-11-02
The Water Supply Question.
AURORA, ILL.,. October %. Is

AOhOhA, LII, OCbODcl I'd. 1000
Editor of Register and Journals | have
just received the Middlebury REGISTER
of October 10, in which | read some re-
marks in regard to Middlebury's water
supply. Lake Dunmorc is all right; but
why go so far? | think an adequate sup
ply can be obtained from stream known
as Roaring brook, which flows off from
the mountain in the east part of the town.
The distance, think, is about four and
one-half miles, and the fall sufficiently
great so that the reservoir can be placed
on the top of Chipman's hill. This will
give Middlebury fountains and facilities
for eXtinguishing fires equal, | think, to
those possessed by any city in the world.
Some may dislike soft mountain water
for drinking purposes and object to this
plan on that ground. If you want as
good water as can be found anywhere on
the broad earth. 90 to the head of the
Dow brook put in pipe and convey the
water to point about one mile east of
George IIammond's residence. where the
Nichols q Wheeler chair factory used to
stand from which point the water can be
easily forced to the reservoir on Chip
mans hill. According to this plan
think the distance is four and One.half or
five miles. The distance can be short
ened about one mile by connecting the
pipe with the brook on fathers farm.
This is our source of water supply in a
dry time, and is very good water except
after heavy rains. when it is roily; but
at such times the pump can be stopped.
| think we have plenty of good water in
Middlebury without going to Lake Dun
more for it,. | have another plan by
which the distance can be reduced to not
more than three and onc-fOurth miles,
but have not time to give it now.
Respectfully yours,
THOs. f. BOYCE.
The suggestion regarding Roaring
belief is based upon a personal eXamina-
ton of the brook and its surroundings
and the statements of Deacon Boyce,
who has always lived in the vicinity and
is known to be Il cal eful, observing man.
The brook has its origin high up among
the mountains, almost directly east from
this village. The water comes chiefly
| from springs. AT the head of the brook
| is pond of several acres area, which
might be used as storage reservoir, if
that should be deemed necessary. We
do not think it would. however. The
stream itself is of ample volume through
the entire year. 1t flows down the side
are no saw-mills upon its banks, and the
water is as pure as can be found any
where. The water can be taken at any
height. and could without difficulty be
carried oyer the top of Chapman hill
From the foot of the mountain to Chip
man hill the land is comparatively leve
not over four and one-half miles. Fol
aught we can see, Middlebury can be
supplied with an abundance of the bes
water from this source, at a cost not toe
great to be borne. There will be M
pumping required, and when the work.
are put in the expense of maintenance
will be almost nothing. 1t is hard t,
imagine better plan. What we need il
an abundance of water that is of a quail
ity fitting 1t not only for drainage, fire
extinguishng and street-watering pur
poses, but also for domestic uses; thi
need is fully appreciated by every think
ing person in the village, and here ap
pears to be a practicable way to suppl,
; the thing we desire We hope the rout
will soon be accurately surveyed and es
Inmates of the cost made. The time ha
come for action in the matter, and tn
sooner we have water supply the better