It appears then that from the above sources we may have a surplus over and above the quantity required of 136 cubic feet per minute, which is more than sufficient to make up any deficiency that may arise from the location of the ponds or reservoirs on the streams proposed for feeders. The Ischua creek valley, on account of the extent of drainage, its peculiar formation and the impervious character of the soil, is extremely well adapted to the multiplication of reservoirs. I would therefore remark, that in case any contingency should render it necessary to resort to other sources than those specified as adequate to the supply wanted, additional reservoirs may be constructed immediately above the one in contemplation at Farewell's mill-pond. The natural flow of water from Lime, Beaver, Mud and Fish lakes, as before stated, is 814.44 cubic feet per minute. Their capacity will be increased by raising dams and embankments 667.70 cubic feet per minute for 140 days, (in the dry season,) equal in all to 1,482.14 cubic feet in a minute. Three artificial reservoirs, each of the same capacity of the one in contemplation at Farewell's pond, would afford 1,476.60 cubic feet per minute, and should the Commissioners think it best to resort to this plan instead of using the waters of the lakes, such reservoirs can be constructed above the one proposed on Ischua creek, at an expense not very much exceeding the estimated cost of bringing the same amount of water from the lakes above mentioned. For estimates in detail of all the reservoirs and feeders connected with the summit level, see statement I. From the point where the Genesee river is received into the canal to Mount Morris, is a distance of 37 miles and 35 chains. Caneadea and West Koy creeks are also taken in by means of dams and short feeders, the creeks being previously crossed by the canal in aqueducts. Cold creek, yielding 174 cubic feet per minute, could be introduced if absolutely necessary; but as the supply of water will be abundant, I have not thought it proper to incur the expense that would be necessary for that object. The whole amount of water obtained from these several sources is 9,123 cubic feet per minute. Locks of larger lift occur from the above point to Rochester than on that portion of the route supplied from the summit, and will consequently require a proportional increase of lockage water; to provide for this, and for the combinations at Round Flat and Mount Morris, I have allowed 1,147 cubic feet per minute. The quantity required as far as Mount Morris, will be 4,891 cubic feet per minute, leaving an amount of water over and above the demand, of 4,231 cubic feet per minute. Although the quantity of water necessarily wasted is very great where so many locks occur together as in the vicinity of Mount Morris, yet it cannot be questioned that so large a surplus as that above mentioned will be fully adequate to the supply of any contingencies arising from that cause. Some damage will be sustained by the saw-mills upon the Canea dea and West Koy creeks in consequence of the water being taken from them in the dry season, and its passage through the race being partially obstructed at all times. No injury will be sustained by the mills at Mixville, situated at the West Koy Falls, the water being taken in below them and not setting back far enough to flood their wheels. At the point where the Genesee river is taken in I propose to construct a guard-lock, for the purpose of receiving the lumber, produce, &c. &c. of the country around its head waters. This lock will be about two miles north of the village of Buttstown, where are several saw-mills and a sash factory, and from which as also from many other places on the river, considerable quantities of lumber may be expected to pass annually through the canal. No other guard-locks except those at Mount Morris will be necessary, unless the Genesee river should be taken in as a feeder at some other point, which the following statements of the quantity of water furnished and required on both sides of the river, between Mount Morris and Rochester, will show to be unnecessary. Upon the east side, the streams which will be received into the canal are outlets of the Conesus, Hemlock and other lakes mentioned in a previous part of this report, which afford, together with that already in possession, 12,434 cubic feet per minute; the distance supplied from these sources being in all a fraction less than 76 miles, shewing a surplus beyond the required amount of 3,7321 cubic feet per minute. The stream on the west side, proposed as a feeder, is Allen's creek, 12 miles south of Rochester. The total length of canal to be supplied on this route is 74 miles. The quantity of water at command is 12,509 cubic feet per minute; the quantity required is 10,531, shewing an excess of the amount furnished over that required, of 1,978 cubic feet per minute. Allen's creek is crossed by an aqueduct with a lock of 7 feet lift connected with it, and the water is taken from the creek upon the lower lock. Notwithstanding the precaution of bringing in the water upon a level, which is depressed as much as is consistent with the safety of the work, it will be impossible to avoid injuring the hydraulic privileges at Scottsville. The water in the proposed feeder dam will rise about 4 feet above the present level of their tail races, reducing the head and fall to 141 feet, which will give rise to a claim for damages, if the canal should be constructed upon this side of the river. The hydraulic works consist of 2 flouring mills with 7 run of stones, 1 saw-mill, 1 turning lathe and 1 stave-mill. Many circumstances combine to render it advantageous to take out a feeder from the Genesee river at Mount Morris, especially if the canal should be located upon the west side, among which the necessity of drawing the whole supply of water for the canal, below Mount Morris, through the locks in that vicinity, is not the least important. Should the route upon the east side of the river be adopted, the same difficulty in relation to supplying the lower section of the canal would exist, and though there would be no absolute necessity of taking in a feeder, yet it would place the work [Assem. No. 42.] 