The Washington times., 1918-05-15


Potomac, together with the cost of
such development
II the committee finds such de-
velopment Impractical. or not feasi-
Bile, il is instructed to show compre-
rensively. why, so the subject can be
put definitely aside.
Works On Two Schemes.
The committee is at work on two
development schemes that are be-
lieved feasible, either OF which will
develop more power than was used
in the entire city OF Washington at
the peak load in 1917.
The first OF these projects is the
most extensive, and provides for a
125.OO0 llilowatt hour development. 1t
is the idea of Engineer Thompson.
who is responsible for the movement
for comprehensive utilization OF this
water power. Mr.. Thompson has
studied the river for years, and is
convinced that development is prac-
tical. He interested Assistant Secre-
tary OF the Treasury ]. II. Moyle.
who is familiar with development of
resources in his native State of Utah.
The question was thoroughly discuss
ed with Judge Moyle. who brought
about the appointment OF the COM
mittee OF experts to settle the issue
Of development.
Huge Dam Planned.
The project calls for a huge dam
just above the present Government
dam above Great Falls. that will
throw the river to the top OF the Vir-
ginia hills. A long canal will bring
the stream down to tidewater at
Chain Bridge. where a $50 feet fall
OF water would be secured. This
means an artificial fall higher than
that OF Niagara.
While the power development idea
is that OF Engineer Thompson. who is
familiar with Washington needs
through his connection with Govern
ment plants, and developments here.
he frankly confesses that the canal
idea properly belongs originally to
George Washington, who made the
first river development.
When he was President. Washington |
built a canal around the Great Falls 10 |
do away with the portage there. In the |
old days the Potomac was a highway Of |
commerce from Cumberland TO Washing /
ton. Big bateaUK brought pelts and |
food down from the mountains 10 the |
Capital. The boats could not negotiate |
the falls. and there was a long portage, |
or land transfer, around the falls.
Work Warrington Did.
Washington put in a dam near the |
tons water supply and ran a canal /
around on the Virginia shore 10 a point |
below the rapids. The boats were low ,
cred through a series Of locks.
In addition the project provided a Sc |
ries Of water powers on the Virginia \
shore, and General Washington intended |
10 develop an industrial community |
along the canal. He put in a bloom mill. I
for the making Of wrought iron, that
was IN operation for years. Building OF
the Chesapeake and Ohio canal. however
did away with the river traffic and the
portage at Great Falls. and the canal ]
fell into disuse. The old bloom Elill was
closed century ago. but the mill and .
the Old canal and locks. or. rather. the
ruins II them are srill 10 be seen at
Great Falls.
Mr. Thompson has studied the old
canal and power development thorough
~. and L. convinced that Washington
was good engineer and that his idea
is the solution Of the Potomac power
problem.
Thorough study Made.
TIE commi,tc" created at the behest Of
Secretary McAdoo. at the urging Of AS
sistauJ secretary Moylc and Mr.. ThOmp-
son. mas already made thorough study
u the Potomac river drainage area. COY
zrinE II 800 square miles above the falls.
Project. No. ! calls for a dam fifty
feet high near the site Of the present
water supply dam. This dam would
back the water up through the deep
POtOma" gorge as FAR as Seneca, with
"a.
lated stream flow Of GOOOO seconds
feet Of water. or 10000 cubic feet 4
second. through tn" power canal. 4
canal would carry the water from the
lam along the Virginia hills to tide
water. at Chain Bridge. securing the
max imum fan. II j. estimated that
he volume and fail 81 water would
meet every power need OF the Capital
II this time. supplying more than the
peak load or current for the two big
utilities companies here and the Cow
.rnment and private plants as well.
The probable cost Of this project
would be $4,000 900. II constructed at
he present time. with its high cost
Il materials. Difficult Run and other .
.recks emptyhg into the Potomac
would be damned along the canal.
orming lakes that would give an ad- :
IitionaI storage supply OF water.
THIS project will be worked out in
he fullest detail by the committee
irst. and either accepted OF definitely {
elected. II H. realized By the en-
.ineers that there are many difhcult- I
les in the way, and many objections d
o be overcome. {
One OF the principal objections is -
he ice danger. An ice break in the
Ipper Potomac. bringing huge cakes =
IOwn the canal at the rate Of six q
eet a second. would wreak havoc. :
lnless a plan can be devised TO care d
or the ice flow. There Is also DANCE /
rom a break in the canal. or from q
he overflow IL il became necessary :
o suddenly shut of the water at the e
'oWer house at Chain bridge. The q