Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-02-22
Improvement of Rock River
By w. A. Meese. Moline

coal be transported by water. Major
Townsend estimated the amount that
would be saved per ton at As cents,
yet did not deem the improvement ad-
visable.
Major TownsendAs report Is a valua-
bic document, but he failed to take in
some of our Rock river towns, notably
Grand DetOur, where since then the
large cement works have been located,
Oregon and Byron.
"Townsend's report shows a saving
to these -four cities and the country
adjacent in the cost of coal of $31, 500
annually, and there is no question that
the exact sum today would be more
than $4,000 a year.
Now, for the first time, has a pro-
ject been advocated that embraces all
of the interests centered along the
Rock river.
Aim of Association.
Our aim is TO first ask the United
States government to make Rock
river, from Sterling, ILL.,. to GAINESVILLE.
Wis, navigable, by building and main
tanning locks in all dams now con-
structed and to be costructed in the
Rock river between such points, and
to construct channels of approach to
all such dams.
I'VE ask for survey of Rock river
and request that such survey cover
the Rock river from Sterling. H., 20
Horizon Lake (marsh), Wis.
In such survey and report we ask
and reported on:
First. The establishment of a Sc
ries of reservoirs.
"a At Horizon Lake.
"B. At Hustisford Lake
&C. AT Koshkonog Lake.
Second. We further ask that espe-
ciaI examination and report be made
of all benefits that may and will &C
crue on account of such improvement
of Rock river, as will
"a. Benefit the farm lands adjacent
to such Rock river and now subject
to overflow
"B. Benefit each and every water
power now established along the Rock
lished
&C. What proportionate share each
Of the beneficiaries should pay
I'D. What each city on Rock river
should do toward furnishing suitable
landings and docks.
Horizon Reservoir.
II believe that when such a survey
is made ii will demonstrate that the
various power companies on Rock
river can well afford to buy the Hori-
con marsh and let the government
convert it into a reservoir. If this
were done it would guaraatee an equa-
bic flow during the low water season,
thus insuring permanent navigation
during the season, and would also in
sure increased and sttady power.
The water shed OF the Horizon
marsh district comprises some 400
square miles and Lake Horizon proper
has an area of about $4,000 acres
When the old dam was in place it is
estimated the lake covered about so
square miles. A $50 foot long dam
thrown across Rock river at the foot
of the lake, to raise the water about
10 feet. would create a reservoir capa-
BILE of holding at least from eight to
ten billion cubic feet of water, and
for 12O days during low water season
would flow probably 900 cubic feet
per second in addition to the present
during such season.
cat Hustisford, at very little ex-
pense. as well as at Lake Kohhkonong.
reservoirs can be built at a small cost,
and which would materially help the
Rock river.
Property Rights Protected.
"The only opposition have encoun-
tered has been from persons who be-
lieved they would be injured in their
rights If Rock, liver was
made navigable. I realize that many |