New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-29
BIG DAM AT ROCHESTER
Canal HQrbOr 1t Viii Make WM
also SerUe for Pleasure.
EFrom The Tribune Bureau. ]

Washington May 2S-CoIonel Thomas W. Sy-
mons. of the advisory board ofs canal engineers
Of New York, has returned to his home in this
city after spending some time in Western New
York on canal business. The site for the giant
lock at Lockport carefully studied, but the
principal business was the selection of the site
Tor the dam at Rochester which will give to
that city its canal harbOr
This dam will be across the Genesee River,
just above the falls, making harbOr which
will extend from the new barge canal. crossing
at South Park right down into the heart of the
city. Phe harbor will be from twelve to eigh-
teen feet deep, four hundred to five hundred
feet wide about four miles long, and
VIII be splendidly located for the business OF
the city. and where canalboats, railroads.
wagons, trucks, etc. meet and exchange
freight with the greatest convenience. The
dam forming this harbor VIII be a movable
structure of the bridge type. which will be en-
tfrely removed in times of great flood and can
be adjusted to keep the water at any desired ele-
walton during any ordinary floods. 1t will be
one of the largest and most important movable
bridge dams in the world.
Besides the value of this harbor for CONNER
ciai purpose. 1t will give to Rochester one Of
the most delightful, convenient and we'll located
pleasure waters possessed by any city I'm the
world 1t will be quiet, deep. wide expanse
extending from the heart of the city southwark
through the city parks. and some twelve or fiji
teen miles out into the country. 1t will be an
ideal place for boating. sailing. rowing and
canoeing and for small motor boats of all de-
scriptions. and will add much to the attractive
ness Of this already exceedingly attractive city.
Colonel Symons expresses the highest admira-
ton for Rochester, characterzing it as 1.-THE
most perfect city in America" 1t is an I'M
usually clean city. with we'll paved streets and
attractive homes in every part. The public
buildings and business blocks are stately and
elegant and ii has many exceedingly choice and
remunerative manufactures. most of which are
also kept ideally clean and neat
Rochester is exceedingly prosperous. THE
City Engineer told me-" said Colonel Syrnons
that the demands for pavements and other
public improvements were beyond the ability of
the city TO graAt." This arises from the fact
that while the cost of improvements is as
sessed against property benefited. in the mean
time the city has to stand responsible for the
Indebtedness incurred. anG If all requests were
compiled with the constitutional limitation of
the CITY S Indebtedness would be passed. This is
certainly clear indication of great prosperity.
Rochester has an exceptionally fine water
supply. and by good administration and the en-
ployment of meters has reduced the daily use
and waste of water TO about eighty gallons per
capita as against from two to four times this
amount In most other American cities
The only thing about Rochester that | don't
like, said Colonel Symons. lis the prevailing
anti-canal sentiment. Many of the people and
the press seem unable to appreciate the value
that the barge canal will be to the state and
city But hope that as time goes this will
change. for Rochester will certainly be greatly
benefited by the canal"