The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-02-11
Visit Of Experts TO the Fresh Water Lakes
Near ChuCkatuCk.
A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPERTY
II Is Proposed to Sell 1t to tho City ns
mn Additional Water Supply-So
Figures Showing tho Amount
Thcrc-Incidcnts OF tho Trip
stuck In tho Mud.


She effect that it had knowledge of two
large fresh water lakes comparatively
short distance from Norfolk which
might prove very valuable as a reserve
20 the water supply. These lakes could
be obtained for $4,000. and the com
mission recommended an investigation.
Mcssrs Freeman and Ycmtman, of the
Councils, and City Engineer Brooke,
visited Ehe lake unoiicially. but made
no formal report. They were, however.
generally pleased with the results OF
Ghe trip.
These lakes are virtually owned by
Mr.. David Il. Williams, Hf Portsmouth,
at whose invhtatOn they were visited
yesterday by Il party of Norfolk gen
tlcmcn, including Mr.. G.. Tayloe Gwaih-
mey. OF the Common Council. and Mr..
W. l.. Williams, OF the Select Council.
these gentlemen both being in thcir I'M
official capacity; Mr.. James Riddle, SUI
pcrinfcndcmt of the water works. rep
resenting tho city; MIR. 13aSclm Sykes,
the we'll known civil engineer: Attorney
George y. Trick, acting. for the owner:
Colonel I.ciitoy Shields, Mr.. Turner Bat
tie. and three representatives of the
morning newspapers, all under the
guidance of MIR. Williams
Inc lakes which the latter desires to
dispose OF to the city are in the region
roundabout Chuckatuck. about fourteen
or fifteen miles from Norfolk. as the
crow flies. The party was taken 40
Ferry Point on one Of Twohy's tugs.
rhe Mamie, which lsft the BAY Line
wharf in Norfolk ahout $40 O'Clock.
ana reached her destination at thirty
minutes past noon.
The trim lyaS pot 1>,, ;,,,;
dent more or less humorous The for
which hung over the waters during the
iirst half OF the day was so thick II
could almost be squeezed, and through
TINS the graceful little vessel noscd her
way with lack of speed eommensu-
rate with dangerous navigation.
But Captain Walter S. Williams. and
Chior Pilot Lloyd, whose dert hands
guided the wheel, succeeded in cluC9ing
the numerous craft beating about i'm
the murk.ness. but being n lfatle shy on
their knowledge of tho sinuous Nanse-
mond, after frequent inquiries from va
rlouS ana variegated members Of the
oyster fleet lying off Pig Point rs 10
The whereabouts of the mouth of thc
stream, finally succeeded in running the
Jug on u bar, where she stuck for urlitc
Il while.
In the meanwhile CAPTAIN Williams
Chief Pilot Lloyd and Chief Enginecr
Buck, Iby their united efforts. succreI-
ca In eNtr!cn;ing the Mamie, from her
embarrassing condition, and soon mad
her lying alongside the wharf Here the
party were to have been met by yo-
hiclcs, which Captain Ramsay was IN
nave had Mt the wharf. These vehicles
came. but instead of waiting for the
delayed tug, they turned about and
went back to ChucSsltuck, which was
81 t,rn
prohaDly scientifically correct. but the
party, not wishing Ito lose time, walked
from the wharf TO the village.
Whlic conVcyanccs were being pro-
cured the smaller body OF water,
CrumD's lake, was visited
rms promy sheet of water is situated
only a few hundred feet from tho con-
TIRE OF tho town. and is itself quite large
enough to supply Il city larger than
Norfolk II is three miles long. ana of
varying width. lis depth Is from four
to twenty feet. and the water IS MS clear
as crystal, and apparently free from
az! Foreign substances. AS to its pota-
hility, N is NOT too much to saw that
10 the unsccntitic taste it is unuu. stion-
aDiy far superior TO that now used by
the city. Indeed 1t was a revelation
TO many Of the party. even though all
or them probably had seen good watcr
before
me northeastern end OF the lake is
hcHh!hS more nor less than n huge dam.
which must he over 4 century old rs
pine trees two feet or more across the
stump are growing out of it. At one
extremity OF this dam is located a large
NM, which Eits its power from the
rake. At the ether end is a sluice car
ry!ng Off the overflow. This has hpcn
estimated at 12.750. 900 gallons a day.
Ntter making as thorough invcst!ca-
non rs the limited time would permit,
me party then drove to Burnt Mills
| iak". This magnificent body of victor
is five miles long, and drains m ,rca 81
twenty-five or thirty miles This lake
like the smaller, is practically surround
ed by nigh wooded banks. from the ton
| CT which beautiful View is obtained NJ
lhc broad eXpanSa of the lake, a scene
which cannot fail 10 impress one with
an Idea of the immense amount of water
therc.
when one speaks OF millions. IL is
win put small comprehension, vet some
!dta may DE obtained rf this s,InnIv
when II Is stated Il. 900 cubic of wafer
is used per minute in running q saw
mi! on the banks Of the lakes. now IN.
der contract to turn out 10000 ffnt az
iumher day. This means . 800 900 en-
b:c rect Of water an hour. or %. 900 900 in
working day of ten hours. Were the
slucc kept open all day 1000. OOO cubic
| feet would pass through. The overflow
from this lake has hcsn estimated nj
! '0,0c0.o0 Il day. but IL Is said g, be even
larger. The significance OF 'thcsn fig
ureS may be seen when it is known
mat the amount of water used by the
people of Norfolk daily is abolrs nOa
600 gallons. The water II this second
| and larger lake is PR cisely the same as
! that of the smaller.
II is proposed 20 sell this property 10
the city 10 be used when it's growth
snail REQUIRE II. The IItiln Crnnl, sin.