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Tenth Census of the United Stat es , volmis XVI

Report on the Water-Power of the South Atlantic Watershed
George I". Swain, S. B, , Engineer

Washing t on
Government Printing Office
1335

3>S

REPORT ON THE SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

PREFATORY LETTER

Boston, Mass., September 20, 1881.

Prof. W. P. Trowbridge,

Columbia College, New York City.

Sir : I have the honor to submit herewith my report on the water-power of the streams draining what I have
designated as the "Southern Atlantic Water- shed", or, in other words, of the streams flowing into the Atlantic
south of the James river. My report on the streams of the middle Atlantic water-shed, comprising the streams as
far north as the Hudson, is in course of preparation, and will be duly submitted when completed. In making this
division of the territory assigned me I have been guided by a desire to group together such streams as possess
the greatest number of features in common, and it seemed as though the line had best be drawn at about the
southern limit of the state of Virginia, which is often classed as one of the middle states.

Following the directions which I have from time to time received from you, I have traveled over most of the
country covered by this report, and have collected as much information as was possible with the time at disposal.
With so large a territory to traverse in so short a time, anything like thoroughness has, of course, been impossible,
and my work must be considered a rough reconuoissance only. I have been able to visit in person only a few of
the water-powers in my district, many of which are inaccessible ; and, for information regarding even some of the
important ones, I have been obliged to depend on hearsay or on correspondence. Even in the case of powers
which I visited I am able, in many cases, to present only their general features, having been unable to spare
the time necessary for a detailed examination. The only instrument of measurement used was a Locke pocket-level,
with which I was enabled to arrive, in some cases, at quite close approximations to the fall, while in others the
results obtained are liable to large error. Those who have used the instrument will testify to the fact that, when
long sights have to be taken, the want of sensitiveness of the bubble renders accurate results impossible. In one
case I was enabled to make use of an aneroid barometer, kindly loaned me for the occasion by Professor Kerr, the
state geologist of North Carolina, but with this single exception the pocket-level was the only instrument of
measurement used.

In preparing this report I have made use of all the material within my reach, giving due acknowledgment in
each case where other reports or publications have been used extensively. To the reports of the Chief of Engineers,
U. S. A., and those of the officers of the corps, I am indebted for so much information that it would be useless
to attempt to refer to the authority for each statement taken from them, when it is not of particular importance.
To the officers themselves, and their assistants, I am also personally indebted for valuable aid, advice, and
information while at work in the field. My acknowledgments are also due in this place to the officers and engineers
of the various railroads in the district, who have, with the greatest kindness and interest, furnished me with
^ elevations of streams along their roads, and with general information concerning the country. To civil engineers,
0^ state officers, and private citizens, all through the district, I am indebted for the greatest encouragement in the
C^, prosecution of my work, and for information of all kinds. Particularly must I here acknowledge the obligations I
am under to Prof. W. C. Kerr, state geologist of North Carolina, for copies of reports on geology and allied subjects
Aa bearing on water-power, and for aid and advice in very mamy cases. To him is due chiefly whatever success may
be found to have attended my efforts to present an adequate view of the water-power of his state.

665-5

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

In discussing the material thus collected T have, after dividing my district into the two divisions above named,
prefaced the descriptions of the various rivers by a general description of the districts so far as their common
characteristics are concerned. In giving information regarding particular powers I have endeavored to let each
statement pass for what it is worth, and for no more; and where inaccuracies are liable to occur, I have repeatedly
called attention to them.

The drainage areas given in the report were measured geometrically, there being no planimeter in possession
of the office at the time they were determined. I have, however, checked them in so many ways that I believe
them to be accurate measurements of the areas as taken from the maps. The latter are, in many cases, so
inaccurate that slight errors in measurement are of no importance. I have uniformly used Colton's largest maps
of the separate states, which were the best I could find. In checking my measurements of the drainage-basins of
the larger streams, by comparing them with those of Mr. Gannett, published in Census Bulletin No. 78, 1 have had
the satisfaction of finding that the two agree, generally, within 1 or 2 per cent.

In making estimates of the amount of power available at the various sites I have endeavored to proceed
according to the most approved methods in use in this country, and to pay proper attention to the most advanced
and recent investigations in this direction. Having fully explained, in the introduction, the methods I have used,
it is unnecessary for me to do more here than to call attention to this point. In view of the uncertainty attending
all such estimates of power, in the absence of a series of gaugings of the streams in question, it may seem that I
have gone too far in this direction ; but it has appeared to me that it was essential to give some idea of the amount
of power which could be fairly expected at each important site, in order that people might not be misled by too
high estimates, which are the rule and not the exception.

Finally, regarding the arrangement of this report, it is to be remarked that, although a logical arrangement
would probably have placed this report on the southern Atlantic water-shed after that on the middle Atlantic
water-shed, various causes have combined to render it advisable to prepare and submit the present report first ;
among which may be mentioned the completeness of the data at hand, and the fact that I consider this report, on
the whole, the more important of the two. It is hoped that this sacrifice of logical sequence will not involve any
loss of clearness.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEORGE F. SWAIN,

Special Agent.

666

THE SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

Having divided the territory covered by my examination into two districts, the middle and the southern
Atlantic water-sheds (the boundary between the two being the ridge between the basins of the James river and
the streams south), I proceed first to discuss the second of these districts.

The state of Florida will for the present be left out of consideration, partly because it possesses no water-power
of importance, and partly because its peculiar situation renders its climate, in some respects, different from that of
the other southern Atlantic states. The few remarks that are to be made regarding Florida will be found at the
end of this report.

The general characteristics of the territory considered will first be given, and afterward a discussion of each
stream separately.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS.
1.— Area and form.

The area to be considered comprises about 117,350 square miles, distributed, approximately, as follows among

the different states :

Square miles.

Virginia 10,350

North Carolina 45, 000

South Carolina 31, 000

Georgia 31,000

Total.... 117,350

This area is in the shape of a strip lying along the Atlantic ocean between the parallels of (nearly) 30£°
and 36 £° north latitude, and with an average breadth, at right angles to the coast, of about 240 miles, except in
the extreme southern part, where it narrows down to about GO miles. The general direction of the coast-line is
northeast and southwest, turning quite abruptly to the north in North Carolina, and curving toward the south in
Georgia.

2. — Geographical and continental position.

The district considered is therefore in the north temperate zone, and in the zone in which the prevailing winds
are the return trades, which blow from the southwest. The winds are, however, not constant, but blow from all
points of the compass, and the prevailing ones from different points, according to the season. I shall discuss the
winds more fully under the head of " climate", and it will suffice to say here that, in consequence of the continental
position of the region considered — extending almost to the Gulf of Mexico, and flanked on the west by the system
of the Alleghanies — the winds from all points of the compass, from northeast, through east and south, to southwest,
are, to a certain degree, oceanic, varying in different parts of the region, while the distinctly land-winds are those
from the west, northwest, and north. This district is, in fact, directly in the line of the return trades, which blow
from the Gulf of Mexico, carrying its vapors far inland, and far along the coast, even so far as Virginia, the
influence of the Gulf being, as regards moisture and rain fall, much more sensible than that of the Atlantic ocean
as regards the region as a whole.

3. — Topography.

The district under consideration maybe divided, topographically, into three distinct and well deh tied divisions,
viz, the lower or eastern, the middle, and the mountainous or western.

667—7

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

The eastern division extends from the coast inland for a distance varying between 100 and 140 miles, and
including the navigable portions of the rivers. Its boundary inland is a line passing through Eichmond and
Petersburg, Virginia; Weldon, Eocky Mount, Smithfleld, North Carolina; a little above Fayette ville, North Carolina,
Cheraw and Camden, South Carolina; and through Columbia, South Carolina, and Augusta, Milled ge ville, Macon,
and Columbus, Georgia. This line plays a very important part in the topography, geology, and water-power of the
country, and is nothing more than the continuation of the line which may be designated as the fall-line, and which
extends through the middle states, passing through Fredericksburg and Georgetown. It may be traced beyond
Columbus for some distance along the Gulf, passing through Wetumpka and Tuscaloosa, Alabama. In the northern
part of this district tide-water extends up to the fall-line, as at Eichmond and Petersburg, but in the southern part
the line is a long distance above tide-water. In anotker place I shall refer to this line and the important water-
powers connected with it. The country between it and the coast belongs, geologically, to the Tertiary and Post-
tertiary formations, and " is for the most part nearly level or very gently undulating, except along the river
courses, on the upper reaches of which rise bluffs and small bills".* It comprises nearly two-fifths of the area of
North Carolina,! over one-half of that of South Carolina, and about two-thirds of that part of Georgia which we
are considering. Its slope seaward in North Carolina is between one and two feet to the mile,* and is probably
about the same in South Carolina and Georgia. Its average elevation above the sea is probably in the neighborhood
of 150 or 175 feet, and the slope toward the sea is, on the whole, uniform.

The rivers in this division are sluggish and navigable streams, frequently tidal for 20 or 30 miles from their
mouths, and flow in beds composed of sand and clay. They are often exceedingly tortuous, and the chief
obstructions to navigation consist in shifting sand-bars, snags, and trees, which have been undermined and haA^e
fallen over into the stream. The banks are unstable, and although the rivers do not rise very high in freshets in
this part of their course, they frequently undermine the banks, and even cut new channels for themselves, in
consequence of their extreme tortuosity, although they are not so crooked as many of the western streams. We
shall notice, farther on, the bearing of these facts on the availability or accessibility of the water-powers.

The river, valleys in this division are characterized by having their longest slopes on the north side of the river,
from which side also the principal tributaries enter — facts which have been clearly explained by Professor Kerr.

The middle division, or hill country, extends from the fall-line to the base of the mountains, with an average
width of from about 100 or 120 miles in the south to 150 in the north. It includes nearly one-half of North Carolina,
nearly one-half of South Carolina, and about one-third of that part of Georgia which we are considering. Its
boundaries are, topographically, not very sharply defined, and it forms a term of transition from the sea-board plane
to the mountains. Geologically, almost the entire region is metamorphic.

The average elevation above the sea of the streams at the fall-line is probably not far from 125 feet, varying
from about 250 feet in the south to about 50 feet in the north. The following list of elevations of streams will show
how the elevation varies between Eichmond, Virginia, and Macon, Georgia. I am indebted for the figures to
various railroad managers and engineers, and to other sources : %

River.

James

Appomattox

Roanoke

Tar

Neuse

Cape Fear...

Pee Dee

Wateree

Congaree ...
Savannah ...
Ogeechee . . .

Oconee

Ocmulgee . . .

Richmond, Va.
Petersburg, Va.
Weldon, N. C .
Rocky Mount, N. C.
Smithfleld, N. C.
Averysboro', N. C .
C. C. R. R. crossing
10 miles above Camden.
Columbia, S. C.
Augusta, Ga .

