Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-08-07

that log hunters and booms will be
used that no trouble may be expert
enced there. A gravel at Moore's is
land will probably be removed. on
this the Stevens section, the brace
boom is being used At the falls ut
Madison and Old Point rips blasting is
recommended.
Two years ago one of the Gilroy is
lands was removed and proved sue
cessful. The Sanborn islands and the
Webster gravelS were also removed at
the same time. Other improvements
We're made, last year, with the result
that there is much less difficulty than
formerly in carrying on the work OF
log driving.
Some time ago the late Sumner iol-
lingsworth. then president of the Hol-
lingsworth & Whitney Co. made trip
up the river with a view of seeing
what could he done regarding improve
ments on the kcnncbec Mr.. HollihGs-
worth was a practical hydraulic ehsl-
ncer. He graduated from the MaSsa-
chuSctts Institute of Technology, TAX
ing the full course, and as the result
his observations were Of great Nalle
When he returned he made report
of what he thought should be done,
making plans and furnishing photo
graphs. all of which are the greatest
value to the Kennebec Water co.
In the report that Mr.. Hollingsworth
made he very highly spoke of what is
known as the bear trap gate. This is
a form of gate in use on the Lehlgh
river and according to his idea was the
best that could be used. He had al
ready made plans showing how it
might be used at Indian pond. He was
of the opinion that Il great deal of wa
ter was going to waste on the kenne-
bee. Through this trap a little or Il
great deal of water could be let out
and then the trap could be again closed
thus retaining what water might fall
after the sluiceway had been opened
and still not in anyway interfere with
the river driving operations. In CON
Guiding his report Mr.. Hollingswortn
remarked: THE value Of Moosehead
lake for storage of water is well un-
derstood. but as now handled il is Of
little or no value to the mill owners.
ard il is not Of the value it should be
to the Log Driving Coz
The main point with the Water
Power co. is to store the water during
the rainy season so that when there is
necessity for it during the fall Of the
year it may be furnished as wanted
With 100 square miles of area and
eight tloWage feet ana with 1900 square
miles of watershed to fill it. Moose
head lake would supply 5000 horse
power for % days of n hours each if
used for power alone or if actually
drawn FOR the mill owners would sup
ply 1000 horse power for 100 days AT the
same dam. by cutting down the out
let ii is said 10 be possible to raise the
lloWage To l. feet.
In consequence the Water Power Co
is of the opinion that through a COM
mittee appointed for that purpose, that
tight. well arranged dam be con-
stlucted; that properattention BE- given
to using the water in the lake for the
best advantage of the river drivers;
and that some Improvement might be
made in the river 50 that less water
Will bc required i'll the drive. thus
saving MooSehcad ana other lakes and
other ponds that may be used as tribu-
| taries.
Thus it will be seen that the Kennc-
| bee Water Power ana the Log Driving
Cos. have in mind improvements. that
will not only add to the efficiency Of
the water power Of the river but more
than that. by building booms, taking
| out gravel patches ard shadows, by
blowing w islands ana taking ous
whole islands in the river. will make
the work of the log driving companies
easier and change The appearance of
the river
II is not planned. however. to do the
whole of the work. this year. This
year about $4,000 will he expended in
the. improvements. These improve
ments, will consist partially of the
narrowing of the outlet of Moosehcad
lake and partially of removing the OBJ
structions in the river. The crew will
commence work. about Sept /. at the
dam. There the log way which is now
| ~ feet wide will be made - feet wide
and gates will be put in. by which the
| Tow of the water may be regulated
| 1t IS further planned to carry on the
| work Of clearing the graVcls and lodges
IN the upper part Of the river The
crew will wait until little later when
| the water is lower. then something
| like $1,000 will be expended AS the i'm
| provcmcnts at Moosehcad lake will
cost about $500, this to include the cost
Of putting in the gates ana narrowing
the sluiccway the remainder win be
used in carrying on the improve