Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1903-11-12
adopt PLaN
Work Can Begin When Right of
Way is Secured.
MONEY is NOW AVAILABLE
LOng Sought Open River is Now in
Sight =. The Cost will be
$4, ,125, 200.

Washington, Nov. 6.-The specia
board of engineers, which, for months
has been considering various plans fol
overcoming the obstructions in the Co.
lumbia River between The Dales and
Cello, has finally devised continuous
canal project which can be constructed
for 81, 125, 900. The new plan, which is
radical modification of the Harts'
project, was approved by the Secretary
of War today, after it had been en-
Endorsed by the Chief of Engineers,
and the much-sought open river is at
last in sight.
War Department officials are highly
gratified to find that the board has sue
ceeded in devising an improvement that
is not only cheaper but better than the
Harts plan. Last July, when the board
held it's first meeting the opinion pre-.
vailed among it's members that con-
tnuous canal could not be bnit for less
than S., 100000, but by studying a num-
Der of possible routes, the board has
been able, by taking advantage of nat
ural channels and depressions through
the rocks, to plan contis.afus canal on
the south bank Of the Columbia, from
the big eddy to point nst above the
head of Cello Falls, which can be con
structed for little more than half the
cost that was anticipated.
The fact that the new canal can be
built for less than the Harts' project
makes it unnecessary to have further
Congressional action before work is
commenced. Just as soon as the desired
right of way is obtained, construction
will be begun with funds now available.
The approved plans which were large
'y prepared by Major Langfitt, after
consultation with the board, calls for a
canal 81 miles long, 65 feet wide at the
bottom, and with uniform depth of
eight feet. At intervals of one mile
along the canal there will be construct
ed series of basins of such size as will
permit the passage of ships going in
opposite directions. There will be four
locks, one at the upper entrance to the
canal, with lift of II feet, intended to
pass boats between the canal and the
river until the limit of navigation is
reached. Another lock, which will be
situated just below the head of Five
Mile rapids, will have a lift of II feet,
while at the lower entrance is to be
tandem or double lock with total lift
of SO feet at times of extreme low water,
each lock to have lift of 81 feet. All
locks are to be 40 feet wide. and of suf-
ficient length to pass boats 25G feet long
and drawing seven feet of water.
Where the canal Is cut out of solid
rock, it will not be lined. Where it
passes through sand and gravel it will,
be lined with solid walls of masonry,
the bottom throughout to be heavily
The board admits that the
average Summer high water of the Co
umba will partly overflow the canal,
but it is believed the canal will suffer |
less from floods than any other form OF
that might be undertaken. |
The route selected is such as to insure |
steady work at all ordinary stages of
the river. The board admits the rapid |
drifting of sand during the season of
heavy winds, if not controlled, will be ]