The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-05-21
MISSOURI R|VERPOWERCO|
Report Of the Committee Having
Under Consideration Proposed
Plan Of Action.
The Construction Of a Thirty Foot
Dam Will Develop 10000
Horse Power.
And Make a Lake Seven Miles Long
$4,000 Horse Power Can he
Brought to Helena.

Gentlemen: Your committe having under
consideration the question of proposed
plan of operations, begs leave to submit the
following report:
The preliminary surveys and examination
OF the Missouri river for the purpose OF
ascertaininR the feasibility of placing dam
in said river, and there developing power to
be transmitted to Helena, have been COM
pleted and the following results obtained:
line of levels run distance of thirty
feet above the low water mark of the rivel
shows that by raising dam to that height
practically no overflow will be occasioned
beyond the line Of the "Stubbs Ranch y
again at point little over mile below
the ferry known as Canyon Ferry;" that
an additional head of probably five feet
could be obtained without serious damage,
If thought desirable. 49,
A measurement of the river at point
shows width of water at the present time
OF two hundred and twenty-6v feet,
thanked on one side by wall of rock some
eighty feet above the water, while on the
other side the ground recedes at slope of
about six feet in one hundred, underlaid
with bed rock near the surface. The vol
ume OF water at the point measures at least
an average of ten feet in depth, with a
width Of two hundred feet flowing at a
velocity of four miles per hour. This vol
ume OF water elevated to thirty foot head
would deliver, at the top of the dam, 10000
horse power.
With turbine wheels of improved pattern
and guaranteed efficiency of eighty per
cent, with the best class Of electrical ma
chlnery utilized, with any call or demand
Tor 1t, at least 5000 horse power could be
delivered in the city of Helena, available
for any mechanical purpose whatever.
No definite estimate of the cost of a dam
Mt Ek1lA mint h0a hoov, Ia
cla1 style of construction could not as yet
be decided upon.
The question of how much power could
be disposed of in the city of Helena is found
to be quite as favorable as anticipated. At
least two Thousand and possibly three
if now ready for delivery.
Inc elevation OF the water of the river to
9 height of thirty feet would cause an over
flow and lake one mile at it's widest point,
and extending seven miles, as the river now
runs, from the dam up the stream, afford
citizens of Helena. This would necessitate
the construction of railroad from some
point in the city to the river, which, as soon
as the dam is completed, would afford no
uncomfortable revenue above the cost of
operation, and if properly fostered and con-
Quoted would soon invite permanent pop
ulation and create an established business
along its entire length.
In view of the foregoing facts, your COM
mittee recommends the following ,to-wit:
LIST. The passage of a resolution placing
on the market five hundred Thousand dol
company lat par. payable as follows: Ten
per cent cash at time of subscription, five
per cent every thirty days thereafter till
paid up, with the option of paying the
whole at any time. That each trustee be
constituted committee to solicit subscrip-
thong oil To Y1oo khosr hast ofo
least $25O,OOO of the capital stock is sub
sclibed for.
The immediate purchase of suitable
site for central power station in the CITY
of Helena; the erection thereon of suita-
bic building for such power station, the
of at least 500 horse power capacity; the
contract for sufficient electrical machinery
for the distribution of said five hundred
horse power, together with sufficient wiring
and construction to supply the same to any
customers found for it in or about said
city.
The procuring of sufficient franchises,
privileges and easements for the stringing
of wires and the thorough distribution OF
power to all parts of the city.
Inc further necessary surveys and exam
nation Of the proposed site of dam in the
proper authority of plans, specifications
and estimates of cost Of construction of a
proper dam structure, sufficient to raise
said river to hight of thirty feet, together
With method of taking. a section of at least
i've hundred square feet out of said dam
by race way; discharging the same at
Of such plans by the board of trustees, to |
advertise and let contract for the CON
structlon of said dam, the same to be COM
pleted not later than January /, 1891.
me immediate procuring of all possible
contracts for the sale of power in or adiac-
ant to the city OF Helena, and making such
contracts tor term of years wherever pos
sible. fo'
The contracting for power house, suffic-
lent water wheels and electrical machinery
g develop all the power contracted for or
lkeiy to be needed in the near future and
placing pl OF the same in position ready for
Inc organization of railroad COMPANY
20 construct and operate railroad between
he city of Helena and the proposed dam
ute. The immediate surveys and location
u such railroad on such line as is best
ulted to the purpose and where the best in
also the procuring of the necessary fran.
'nlaes Tor the same into the city of Helena.
Inc cost OF producing power for trans
mission would of course, be proportion
!tely lessened as the demand increased. as
ne whole cost OF the dam, buildings and
continue to be divided on the increased
'ower. The cost Of operating the railroad
y water power will be light in comparison
o any other system, and while that Dues
ion does not properly enter here, vet Il ia
Gorth remembering in this connection, In
onclusion: The benefits to be derived
rom the development of this enterprise.
10Th as to the immediate returns to those
INVESTING cir money in it, and also to the
lublic at large, and especially as leading
actor IN the improvement and progress Of
Helena as the leading city of the state, can
lot be over estimated. and we earnestly
and urge your best efforts and
cooperation. Respectfully submitted,
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, BY j. II. Lawrence.
The board of directors personally pur-
nased of Mr.. Stubs the land that viii be ,
and also the Weber tract in .
ectlon y, making sure of these necessary
aIceis OF land and evidencing their faith
Inc 1uturo of the project.
Money Loaned
~ furniture. No removal, no publicity. !
ppis to 81 South Main street.
nefoert Nicholson l. Co. are now prepared tn I
liver i've Eood Dry cord wood promptly to any part
uie CITY; bay, grain and feed at lowest rates
bns,e ~, northern Pacific freight depot Tele-
Sociable.
Inc members of the Ladies' Auxiliary
ociesy OF the Temple Emanuel will give a