The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1909-01-05
Hv John S. HENDERSON. Jf'
electrical Engineer.

watar-DoWer is one of North caro-
lina's most valuable natural assets. AS
supply and demand is the basis OF
commerce.. it is well to know that the
total possible Water-pOWer develop
mert in the State is much greater
than the present demand, but thar the.
present demand is greater than lhe
available developed supply. Inc
conservation of the forests on the
watersheds OF her rivers. the con
~struction of storage reservoirs 70
eoualiZe the flow of her rivers, tn
successful development of her water
mowers. and the effective use OF cleo
tric power by her manufacturers, Will
be great factors in lht
future industrial welfare OF Noftll
Carolina.
PAS development, which has prin-
cipally been confined to the piedmont
section, has embraced either the very
large powers, involving a very great
outlay of capital, or small powers Tor
isolated industries, the Development OF
which involved but little capital. GA
the various rivers in North Carolina,
conservative estimates show that about
SO, 600 horsepower is being utlfZeu
at the present time. This estimate
does not include the power being dls-
tribute by the Southern Power Conn
pany, whose power stations are ~
South Carolina. &
The panic of 1907 delayed the COM
pletion OF the systems of the Rocking
ham Power Company, and OF the
Whitney Company and some ofv}the
proposed work of h Southern Power
80 COMPANY. A most of the cotton
mills have resumed operation, some OF
them working night and day, there il
every reason to look forward to tho
completion of all developments plan
ned by these companies. The de
mand in the Carolinas for prinlar!
power is now largely in excess of tn
available supply, that can be Furnished
by the power companies now Operat
ing in the two States.
The present cotton mill machiner,
alone in North Carolina. within TIN
radius of electric transmission, bu
which is now operated by steam. re
quires approximately 100000 horse
power. During prosperous times
probably one-fourth of this machiner,
operates at night, making 10000,
horsepower, ten hours per day pow
er, and $1,000 horsepower for /
hours night power. This is only on,
of the industries of our State.
The water-powers in North Caro-
lima, that can be developed, can b.
divided into:-those suitable for eIec
trio transmission, and those adaptable
only to ISOLATED industries. TIL,
powers that can be developed for cleo
trio transmission can be divided int,
low head powers III the Piedmont sec
ton and high head powers in tn,
mountains.
A conservative estimate of power il
North Carolina hat can be developed
for electric transmission on the RO.
anOke, HaW, Deep, Yadkin Catawbs
and Broad rivers and tributaries is ap.
prOximatCly 10000. "a hours. prim.
airy, delivered, electrical, horsepower
and 10000 additional "a hours. {
months, delivered, electrical horse
power A similar estimate of power
in the New Watauga, Nolichucky
Pigeon, French Broad. T~uckaseegee
Little Tennessee and Hiwassee rivers
IS approximately 10000 primary, anC
$4,000 additional, 6 months, "a hours
delivered, electrical horse-power TIL,
construction Of suitably located reser
-Volrs would add largely to this powe,
and effect an advantageous division
INTO day and night power. ProbabI,
100000 primary and $4,000. s months