Shoals of Ogeechee, 8 J miles below Mayfleld, Ga.
Milledgeville, Ga.
Macon, Ga

250.0

The average elevation of the ground along the fall-line is greater, probably averaging 200 feet, varying from
300 feet in Georgia to 100 feet in Virginia and northern North Carolina. The average elevation of the upper limit
of the middle division may be taken at about 1,200 feet, and the average elevation of the whole district at about

* Geology of North Carolina, vol. i, W. C. Kerr.
t Prof. Kerr, Geology of North Carolina.

tThis table is only a rough approximation. It was not possible to get accurate elevations on account of differences in the datum-
planes used by the various railroad companies. For instance, Eichmond and Petersburg are at the heads of tide- water; yet the rivers
there are probably several feet above mean tide at Norfolk. In some cases the above figures have been obtained by estimating the fall

above points whose elevations were given.

CC3

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

700 feet. Its average slope is, therefore, not less than 5 or 6 feet to the mile. The character of this division varies
by insensible degrees from that of the flat eastern division to that of the mountainous western one. The eastern
part is gently rolling, while the western is penetrated by numerous spurs of the mountains, forming divides
between the great river-basins, and sometimes with elevations exceeding 3,000 feet.

The rivers in this region are tolerably rapid, and well suited for the development of water-power. They are
not navigable, on account of the numerous shoals and ledges, though some of them might be made so. Almost all
of the water-power now used is in this section.

The western or mountainous division comprises the Atlantic slope of the Blue Ridge, and occupies but a small
part of the area under consideration. The general direction of the Blue Bidge is about NE., a little E., nearly
parallel to the coast, and it is in North Carolina that the system to which it belongs attains its greatest altitude,
some of the peaks attaining an elevation of over 6,000 feet, while some peaks in Georgia exceed 4,000 feet in height.
Although the chain of the Blue Bidge is far from regular, either in direction or in elevation, contrasting strongly
in these respects with the Smoky mountains, a second range lying west of it, yet the general structure of these
mountains is the same as in the middle states ; they consist of a series of ridges, and not, like the mountains of
Maine, of a series of isolated cones.

The streams in this division are, of course, small and very rapid. Their fall is very great, and is interrupted in
many cases by cascades and precipitous falls, sometimes of several hundred feet, nearly vertical. The bed is almost
always rock, sometimes overlaid with a stratum of gravel, and the valleys narrow, in some places with very steep
and even vertical banks — hundreds of feet high in a few very rare cases. These streams are subject to considerable
fluctuations in volume, and the water-power, although great, is not very available.

There are no lakes in any part of the region under consideration except a few near the coast, a position which
renders them of no value as regards water-power.

4. — Geology, soils, and forests.

As has been already stated, the entire eastern division of this district belongs to the Tertiary and Quaternary
formations. Its soil is for the most part a sandy loam. Clay and sand, in fact, constitute the soil of almost the
whole district; in the eastern part the sand predominates, while in the middle and western parts the clay
predominates. There are also in the eastern part beds of gravel, marl, and peat, and there is generally a clay
subsoil not far below the surface. In some places, too, there are beds of quite pure sand (the sand-hills), which
give rise to several streams noticeable for their water-power, and there seems to be a> belt of these sand-hills just
below the fall-line, having a width of 30 to 40 miles in places.

In the middle and western parts of the region, besides the clay soil just referred to, and which is the
predominant soil, there are also beds of gravel and sand. It is an important fact that the soil here is very deep —
much deeper than in the middle states — and that it has resulted from the decay of the rocks in situ. The clay is
generally red, less frequently yellow, and, being mixed to a considerable extent with sand and gravel, it is not
impervious. When well compacted, however, it is said to make a good dam.

Almost all of the middle and western parts of this region are metamorphic. The general direction of the strike
of the strata is NE. and SW\, about parallel to the mountains, and the streams cross these strata generally at
large angles, and thus form shoals, which afford abundance of fine water-power. The prevailing rocks are granite
and gneiss, with their varieties. In upper South Carolina nearly all the water-powers are caused by the streams
crossing the ledges of gneiss, and the same is true for the other states, though, perhaps, not to so great a degree.
It is important to notice that the rocks are generally impervious.

On account of the important influence exercised by forests on water-power, it is an important fact that the
greater part of the region we are considering is well wooded. The eastern part abounds in extensive forests of
long-leaf pine, with large quantities of cypress and palmetto along the river-bottoms, but in the middle portion
there is, unfortunately, no effort made to preserve the forests, and they are said to be disappearing rapidly. In the
western part they are abundant, the mountains being heavily wooded. Some of the peaks, however, called balds,
are, it is true, entirely destitute of trees on their summits, but in general the mountains are covered with heavy
forests. It is important to notice, also, that the mountains, even the highest ranges and peaks, are covered with
soil to a considerable depth.

As regards variety of woods, it is sufficient to mention the fact that the state of Georgia alone produces 230
different kinds of wood.*

* Dr. Little, in Eclectic Geography, Georgia edition.

669

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

According to the census of 1870 the number of square miles of land not in farms, added to that of woodland in
farms, is as follows for the different states :

State.

Land area of
state.

Area above
described.

Per cent.

Virginia

Xorth Carolina .
South Carolina. .

Georgia

Maine

"New Hampshire

Vermont

Massachusetts. .
Rhode Island . . .

Connecticut

New York

New Jersey

Pennsylvania. . .
Maryland

4U, 125

24, 733

48, 580

36,379

30, 170

21, 324

58, 980

42, 230

29, 895

24, 249

9,005

5, 007

."Hi

9, 135

4,226

8,040

4, 878

1. 085

565

4,845

2, 053

47, 620

21, 822

7, 455

3,906

44,985

25, 839

57-

9,860

5,053

How much of the areas in the second column are woodlands I cannot say. It seems probable, however, that
the southern states are better wooded than the Few England and middle states, except Maine.

5. — Climate.

The climate exercises such an important influence on the water-power of a district that it seems necessary to
consider it in some detail. The following elements, which go to determine the climate of a place, will be considered i
a. Length of coast and character of ocean-currents; b. prevailing winds. at different seasons; c. temperature at
different seasons ; d. precipitation, amount in different seasons and distribution over the area considered : e.
evaporation and moisture.

a. Coast-line and ocean-currents. — The fact has been already referred to that the general direction of
the coast-line is NE. and SW., and that the winds from X E. round to SW. are maritime. The total length of coast-
line, not including indentations, is in the neighborhood of 580 miles. Along this coast, and a short distance from
it, sweeps the Gulf Stream, keeping its course across the Atlantic from cape Hatteras, and leaving the upper part
of North Carolina and the states north exposed in a greater degree to the cold current from the north, which flows
along the New England coast. Hence, the winds from NPj. are cool, while those from SE. are warm and moist.
The effect of all these circumstances on water-power will be referred to again.

b. Prevailing winds at different seasons. — The winds in this district are variable. They blow from all
quarters, the prevailing wind being different in different parts of the region, and at different seasons. On the whole,
however, the prevailing winds are from the west, or some point between SW. and NW. But it is a very striking-
fact that the resultant wind, or the wind found by working out a traverse from observations of the frequency of the
various winds throughout the year,* is almost invariably, in all parts of the region, from a point between SW. and
NW., a fact which indicates that the general movement of the atmosphere is toward the east. On the immediate
seaboard the winds from S. and SE. are frequent, and in the middle section northerly winds are, at least in North
Carolina, very frequent, coming next in order to those from the west. As regards the distribution of the winds
through the seasons, the winds from S., SE., and SW. are most prominent during the spring and summer, while
in autumn and winter the winds from N., NE., and NW. are most frequent. Winds from the east are the least
frequent of all.

As regards water-power, the most salient points to be noticed are that there is no distinct periodicity in the winds,
and that the general movement of the atmosphere in summer and spring is from a point south of west, and in autumn
and winter from a point north of west.

c. Temperature at different seasons. — The mean temperatures for the year and for the seasons, as well
as the extremes and the range, vary considerably in the three divisions of the region we are considering. In fact,
the isothermal lines, instead of following the parallels of latitude (their normal course), are deflected toward the
south by the mountains which bound the district on the west, and in the western division they run almost parallel
to the coast, while in the middle and eastern divisions they run at an angle of some 45° with it. The following
tables, consisting of observations selected from among those given in the Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge,
vol. 21, and in Professor Kerr's report on the geology of North Carolina, will give some idea of the temperature in
different parts of the region, and at different seasons. The means for the different sections have been obtained by
examining the temperature charts in the publications of the Smithsonian Institution.

"Coffin: The Winds of the Globe.— Smithsonian Contrib., vol. 20.

(!70

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.
Observations of temperature at (liferent seasons.

Division.

Eastern

Station.

Middle

Western .

Eastern

Norfolk, Va

Murfreesboro', N. C . .

Weldon, N. C

Poplar Branch, K. C . -
Scotland Neck.N.C.

Goldsboro', N. C

Wilmington, N.C ....

Aiken, S. C

Camden, S. C

Charleston, S. C

Fort Moultrie, S.C ...

Perry, Ga

Savannah, Ga

Lynchburg, Va

Gaston, N.C

Oxford, N. C

Greensboro', IT. C

Chapel Hill, N. C

Lenoir, N. C

Statesville,N.C

Raleigb, X. C

Charlotte, N. C

Albemarle, If. C

Abbeville, S. C

Columbia, S. C

Athens, Ga

Atlanta, Ga

Penfield, Ga

Augusta Arsenal, Ga .

Sparta, Ga

Boone, N. C

Bakersville, N. C

Asheville, N. C

Murphy, N. C

Clarksville, Ga

Brunswick, Me

Concord, N. H

Boston, Mass

Providence, B. I

Hartford, Conn

, New Haven, Conn

; Albauy, N. Y

New York, N. Y

■ Newark, N. J

Beading, Pa

Harrisburg, Pa

Philadelphia, Pa

Carlisle BaiTacks, Pa .

Foi-t Delaware, Del. . .

Baltimore, Md

Washington, D. C

Cincinnati, Ohio

j Chicago, 111

j Peoria, 111

j Fort Madison, Iowa . .

Muscatine, Iowa

j Huntsville, Ala

Mobile, Ala

North Carolina and Virginia |

South Carolina |

Georgia J

Total S

9
■=
3

itude.

it ion.

Mean temperature (degrees Fahrenheit).

C^l .
C-3

- 2 >

j Latit

Spring.

Summer.

Autnmn.

\y inter.

Year

c-2 s

o /

Fr ?
r. mo.

