The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1906-04-13
Water Power Resources of Michigan
Are Enormous.
AND MEN ARE FINDING 1T OUT
Projects to Harness Streams Are Nu-
merous-Muskegon River viii Soon
Be Developing Many Horse Power
Promoters Spend Much Money.

Muskegon, Mich, April 11.-From
the way electrical water power COM
panies generating energy from rivers
are springing up all over western, and
in fact, other sections Of Michigan,
it begins to look as if this state will
in future years be able to supply the
middle west with electrical energy.
The Electrical Age in recent article,
says that Michigan has the best water
power facilities of this nature Of any
state in the Union. The lay of the
land is favorable, the middle of the
state forming a water shed just suit
ed to the purpose.
Much has been said of the power
that the Grand Rapids & Muskegon
Water-Power Electrical Co. is gener-
ating from the Muskegon river. That
company but a few days ago let con-
tracts for a second dam to be erected
at Croton. The first dam, No. 1, was
built across the Muskegon river at
Rogers Twelve thousand horse-pow-
er will be generated from dam No. g.
Dam No. 1 is generating 5000 horse
power. Dam No. 2 will be $50 feet
long. 1t will be built for a 35-foot
head of water. The water pond will
contain 1,500 acres of water The dam
will be 80 miles below No. 1.
Soon Supply Grand Rapids.
The pole line from dam No. 1 into
Grand Rapids has been finished.
Within few days heat, light and
motive energy from the harnessed
river will be pouring into that city.
A five-year contract for supplying the
Holland interurban with river power
has been signed.
The Grand Rapids-Muskegon COM
pany seems to have a bright future.
Muskegon factories are rapidly ar
ranging to have their plants operated
by the river Juice"
Nearly a million dollars has been
sunk in the Muskegon river already,
but the promoters are sanguine that
the money has been we'll spent.
The Thornapple river, near Grand
Rapids; the Huron river, the Au Sa-
BILE, the Manistee, Kalamazoo, Sagi-
nav, in fact most Of the streams big
or small that have any length at all
and have any fall in their course are
now being made the center of water
power companies. A few more of the
companies are the Pere Marquette
Light & Power Co., at present starting
the work of Harvesting the Pere Mar
quette river. The Pere Marquette
river empties north of Muskegon in
Mason county and runs through sew
eral northern Michigan counties. 1t is
known as a prime trout stream. The
dam will be located on the south
branch of the river, in Mason county.
Hart, Hesperia, Pentwater and several
other villages have already signed con-
tracts to have their village lighting
come from the Pere Marquette Light
& Power Co. Only 1900 horse power
will be generated by this company.
----e--.-~ $500
Flint river, between Geneseeville
and Montrose, will be the scene of a
great water power system. Plants will
be established at both these places and
at Flushing. Options on the lands Dor
dering the river course to be har-
messed have been secured. John All.
ing, OF Chicago. holds the options.
The Berrien Springs Power C Elec-
trio Co. has been formed to dam the
St Joseph river at Berrien Springs.
The dam Will e .21 feet, and will cost
with the electric light plant complete,
nearly $1,000,0C0
The Tittabawessee river, it is eX>
pected, will also be the scene Of a
water power company.
The Michigan Power Co., of Lansing,
has been organized. Indianapolis par.
ties are promoting the company.