The Colfax gazette. [volume] (Colfax, Wash.) 1893-1932, 1902-04-18
FOR UPPER COLUMBIA
Canal Project Adopted for Over.
coming Distractions.
senate Committee Agrees to APP
preparation That Will Make
$614 900 Available.

Washington, April 9-Senator Tur.
nrF, ChFough MS position ae .nember
vi Gne commerce commit tee, has secured
an amendment to the river and harbor
Dill adopting the canal project for over,
coming the distractions in the Columbia
river between The Dalles and Cello. and
aside from having the unexpended bal
ance remaining to the credit of the old
BOAT railway project turned over for
use on the canal, has secured aurhoriza-
ton for the expenditure OF 100000
additional on construction of the canal.
making in all $614, 900 to be Immediate
ly available. The provision contem-
plates immediate commencement of
work on two canals according to plans
submitted year ago by Captain Harts.
Senator Turner told the committee, in
view OF the great Importance of this
project, work should not be DELAYED
longer. There seems to be good reason
60 belleve that the amendment will be
retained in conference.
Captain Harts' Plan,
Portland Ore, April 9.-The plan of
Captain Harts for improving the Co.
lumbia river at The Dalles provides for
abandoning the boat railway project
and for substituting the following:
Flrst-Tbe construction of a canal
about 5000 feet long, with two lift locks
OF about "a feet lift each extending
across the peninsula at the Washington
shore in the vicinity OF Cello falls.
Second The removal of the worst OBJ
stlucting rocks at and below Ten Mile
rapids, and the opening of a relief chan
mel along the lines of the existing high
water channel on the Washington shore,
Immediately north OF and parallel to Ten
Mile rapids.
IhIrd-The construction Of a canal
about 5000 feet long around Five Mile
rapids, having two locks, this canal to
be along the Oregon shore, It's lower end
opening Immediately below Big Eddy
and it's upper end to be immediately
above the head of Five Mile rapids.
utilizing for this canal. as far as prac
tIcabe, the more nOrtherly of the two
natural high water canals or channels.
which now parallel on the south the
greater portion Of Five Mile rapids.
Fourth - The construction of a sub
merged dam or weir immedia tcly below
the head of the Five Mile rapids, which
Will raise the present level OF the low
water surface approximately 20 feet.
thus drowning out the rapids between
this dam anj Cello falls, and reducing
the currents in the river between the
canal around Five Mile rapids and that
around Cello falls, especially at low
stages, by increasing the area of the
cross section of discharge and diminish
ing the surface slope
FItth-Ihe removal of the worst OBJ
structing rocks at Three Mile RAPIDS.
The proposed canals are designed to
be 90 feet wide. The locks are to be "a
by 300 feet, with a clear depth of seven
feet OF water over the miter sills. 1t is
estimated that this project for canals
may be completed within five years after
acquiring rights of way, if funds are
made available as fast as required bv
the needs Of the work, or if contracts for
total work or large portions of it are
permitted
The following summary of cost is sub
mitted: Cello falls canal and locks
$1,212,034; Improvement of Ten Mile
rapids, S4O7, ,566; Five Mile rapids canal,
locks and submerged dam, 50, lat. .333;
Improvement of Three Mile rapies $152,-
448; land and right of way, $4,000;
total, $3,969,371.
Against the Project.
Washington, April 12-Representa-
tive Jones of Washington had a confer
ence today with Chairman Burton of
the house committee relative to the
Washington amendment in the river
and harbOr bill by the..senate committee.
Mr.. Burton would not state positively
what course he would take, but Mr..
Jones is of the opinion that The Dalles-
Cello amendment will be lost Senator
Turner, however, will use every effort in
behalf OF his amendment, and if he finds
it can not be retained in full, will insist
that commencement work at least be
authorized.