Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1905-05-24
LARGE LAKE TOBE FORMED
BY DANMING OF RIVER EAST OF CITY
Project of Electric Light Co. to Dam River
For Power Means Greatest Local
Enterprise in Many Years.

been itching to tell our readers of a
great project being developed by the
DEBORAH and Waukon electric light
companies, which means great deal
for this country in many different
ways; but until now we have not
been at liberty to do so, for the reason
that sufficient progress had not been
made to warrant definite announce
ment of the plans of those behind the
movement
The matter to which we refer is the
construction of all immense concrete
dam about a quarter of mile north
of the B. Anundsen cabin, six miles
east OF the city, at point just above
"the piers" and to erect near by a
generating plant in which electric
current will be developed from water
power, and transmitted to DEBORAH
and Waukon over cables, to furnish
light and power to the customers of
these two plants, which are owned
and operated by the same company.
For more than two years the mana
gers of the company have been dill
gently working on the proposition.
Several surveys have been made, expert
engineers representing the largest COM
panies in the country have been here,
and the preliminary work has been
carefully and thoroughly done. Ex-
perts have pronounced the proposition
a very feasible and practicable one,
and have advised its being carried out
Franchises have been secured for
erecting pole lines along the high
ways in both this aud Allamakee
counties, and on Monday board of
appraisers appointed by the sheriff,
consisting of G. w. Burdick, Ben
Bear, j. S. Williams, j. H. Blaess,
G. F. Baker and j. H. Logsdon, spent
the day on the proposed site, and
yesterday reported their appraisement
for condemnation of the land to be
covered by the lake, which has not
yet been made public.
| The dam will be built of concrete,
200 feet wide and 20 feet high, and
will be operated by system of Tain
ter gates, made in the form of a curved
surface, which can be raised or low
cred at will, absolutely controlling
the head of water, and allowing
plenty of space for all flood water or
over supply to pass through, instead
Of over the dam. The generating plant
will be erected just above the dam
on the east side of the river. The
dam will develop 800 horse power, but
at present only 400 horse power will
be utilized. which will give an album
dance for present needs.
Above the dam will be the lake
proper, covering about 100 acres from
8 to 90 feet deep, from 500 feet to one
half mile in width, and one and one
half miles in length, while for one and
one half miles further towards DEBORAH
the river will be greatly widened and
| deepened. so that there will be a
stretch three miles long navigable for
launches, etc. For instance, four
miles below this city, one may step
into launch and enjoy a ride of
three miles straight with the course
of the river to the dam.
The business end of the proposition
is plain one. Last year the coal
| oil 10 nd
kon plants was 1000, making the pre-
sent means of operation almost prohibit
tive. By an investment of $50, 600 in
tins plant, which is approximately the
estimated cost, the saving will allow
a reduction of rates and bring conse-
quent increase i'll business, sufficient
to warrant the expenditure.
The project has so far developed
that, barring unforeseen circumstances,
| it is safe to announce its consumma-
tion. 1t is hoped and expected by
the company that work will be COM
menced on the dam as early as August,
and the new plant be put in operation
this fall Both the DEBORAH and
Waukon steam plants will be held as
reserve plants, TO be used in case of
emergency
The great possibilities of this pro-
ject are plain to be seen. Beside the
reduction in rates, the furnishing of
power for motors to run factories,
etc., and even an electric railroad.
light and power for intervening
farms, and tine many other uses to
which electricity is now being put,
the opportunity for the building up
of summer resort of no small pro-
portions is apparent.
Nature has more layishly bestowed
her charms upon this section of Iowa
than any other, and here beautiful
lake nesting in the valley between
the hills, with great cliffs and caverns,
sparkling springs and brooks on all
SIDES, the wooded hills dotted here and
there with rustic cottages, we may