Norwich bulletin., 1911-01-30
Report of Wstsr Commissioners
 Gives Chance for Comparison
(continued from page five.)

$171,0o0.
 B. By a 24 inch pipe line to a point opposite the main dam site, and Q Is inch pipe line the balance Of the dis tance to the present mill pond at an expense of s1S4,000. C. By a 24 finch pipe and a dam at the main site having a storage capac- ny or 35O,000,000 gallons, and having 1ts rollway at an elevation Is feet above high water at Fairview at an expense of s304, 000
 ID. By 20 inch pipe to the present mill pond and enlarging the mill pond at an expense of $250,000.
 The flow of the stream could be first diverted in either case and the large reservoir built ct d later time when needed
 All of the above estimates are ex- elusive of water rights.
 There is only one mill on the stream below the point of diversion. This mill uses @ fall of about 35 feet
 A smaller quantity of water than that named above could be acquired at less expense for water rights, but there would be little or no difference in cost of construction.
 The Water Rights
 All the estimates are given exclusive of water rights. The cost of these rights is difficult to estimate, because it is determined by bargain or legal procedure without competition or choice.
 So far as the city's interests are con- cerned, the owners of land through or along which a stream flows do not own the water of the stream in the ordi- nary sense. They own the right to use the whole of it for power, returning it again to the stream. They may use it for other purposes on their own land.
 Every owner of land through or along which a stream passes owns the right to have the water of the stream pass through or along his land sub stantially undiminshed.
 Strictly speaking, no one owns the water of any stream or pond to the ex- tent that he can sell it until he has ac- quired the right to divert it from ev- cry land owner below the point of di- version.
 On the other hand, the city does not have to pay the owners the value of the water. but the damage to. the prop erty of the owner on account of the diversion of the water.
 Damages and Market Value.
 The damage is the difference be- tween the market value of the proper and it's market value after such di- version.
 The market value of the property in such cases is the amount that ar owner willing to sell and not obliged to sell. would be willing to take and q purchaser desiring to buy, but not obliged to buy. would be willing t. pay.
 The average flow of New England streams on which extended observa- tions have been made is @ little more than 100000 gallons daily from eacf square mile, or about IT cubi feet Del second per square mile. A great 6ea Of this Ns1fpr goes t0 waste durlnG storms and throughout the wetter pdri of the year. No actual damage is sus- tained by a mill owner by the diver sion of water that would otherwise rur over his dan. The amount the mil owner is obliged to let so by unused depends on the size of his water wheels or the amount of water ht needs for power and other uses.
 If the water diverted is contained in a pond or lake controlled by thu owner of mill privilege, the damast caused by the diversion is much great. CT than that caused by the diversion O water, part of which would hav' gone over the mill owners dam un' used.
 The stored water controlled by a mil owner is used by him when he woult otherwise be lacking water, and mak ing up that lack by the use of steam.
 Much of the water that might be di verted from Gardner lake is wa-te controlled by mill owner, and hene' it's taking would be more damaging than the taking of a similar amour of water from Jordan brook or StCn, brook.
 In case of Jordan or Stony brooks the most satisfactory way would be t. acquire the right to divert the tota flow of the streams. because little i anything would be likely to be savet by taking a smaller amount
 In the case of Gardner lake, sub stntial sum might probably be savet by acquiring the right to take limit ed amount.
 Comparison of Cost Of Rights.
 The value of anything or the pric, that will have to be paid for it ca, perhaps be best predicted by learning what has been paid for similar things
 The city paid the Falls compan, s5000 for the right to divert the Mea dow brook watershed of 55-10 miles.
 At the same rate the total damag, to all the mill property in use below Jordan brook, including the Falls com pany would be 17,0G0.
 At the same rate the damage to th' only mill owner on Stony brook would be s3,s33
 not admit or direct comparison witt the amount paid at Meadow brook, be cause the water to be diverted tller' would be partly freSnet water ant partly stored water.
 BOARD OF WATER
 COMMISSIONERS.
 By Chandler & Palmer, Engineers.
 January 1Ttff,- 1911. '''i '''ss4sa