5 out of danger of any disagreeable consequences which might result from neglect in passing through the necessary supply of water. I have mentioned in a preceding part of this report, that in case of taking in the Genesee river at Mount Morris, it will be necessary for the State to take the control of the water now used there for hydraulic purposes. Upon the east side of the river damages would ensue in taking in the outlet of the Honeyove lake, to the mills built thereon; for on account of the great height which it is necessary to build the canal to keep out of reach of the floods, the water to supply it will seriously curtail the head and fall of these mills by being dammed up against the wheels.* In the foregoing observations nothing has been said, nor have any calculations been made, upon the supply of water which will be furnished from the Canascraga creek by means of the Dansville side cut. Upon this head I deem it sufficient to remark, that the 15 miles from Dansville to Mount Morris will require 2,057 cubic feet per minute, to supply which the Canascraga furnishes, below the confluence of mill creek, 2,458 cubic feet, leaving a surplus of 401 cubic feet per minute. The estimates for the necessary structures to supply the canal with water, excepting those on the summit, will be found in the estimates of the sections upon which they occur. RECAPITULATION. First Statement. Aggregate cost from Olean to Mount Morris, as $1,197,159 98 406,607 67 Feeders and reservoirs not included in the esti mates for sections, as per statement I,....... Dansville side cut,. $59,888 03 156,604 25 $1,802,259 93 Add for contingencies and superintendence, 10 per cent,..... 180,225 99 Total,.... $1,982.485 92 *The amount of surplus without this feeder will be 948.85 cubic feet per minnte. So great an excess above the demand may render it unnecessary to take in the Honeyoye outlet, in which case the damages to the mills situated on it will be avoided. Second Statement. Aggregate cost from Olean to Mount Morris, inclu ding feeders and reservoirs,.... Mount Morris to Rochester, via west side of river, Add for contingencies, &c. 10 per cent,. Total with hammered stone locks,........................ Third Statement. Should composite locks be substituted in all cases except where combinations occur, deduct $150 per foot lift on the amount of lockage, (7041 ft.) plus 10 per cent,.... Total with part composite locks,........ $1,257,048 01 305,087 85 156,604 25 $1,718,740 11 171,874 01 $1,890,614 12 116,242 00 $1,774,372 12 Routes of communication to the Ohio valley. In order to exhibit the comparative advantages of the different routes proposed and in use from the Atlantic cities to the Ohio river, I subjoin the following account of the distances, lockage, cost and time of transportation upon them. It will be seen by a reference to these statements, that the expense of transportation upon the Allegany river and Pennsylvania canals, will preclude the possibility of the trade of the Rochester and Olean canal being drawn through that channel, or through any other injurious to the interests of this State. 1st. To New-York from Portsmouth, via the Ohio canal, Lake Erie and the Erie canal. 2d. To Philadelphia from Pittsburgh, via Portage rail-way and the Pennsylvania, Union and Schuylkill canals. 4,3451 Add from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia, as above,.. 4341 Total from Pittsburgh to New-York,........... 5471 4,457 To New-York from Olean, via Rochester and Olean canal, Erie ... 310 3411 3,153 3,215 From Wheeling to Georgetown, From Pittsburgh to Georgetown, From Pittsburgh to New-York via the Chesapeake and Ohio, the proposed Maryland, the Delaware and Chesapeake and the Delaware and Raritan canals, will be 615 miles. Lockage 3,661 feet, which reduced to a level will be 146,X615-761.44 miles total distance. From the above statement it appears that the length of the route now in use from the city of New-York to the Ohio river, through this State, is 1,006 miles, with a lockage of 1,896 feet; which, considering 25 feet of lockage equal to a mile in distance, (including unavoidable detentions at the locks,) is equivalent to a distance of 1,081 miles, of which 335 are steam-boat navigation. By the route which is the subject of the present report, the distance from Olean to the city of New-York, will be 520 miles, and a lockage of 1,687 feet, making in all 587 miles, of which 145 miles is steam-boat navigation. From Olean to Pittsburgh by the river, is 280 miles, and there is an average fall of 21 feet per mile. The transportation from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia is affected by canal, with the exception of 36 miles of rail-road over the Allegany mountains. The distance is 434 miles, in which a rise and fall of 4,345 feet is overcome by means of locks and inclined planes, with stationary power, equal in all from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh to 608 miles, and from New-York to Pittsburgh to 726 miles, including lockage. Miles. Summary of the length of the preceding routes: From Portsmouth on the Ohio river to New-York via Erie and Ohio canals, (including lockage,)......... 1,081.85 From Pittsburgh to New-York via Rochester and Olean canal and Erie canal, 867.60 From Pittsburgh to New-York via Pennsylvania and Delaware and Raritan canals, 726.00 |