The Washington herald., 1909-03-07

Winnipeg, Manitoba. March 6.-The most
important public work IN the vicinity OF
Winnipeg now engaging the energies Of
the Dominion government is the construc-
ton OF canal with a lock and dam,
whereby the rapids OF the Red River may
be safely passed by the largest vessels
which now ply upon the Red River and
Lake Winnipeg.
This signifies a clear steaming course
from the docks Of Winnipeg city TO War
rens Landing. at the northern extremity
Of Lake Winnipeg. q distance Of 200 miles.
II signifies also the possibility Of laying
down at Winnipeg, without transship-
ment, the varied products OF the Lake
Winnipeg region-from t-e water, fish;
from the ground. mineral tas yet unex-
plored): from the foresi lumber. pulp
wood. and fuel; from the Wild woods, the
native abode OF the red man and OF the
trapper. furs The commercial impor-
tance Of this work TO Winnipeg cannot
easily be overrated.
Water Low in summer
AT st. Andrews, sixteen miles north of
Winnipeg, the Red River describes
great, sweeping curve, at the outer part
OF which its waters descend in swift ed
dies over a rough, rocky bottom. In the
spring and fall Of the year boats Of small
draft may be safely guided through the
current. but in the summer season the d.
minished quantity OF water sometimes
causes a boat to become fastened upon
the submerged rocks. BY this obstruction
direct trade between Winnipeg City and
Lake Winnipeg is effectively prevented
This undertaking. which looks to the
removal Of a barrier 10 traffic and Is de-
signed TO benefit not only Winnipeg, but
also the lake shore and the Laurentian
region beyond, was begun in 1900. Under
the first contract only a little work was
done. consisting entirely in the eXcava-
tiOn OF earth. II was then abandoned and
an interval OF inactivity ensued. How
ever. in 1906 n new contract was made
with another firm, and the work has
steadily progressed summer and winter
Works and Their Equipment.
When completed the whole structure
will consist Of abutments on each bank
Of the river; seven large piers 100 feet
apart, firmly founded on the rocky bed
Of the river; the lock with its outer wall
and retaining wall. the latter strength
ened by pier closely joining it and form
ing a part OF its mass; and the permanent
dam occupying the spaces between the
piers. All the masonry Of the lock and
its approaches, Of the permanent dam.
and Of the piers is of solid concrete.
Upon the piers will be imposed a traffic
bridge of heavy structural steel From
this bridge structure will be let down a
MI fe r,ou a
movable type known as the "Camere cur
tain dam" Rolling curtains are operated
on a number OF frames which are let
down from above. and which rest on
step-socket castings imbedded in the per-
manent dam. The upper reach Of the
curtain viii be maintained at an eleva-
ton of p feet above the lower reach
The dimensions Of the lock are: Length
between hollow quOins. 200 feet; width. a
feet. navigable depth at lowest elevation
OF water over the sills, 9 feet; lift, q feet
Canal Cuts High Bluff.
The canal terminating in the lock has
been cut through the high bluff which
fills the inner bend Of the river. Its sides
will be so graded as 10 preclude prOoa-
bility Of landsIides. Entrance piers, an
eighth Of mile from the dock, guard the
upper end OF the canal on either side.
The total earth excavation amounts TO
10000 cubic yards; the total excavation 70
1900 cubic yards. The total amount OF
concrete in the finished work will be 4s. .O0O
cubic yards. requiring the use Of Portland
cement, 62OO0 barrels. All the cement
needed is now on hand.
The masonry work Of the lock and OF
the canal approaches is completed; also
three piers out Of the total Of seven; and
900 feet out of the 500 feet Of the dam. II
is expected that all the work under this
contract will be completed in April 1905
including all excavations for canal and
approaches and all masonry work OF piers
and Of permanent dam.
The contract for the movable dam has
been let at approximately s570.000 call
ing for completion on October /, 1903, al
which date the lock should be completed
and in readiness for navigation. Figures
for the steel superstructure are not avaiI-
able. The cost Of the work TO the end OF
1905 approximated $4,000 The total cost
on completion will be $1,000 600.
Fear Deposit OF silt.
Above St Andrews. for a distance of
sixteen miles. the river flows with slow
current. having a fall of only fifteen feet
IN the entire distance. The completion
OF the dam Will raise the level Of the
water through these sixteen miles as far
as Winnipeg itself, furnishing such depth
Of water that the construction and use OF
docks at Winnipeg will be comparatively
easy. It. is suggested that the silt with
which the water OF the Red River Ia
laden will be deposited in large quantities
within this stretch of sixteen miles anC
will make dredging necessary.
On the other hand, It is argued that the
annual raising Of the movable dam will
serve 10 flush the river bed at a time
when the waters have most flushing pow
or and that this will obviate any neces-
sity for dredging. II is a fair inference
from the facts above set forth that Win
nipeg will become the head Of lake navi-
cation. The merchandise Of the lake
region will be handled here
Winnipeg is reaching out after thi:
business, and, with the completion OF the
lock. is likely TO get the bulk OF Il. II
VIII readily be seen what a valuable as
set II is. and what an important mat
ter is the handling OF r. If the openins
Of the Red River increases the business
Of Winnipeg and adds TO her already
great prosperity, no less will it con-
tribute to the well-being of the res
dents Of the entire lake region. who will
be enabled to obtain a share OF the
varied merchandise OF which this city Z:
the greatest distributing center IN the
Canadian West. A trade route Of pres
ent Importance and Of great future pos
slbilities will be opened up.
VIII Rebuild italian Cities.
The reconstruction OF the cities OF Mes
sina, Reggie. Palmi. Bagnara, &c. hav