36 51

76 17

36 26

77 01

1Q
OO

36 23

77 45

36 14

i 7fl nn
in uu

36 07

77 32

35 21

78 02

1 02

1 4

34 17

77 58

33 32

8 1 33

Ifil

«>oo

34 15

80 31

' °40

CO
OA

32 47

79 56

°0

44 8

32 45

t y 01

32 11

32 28

83 43

280

2 3

32 05

81 06

**6 1

37 22

79 12

800

3 9

36 28

77 38

152

36 22

78 29

4(0

- ')

36 05

79 50

843

35 58

78 54

570

OQ ()

35 57

81 34

1 185

35 47

80 53

aid

35 47

78 41

350

35 16

80 50

725

35 18

80 11

650

34 12

82 17

500

2 10

34 02

80 57

315

4 11

33 58

83 25

850

6 6

33 45

84 24

i n in

5 2

33 38

fil AO

oa V\t

i Z4

2 7

33 28

01 OO

ODU

21 7

33 15

82 54

iin

36 14

81 39

3 250

36 03

82 06

*> nn

~, OOU

35 86

82 28

o om

<f f IOU

6 6

35 06

83 29

1 614

2 6

34 40

83 31

3 632

° 3

43 54

69 57

51 J?

43 12

71 29

?l7/4
«>/4

22 2/

42 21

71 03

38 IV

41 50

71 24

1 11
100

34 8

41 46

72 41

16 ft

41 18

7*> 17
i & Oi

42 39

i6 44

130

45 11

40 45

7Q 1Q

A O
4Z

01 1 t
CL 11

40 44

74 10

31
oO

OA 1
a4

40 20

75 o5

269

6 8

40 16

7fi 1Q
(O Do

Q71

o i

OQ Q

39 56

75 10

39 10

40 12

77 1 1

«nn

OO 1
Cit o

39 25

75 34

* 75

18 10

39 17

76 37

18 9

38 54

tl 02

12 3

39 06

84 30

540

36 8

41 54

87 38

600

17 .5

40 43

89 30

512

14 9

40 37

91 28

600

21 10

41 26

91 05

586

27 6

34 45

86 40

600

30 41

88 02

10 Q

Beg.

34.5

| 59

200

36.5

32.5
34.5

| 62

300

31.0
33.0

| 67

350

31.0
36.5

671

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

Observations of temperature — Continued.

Divi»ion.

Middle

■Western .

Station.

North Carolina and Virginia |

South Carolina |

Georgia J

Total .

North Carolina and Virginia ^

South Carolina

Georgia .
Total...

New England . .

New England . .
Middle States . .
Western States .

Beg.
37.0
35.0

35.0
34.0

34.5
32.5

37.0
32.5

37.0
35.0

Feet.

200
1, 200

300
1, 100

350
1,100

1, 200
6, 000

35.0
34.0

37.0
34.0

42.5
41.0

44.0
42.5

41.0
39.0

41.5
39.0

91.5
84.5

1, 100
4,000

Mean temperature (degrees Fahrenheit).

Spring. Summer. Autumn. Winter. Year.

57. 00
61. 00
60. 00
60. 00
52.00

54. 00
53. 00

46. 00
43. 00
50. 00
49. 00

77. 00
77. 00
77.00
77. 00
70. 00

59.00
62. 00
61.00
61. 00
52. 00

44. 00

45. 00
44. 00
44. 00
36. 00

59. 00
61.00
60.00
60.00
52. 00

72.00 55.00 i 36.00 .54.00
71. 00 54. 00 I 36. 00 ^ 53. 00

69. 00
67. 00

51. 00 j 28. 00

49.00

49.00 23.00 45.00

73.00 I 54.00 32.00 I 52.00

72. 00 51. 00 26. 00

50. 00

For comparison, the results are tabulated for some places in other parts of the United States at the eud of
the table. The places named as belonging to the western division are really outside of it, on the other side of the
Blue Ridge; but as no records of observations for places on this side of the ridge could be found, I have inserted these
values, as giving an idea of the temperature in that region, which may be considered accurate enough. The averages
for the three divisions, at the end of the table, as well as for the other parts of the country, are only approximations,
but are close enough to give a general idea of the differences between the region we are considering and the other
parts of the country.

These tables show that middle South Carolina is somewhat warmer than middle Georgia, and much warmer than
middle North Carolina. The isothermals bend inward, or around South Carolina, receding further from the coast
in that state than in North Carolina or Georgia.

The following table of extreme observed temperatures may be interesting :

State.

Month.

Place of observation.

s s

Month.

Place of observation.

North Carolina
South Carolina

Georgia

Alabama

Maine

Massachusetts
Virginia

Beg.
102

101

103

104

102

100

104

July . . .
July ...
July . . .
August
July . . .
July ...
August

Port Johnston

Charleston

Augusta arsenal

Mount Vernon arsenal

Brunswick

Fort Warren

Alexandria

Deg.

— 2

— 9

— 32

— 30

February

Fort Johnston.

February

Fort Moultrie.

February

Augusta arsenal.

January

Huntaville.

January

Brunswick.

January

Williamstown.

January

Fort Monroe.

These figures, as well as all the others pertaining to temperature and rainfall, have been taken principally from
the Smithsonian Contributions. Lorin Blodgett, in his Climatology of the United States, p. 150, gives figures somewhat
different. Thus, he states" that in the winter of 1834 and 1835, which was a winter of extreme cold in the south,
the temperature at several places was as follows: On January 4, at Alexandria, Virginia, —16°; in February,
at Richmond, —6°; Norfolk, +4°; Fayetteville,, North Carolina, —1°; Greenville, South Carolina, —11°; Athens,

Georgia, -

672

-10£°; Clarksville, Georgia, —15°; Milledgeville, Georgia, —9°; Augusta, Georgia, —2°.

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

The following table gives the average temperature of the warmest day and the coldest day of the year, calculated,
by Bessel's formula, from the recorded observations :

Pla«e.

Latitude.

Longitude.

Elevation.

Temperature
of warmest
day.

Temperature
of coldest
day.

o
bo

*-< A .
O.Q <£

J 2 «
ill

O 1

46 30

o /
84 28

Feet.
600

Deg.
65.2

D-g.
14.4

Deg.

50.8

Trs. mo.
32 1

43 54

69 57

67.9

19.5

48.4

51 3

41 39

70 56

70.2

27.1

43.1

58 1

41 18

72 57

72.4

25.7

46.7

39 16

76 35

77.0

32.0

45.

39 06

84 30

540

77.9

32.3

45.6

36 8

38 37

90 12

481

78.5

30.3

48.2

35 58

78 54

570

78.9

40.9

38.0

32 45

79 51

82.2

50.1

32.1

32 11

30 21

87 18

82.6

52.9

29.7

20 2

Fort Brady, Mich

Brunswick, Me

New Bedford, Mass

New Haven, Conn

Baltimore, Md

Cincinnati, Ohio

St. Louis, Mo f.

Chapel Hill, N. C

Fort Moultrie, S. C

Fort Barrancas, Pensacola, Fla

d. Bainfall. — The best idea of the rainfall in this region, as well as over the whole country, and of its
distribution through the four seasons, can be obtained by consulting the charts originally published in No. 353 of the
Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge, where the whole subject is exhaustively discussed. According to the plan
there adopted, of dividing the United States into a number of districts characterized by a general uniformity in the
distribution of the rainfall, we have to devote our attention here to the district there referred to under type viii.
Its characteristics are given as follows: " The principal maximum late in July, or early in August, with two small
adjacent minima, about the middle of April and late in October. The subordinate maxima occur in March and
December. Eange very large." The observations from which this type curve is constructed are from five stations,
all on the coast. The curve shows that the monthly rainfall fluctuates between 0.52 of the mean monthly rainfall
(in April) and 1.92 of that mean (in August). Hence the average fluctuation is 140 per cent, of the mean monthly
rainfall, or, in other words, in the month of maximum rainfall the fall is 3.7 times as much as it is in the month of
minimum rainfall. For convenience of reference the ratios of fluctuation in the other characteristic districts are
copied here :

Per cent, of mean

monthly rainfall. Kange.

I. Atlantic coast, Portland to Washington 0. 84 to 1. 22 38

II. Hudson river valley 0.69 to 1.29 60

III. Upper Mississippi river 0. 51 to 1. 56 105

IV. Ohio river valley 0. 74 to 1. 40 66

V. Indian territory and western Arkansas 0. 61 to 1. 51 90

VI. Lower Mississippi and Red rivers 0. 75 to 1. 19 44

VII. Mississippi delta and Gulf coast 0. 68 to 1. 37 69

VIII. Atlantic coast, Virginia to Florida 0.52 to 1. 92 140

IX. Western coast, San Framcisco to Puget sound 0. 13 to 2. 45 232

As already stated, the ratios for type VIII were deduced from five stations, all on the immediate seaboard.
The points regarding which the distribution of the rainfall farther inland differs from that on the coast will be
noticed shortly. This ratio varies, however, within the district considered, and to a considerable degree in different
latitudes. The following table, from which the ratio for this region was derived, will prove of interest :

Month.

January

February

March ,

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

1012 W P— VOL 16 43

Fort Monroe,
Va., 19 years.

Charleston, S.
C, 42 years.

Fort Moultrie,
S. C, 17 years.

Savannah, 6a.,
23 years.

Fort Brooke,
Fla., 17 years.

Mean.

0.86

0.65

0. 68

0.72

0.51

0.63

0. 70

0. 73

0.66

0.63

0.66

0. 68

0.85

0.90

1. 10

0.92

0. 72

0. 90

0. 76

0.48

0. 50

0.38

0.52

0.99

0.95

1.01

1.22

0.68

0. 97

1. 10

1. 16

1. 14

1. 13

1.53

1. 21

1. 36

1.63

1.69

1. 91

2.60

J. 84

1.44

1.93

2.02

2.07

2. 14

1. 92

1. 19

L42

1.29

1.15

1.24

1. 26

0.74

0. 79

0.56

0. 56

0. 49

0.63

0.84

0.55

0.56

0.44

0.43

0.56

1.17

0.81

0.83

0.74

0.61

0.88

673

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

For more complete tables the original article may be referred to. The fluctuation evidently increases as we go
south, and it may be assumed with sufficient accuracy, as follows :

Per cent.

Latitude, 34°-37° ; fluctuation 75

Latitude, 32°-34° ; fluctuation 145

Latitude, 30°-32° ; fluctuation 200

As regards the fluctuation of the annual rainfall the region considered does not differ much from New England
and the middle states, as the following table will show :

Table of fluctuation of annual rainfall (fluctuation in per cent, of mean annual fall).

Place.

Limits of
fluctuation

Per cent.

