Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-07-20
BR4TTLEBoRos WATER POWER
A PROJECT WHICH LOOKS FEASIBLE AND hAs -
IT THE PROMISE OF GREAT THINGS FOR I'll
TOWN

a PROJECT WHICH LOOKS FEASIBLE AND BAs ~
1T THE PROMISE OF GREAT THINGS FOR TIL
TOWN.
Within the past month, as is already
known to some of our citizens, certain pre-.
liminary operations have been on foot With
regard to an enterprise which has in it very
great possibilities for the growth and develop.
ment OF the business interests of Brattebor0.
For years past it has been believed by many
people that the Connecticut might be made
to afford al this point one OF the best water
powers on the river, and il is with view to
the development OF these possibilities that
the steps mentioned have been taken. Upon
the responsibility Of certain genllemen--(ieo.
Il. Crowell, c. II. Davenport, l.. b. tue,
and G. W. HoOker-a Boston engineer ha.
been employed to make survey of the river
and ascertain the facts with regard to this
supposed water power. Two surveys have
been made, ono with a view to a dam above
the mouth of the West river and the othe;
with view to dam at the lead OF thl %.
land across from the end of the ledge at the
foot OF the mountain. Tue former project
proved to be impracticable the hitter is pro.
nounced to be entirely feasible. The plan
contemplatcs carrying the water by canal
down to the level and meadow lands on the
New Hampshire side below the toll bridge.
The engineer finds that between the head Of
OF the island and the Thomas meadows there
Is natural fall of Il feet With dam seven
teet high, such as the plan now talked OF con-
templates this fall would be increased to l4l
feet. The water could be used twice over
once on the Level land just byloy lLe Lriq4s
and second time down on the Thomas mead.
ows, This dam would set the water back az
far as Putney, thus giving a storage reservoir
OF Immense capacity. Tho engineers leyea
show that the dam would not set back tue
West river so as to affect tho asylum mead
ows This is contrary to the genorel impress
sion and seems hardly possible. The eugi-
heer atlrms, however, that dykes to protect
these meadows would be necessary at only two
points, and these for very short distances.
Should the dam be built the channel of the
little river" would be utilized Tor tee pa
pose OF canal to carry the water down 70
the low lands where the mills would be locat-
ed. 1t is understood that all the land neoes.
sary for the enterprise could be bought at Q
reasonable price. Probably both the Islands
would be utilized.
II all the facts are as they are now undeI-
stood to DO the water power at this point ID
not exceeded at any place ON the river except
at Holyoke' Thore the natural fall ia some'
what creator aud the water is used three
times over. Should mature examination
show this project to be entirely feasible it ia
probable that stock company would be
formed to put it through The cost of the
dam will be governed by the depth of water
found at the foot of the ledge it is various
" estimated at from $50, 600 to 800, 900,
mat the successful prosecution of such an
enterprise would be OF incalcuable benefit to
the business interests of Rrattloboro reef
not be said, The Only point OF disadyant Ggt
lies in the fact that the mills and much Ok
the accompanying growth OF buildings would
he outside Brattleboro on the New Hamp.
shire side. Practically, however this growth
would DO of the same benefit 10 BrattlebOFo