Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1907-02-07
Madison. Eel. /

Cheap power with which TO turn fac
tory wheels and turn night into day
for 80 miles roundabout Prairie du
Sac is possible from dam which is
TO span the Wisconsin river about one
mile above that picturesque village
A dam at that point is projected and
authority for its construction is sought
in bin introduced by Assemblyman
Cahoon of the Baraboo. Prairie du sac
district.
BY this measure sanction is given to
]. S. Trip of Prairie du Sac, Robert
Buerki of Sauk City, NJ. A. Dewitt of
Chicago and Magnus Swenson Of
Madison TO build and maintain an
lS-foot dam across the Wisconsin
river the west end to ahut ON section
%, township 10 north of range east,
in the town Of Prairie du Sac, and the
east end to abut on fractional section
25, township 10 north Of range east,
in the town of West Point county ct
Columbia They are also authorized
to use such hydraulic power as they
may obtain. The dam must be con.
structed with suitable fishways so aa
to admit OF the free passage of fish
| In case it becomes necessary to take,
! flow or injure any lands and property
| for the purposes of the construction
or use of the dam, or Tor the purposes
of the improvement of navigation
about the DAM under the act, the men
| become subjects to all the provisions
and are entitled to all the benefits,
privileges, remedies and provisions Of
the laws relating to mills and dams;
but nothing contained in the act is 10
preclude the grantees from acquiring
title to- or the right to use any ana
all such lands and property, by pu;,
chase or lease.
Also for the purpose of acquiring ihc
necessary lands or rights, easements or
privileges in lands necessary for
! tlowage, so that the complete constlnC-
ton of the dam and improvement o!
navigation under the act, or any law
heretofore passed, may be successfully
carried out, the grantees may enjoy the
rights granted to and conferred upon
corporations by various other laws. l.
is provided that the act shall be in
force from and after its passage and
publication.
! This Is a project of momentous in.
terest not only TO Prairie du Sac aud
Sank and possibly to Madison, bu, al
so to BarabOo, about Is miles north OF
the dam site, to Lodi some IL miles
east, to Merrimack, about as near, and
Mazomanie 10 or II miles to the
south. 1t easily would be possible -
furnish electric light and power to all
these places from plant at this dam,
and also to communities much farther
! away--Richland Center, due west 40
miles, Lone Rock, Spring Green, Black
Earth, Middleton, Dane, Waunakee
Fayn6tJe, Arlington, Windsor and De
Forest and a dozen lesser villages
within the radius here indicated.
! The region roundabout has been eX-
amined and surveyed carefully and
certain needed lands on both sides OF
the river where the dam Is to be con
stlucted have been purchased--60
ACRES on one side and 80 on the other
The site is ideal for dam. The
banks are so high that howage over
! 10 do mill uf Ia IT,
where creeks enter. Back water may
extend nearly to Merrimack, S or 20
miles, but it will be secure between
good, solid natural banks, cliffs and
hills. The dam must be from 400 to
500 feet long and a million dollars will
be expended in its construction ana
In power-house and transmission lines
in short, In the development and per.
lection of the plant. 1t is estimated
that 10000 horsepower can be deyel-
oped. The influx Of the Baraboo river
near Merrimac viii add a vigorous sup
plement to the natural force of the
"old Visions" at the Prairie du Sac
dam Down through a deep layer Of
sand the builders must delve to lay
their cement foundation upon a solid
! rock base
/ But the dam cannot be built at
once. First the Wisconsin legislature
must enact into law the Cahoon bin
then, the Wisconsin being. thCo.
redcally. navigable stream, the fed
eral congress must give its consent
These prcliminaries are certain to b.
met without opposition, yet the proc
ess consumes time, 50 that it probably
will be a year before actual operations
are commenced and perhaps a year
and a half will be required in Inc
work Of construction
Mr.. A. Dewitt one of he projectors
is a Chicago banker. member Of the
house Of Dewitt Thlmble e. Co. Mag.