Brunswick, Me

Hanover, N. H

Burlington, Tt

Boston, Mass

New Bedford, Mass

Providence, R. I

Now Haven, Conn

Flatbush, N. T

Philadelphia; i Pa

Washington, D. C

Port Monroe, Va «

Charleston, S. C

Port Moultrie, S. C

Saint John's, S. C

Savannah, Ga

Fort Brooke, Fla

Marietta, Ohio

Saint Lonis, Mo

r, Atlantic coast, Maine to Virginia

TP. New York and adjacent parts of Canada, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Vermont

IEE. Parts of Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, and Wisconsin*

IV. Ohio valley, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and part of Missouri

V. Indian Territory and Arkansas*

VL Louisiana, Alabama, and West Florida*

VII. Atlantic coast, Virginia to Florida*

150-59

139- 79
145-74

150- 67

140- 74
130-74
126-76

135- 74
143-67

143- 62
158-57

151- 54

144- 79
133-58

145- 54
168-67

145- 76
163-64
123-73
122-76

125- 75

126- 71

146- 62
140-72

136- 78

91
60
71

83
6G
56
50
61
76
81

101
97
65
75
91

101

50
46
50
55
84
68
58

•Only to he considered rough approximations, on account of small number of stations.

The most important fact connected with the rainfall is, however, that its distribution in the mountains and in
the water-power district is by far not so variable as on the coast, a fact of the greatest significance as regards the
flow of the streams and the amount of power available. I shall, further on, discuss the influence on the flow of the
streams which is exerted by the various facts relating to this region, so that at present it is only necessary to mention
the fact that, in the case of many of the streams in this part of the country, the rainfall on their water-shed above
the fall-line is almost the same in winter as in summer, and even in some cases larger in winter. A glance at the
Smithsonian maps will convince one of this fact, and also of the fact that the distribution is irregular, so that
there is no gradual change in the law governing it, as we proceed from south to north.

As regards the absolute amount of rain the charts give the best idea, and to them I would refer. The average
amount varies according to the latitude and the distance from the coast. The following brief tables will show to what
extent :

Table of average rainfall (inches).

North Carolina and Virginia.

South Carolina.

Georgia.

East.

Middle.

West.

Ea<st.

Middle.

West.

East.

Middle

Wost.

40-44

44-50

10-14

14-16

10-14

14-16

10-14

14-16

— — ■ . — . . . — . — _ 1

10-12

10-16

10-12

14-16

12-16

674

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED. 15

Rainfall table.

Place

ititude.

mgitude.

evation.

bio
•g

a
s

atumn.

inter.

Tear.

<4H •

CD CO

p <0
3 >■

served.

i-l

o /

Feet.

Inches.

Trs.

mo.

36 28

77 38

152

12. 12

11. 88

O CiR

u. uo

43. 40

35 58

78 54

570

10. 50

10. 29

10. 68

11.24

42. 71

32 45

79 51

9. 75

18. 37

9.15

8.24

45. 51

32 47

79 56

8. 85

17. 49

10.20

8.28

44. 82

34 15

80 31

240

12. 10

18. 17

11 1 o

50. 49

33 18

79 56

8.84

17.38

8. 92

8. 33

43. 47

33 29

79 17

8.28

14.88

10. 08

9.96

43. 20

82 ^8

t\(\Cl

13.53

12. 11

6. 65

17. 06

49. 35

33 32

81 34

OOO

10. 78

10. 51

8. 08

11. oo

47. 25

33 17

83 09

550

11.42

14. 61

10.22

17. 63

53. 88

32 05

81 05

10.39

20.81

8. 61

8.86

48.67

33 57

83 30

860

10. 82

13. 17

7. 11

12. 09

43. 19

33 28

81 53

350

13. 19

11. 92

8.78

12. 89

46. 78

43 54

69 57

11. 70

11.71

11.42

9.84

44.67

9 to 12

10 to 14

10 to 12

44 to 50

6 to 9

10 to 12

8 to 10

■ 38 to 40

9 to 12

10 to 14

16 to 14

8 to 10

38 to 44

43 42

72 17

530

9. 91

11.9

10.58

9. 08

^40. 66

10 to 14

10 to 12

44* to 50

6 to 9

6 to 10

8 to 10

6 to 8

28 to 32

39 06

84 28

480

11. 17

12.67

9.29

9.83

42.96

42 20

83 00

580

8.51

10.10

8.44

5. 79

32. 84

38 37

90 16

481

U. 71

13. 01

8. 58

7. 39

40.69

The records are quite incomplete regarding this part of the country, most of the stations at which long records
have been kept being on the immediate seaboard. On account of the lowness of the laud near the coast and its
swampy character the rainfall will increase for a certain distance inland, and will probably reach its maximum
between the coast and the fall-line, diminishing from that line inland, but reaching a second maximum in the
mountains. Professor Kerr, in his report of the Geological Survey, gives the rainfall in the different sections of
North Carolina as follows :

Inches.

Eastern division , 58. 1

Middle division 45.6

Western division 58.2

State 53.1

The observations from which these figures were deduced were made principally between the years 1871 and 1875,
and from records furnished by Professor Baird it is evident that those years were years of large rainfall all along
the southern Atlantic coast, the rainfall being, on the whole, considerably greater than the average at stations where
long records exist. Professor Kerr thinks 45 inches too low a figure for North Carolina, and considers 53 inches
more nearly correct. It seems to me, however, that the average rainfall for North Carolina should not be so much
greater than for Charleston, South Carolina, or Savannah, Georgia. The preceding table, taken from the Smithsonian
Contributions, shows the results of observation at these places, as well as at others. It will be seen that there are
very few places where the annual rainfall amounts to 53 inches, and it seems to me that 45 to 50 inches is not too low
a figure for North Carolina, according to all the information that I can at present gather. I have estimated from
the Smithsonian charts the amount of rainfall for each river-basin, and the results are given in considering the rivers
separately. I have endeavored to make the estimate too low rather than too high, so as not to overestimate the
powers.

Snow. — Snow falls in all parts of the region under consideration. The average for three years at five stations
in North Carolina gave a mean depth of 6 inches for the state.* In Georgia snow is rare, and seldom impedes
communication, although it has been known to fall at several places to a depth of 3 feet.t

Fogs are very rare in all the district considered.

As regards cloudiness, Loomis gives the average cloudiness for the New England states as 0.53, and for the
southern states as 0.47.|

Freshets. — All the rivers in this region are subject to quite heavy freshets, not differing much, however, so far
as I can learn, from those in the northern states, except as regards cause and times of occurrence. As there is little
snow, there are no freshets to correspond with the ice-freshets at the north on the breaking up of the rivers, and

* Professor Kerr's report. t Blodgett's Climatology, p. 147. X Meteorology, p. 103.

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

thus one of the destructive elements of the freshets is removed. The freshets are irregular in the times of their
occurrence, their duration, and the heights to which the water rises, so that any further remarks concerning them
will be postponed until each river is considered by itself.

e. Evaporation and moisture. — The evaporative power of theatmosphere being determined by its temperature
and its hygrometric state, a few remarks regarding the latter seem to be called for, the temperature having already
been considered. I have, however, been unable to find much information regarding the moisture in the air at
different places, but have noticed the fact that the relative humidity of the air seems to diminish as we proceed from
south to north in the district under consideration. Professor Kerr, in his report on the geology of North Carolina,
gives the results of hygrometric observations at Wilmington and Charlotte, and Blodgett, in his Climatology, has
given some figures for New Orleans and Saint Louis. It appears from them that the average relative humidity for
the year is as follows at these places: Wilmington, 57 per cent.; Charlotte, 65 per cent.; New Orleans, 86 per cent.;
Saint Louis, 67 per cent. ; London, 80 per cent.

The daily records of the observations in North Carolina show that at no time in the months of June, August,
and October (the only ones for which the results are given) does the relative humidity exceed 97 per cent, Only
once did it reach 97 per cent., once 95 per cent., and twice 90 per cent. Observations in Atlanta, for eleven months
in 1876, give the average relative humidity at about 60 per cent., and show that in nine months of the year the
maximum was 100 per cent., and in no month less than 93 per cent. The observations are not extended enough to
serve as a basis for any general conclusions, but it seems evident that the moist winds from the Gulf deposit
a large proportion of their moisture in the first few miles of their course, and after that deposit less and less,
and become drier and drier, thereby increasing the evaporation as we proceed north. Other things being equal,
and especially the distribution of the rainfall throughout the year, the southern streams would discharge a smaller
proportion, of the rainfall in their drainage-basins than the northern ones in the district considered. But the
distribution of the rainfall is not the same, so that this conclusion cannot be drawn at once.

Before proceeding to discuss the effects exerted by the facts which have been stated on the water-power of the
district under discussion it is desirable to show what the essential elements of a water-power are, and how they
may be varied by the various climatic and other influences.

FLOW OF STREAMS.

The essential elements of a water-power are the fall and the quantity of water; and the amount of fall being
a fixed quantity, capable of being measured Once for all, and therefore not needing discussion, it is necessary to
determine the amount of water that a given stream will afford at a certain point and the variation in the flow from
month to month.

The average amount of water carried past a certain point in a year depends upon the amount and distribution
of rainfall, the area of the drainage-basin, and the character of that basin. All the water carried by is derived
from the rainfall, but of the total rainfall a certain amount is lost in the following ways: by percolation and
discharge through subterranean channels; by evaporation from the soil and the surfaces of streams ; by absorption
through the roots of trees, shrubs, and grasses, and subsequent evaporation. The amount discharged by the
streams will be greater as these sources of loss are diminished, and the problem before us is to determine for each
particular case what proportion of the rainfall is so discharged; and we must, moreover, endeavor to find out
the laws regulating the distribution of the flow through the year, and from year to year. In the case of most
streams the flow varies greatly from day to day, and from month to month, being occasionally in times of freshet 50,
100, and even several hundred times its minimum volume. Thus the table given further on shows that the Potomac
river at Cumberland has been known to discharge a quantity 716 times as great as its minimum discharge, while
the maximum discharge of the Merrimac is only 44 times its minimum discharge. A great fluctuation in flow is
evidently an obstacle to the extensive use of water-power, making it necessary to depend only on the flow at times
when the stream is low, or to use auxiliary steam-power, or to store the freshet water in reservoirs, and so increase
the flow in dry seasons. It is necessary, therefore, to discuss, to some extent, the total amount discharged by streams
(or the proportion of the rainfall flowing off), and the manner in which that total amount is distributed through
the year. As regards the first of these questions, it has generally been customary to assume a certain fixed
proportion of the annual rainfall as flowing from the surface and discharged by the streams; but it has always been
recognized that the proportion to be thus assumed varies greatly according to numerous circumstances, such as
the area and form of the drainage-basin; the distribution of the rainfall through the year, as well as its amount;
the extent of the forests; the number and extent of lakes; the character of the soil and rocks, and the state of
cultivation; and all of these factors affect not only the total discharge of a stream, but also its distribution. With
a given water-shed, in any particular year, a certain proportion of the rainfall will be discharged and distributed in
a certain way, but both that proportion and that distribution are liable to change if any one of the above
conditions are altered. Thus the greater the area of the water-shed the more uniform the flow, other things equal,
because streams draining small areas are more subject to the effects of sudden rains than those draining large ones;
and while in the former case there mav be weeks at a time when no rain falls on the basin, and the stream draining

