The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-10-02
The Saginaw Grand Rapids Water
way Project.
Grand Rapids Press

Grand Rapids Press
John f. Nellist, photographer of the
state geological survey, was present at
the board of trade meeting last evening
with his special maps and the inspec-
tion of these, together with the expla-
nation of Mr.. Nellist, confirmed the
opinion of the river improvement COM
mittee that the deep waterway across
the state was not alone feasible, but
practical.
This report went into the PROPOSE
tion in clear cut way, giving the
authority of Lyman E. Cooley's opin.
ion as the basis for its contention that
this was the natural and therefore the
correct solution of river traffic problems
1t would also be in keeping with the
movement which the Canadian govern
ment has pledged itself to for twen-
ty-one-foot waterway from Georgian
bay to the st. Lawrence, below the falls,
and with the project of Illinois for the
Chicago to the gulf deep waterway.
The map was made from notes taken
by Mr.. Nellist when he accompanied
the government surveyors over the pro-
posed route of the lower Michigan canal
and is the only map of its kind in exis-
tence. 1t is geographic, geologic and
topographic and showing the soil of the
state as well as the elevation it was
mute witness to the truth of the engi-
neer's statement that in former ages the
water which now passes over Niagara
falls came down through the Grand
river, there then being natural water.
way from Huron to Lake Michigan,
and that Saginaw bay came practically
to the original head of the Grand river
FEW CUTS TO MAKE.
Mr.. Nellist, who was supported by
Capt G. w. Bunker, in his statements,
said the projected canal lay almost
ready to the hand of those who desired
it. The Grand, Maple, Shiawassee and
Saginaw rivers would have an ample
flow for the fourteen foot level, as is
proposed at the beginning, the banks of
the streams being adequate to this depth
There would have to be cut of be.
tween four and five miles from the
Maple to the Shiawassee river, the ele
walton here being but seventy.two feet.
The rest of the distance is practically
lake level. In conversation with the
Press Mr.. Nellist stated that the pro-
ject was not only feasible, but that
today it was the easiest project of all
the deep waterway propositions before
the people of the country. Aside from
the cut mentioned and deepening the
channel, about all that would have to
be done would be to place the locks at
the proper levels. Vessels would save
about half the time now consumed in
rounding the straits, to say nothing of
the delay and danger between the latter
stormy passage and the safe trip
through the canal.
The specific recomm endations are:
First-That the board of trade adopt
as general plan waterway from Sag
inaw to Lake Michigan at Grand Haven
for vessels drawing twenty.one feet of
water.
Second-This involves national and
state cooperation. The state (nclud-
ing the district bordering the canal)
should assume that part of the expense
relating to the projects for waterpower,
flood protection and drainage of bottom
lands, and the national government
that part of the expense relating to
navigation. This arrangement would
be similar to the Illinois project and
would probably involve an amendment
to the constitution of our state.
Third-The board of trade should ask
Immediately for; First, government
survey to determine the feasibility of
that part of the project which bears
upon navigation. Second, supple
mentary survey made either by the state
or by local authorities or by both, to
develop the possibility from such a
waterway bearing upon: (a) Flood pro-
lection, (b) Reclamation of bottom
lands, (c) Waterpower.
SHOULD ASK COOPERATION.
Fourth-The details of such project