St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-02-16
Red Lake Reservoir.


was made and gives the following con-
illusions:
Red Lake Reservoir.
Red lake can probably be raised two
feet by dam at its outlet, and also it
can be lowered about two feet by
dredging across the shoal at its outlet
and enclosing the cut between dikes to
prevent it filling up from wave action.
This would afford ample accommodate
ton for about two years rainfall and
would possibly relieve the Red river
valley from effects of floods on the Red
Lake river. The output of the reservoirs
on the Mississippi river above Pokega-
ma during 1891 was barely at the rate
of 10000, 0G0 cubic feet per square mile.
There was rather less than an average
precipitation. Now assuming that the
precipitation in the two water sheds
before us is copper cent of that of North
erH Minnesota, we have 100000 as an
approximate output per square mile in
year of average rainfall, which simply
means that one-half the time the OUTPUT
will be more than this, and one-half the
time it will be less. We will then have
for the Red Lake reservoir 1880 square
miles 9,0O0.0 00-17, $40, 900, 600 cubic
feet, for the average output of water in
one year. This will permit supplying
the river as follows:
Cubic Feet
500 cubic feet per second for 214
days :............ ....... IA, 791, $50, 900
go cubic feet per second (abouC
tor l52 days. Observation-Disclosures. LOIS, 3D. coo
Total. ........... ............ II, 370. 0O0, GOD
"The effect of this reservoir would be
to maintain uniform stage during the
boating season.
Lake Traverse Reservoir.
"By damming the river the water of
the Otter Tail can be diverted in
canal across the fiat, marshy country
southeast of Breckenridge, and brought
into the Bots de Sioux via the Rabbit
river. The distance is about eight miles.
Then by placing reservoir dam on
the Bots the Sioux just below the mouth
of Rabbit river, sufficient height could
probably be obtained to back the waters
into Lake Traverse for reservoir. The
quantity of waters which would therein
be impounded cannot be reasonably es-
timated without more measurements to
determine the areas overlooked at diff
ferent heights, but the quantity OBJ
tainable from the watershed may be ap-
prOXimateiy stated. Its area is about
$3.50 square miles,, 450x9, 900, 000-31,-
050, 000, 900 cubic feet. This would per-
nit supplying the river as follows:
Cubic Feet.
1000 cubic feet per second for PA
days. 49,. %, ts7, $50, 900
$50 cubic feet per second for 152
oyerplus for Minnesota river. 6079 IS 900
Total. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 81, $50 000, 900
1.-The Lake Traverse reservoir would
have an approximate capacity of 10000
100000 cubic feet only. but the remainder
of the gathered waters would probably
be easily held in the extensive lake por-
ton Of the watershed.
A Navigabie River.
sit is thus reasonable to expect that
the two reservoirs will furnish sufficient
water to render the Red river continu-
Ously navigable during the whole open
season from the Rabbit river dam to
Lake Winnipeg. And, further, by plac-
ing lock in the Rabbit river dam nayi
cation would he extended to the head of
Lake Traverse, and still further. Meas
urements taken by Mr.. Davenport in
1882 show that Big Stone lake is only
seven feet below the level of Lake
Traverse. Hence if we place a dam
across the outlet of the former. and cut
short canal between the two. paviga-
ton would be extended to the foot of
Big Stone lake, thus creating a water
transportation line 6I5 miles in extent,
without counting Lake Winnipeg and
the Saskatchewan river.''
Maj Jones continuing, says that the
creation of these two reservoirs will
relieve the Red river valley from con-
siderable portion OF the effects of floods.
Another aspect: The stored-up waters
in the Red lake distributed uniformly
during the open season through Red
Lake river would render it navigable
for small craft; one or more dams and
locks at the falls, near Thief river, and
at CrookstOn, would enable boats to
pass up to the reservoir dam. passing
this by means of a lock, they would pro-
coed to the head of the lake. From
this point to Rainy Lake river there
is marsh all the way, distance of
fifty-five miles. and hence a canal can
be cheaply constructed across, and an
outlet via Crookston and Grand Forks
would thus be afforded for the timber
and other products OF the extensive
Rainy lake country. which at present
has no outlet in the United States.
Maj. Jones concludes his admirable
report with an estimated cost of the i'm
provements, placing it at sS60, 900.