C76

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER SHED.

it almost dries up, in the latter case there will probably be frequent rains on some part or other of the basin. The
table given further on illustrates this point by showing that, as a rule, the ratio of maximum to minimum discharge
is greater in the case of small streams than in that of large ones. And, in like manner, the form of the drainage-
basin exerts a certain influence. The distribution of the rainfall is a very important point, and as an example of
the great variability of the proportion of the rainfall discharged from the same water-shed in different years the case
of the drainage area of the Albany water-works may be cited, where from an area of 2, COO acres in 1850, between May
and October, inclusive, 41£ per cent, of the rainfall was carried off by the streams, while in 1851, within the same
period (from May to October), 82.6 per cent, was discharged.* Hence it is that the year of minimum rainfall may not
be the year in which the streams get lowest, or the one in which the season of absolute minimum flow occurs. An
eminent authority has remarked: "This (the year with the season of least flow) is not necessarily the year of least
rainfall, nor even the year of greatest apparent drought, but is the result of such a distribution of the rainfall that
the excess of water over the amount needed for sustaining vegetation and supplying losses by evaporation is very
small for several successive months." t The proportion of the rainfall discharged by streams is therefore a very
uncertain and variable quantity, varying not only for different streams, but for the same stream in different years ; and
it is evident that the attempt to deduce the distribution of the flow of streams by taking certain proportions based
on the rainfall is still more uncertain. Hence it is that some eminent engineers have given up the use of any
proportion at all in calculations regarding the capacity of streams to furnish water-supply, and have adopted for this
climate a certain fixed number of inches of rainfall as available. Mr. Oroes has remarked in another place | that
"the few records that exist of the flow from known drainage areas establish the fact that not over 15 inches per
annum can be depended upon on the Atlantic slope, and many engineers who have devoted a good deal of attention
to the subject are very decided in their opinion tha*t not more than 11 inches should in any case be calculated on".
The following table is copied from the same source:

Small annual yield of streams.

* Stream.

Drainage
area.

Tear.

Ruin.

Discharge.

Sq. miles.
9.4

12.5

19.0

20.0

339.0

10234.

1835-'36

1851

1870-71

1864

1872

1877

Inches.
35. 68

36.75

42. 96

39. 36

40. 80

40.74

Inches.
16.67

17. 53

12. 62

18.88

14. 89

19.00

21. 71

Croton, S.Y

Croton, IT. Y

In order to utilize all the discharge given in the last column a certain amount of storage room will be required,
owing to the variation of the flow in different months.

It may not be out of place to devote a few lines here to a closer consideration of the causes affecting the
fluctuations in the flow of streams. Evaporation, the principal source of loss, acts in different months with very
different degrees of intensity, being generally greatest in the summer months and least in the winter. It is
sometimes the custom, in calculating the amount of water-supply available for the use of a town, to assume a certain
proportion of the rainfall of each month as collectible or as discharged through the streams, that proportion varying
from 20 or 30 per cent, in summer months to 70 or 80 per cent., or even over 100 per cent., in others. Now, if we
assume that the rainfall at any particular time reaches the streams within a short time after it has fallen, say within
a month or so, then, if the rainfall is uniformly distributed -throughout the year, the flow of the streams will decrease
as the evaporation increases, aud will be several times greater* in some month (the month of maximum flow)
than in some other mouth (the month of minimum flow). If, now, the rainfall be so distributed that in the months
when the evaporation is least the greatest rainfall occurs, it is evident that the proportion of the rainfall discharged
will be greater than in the first case, while the variability of the flow will also be greater. In this case, then, a
larger amount of water will be available, but the storage necessary will also be larger, while the minimum and
low-season flow of the stream, without storage, will be less than before.

Again, if the rainfall be so distributed that the greatest rainfall occurs in those months in which the evaporation
is greatest, the proportion of the rainfall discharged by the streams will be less than in the first case, but the flow
will be more uniform. In this case, then, a smaller amount of water will be available, but the necessary storage will
be less, while the minimum flow of the stream, without storage, will be greater than in either of the previous cases.
Hence we see how the distribution of the rainfall and the amount of the evaporation affect the flow of the streams,

*HUGHE8, Waterworks, p. 332. t Engineering News, March 20, 1880, p. 104.

t Newark Aqued.nct Board, Report on Additional Water Supply, by J. J. R. Croes and G. W. Howell, 1879.

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

aud by considering these, as well as the other elements affecting water-power, we may he able to judge of the relative
value of two streams, and to form some estimate of their flow, even if no gaugings are at hand, although such
estimates are very rough aud liable to be greatly in error.

Two elements of a good water-power are, large flow, or large proportion of rainfall available, and uniform
flow. The flow may be large, but if it is very variable the storage-room necessary to utilize it all may be too large,
while a small flow, if uniform, could be utilized without any storage at all (except where it is desired to concentrate
the power into less than twenty -four hours). But the remaining factors above named affect very materially the
flow of streams, both in amount and in constancy, viz, soil, forests, lakes. The effect of these is felt in so many
ways that it would not be the place here to discuss them extensively. But, as showing what principles have
guided me in making my estimates of the flow of the various streams, I may be permitted to sum up here briefly
these effects. A deep and porous soil, if underlaid by an impervious stratum, down to which the streams have
cut their beds, has the effect of diminishing the evaporation and rendering the flow of the streams more constant.
In some cases, however, and especially when the streams have not cut down to an impervious bed (that sheds the
water that percolates to it), a deep and pervious soil is accompanied by considerable loss by flowage in subterranean
courses, so that the flow of the streams may be diminished. It does not seem as though this were the case in the
southern states. The action of lakes in regulating flow is evident, but it is next to impossible to estimate it
numerically. They exert a more important influence in this respect than any other factor entering into the
question. As regards forests, I am constrained to speak of their action somewhat at length because of the fact
that, on account of the climatic conditions in some parts of the district under consideration, their influence may be
overestimated. Although authorities are not agreed as to whether forests increase the actual amount of rainfall,
the weight of evidence seems to be tending to prove that they do not. All are agreed, however, that they act as
great regulators of the flow of streams. According to the results of the experiments at the Bavarian experiment
stations the action of forests is as follows :*

1. They decrease the temperature of the ground, but in winter the effect is inappreciable.

2. They decrease the temperature of the air during the daytime, but in winter to an inappreciable extent, and
increase it during the night in winter much more than in summer.

3. They have no influence on the absolute humidity of the air, but they increase greatly its relative humidity,
and to a large extent at all seasons, but greater iu summer than in winter.

4. They decrease evaporation from a free water-surface, and to an almost equal extent at all seasons, and also
the evaporation from moist earth.

5. Trees themselves evaporate so much that the total evaporation from woods is greater than from open ground.

6. They decrease the amount of rainfall which reaches the ground by intercepting part of it by their leaves
and branches.

7. They exert no influence on the distribution of rainfall throughout the year.-

8. They have but a small effect, if any, in increasing the rainfall, but that effect is much greater in summer than
in winter, and increases with the elevation above the sea.

9. They have no appreciable effect in increasing the total quantity of water penetrating the ground, but in
winter they 'decrease that quantity, while in summer they increase it very considerably. The forests, therefore,
diminish the quantity of water flowing directly from the surface in summer, and by storing it up, to be given out
gradually, contribute to the constancy of the streams. (See page 20 for further remarks.)

I will now proceed to explain the general method I have followed in estimating the flow of the streams in this
district. In calculating the amount of water-power available I have considered the flow of streams chiefly with
reference to four quantities, viz :

1. The absolute minimum flow.

2. The minimum low-season flow.

3. The maximum flow available with storage.

4. The low-season flow in ordinarily dry years, but not the driest.

a. The absolute minimum flow determines the maximum power which the stream will afford, at a given point,
at all times; but as this minimum flow generally occurs during a period of not over a few days at intervals of
several years, it is not of so much importance as the other quantities, and if only this flow is utilized there will be
a large amount of water wasting, even iu the low season, for years in succession. The amount of this flow is best
approximated to, probably, by assuming a certain discharge per square mile of water-shed, varying with the area
of the water-shed and the local and climatic conditions. In estimating this flow I have made use of the results
given in the table on page 20.

b. The minimum low-season flow is the smallest average amount flowing during a period of from six to three
weeks, generally in summer, when the stream is at its lowest. In most years, the average flow during the season
of least flow exceeds this amount. It may therefore be depended upon at all times, except for intervals of a day

* Ebekmayku : Die physiMlischen Einwirhingcn des Waldes auf Lnft und Bod-en, und seine klimatologischc nnd hygienisvhe Bedeutung.
Berlin, 1873. ,
G78

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

or two, perhaps several days at a time, during -which the flow approaches its absolute minimum, and may be
rendered available at all times by a small amount of storage. In ordinary years there will be an excess almost all
the time.

This minimum summer flow can probably be best estimated by comparison with experimental results, some of
which are given in the table on page 21. But in most cases I have estimated it as follows :

1. Seven-tenths of the mean annual rainfall may, in general, be considered the minimum rainfall.

2. Forty per cent, of this may, on the average, for tolerably large drainage basins, be considered to be discharged
by the streams, subject to variation, however, according to local and climatic conditions ; but in no case should the
amount determined in this way as the total amount discharged in a year exceed say 10 to 13 inches. If it does,
not over 10 to 13 inches should be assumed. The storage necessary to render this flow available at all times I am
unable to calculate with the data at hand.

3. The distribution of this flow through the year may be estimated from the results of the table on page 21,
bearing in mind, however, in estimating the coefficient which expresses the proportion of the mean monthly rainfall
which is discharged iu the driest month, the various remarks concerning the district considered, on pages 22
to 24.

e. By increasing the storage-room a larger flow may be rendered available. In regard to the amount of
increase possible, I have assumed that 10 to 13 inches is all that can be depended on permanently. Perhaps
11 to 13 inches may be assumed for New England and the middle states. In the region we are considering,
according to the remarks on pages 16 to 18, I have modified these figures by taking them somewhat smaller,
on the supposition that the percentage of rainfall discharged is smaller. This will agree pretty closely with the
available annual flow in very dry years ; for if we take 40 per cent, of the rainfall as available, and 0.7 of the
mean annual rainfall for the rainfall during a dry year,* we shall have for a rainfall of 40 and 50 inches, respectively,
11.2 and 14 inches available.

