Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-03-09
To Control Connecticut
Waters at BrattIeboro.
Power For New Eng|and's Big
gest Electric Plant.
viii Cover Large Radius, including
Parts Of Three States.

BrattIehoro, VT, March S-Thc con-
| Struction of big dam across the Con-
| necticut here is now well under way with
| the expectation of turning the waters Of
New Englands greatest river into New
England's biggest electric plant, to dis
trbuted the electric power within a wide
radius, including parts of three states.
The power here is believed to be the
largest undeveloped water power in New
England, larger. 1t is claimed, than that
at such manufacturing centers as Man
chester. N. H.. Lawrence and Lowell,
Mass. and Lewiston, Me. Now that the
plan to utilize the power has materialized
the work is being rushed to completion
by force of $50 men working day and
night
The cost Of the dam will be more than
$,0oO,0oO It's location is five miles south
of this village, abutting on the Vermont
side to the town of Vernon and to Hins-
dals on the New Hampshire side At
this point the natural conditions are re-
markedly favorable for the work.
The electric power here developed with
be 165G0 horse power and the rights at
the French King Rapids, IA miles south
of the present site, have been acquired
where an auxiliary dam will be con-
structed if petition for a charter. now
before the Massachusetts Legislature, is
granted. This would materially increase
the available power.
While it is expected that the new plant
will benefit mainly the towns of BratSi
boro and Vernon, VT, Hmsdale. N. H,
and Northfield, Mass, more distant pdapts
n wit he o,iYof 10
radius of 80 or 60 miles. Within this circle
of industry would be Adams, North
Adams. Pittsfield, Springfield, Worcester
and Fitchburg. Mass. and Nashya and
Manchester, N. H. >.
The height of the dam, including its
fashboards, will be "a feet The power
house, which will be built of soli1 mason
~. will extend from the Verm5ht shore
go feet out into. the river, becaunIps a
part of the dam itself. Beyond, the.epow-
err house will be. spill-way. COO feet long.
making an s5o-ftat dam. The abutmtnts
will run back diagonally, so that the, high
water line will be one of about an even
1000 feet. In the middle of the river will
be a $-foot loE-way to take care Of the
annual log drivers.
The dam is being built Of concrete and
is of d type known among contractors as
the '.Ogee DAM"
/ The foundation is of solid rock from
shore to shore and lat only one point does
it lie at a great depth. At that point the
dam will be IS feet high and about so
feet wide at the base.
From the New Hampshire shore the
dam will extend inland 800 feet. About
10000 yard of concrete will be required in
the construction of the dam.
The dam will form pond varying from
500 feet to mile wide and several miles
in length. giving a total storage of 2oO,-
oc0,Ga0 cubic feet. The drainage area is
SEQ square miles. ,
Tie owners OF the danf are men con-
stituting the Connecticut River Power Co.
The officers Of the company are as fol-
lows President. Frank S. Streetcr of
Concord. N. H.; vice presidents, Charles
L. Ayling of Boston and Malcolm c.
Chace of Providence. r. l.: general man
ager, Henry I. Hartman of Boston.