The Washington times., 1924-03-24
By GEORGE WILLIAM LUCAS.

by the plant at Cupld's Bower, be-
low the falls, the power and light
ing demands of the District Of CO.
lumbia can be adequately met.
Water turbines of the vertical
shaft, reaction type, can then be
installed, directly connected to
electric generators.
The estimated capacity of this
plant is figured at 10 per cent in
excess of the known electrical
power consumption of Washing
ton city, providing, therefore, suf-
ficient surplus in the beginning to
care for a gradually increasing
demand during an estimated period
of three years.
Steps To Follow.
When necessity requires in after
times, due to the increased demand,
the second stage of DEVELOPMENT
can be carried through to compile
ton.
This stage will in many respects
follow along the lines advocated oy
Colonel Langfitt, in his much-dls-
cussed report of ten years ago, IN
treating of the increase OF the
water supply of the District OF Co
lumbia and power development.
Between tide level, at point just
above the old Chain Bridge. and
the natural stream surface immedi-
ately in front Of the Cupid's Bower
powerhouse. there is u natural fall
in the river of sixty-fOur feet, in
horizontal distance of about six
miles. There is therefore made
available additional power Of an
amount in the ratio of the two ny
draulic heads, that of Cupids Bower
and that provided at Chain Bridge.
The possible power output from
this second plant added to that from
the upstream project will, as esti-
mated, provide for all the power
demands from Washington city for
fmany years to come.
This Chain Bridge operation can
be realized with the construction of
a concrete dam. crosswise of the
river of height of sixty-two feet
between natural bedrock and the
crest of the spillway The pond
created will extend in slackwater
to point near the Cupid's Bower
and will be fed from the tailrace of
the first development, in addition
to that of it's own drainage basin.
represented in the area between the
two power sites, and sufficient in
amount OF continuous flow to geh-
crate and maintain u steady and
uninterrupted output Of electrical
energy.
To Utilize 2O8-F'OOt Fall.
The tailwater from this stage of
development will discharge to tide
level, the project making use of the
total possible fall in the natural
stream from a point in front of the
! upstream or Cupid's Bower plant.
The two developments together will
utilize the total fall Of the stream
between Chain Bridge and Point of
Rocks, 20S feet in distance of
forty miles.
This series Of projects will i'm no
way mar the scenic beauty of the
Great Falls, except, that at times,
the heavy volumes which usually
spill across this cataract. will be
diminished somewhat, due to the
the Cupid's Bower plant.
The powerhouse for development
No. 2. at Chain Bridge, will be- con-
! Structed as a part of the dam
structure itself and to be located at
the Maryland side of the river un-
der the proposed plan. Water tur-
bines of the same type as in the
upstream plant, directly connected
to electrical generators are to be
the equipment used. Connections
between waterwheels and forebay
extension of the pond will be pen
stocks of riveted plate construction.
The foregoing outline and descrip-
ton of the physical makeup of the
two stage development offers the
means of visualizing in the minds
eye what is to be the backbone of
the whole project of converting the
latent power of the river to useful
service.
Of the Potomac river in the course
The variable condition of flow
OF the year makes it necessary to
provide means for making certain
the proper measure Of water supply
Tor plant operation. If such opera
tlon is to be dependable the year
round Tor a certain fixed continuous
amount of power. The means to
be taken. such as are provided with
the creation Of large storage basins
In the tributaries to the upstream
regions of the Potomac valley.
During the greater portion Of the
year such reserve storage is un.
necessary as natural stream flow
provides sufficiency in volume for
maintaining constant output. Dur
ing periods Of drought, confined
fairly constantly to the fall of
every year, the natural stream dis.
charge is below the amount for
minimum power requirements and
replenishment Is necessary.
Solution Worked Out,
Very close study has been given
To this phase of the problem and
solution has been found that will
work out under the most extreme
conditions which may occur.
storage basins of extensive area
are devised for location in the
main valley of the river, extending
from point just above Harpers
FERRY in the valleys of the Great
Capapon, a large stream flowing
into the Potomac from the uplands
OF west Virginia, and of the Ope.
guam creek near Martinsburg, West
virginia. Many other storage sites
are available. in addition to these,
Wnlch Will provide further reserves
Tor future expansion 70 the main
power plants.
storage basinS are created with