Any calculations respecting the amount of storage necessary can only be rough approximations, and may,
perhaps, prove entirely fallacious, on account of the total absence of data regarding the flow of the streams in different
months. A comparison and a study of all the data that I can find regarding other streams has led me to the
opinion that the storage necessary to render the above quantity available will be between 2 and 4 inches on the
water-shed, varying according to the various local and climatic conditions (see pages 8 to 16) and according
to the area of the water-shed, being greater for small water-sheds than for large ones. But this is a very rough
approximation.

d. The mean low -season Jlotc in dry years (but not the driest) I have approximated by taking 11 to 16 inches
of rainfall available, and taking a certain proportion of this as the amount flowing in the one or two months
of the season of low flow, according to the table on page 21, modified somewhat according to circumstances; or, in
many cases, by simply increasing by one-seventh the estimate of the minimum low-season flow. Without storage,
this flow may generally be depended upon, except in low seasons of very dry years, when the supply may be
deficient for several weeks at a time. In ordinary years one-quarter more may be calculated upon.

In all cases referring to low- season flow the flow will generally be at least twice as great for nine months in
the year.

Any attempt to utilize the mean annual flow would result in failure of supply in very dry years.

It is a question to be determined in each case separately, from financial and other considerations, how much
power it will be desirable to utilize, with due consideration of such points as the length of time during which the
supply will fail and cost of supplementary steam-power.

In view of the uncertainty of this subject, the estimates which I have made must all be considered only rough
approximations, but on account of lack of data I am unable to make them more reliable.

* Fanning : Treatise on American Water-Supply Engineering.

679

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

The following tables have already been referred to, and are compiled from various sources i

Table showing extremes of flow for some American streams.

River.

Place.

Mean rainfall, inches.

Remarks on character
of drainage basin.

Extremes of flow.

a a

o o
_ o
a a>
S3 to

a a

3 U

P«3

-I

.2 3

gs
N

.§ I
3 s

£ p. «

>-.<s »

o ^»

aS §
"go a
O

Authority and re-
marks.

Merrimack
Merrimack

Concord .
Sudbury .

Lawrence.

Lowell

Framingham.

3, 598. 00
4, 136. 00
352. 00

78.00 n

Charles

Hale's Brook,

Mass.
Connecticut .

Connecticut .

Hartford.

Dartmouth .

Housatonic .

Croton

W. Br. Croton
Passaio

Passaic

Delaware

Schuylkill . . .

Hackensack .

Ohio

Potomac

Lambertville .

Philadelphia .

Pittsburg . . .
Cumberland ,

Potomac .

Dam No. 5 .

Potomac

Rock Creek. .
Kanawha

Great Palls

Hoyle's Mill

Charleston pool . . .

Grcenbriar . . Mouth of Howard's
Creek.

Shenandoah . Near Port Repub
lie.

James Richmond

Neuse

Near Raleigh

236. 00
24. 00

10, 234. 00

3, 287. 00

790.00

338. 82

20.37
855. 00

981. 00

6,500.0±

1,800. 00

84.00

19,900. 00
920. 00

4, 640. 0±

11, 476. 00
64. 40
8, 900. 00
870. 00
770. 00
6, 800. 00

1, 000. 00

Lakes and artificial res-
ervoirs. "Wooded.

Lakes and artificial res-
ervoirs. Wooded.

Hilly and swampy.
One - sixth to one-
eighth wooded.

Hilly and rolling

Numerous lakes and
artificial reservoirs.
"Wooded. Mountain-
ous in parts.

05
153

244
18

270
0U

Somo lakes and
swamps. Hilly.

Some lakes and
swamps. Hilly.

Hilly and rolling.
Many lakes. "Well
wooded.

Hilly and rolling. No
lakes. Some reser-
voirs.

Plat. No lakes or res-
ervoirs, except mill-
ponds.

Hilly and mountaiuous.
No lakes. Wooded.

Narrow valley s. Steep
slopes. Wooded. No
lakes.

Narrow valleys. Steep
slopes. "Wooded. No
lakes.

Country more open.
No lakes.

Mountainous. Steep.

No lakes. Wooded.
Mountainous. Steep.

No lakes. Wooded.
Hilly. Limestone. No

lakes. Many springs.
Mountainous iu upper

part. No lakes.

Wooded.
Open. Clay and loam.

No lakes. Few ex-
tensive woods.

96, 782

4,449
3, 228

207, 443

25,367

1, 109

19, 944
350, 000

17, 900

92, 772

120, 000 ±

1, 638. 00
2, 192. 00

59.84
2. 80

44. 00
3.24

5, 219. 00

1, 006. 00

130. 00

50.80

0.407
178. 00

225. 00
2, 000. 00

307.0
to

378.0
27.00

2, 271. 00
25. 00

363. 00

1, 063. 00
7. 50
1, 100. 00
97.00
128. 00
1,300.0+

74
1,153

500

2, 722

175

716

255

110

0. 414

0.530

0. 170
0.036

0. 188
0. 135

0.510

0.306

0.165

0. 150

0.020
0.208

0. 230
0.300

0.17
to
0. 21
0. 33(?)

0. 114
0.022

0. 0783

0.093
0.114
0.123
0. 120
0. 167
0. 191

J. B. Francis, quoted

by J. P. Kirkwood.
C. Herschel.

C. Herschel.
A. Fteley.

J. P. Kirkwood.
J. P. FrizelL

T. G. Ellis.

0.458

0.193

C. Herschel.

H. Loom is, Rept N.
Y. Com. Pub. Wks.,
1879.

J. J. R. Croes and G.

W. HowelL
J. J. R. Croes.
J. J. R Croes and G.

W. HowelL
J. J. R. Croes and G.

W. Howell.
Ashbel Welch.

E.F. Smith and H P.

M. Birkinbine.
C. D. Ward.

J. H. Harlow.

W. R. Hutton and Pat-
terson.

Quoted by W. R Hut-
ton.

W. R. Hutton.

Quoted by W. R. Hut-
ton.

Gill, Scott, and Hut-
ton.
McNeill.

J aines Herron.

H. D. Whitcomb and
W. E. Cutshaw.

W. C. Kerr, low
water.

C80

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED. 21

Table of monthly flow in dry years.

quare

Flow in inches on water-shed.

Katio of monthly to mean flow.

Hi vers.

area, s
ilea.

onth.

• the

I 9

5 b

9
>>

3Con(

•p
!a

ourtl

ifth.

inth,

enth,

level

welf

■d

bird.

ourtl

ifth.

ightl

inth,

339

0. 20

0.35

0.55

0.63

0.87

0.94

1.52

1.63

1. 80

1. 90

2.08

2.27

14. 72

0. 16

0.29

0.43

0. 51

0. 71

0. 77

1. 24

t. 33

1.47

1.55

1.70

1.85

352

0. 25

0. 32

0. 36

0. 43

0.54

0. 68

0. 85

1. 07

1. 36

1. 70

3.62

13. 33

0. 22

0. 29

0. 32

0. 39

0. 49

0. 61

0.76

0. 96

1. 23

1.53

1.94

3. 26

4, 136

0. 68

0. 70

0.77

0. 85

1.00

1. 13

1.30

1.53

1. 98

2. 55

3. 22

5.42

21. 13

i0. 38

0. 40

0. 44

0. 48

0.57

0.64

0.74

0. 87

1. 12

1. 45

1. 83

3.08

tt>, 234

0. 65

0.68

0. 71

0. 74

0.88

0. 90

1.28

1.51

a. 80

2. 02

3. 28

4. 71

19.16

0.41

0. 43

0.45

0. 46

6. 55

0. 56

0.80

«.95

1.13

1. 26

2. 05

2.95

Sohuylkill*

1,800

0.27

0.30

0.38

0.40

0.53

0.62

0. 68

0. 79

0. 88

0. 98

1. 08

1. 59

8.50

1°' ^

0.42

0.54

0.57

0. 75

0.88

0. 96

1.12

1.24

1. 38

1.52

2.24

Table of monthly average flow for a series of years.

339

0. 56 0. 95 1. 12

1. 21 1. 43 1. 82

302. 57

1 1 I
77 3. 02 3. 60 4. 00

1 1 1

25.35

I 1 I 1 1
0. 26 0. 45 0. 53 0. 57 0. 68 0. 8

1 1
6,1.09,1. 21

1. 31 1. 43

1.90

352

0. 39 0. 46 0. 51

0. e^O. 76 0. 96

25 1. 52

92 2. 38 ( 3. 00 4.86

18. 62

0. 25 0. 30^. 33 0. 39^. 49 0. 62 0. 81,0. 98

1. 24 1. 53

3.13

4, 136

0. 77 0. 88 1. 06

1. 26 1. 52 11. 80

12,2. 49

03:3. 73 4. 63 6. 56

29.85

0. 310. 36 0. 43 0. 51 0. 61 0. 72 0. 85 1. 00

L 22 1. 50

2.63

10,234

0. 75 0. 85 0. 91

L 10 1. 34 1. 58

00^2. 36

81 3. 27|4. 52 6. 26

27.75

0. 33|0. 37J0. 39|0. 47|0. 58^0. 6

8 0. 87 1. 02

1.211.41

2. 71

Table of monthly flow in dry years of streams of small drainage area.

Cochitnate

19.00

1 | 1 1 1
0. 08 0. 41 0.46 0. 47,0. 70^.8

i I 1

8 0. 97 1. 03 1. 11

1.31

1.47

2.26

11. 15

0. 09,0. 14 0. 50

! I 1 I

0.510. 75 0. 95^. 031.11

1.20

1.41

2. 43

Oroton, "Western Branch

20. 37

0.10 0. 17 0. 46 0. 53 0. 67:0. 8

4 0. 98 1. 02 2. 31

3.37

3. 41

5.40

19. 26

0. 06 0. 10 0. 28

0. 33 0. 42 0. 52 0. 61 0. 64

1. 44

2.10

3.37

Sudbury

76. 30

0. 11 0. 16^. 25 0. 39 0. 57 0. 791. 06,1. 401. 79

2.21

2. 77

5. 09

16.59

0. 08^. 11 0. 18

0.28 0. 4^0. 57 0. 77,1.01

1. 29

1. 60

3.69

50-100

0. 11 0. 150. 21 0. 27 0. 49 0. 67 0. 90 1. 22 1. 77

1 I ! i 1 1 1 1

1.87

2.13

13.44

0. 10 0. 13 0. 19

0. 24 0. 44 0. 60 0. 80 1. 09

1 1 1 1

1.58

1. 67

3. 26

* Charles G. Darrach, in Engineering News, April 3, 1880, p. 122.

