The independent-reporter., 1910-02-24
WATER POWER ON.
EAST BRANCH
Forty Foot Rise Of Lake
An Absurdity
Whatever Develepment Results VIII
Not Mar Beauty Of Moosehead.

During the last week in January a
report was circulated through the
New England newspapers that the
Kennebec river was to be harnessed
In the vicinity of Indian Pond In q
way calculated to make possible the
generation of over 10000 horsepower
electrical power to be sent over trans
mission lines to various manufactur-
ing enterprises in different parts Of
the State. The report stated that the
Kennebec Development company
would begin work on three dams. Of
concrete construction, In the spring,
and that third Of the possible pow
er had already been bargained for. 1t
also set forth that the first Of the
three dams at the head of Indian
Pond would rise to q heigth sufiicient
to cover the present normal eleva-
ton of the waters of Indian Pond by
1876 feet. This last recalled state
ment brought forth many editorial
protests from all over New England.
for it appeared that great damage
would be done to the scenic Moose
head Lake. the pride of lovers Of
natural beauty and lovers Of con-
servation alike. In these reports, O.
H. Briggs was named as president
Of the Development company, and
was quoted as saying that the devel-
opment in question was not only feas-
ible but an assured fact.
1t appears now that the whole
story was a fabrication, for not only
does the Kennebec Development COM
pany lack the rights to undertake this
development, but the parties who do
own the rights are planning develop
ment there, and development of a
character that will greatly benefit
manufacturing in Maine by the gen.
Grafton Of more power, but will not
food great territories nor mar the
beauty OF Moosehead. The report as
It was printed by the press was an
absurditxr, II the nrst Of the three
dams should BE- built ~ the height
given the. water held back would
raise Moosshead Lake forty feet.
making house-boat out Of the Kineo
house and converting Greenville into
q submarine village. There II At
present ~ foot head at the big
lake, and 1t has been question for
several years with the parties own
ing the water powers whether It
would be feasible to raise the lake
two feet. 1t II hardly possible to get
two feet more Of drainage.
The development that il really
probable 10 under consideration BY
engineers employed by 8. w. Phil
brick and hfS associates who control
the necessary rights and privileges.
The deeds for all the properties which
1t is necessary to hold in order to
build dams in this vicinity on the
East Branch are already written and
signed, and are at present deposited
in escrow with tho Portland Trust
Company. No contract has been
made. however. for any development
up to this time, and the promoters
themselves are not decided just how
many and how great dams will be
built. One thing is certain. the wa
tiers Of the Kennebec will not be
raised in q way sure to food large
tracts of land, and in raising Moose
head forty feet oblige erstwhile citi-
zens Of 0resnviile to move back to
the hills or drown in their homes.
There 10 prospect foA some de-
velopment IN the near future that
will be . direct benefit to the State;
but nothing definite can be known
for some time.