The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1910-11-23

"'iiiNeu Tor the economical deyelon. !
inen1 OF hydro-electric power for use
~ me towns along the river or for
lians nlsslon to the twin cities. Rights
nave been secured at most advantac-
eous points for these various develon.
ments and plans prepared for the
construction of the several dams and
power houses to generate in the az.
gresate 100000 hydro-e'ectric horse
] power. Part of these rights and plans
Tor development have been disposed
OF to a syndicate of eastern capital-
ISIS, but those nearest Minneapolis
are still held by the Great Northern
development Company, whose pur-
pose is to improve the same as soon
aS the necessary permits can be OBJ
famed ffom congress for proceeding
i with the work Of construction. These
improvements will be made through
the agency OF the nterurban Power
company, subsidiary corporation OF
the Great Northern Development
company, and the first development
VIII be at Coon Greek rapids, about
six miles above Minneapolis city lin
its, where some $4,000 horsepower can
be developed and transmitted direct
TO Minneapolis Or to st. Paul without
the use of transformers The develop
ment company now owns all the lands
and flowage rights that will be in any
way affected by the proposed develop.
ment at Coon Creek rapids, embracing
over ten miles of river front The
dam will back the water up some six
miles as far as the town of Anoka
and will incidentally create deep wa
ter which can be used for pleasure
boats or for the purposes of naviga-
ton if required.
Provision has been made for locks
in each development and the location
of the various dams has been made
with a view to cooperating with the
federal government in case the river
should ever be utilized for the pur-
poses of navigation.
A total expenditure of not less than
s20,000,000 will be required to carry
out the complete plans of the Great
Northern Development Companys
power propositions on both the St.
Louis and upper Mississippi rivers, in
surfing an ultimate development of ap
proximately 100000 horsepower. AS
result of these developments num-
erous manufacturing industries will
be brought into the state and thous-
ands of desirable citizens added to
the population of northern Minnesota
Some idea of the value of this hydro
electric power when developed may
be gathered from the fact that for
the production of an equal amount OF
electric power by steam. 100000
tons of coal would be required each
year on the basis of operating twelve
hours per day and using three pounds
Of coal per horsepower hour. This
neapolis at present prices upwards of
J s4.009,000 annually.
81 That the value of our water powers
has not been more fully appreciated
: and taken advantage of seems almost
!, incredible True, some vague idea of
the existence of certain power posi-
bilities upon the streams of northern
r minnesota mas DeeH entertained loi
, many years. but the ways and means
for their successful development and
an intelligent estimate of the substan-
tial amount OF power that can be re
allied from them is due very largely
to the persistent efforts and intelli-
; gent plans Of the officials and engi-
; neers of the Great Northern Develop
ment company. Too much credit can
not be given these men for the impor-
tant part they have, taken toward the
! utilization OF these tremendous forces
!, of nature that have been going to
: waste through all the centuries, and
making them one of the most valuable
and productive resources of our state.