The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1921-06-11


course of erection But nature is ready to iend
help which would make the execution OF such
project far easier than one might imagine enhanu.
The walls of the gorge above Fosters Flats rise
sheer several hundred feet from the tideway' put
contiguous to the Flats the gorge is considerably
wider and on the Canadian side especially, the
bank slopes at comparatively easy gradient
terminating near the river in a fairly expansive
low-lying area. At the same time, the rivers path
is considerably narrower at that stretch OF It's
run. Owing to this state of affairs the Flats pre-
sent strategic base of operations from which to
start the rearing Of dam. That is to say, some
thing like 80 per cent of the contemplated struc-
ture can be completed on dry land before any OF
the work trespasses upon the present course OF
the Niagara at that point. Let us be more spe-
cific.
AS designed, the dam has spread in cross Sec
ton of about $50 feet at the base, and 30 feet or
more of this lower portion will reach below the
line of the riverbed and have its footing on the
underlying solid rock. With total height of 40
feet, the dam will be of extremely massive char
acter. The bottom section Of the dam-at least
that half of 1t that will rise from Fosters Flats
will be pierced by large temporary openings Of
culverts, and channels will be dug to them the
upstream side to serve as sideways for the en-
tire volume of the Niagara when 1t becomes neces-
sary to divert the river In order to bare the nor
NAL bed for building purposes along the line OF
the contemplated barrier. With this done. :: Will
then be relatively easy engineering task to dam
the usual or natural water course to facilitate
excavating the rock and erecting that portion of
the dam that will terminate on the American
shore. When the dam is finished. then the sluice-
ways will be sealed and the waters impounded
until they accumulate and carry the surface level
back from the crest of the dam to the very foot
Of the Falls.
As most everyone knows, great quantities of ice
are carried over the Falls and down the river dur
ing the winter and the breakup Of that rigorous
season, and the impact ana the pressure Of these
foes must be withstood by any rigid obstruction
rising in their path. Therefore 1t is essential
that these stresses be minimized and that the
currents be free to carry the ice onward with
minimum Of opposition while the bulk Of the water
is held in check. To this end the dam will be
fashioned with long slopes on the up and the
downstream sides.
The dam will serve the double purpose Of i'm
pounding the waters Of the Niagara for distance
Of nearly five miles and of housing the great turbo
generators that will transform the fierce Of those
waters into 100000 horsepower Of electrical en-
ergy. According to the estimates, this undertake
ing would involve total outlay Of approximately
s$1O0OOOOOO; and from start to finish would take
something like three years. On the basis of coal
consumption previously cited for the development
Of horsepower year. l. e., 8 tons. this scheme
that fuel annually. At $40 ton this would repre-
sent an economy Of $16O,OOO,O0O every twelve
month. But quite apart from these considerations,
there would be that inestimable gain In the mat
ter Of electrical energy that could be utilized for
innumerable industrial purposes. Not only that.
motive impulse at a moderate cost would be
available for domestic services Of many sorts.
We have led the world In the varied Character
and the magnitude of our electrochemical indus
tries. and we can maintain our position in this
respect only by continuing to provide great blocks
Of low-priced current to meet the increasing de-
hands for the commodities now manufactured at
or near Niagara Falls Finally, let 1t be recalled
that the two projects might prove exceedingly val
liable sources Of energy for that great superpower
zone which is to embrace far-fung section Of
the states Of our northeastern seaboard. Isn't it
worth our while to have at our disposal 100000
horsepower without burning single pound of
coal? Can we be Indifferent to undertakings
that win enable us to increase vastly our produc.
tiveness while cutting the fuel bill by hundreds
Of millions Of dollars yearly7