The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-01-11
Special to The Journal,

Special to The Journal sss 81
Cass Lake, MINI, jan 11.--An enterprise is
being arranged at Belnidii that will, when put
into operation, mean much to the cities Of Be-
midi and Cass Lake and incidentally to the
whole northern half of the state where timber
is plentiful. The project has for its object the
development and putting to practical use the
power created by the rapids in the Mississippi
river at point about seven miles due east of
BemidH and about nine miles northwest of
Cass Lake. 1t is proposed to erect substantial
concrete dam about sixty rods above the rapids
in order to conserve the power and transmit it
to Bemidji and CasS Lake, where there Is great
demand for additional power to operate the manu-
featuring plants. a&
The rapids, where 1t is proposed to install
the big power plant, are at a point near high
make 1t an ideal location. A careful survey
has been made Of the Mississippi river and the
land along the banks from Lake BemidU to-
Cass Lake. The fowage from Lake Bemidjl
fall i'll the river Of twenty seven feet in FIVE
miles. This creates $500 horsepower at the
low water stage and 1000 horsepower at high
water. This waterpower always be main
tanned because Of the opportunity afforded to
transform the various lakes up the Mississippi
into reservoirs 45Ata#"
There is a general desire among loggers, boat
men and the owners of land about Lake Bemdji
to have the level OF the lake maintained at about
three feet above its low stage, and there has
been some talk of throwing dam across the
| outlet of the lake for this purpose. This result
can be obtained by raising the dam at the point
now proposed, seven miles east of the lake. It
would produce about three feet more Of head
of water and give large storage :
Would Prevent Overflow.
The raising of the water above the dam would
Inconvenience no one. as the banks Of the Mis-
sissippi high enough to hold the howage
within its confines. The dam would in a great
measure also be help to those east of Cass
| 10 onIS ys,oro ordA RI
stroyed last spring, for it would prevent repe
tition Of that affair by holding back the early
supply of waters in the reservoirs.
| 1t is the intention Of those who are back Of
| the dam project to exploit the advantages of the
| location for the establishment of pulp mill
the power to be furnished at the rapids. There
| are thousands Of acres Of spruce adjacent tt
Bemidji and Cass Lake, where railway facli
ties for handling the raw material and bringing
| 1t to the mill of the best. The lakes ant
streams that furnish the power at the rapids
have clean, pure sand bed. and the waite
| is clear crystal. r.-. g.. $3.50 i.
4 By an act of congress, passed at the session
Of 1904-19O5, permission granted to erect
4 dam across the Mississippi river at the poin
named, and the preliminary steps toward build
4 ing one are being carried 1t Is claimed tina
power can be transmitted to Cass Lake at com
i paratively small cost, much less than is paid TO
fuel to run plants by steam, and the projec
Bemidji.
! Want Canal Built.
W. G. Schroeder Of Bemidji originated tn
scheme. He now owns several hundred acres Q
land on both sides Of the river at that place
He paid for the extensive surveys that wer
made under the direction of M. D. Stoner, cou1
ty surveyor Of Beltram county, and is tn
prime mover in the present enterprise
In connection with this enterprise there !
now being prepared bill to be introduced
congress asking for an appropriation to build
canal from the south shore Of Lake Winnib
!. gashish to Leech lake, running about three mill
west of the present town of Bena the Gree
, Northern railway, east Of Cass Lake. The go
eminent engineers have already surveyed tt
route of the proposed canal, and have PR
1nounced the scheme feasible If this canal shoul
be built it would give navigable water fro
Lake Plantagnet south of Bemidji to and thu
: Leech lake by way of Lake Bemidji the Mi
sissipp river, Wolf lake. Cass lake, Cass rive
; Lake Winnibigashish and the canal. It wou
mean a great cheapening Of rates Of transport
J, ton and be welcomed by the residents of tn
+ community. -r. -es.