Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1906-03-30
OUR WATER POWERS
Interesting Article Written
by a Well Known
Citizen -

tno Improvement OF the water powers
Of the Mississippi river, and it IL well
that it should be, for in Morrison
county, feom the foot # "Mil]
Island," below Little Falls dam, there
10, according to government survey of
the river, fall Of 81 feet, viz. from
south point of Mill Island to kead Of
Pike rapids 16 feet; to foot of Pike
rapids feet, making 10 feet fall at
that point and with q dam at Pike "a.
pids there could be q water power
equal to tho one now at Little Falls OF
about the same. Pike rapids is due
east on section line between sections
! and 3, four miles south Of Little
Falls. The fall In the river from
the foot of Pike rapids to north end
OF McDougal leland, according to
the government survey. ts 81 feet.
At this point there is no suitable
place for q dam. About three
quarters of q mile north of said point,
known as the Kustermsn farm, there
is q good location for q dam as here
are found the highest banks on the
river anywhere between Little Falls
and Royalton bridge. This point il
by section line 4 IA miles below Pix e
rapids. There IS about ssven feet OF
fall that could not be used witnou,
making canal one.half mile in
length. A 24.foot dam can be put in
at the kueterman farm which will
make an excellent water power.
The rapids below this dam could be
used In connection with it by max
ing canal about one half mile ir
length or by building a dam at the
old Higaiugs place south Of Royaltop,
where there is q location fer about 8
18 foot dam. A dam at each one o1
the above named pointe, including
tho one now built at Little Falls,
would give a combined fall of II
feet, which would equal the water
power of the Mill City. Mr.. Oper.
10y, who is interested at Sartell and
who the past year has teen improv'
ing q water power at that place on
tho Mississippi river. aud who also
has expended . large amount Of
money In buildings and dam, the
accomplishment Of said work being q
great credit to Nh. Oberley and hi:
ment. understand MIR. .Oberley
and his associates nave secured
flowage rights on the river below
Little Falls and contemplate improv.
Ing another water power but the looa.
tion ut which ne desires to build 1t al
Or near q place known as Ed. Cash &
farm. A dam at this point would
divide tine rapids, or fail in the
river. 1t would cover Pike rapids bu,
would not flow back to Little Falls,
and sufficient head could not be OBJ
tained to pay any company to build
q dam at the Kusts rman place.
MIR. Bell, owner of the land ut Pike
rapics. contemplates building q dam
there in the near future as he con
sldeis it will worth improving. 1t j.
to thesintert ST Of everyone in Nor
rison county to nave all their waite,
powers improved and this will result
in obtaining more manufac tur ine
establishme- IS, more railroads, more
immigration, and the advantage Of
competition in regard to water
powtrs shoul1 not be overlooked ia
allowing any one party to control thu
entire rapids by building a dam al
such point as would destroy two
waters powers.
Come on, Mr.. Oberley and build s
dam somewhere we do not propose
to try to keep you out. No, We viii
encourage you all wa can fol- We have
good country and two OF three goot
locations fol. water powers. Come ant
take your choice, but we do not wan
our grandchildren to hang you il
ed8gy for building a dam in tn
wrong place.
M. n. Young in Royalton Banner
p0ppTNa TS ENrarSr crrC