Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-12-19
WISCONSIN RIVER.
A Series of Water Powers From the
Head Waters Down the River Nearly
Two Hundred Miles.

In these days of water power devel-
opement the eyes of many capitalists
are turned to the Wisconsin river,
which has no rival in the Northwest as
a water power st.eam, with one eX-
ception. Other sstreams can be
developed SO at one, two or three places
fairly good water powers can be OBJ
tanned, brt the " tsconsiE river from
the lakes where at has its source
to the center o. the state where
the country is nparatively level, is
one series of rapids and falls. furnish
ing opportunities for development at a
nominal cost of large numbers of
powers, some great and some of
moderate power. There are places
where dams can be built that will hold
a ten foot head, and at different PAGES
along the stream other points can be
found where y, Is, 20 and % feet of
water can be held as accumulated
power.
But there is one point on the river
that stands pre-eminent above all rivals
either on this or other Wisconsin or
Michigan streams as the one great
power There within space of three
miles the water falls 40 feet making it
possible to build series of dams that
will hold an almost unlimited power,
before which the famous Minneapolis
power would be only side show
Another advantage enjoyed by the
Wisconsin river that cannot be urged in
favor Of rival streams is that it has its
source in the famed lake region of
Northeast Wisconsin, and the storing
capacity at the head waters is ample to
assure supply Of water during the
driest season. Competent engineers
have looked the country over and have
stated that, by a system Of dams, a
reservoir can be made that will hold
water during the spring in sufficient
quantities to maintain a flow in the
river eighteen inches above the normal
stage for ninety days, thus making it
morally certain that manufacturing
institutions will be able to tide over
any dry season without fear Of a water
famine.
The city of Wausau is located on what
was formerly known as Big Bull Falls, q
series of rapids over which the water
falls distance of twenty-five feet with
in the city limits. The power is
practically owned by three parties and
eventually it will be improved and
utilized to it's full capacity.
The cities Of the future will be wafer
power cities, for the new power, cleo
tricity, will be generated and distributed
by wire and storage battery co the
surrounding country. The time is not
far distant when all machinery will be
run by electricity. houses will be
supplied by this means with heat for
warming rooms and cooking, light and
power to run sewing machines. Every
little factory will have its electric motor
and the myriad uses to which the fluid
can be put are almost countless. The
cheapest way to generate electricity is
by water power. Hence we say the
cities of the future will be water power
cities, and Wausau will be strictly in it.
-Wausau Record.
What is true Of Wausau is more SO in
the twin cities of Grand Rapids and
Centralia In the city limits we have
fall of 81 feet which will give at least
5000 horse power. At present not one
fifth Of this power is in use. An at
tempt was made to unite these powers
when question of title to the Bensley
property arose and checked its progress.
We are in hopes this defect can be
remedied and the combination carried
out as planned. When this is accom-
plished, if it ever is, the twin cities.
will have the leading power on the
river. The year 1896, may have some
revelati on for us in this line.