The mouth of least flow (the driest month) varies considerably from year to year, falling sometimes in the •
summer and sometimes in the winter, and the months do not succeed each other in the order of dryness. As a
rule, however, the driest mouths fall in summer, although sometimes the difference is not very pronounced. (See
a paper by Mr. Clemens Herschel, "The Gauging of Streams." Transac. Am. Soc. Civ. Engrs., vol. vii, 1878, p. 236.)
The last three tables are principally from Mr. Oroes' report to the Newark Aqueduct Board.

In describing the separate water-powers I have therefore given four estimates. For convenience of reference
I will recapitulate them here, noting briefly their exact meaning :

1. Absolut e minimum can be depended upon always, and with no storage at all. Large waste all the
time, except for a few days at a time in intervals of several years.

2. Minimum low-season flow, with no storage, can be depended upon at all times, except for a short
time in some dry seasons — perhaps for a few days in the dry season of each year. With small storage can be
depended upon all the time.

3. Mean flow in very dry years. — Maximum amount permanently available tcith storage. Storage capacity
as already discussed. With larger storage a greater amouut could perhaps be utilized for several years in succession,
but not permanently.

4. Low-season flow in ordinary dry years, without storage, can be depended upon generally, except
in the low season of dry years, when the supply will be deficient for, perhaps, several weeks; in very dry years,
when the supply will be deficient for a longer time, and in ordinary years, when tbe supply may be deficient for a
few days at a time ; can be rendered permanently available by storage. The low-season flow of ordinary years can
be depended upon less than the above, but generally for nine months of every year.

TIDAL WATER-POWER.

There is no tidal power either used or available in the district considered, partly because there are no facilities
for storing water, and partly because, as is evident from the topography of the country, there are no facilities for
location of buildings on a low and swampy coast.

TOTAL AVAILABLE POWER.

It is customary to attempt to estimate the total available power of a district by assuming the average elevation
and the quantity of water discharged. Such estimates have little value, because a large proportion of the power
so estimated is, in fact, unavailable, ou account of topographical features. In regard to the region under
consideration, however, it is to be noticed that as the elevation of the Atlantic plane, at the foot of the mountains,

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

is much greater than in the states farther north, varying from 1,200 feet in North Carolina, at the sources of the
Catawba, to 500* feet in Virginia and 100 to 300 feet in Pennsylvania,* the total theoretical power in the region we
are considering will be very large in proportion to its area, especially if we exclude the eastern division from
consideration.

After having presented the general features of the district under consideration, briefly pointed out the general
principles relating to the amount of power available, and explained the method used in calculating it, it is now only
necessary to show how, in the application of those principles, the general characteristics of the region show their
effects and are to be taken into account.

G.— General results. .

1. It follows from the position of the region that the warm and moist SW. winds from the Gulf of Mexico
traverse its whole extent. Hence the rainfall is greatest (02 inches) in Alabama and southern Georgia, while the
evaporation is comparatively small, because the air is moist, and the rainfall diminishes to 44 inches and less in North
Carolina and Virginia, while the air becomes drier and the evaporation greater. Above North Carolina the greater
part of the rain comes from the Atlantic, while south of Virginia most of it comes from the Gulf. This tact — that the
evaporation increases toward the north — has an important bearing on the flow of the streams, which will be referred
to farther on.

2. From the topography it follows that all the water-power of importance is in the middle, division. In the
eastern division the streams are too sluggish, and in the western the3 T are too small and inconstant. Although the
middle division is very favorably disposed for water-power, it is unfortunate that in the eastern division, just where
the streams are the largest, the conditions are not favorable. The middle division is, topographically, very
favorable for power. The fall of the streams is great, but as a whole tolerably uniform, and their volume
moderately large. They cross the ledges of rock at large angles, forming many rapids, rifts, or falls in all parts of
this region. These ledges, being composed of hard, durable, and impervious rocks, generally granite or similar
rocks, insure the permanence of the powers, and afford everywhere good sites for dams. The shape of the river
valleys is such as to render the utilization of the power in most cases easy, there being only a very few instances of
anything approaching the canon structure. The facilities for storing water are, on the whole, good, though the
shape of the valleys does not seem to be particularly favorable; for in the mountains the fall is too great and the
valleys too narrow to afford large reservoir room, while lower down the rivers are bordered by fertile bottom-lands,
which it might be inadvisable to overflow, and besides, as the streams are tolerably large, it would be difficult to
store sufficient water to increase the power much. In the matter of storage this region is notably less favorable
than such states as Maine and Pennsylvania. The absence of lakes, also, operates unfavorably on the volume and
constancy of the streams, especially in the upper parts, and this is counteracted by the action of the forests perhaps
to a less extent than might be supposed. (See below.)

The country in the middle division being moderately hilly, the rainfall is neither precipitated suddenly into
the river channels, rendering them subject to sudden freshets, nor is it discharged too gradually, so as to render
the evaporation abnormally large. On the contrary, the depth and perviousness of the soil, the fact that it is
everywhere underlaid with hard and impervious rock, and that the rivers have cut their channels down to this
rock-bed, contribute to the volume and constancy of the streams, and diminish the loss by evaporation and by
subterranean flowage. This depth of soil, serving to store the waters, is especially beneficial in view of the
variability of the rainfall, in which respect some parts of this region stand at a disadvantage, which is thus, to
some extent, compensated for. Iu Maine, for instance, the soil is very shallow compared with that in North
Carolina, but the rainfall is very equally distributed throughout the year. (See page 17 for further remarks on
this subject.)

3. The influence of the forests in the western division is favorable, yet not to such an extent as might be
supposed, according to what has been said regarding the influence of woods in winter and in summer. In fact,
there is reason to believe that at least in the northern parts of the region considered less water percolates into
the ground in winter, to be stored and given out by springs, than in open ground. From the experiments which
have been referred to, the conclusion has been drawn for Germany that the cutting down of forests has the effect in
winter of increasing the discharge of springs and causing a higher average stage of the water iu the streams than
existed before.! In hot regions, and iu summer, the cutting down of woods has the opposite effect, but it does not seem
improbable that, for the district considered, the effect would be to a certain extent as stated, especially if (as is the
case in the western part of the district in many cases) the rainfall is greater in winter than in summer. For this
reason it is easy to overestimate the effect of the forests as regulators of flow. Their effect is certainly very much
smaller than in regions where the rainfall is greater in summer than iu winter, in which case their efiect is very
beneficial and only exceeded by that of lakes or artificial, reservoirs and surface materials. The fact that the

* Guyot.

t Ebermaykr : Die physikalischen Eimvirkvvgcn des Waldes avf Luft inid Boden, nvd seine klimatologische itnd hygicnischc Bedeviling.
Berlin, 1873, p. 223.

C82

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

mountains in this district are covered with soil is one of great -importance, and on this account the flow of the
streams will be much more constant than it would otherwise be.

4. I have already alluded to the winds and the position of this region as affecting its water-power. As regards
temperature, it is, ©f course, higher in this region than in New England. In summer the difference is some 12°; in
winter, over 20°; and for the year, in the middle division, 12° to 15°. The average temperature in winter is far
above the freezing point; hence the streams rarely freeze over. Trouble with ice is almost unknown, and, in this
respect, this region has a great advantage over the more northern states, which is, however, partially offset by the
fact that the evaporation is greater.

Mr. Wells, in his report on the water-power of Maine, dwells upon the fact, which he says is founded on the
testimony of persons who have had the largest and most varied experience in manufacturing in Maine and other
states, that operatives can accomplish much more in winter than in summer, or in cold than in warm states. I
quote Mr. Wells 7 remarks on this point :

It is well known that at the large majority of manufacturing labors the burden of the day's work is felt by the operative to be much
heavier in summer than in winter. The cold of the latter season can be so guarded against and mollified that throughout the whole establish-
ment precisely, or very nearly, that temperature can be secured which is most contributive to vigorous exertion. But the heat of summer,
pervading and penetrating everything, and brought in at every open window with the necessary supplies of fresh air, cannot bo shut out.
It cannot bo qualified. It oppresses the worker with a languor rarely experienced in out-of-door avocations, and renders it impossible
for him to do so much or do so well as he can easily do in cool weather. Accordingly, the evidence is that in Maine, where the summer
temperature is low, where it rises above the point of comfort for but a few days for the whole season, operatives, circumstanced equally in
every other respect, accomplish more than in the interior and more southern states by the truly remarkable fraction of 10 per cent.

It must, however, be borne in mind that although in warmer climates the operatives are unable to accomplish
so much, yet, on the other hand, the expense for heating the factory buildings is greatly reduced, and that, further,
as the operatives can live more cheaply on account of not needing so much artificial heating in their houses, their
wages may be much less in proportion. In fact, it is stated that the wages paid to operatives in cotton factories in the
southern states is 34 per cent, less than in the New England states.* The table of maximum observed temperatures
shows that the maximum observed temperature in Maine is about the same as in Georgia. The following table of
the mean temperatures of the hottest and coldest months of the year will enable a comparison to be made between
the New England states and the southern states, and will show that the difference is not so great as is generally
supposed.

Table of mean temperatures of hottest and coldest months in various places.

Place.

Bath, Me

Castine, Me

Brunswick, Me

Newport, It. I

Providence, R. J.. . .
New Haven, Conn. . .

Hartford, Conn

Manchester, N. H . . .

New York, N. Y

Newark, N. J

Philadelphia, Pa

Harrisburg, Pa

Baltimore, Md

Washington, D. C . . .
Fortress Monroe, Va
Fort Johnston, N. C .
Chapel Hill, N. C....

Asheville, N. C

Aiken, S. C

Camden, S. C

Charleston, S. C

Columbia, S. C

Fort Moultrie, S. C . .

Athens, G^

Atlanta, Ga

Augusta, Ga

Number of
years of ob-
servation.

Trs. Mos.

10
40
51
34
40
86
16
14
24
21
51
29
'36
12
45
15
20
6
8
9
24
4
32
6
5
21

11
11
6
2
7

Mean tempera-
tures of hot-
test month.

Degrees.

68.71
64.82
67. 44
70.98
70. 14
71. 69
72.14
72.94
72.93
75.06
75. 20
78.63

77. 35

78. 26
7a 73
81.64
78. 38
74. 00
78. 80
80.04
80. 22
78. 78
81.94
70.33
77. 50
82.16

'Address of Hon. E. Steadman, before the convention of the Georgia State Agricultural Society, August, 1876. According to the
oensus of 1870, the average wages paid to operatives in cotton factories in various states was as follows, in dollars, per annum : Maine, 272 ;
New Hampshire, 311; Vermont, 277; Massachusetts, 311; Rhode Island, 310; Connecticut, 270; Pennsylvania, 276; Maryland, 236;
Virginia, 132; North Carolina, 130; South Carolina, 230; Georgia, 222. The wages will depend somewhat on the quality of goods
manufactured, but the average is evidently mueh less in the south.

