Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-03-12
KENNEBEC RISING.
The Heavy Rain Doing Its Usual
Spring housekeeping
Though the Ice Still Hangs in Most
Parts Of the River.
Wharvcs Covered and Cellars Flooded
on Lower kennebec.

Waterville, Me-, March 11.-(SpeciaD.
The signs of a freshet continued,
Wednesday, although what might hap
pen was n matter of considerable doubt,
even with experienced rivermen. Some
did not expect any trouble, while others
thought there was a good chance for
some before many hours. At about
water on the Lockwood dam, with
about 10 feet of back water, a rise in
the water on the dam, since Tuesday
afternoon, of feet. But the rise dur
ing the forenoon, Wednesday, was but
3 inches on the dam.
The jam just below the Lockwood
Co. mills broke in the evening, Tues
day, but this did not seem to relieve
the back water great deal, which in
dicated that there was Il jam some
where between here and Augusta, anG
besides this there was not so much
water on the Augusta dam as here dur
ing the day.
The ice, Wednesday, was out from a
short distance above the HollingSWOrtk
& Whitney dam to q good distance be-
low the Lockwood mills. The ice above
the II. & w. dam, as far as the corn
shop in Fairfield was firm with q good
sized jam on the upper edge. From the
corn shop to Il good distance above the
pulp mill dam in Fairfield, it was clear,
with the exception of a good sized piece
just above the bridge at Fairfield on
The Benton side. The only jam of any
size in this vicinity was at the corn
shop in Fairfield and there is usually
one there when anywhere.
The reports from up river stated
that Sandy river was not unusually
high and the ice was firm at Farming
ton. The swamps, snow and ground
seemed to be absorbing a good share
of the rain in that vicinity so that not
much of it had reached the river. 1t is
thought that some of the water from
this river has been received here, al
though not the bulk of it.
The Carrabassett was not very high
at North Arson. The ice in Dead riv-
er was firm with little sign of going
out Immediately. On the East Branch.
however. the ice has gone out and
damned at Caratunk. The Moosehead
lake dam gates were ordered closed.
during the day.
The rain has been about the same all
along the line uD river as it has here
but not so much of it has apparently
gone into the river as might be expect
ed. The snow and sWamps seem to be
holding it back, which doubtless ac-
counts for the unusually slow rise in
the Kennebec here that has been no.
ticed.
There seemed to be a good prospect
of the ice going out between here and
Augusta, Wednesday afternoon. and
also between here and SkoWhegan Oh
some point farther UP.
There was little change in the Ken
nebcc, in the afternoon, the water re-
manning at just about 4 IL feet on the
Lockwood dam. No further reports
were received from up river, so it was
assumed that the conditions were ia
Vorablc there.
1t is believed that the rain has been
severe enough in the woods to serious
.ly interfere with the lumAering opera
lions and that a large amount of logs
will have to be left on the yards again,
this year. The teams that were en-
gagged in hauling were obliged to tie up
during the previous rain, and they may
have to quit entirely now.
The sleighing is now practically gone
in the vicinity of the city, although an
occasional sleigh came in during the
day. Some sections report some snow
still left, but all business that needs
snow and good sleighins has been sus-
pended.