Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1913-03-14

a huge ring below, and the total
weight Of one turbine unit is about
$4,000 pounds. The lower ring itself
weighs about 111.000 pounds, and be-
tween 1t and an upper ring of similar
size is steel cylinder embedded in
the massive concrete, which Is the
basement of the power house. The 30
turbines develop over 100000 horse
power, and this is increased by two
auxiliary smaller wheels, which also
energ1ze the exciters of the electric
generators. This is over three times
as much power as is developed in any
one other water-power plant in the
world. After deducting slight losses
OF energy and very large reserve,
100000 horsepower will be sold for
commercial use.
At the lower end of the great power
house Is colossal lock with the same
width as those at Panama and with a
lift Of 40 feet instead of the lift of 28
feet inches in any one lock at the
canal. Beside the lock will be a NAM
moth dry dock for building and re-
pairing boats. There is also a long
and high wall protecting the tracks of
railroad alongshore, which must be
elevated above the new water level
above the dam. and an ice fender like
concrete bridge over a kilometer
long is anothr part of the work there
In the bottom Of the Mississippi riv-
er, built to keep ice and debris Of all
kinds out Of the turbines.
At Its western end this largest of
power dams joins the power house,
which stretches almost at right angles
down the river for almost third of
mile-accurately. 1,718 feet-with
width of about 1873 feet and a height
Of over lit feet The water from
the immense forebay between the
power house and the Iowa shore
passes through thirty arched portals,
behind which are buttressed, on their
outer ends, the steel rods acting as
strainers. Behind each arched por-
tai are four intakes to each turbine
water wheel. each intake being % feet
high.
WORK OF many years.
The origin of that water power de-
velopment is most interesting. 1t is
the result of remarkably persistent la
Dor on the part Of the people of that
community through several decades.
In the middle Of the last century the
value of the vast quantity of power
going to waste there was recognized
and various unsuccessful movements
to utilize it were launched. Then ten
years were spent in work which was
successful at last. A corporation
which really was trustee for the peo-
pie made preliminary surveys, collect
ed data, obtained franchise act from
congress, and searched for capital to
build the water power installation. 1t
obtained its funds from the municipal
treasures of Keokuk and of Hamil-
ton. ILL.,, across the river. 1t succeed
ed only after 1t interested in the prof.
ect Mr.. Hugh l.. Cooper, who organ
lied the present proprietor company
only after much labor and many re-
bluffs. and succeeded finally chiefly be-
cause Of his record of successful
building of water power plants at Nj
agara Falls. Sac Paulo and other
places.
1t is intended to start the turbines
and generators in the mammoth pow
er house early next summer, with
the president of the United States
pulling the lever to start the turbines,
while he stands surrounded by the
governors of all the states In the
Mississippi valley.