Evening star., 1944-01-16
Potomac Power Plan Revived

between the cost OF steam power and
estimated cost of water power over a
period OF so years, the value of pos
sible navigation, and increased taxation
to the extent of more than $50 900 900
for the 50-year period. Finally, the esti-
mated value of handsome park was
counted, which it was said would cost
the people of the District nothing. A
vivid picture of the value of an indus
trlalized valley was also presented. But
these estimates of saving were all made
on the supposition that the natural park
had no value and that the nearby resi-
dental property would not increase in
value and tax returns. Moreover, no
witness promised any lower costs for
electricity to the people of the District.
A Warmed up Project.
We hear of new approach today-a
multiple-use program for the entire Po-
tomac basin. But in 1928 there was a
pending proposal for public power de-
velopment. There was talk of naviga-
ton and flood control. No new major
elements have been injected into the
picture. 1t is distinctly a warmed -up
project. 1t may be that today there is
more disposition on the part of the
engineers to shift locations of dams, as
perhaps to place the Great Falls Dam
above the falls where it cannot be seen
from the falls, or to lower the height of
the Chain Bridge Dam, or in other ways
to make concessions which would work
less damage on the park From all we
near, TOO, there are proposals now
utterly to artiflcialiZe the falls-to agree
to let definite amount of water flow
from the reservoir over the falls for the
daylight hours of seven months of the
year; the rest of the time to leave the
1alls bone dry, except in time of flood!
Out of a possible Is or 30 develop
ments along the upper and lower Po-
tomac probably few would be selected
as initial projects in case power is de-
cided upon. 1t might even be that the
initial developments would occur in the
upper Potomac, although it was always
claimed in the earlier proposals that the
upper Potomac development, without the
lower between Chain Bridge and Great
Falls, would be uneconomic. But who
can suppose that If power development
IS started on the Potomac pressure will
not be constantly exerted to bring into
use all of the waters of the river for
power?
The same may be said of any agree
ments, even those which might be writ
ten into acts of Congress, to limit the
height of the dams or to permit certain
waters to flow over the falls instead of
through power plant. AS a matter of
fact the situation is not very different
from that of II years ago. The same
dams and power plants are proposed
Then and now it was explained that
the power would be sold where a market
could be found-Baltimore, or even
Philadelphia, if necessary
With liberal write-offs for flood con-
troll and navigation, the investment in
power could probably be recovered over
period of so years if steady market
for the power could be developed and
held. But there is a hidden cost not
figured in any of these estimates-the
great damage to the existing scenery of
the Potomac in the Washington region.
If this is figured at it's true value, the
whole multiple purpose project becomes
uneconomic as we'll as undesirable
Would Destroy Beauty.
The dam above Great Falls would
withhold great volumes of water, and
the Falls would never again approach
the majesty exhibited on many days OF
most years in the past. Ambassador
Bryce in his day could not conceive that
we would not always preserve this noble
cataract" which he considered un-
equaled in the vicinity of any European
city.
Something may be said for the regu-
lation of water flow by which on some
days when the river is low more water
might be made to flow over the falls
Nothing can be said for the great loss
Of water which gives the falls their
wild appearance and their international
reputation. 1t may be admitted that
some of the proposed changes would not
be catastrophe, but the flooding of the
tall palisades to reduce their stature tc
mere rocky banks would utterly rob this
stretch of the river of its characteristic
beauty.
In addition to these highly undesir-
aole scenic changes there would be the
almost certain transformation Of pleas
ant residential suburbs into industrial