: v 6 } 3

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

Most of the stations in the southern states are in the eastern division, where the weather is much warmer than in
the middle and western divisions, where the water-power is. The table shows that at Athens and Atlanta, Georgia,
which are the best types of the middle section, the mean temperature of the warmest month is not much different
from that in the middle states, although Maine, it is true, has a lower temperature by some 10°. It seems to me,
however, that this effect of temperature has been overestimated, and that, so far as it alone is concerned, the
advantages in the southern Atlantic states more than counterbalance the disadvantages.

5. As regards the rainfall, its distribution throughout the year on the water-shed of each river is to be carefully
considered. Variability in this distribution may not be a disadvantage, but on the contrary, if the summer fall is
greater than the winter fall, the flow of the streams will be more regular, other things being equal. In determining
the ratios to be used in estimating flow I have been influenced by this consideration, and if of two streams, similar
in other respects, one has more rain in summer than in winter, and the other more in winter than in summer, I
have taken the minimum flow of the former considerably greater than that of the latter. Differences in the
evaporation in different parts of the district also come into consideration. If the other climatic conditions remained
the same, the effect of variability in the rainfall would be seen in a corresponding variation in the flow of the
streams, and in those seasons when most rain fell the flow of the streams would be greater. Yet in the New England
states, as well as in the southern states, the streams are lowest in summer, even when more rain falls in that season,
showing that the evaporation in that season is more than sufficient to make up for the greater rainfall. It is true
that in the North there is a winter drought, caused by the snow lying so long on the ground, so that little of the
precipitation reaches the streams; yet, although in some cases the driest month, or the month when the streams
are lowest, falls in the winter, in general the summer drought is greater than the wiater drought. On account of
the increased evaporation, the southern streams will, in all probability, discharge a smaller proportion of the
rainfall on their drainage areas than those in New England. Finally, the effect of soil and lakes must not be
overlooked in comparing this region with New England, and in estimating the flow of the streams.

The foregoing remarks have been made because it is necessary to present the principles which have guided
me in making my estimates. The conditions determining the flow are, however, so various, that they cannot all
be given due weight, even if they were all accurately known; so that the only safe guide in practical questions
regarding flow is a series of gaugings extending over a number of years. But as I have not a single such series
for the district considered I am obliged to resort entirely to estimate. Every engineer can form his own conclusions
from the data at hand, and many may not be disposed to approve of the figures given.

I.—THE CHOWAN RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES.

THE CHOWAN RIVER.

The first river south of the James worth considering is the Ohowau, for although there is no water-power on
the main stream there is some on the tributaries. The Chowan is formed by the junction of the Blackwater and
Nottoway rivers, nearly on the line between North Carolina and Virginia, whence it flows nearly south into Albemarle
sound, between Hertford and Bertie counties on its right aud Gates and Chowan on its left, entering the sound at
its western extremity. It is navigable for its whole length — about 38 miles in a straight line, and perhaps 60 by
the river. Its total drainage area is about 4,870 square miles, and its principal tributary is the Meherrin, which
enters from the west. It flows, with a sluggish current, through a low and swampy country, entirely below the fall-
line, with large portions subject to overflow at times, and possesses no water-power whatever, used or available.
The principal town on the river is Winton, the county seat of Hertford county. The trade on the river is of
considerable importance, large quantities of cotton, corn, wheat, tobacco, lumber, aud fish being shipped.

THE MEHERRIN RIVER.

This stream is the most important tributary of the Chowan. It rises in Charlotte, Lunenburg, and Mecklenburg
counties, Virginia, flows a little south of east, forming the boundary between Lunenburg and Mecklenburg counties;
thence flows through Brunswick and Greenville, and between Greenville and Southampton counties, Virginia, and
finally through Hertford county, North Carolina, emptying into the Chowan several miles above Winton. Its
length, in a straight line, is about 100 miles, but is considerably greater by the river. It is navigable beyond the
North Carolina line, a distance by the river of over 30 miles. The principal towns on the stream are Murfreesboro',
North Carolina, about 15 miles from the mouth, and Hicksford, Virginia, about 50 or 60 miles from the mouth.
The draiuage area of the Meherrin comprises about 1,675 square miles, about half of which lies below the fall-
• line, and in which the river is a sluggish stream, with a bed of clay or sand, aud perhaps occasionally a ledge of
rock. Its banks are subject to overflow, and the adjacent bottoms or low grounds are covered with extensive cypress
swamps and pine woods. In this part of the river there is, of course, no water-power. Above the fall-line the count ry
is not so level, the bed of the stream is more rocky, and the banks are not so subject to overflow, although there
are still extensive low grounds which are flooded at times. The soil is sand and clay, aud very fertile ; the couutry well

684

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

wooded, and the principal products are cotton, corn, wheat, tobacco, fruits, and vegetables. This part of the drainage-
basin belongs geologically to the Eozoic formation, while that below the fall-line is Tertiary or later. The fall of
the stream is nowhere very great, and the divides, separating its drainage-basin from the adjacent ones, are nowhere
very high, so that the tributaries also have no very great fall. The latter, however, are small, and not of mucli
importance, and I have only measured the drainage areas of a few of them. The results, together with the drainage
areas above various points on the main stream, are given in the table on page 26.

The average rainfall on the drainage-basin of the Meherrin is about 44 inches, or a little less, of which about
11 fall in spring, 13 in summer, 8 in autumn, and 10 in winter. There are no lakes in the basin; neither are the
facilities for the construction of storage reservoirs very good, the country being too flat.

The fall of the river in the last 30 miles of its course is not much over 1 foot to the mile, the elevation above
mean tide of the mean water-surface of the stream at the crossing of the Seaboard and Roanoke railroad, some 30
miles from its mouth, being 31 feet.

According to an old survey by J. Williston, whose report is to be found in the twenty-second report of the board
of public works of Virginia, the fall varies from 1 to 3 feet per mile.

In the entire absence of gaugings of the river its flow would have to be estimated, but I have made no estimate
because of the small value of the stream as a source of power.

The water-power of the Meherrin and its tributaries is not of great importance. The flow of the stream is
extremely variable, and no sites of importance were brought to my notice. Although the river crosses the fall-line
in the vicinity of Lawrenceville or Hicksford, where we should expect to find a fall, I succeeded in obtaining no
information regarding any power in that neighborhood. There seems to be no fall on either the Meherrin or the
Nottoway at its crossing of the fall-line, although this line is very marked in the case of the Appomattox and the
Roanoke. The river, however, is very inaccessible, especially above the fall-line — so much so that I did not consider
it advisable to visit it at any point above — and it is therefore possible that there may be a power somewhere in this
neighborhood. With the exception of the Petersburg railroad, which crosses the river near Hicksford nearly at
right angles, no other railroad comes within 15 or 20 miles of the stream.

As to building materials, there is abundance of flue timber in all parts of the drainage-basin, and in some parts
above the fall-line granite and similar rocks may be found.

The country is sparsely settled, and the people have given very little attention to the subject of water-power,
so that little satisfactory information could be obtained with the time at disposal. The power utilized on the stream
will be found tabulated from the reports of the enumerators, on page 27.

THE- BLACK WATER RIVER.

This stream rises in Prince George county, Virginia, flows in a direction rather east of south between Surry,
Isle of Wight, and Nansemond counties on its left, and Sussex and Southampton on its right, joining the Nottoway,
on the North Carolina line, to form the Chowan ; its length in a straight line being about 55 miles. It is navigable
to the town of Franklin, the head of tide-water,* on the Seaboard and Roanoke railroad, about 13 miles from the
mouth of the river. It drains an area of about 700 square miles, lying entirely below the fall-line, and possessing
little water-power. The river is sluggish and tortuous, flowing mostly through cypress swamps with dense
undergrowth, its width varying below Franklin from 100 to 275 feet, and its depth from 8 to 38 feet. Large areas
are flooded at high water, although the extreme rise is not over 3 or 4 feet.* The fall of the stream for 22 miles
above Franklin is not over 1J or 2 feet to the mile, and for the next 7 or 8 miles only very slightly greater, t The
elevation of the stream at the crossing of the Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio railroad, about 15 miles above
Franklin, is about 17£ feet above mean tide at Norfolk.| According to an old survey,§ the divide between the
Blackwater and the Nansemond, which flows into the James, is nowhere more than 83 feet above tide.

The rainfall on the draiaage-basin of the Blackwater is the same, and similarly distributed, as on that of the
Meherrin. Estimates of flow are not necessary, on account of the absence of water-power on the river.

The river is accessible from stations on the Seaboard and Roanoke and the Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio
railroads, the latter of which follows the river for some 35 miles at a distance from it of only 3 or 4 miles.

THE NOTTOWAY RIVER.

This river rises in Prince Edward, Lunenburg, and Nottoway counties, Virginia, and flows in a general direction
nearly southeast through a very fertile country, forming first the boundary between Nottoway and Diiiwiddie counties
on its left and Lunenburg and Brunswick on its right, thence flowing through Sussex and Southampton, joining the
Blackwater, on the North Carolina line, to form the Chowan. The principal town on the stream is Jerusalem,
Virginia. The length of the stream, in a straight line, is about 90 miles, and probably over 125 if its windings are
followed. The table on page 26 gives particulars regarding drainage areas, the total area drained being about 1,650

* Annual reports Chief of Engineers, 1879, appendix G 12, p. 620 ; 1878, appendix G 12, p. 522 ; 1875, p. 161.
tOld survey, in one of the reports of the board of public works of Virginia.

t For the elevations on the Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio railroad I am indebted to Mr. Hunter, of Petersburg, engineer of the road.
$ In the twenty-second report of the board of public works of Virginia.

685

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

square miles, divided nearly in two equal parts by Ike fall-line. The head of tide-water is at the crossing of the
Seaboard and Roanoke railroad at Nottoway, some 12 miles from the mouth of the stream.* The tributaries of the
Nottoway are not of muck consequence, the principal ones being Assainoosick, Eowanty, Stony, and Little Nottoway
creeks from tke nortk and east, and Three creek and Waqua creek from the south and west. It is noticeable here, as
elsewhere, that the principal tributaries enter from the northern side of the water shed, a fact already referred to.

The Nottoway is now being improved by the government, the present project having in view the securing a
navigable depth of 4 or 5 feet during nine months of the year as high as Peter's bridge, something over 50 miles
above the mouth of the stream, and 20 miles above the town of Jerusalem. Five thousand dollars have been
appropriated for the work, and the principal obstructions to navigation, which consist of snags, sunken logs, and
overhanging trees, are being removed. It is expected that at low water a navigable depth of 2 or 3 feet will be
secured as high as Peter's bridge, and of 7 or 8 feet as high as Monroe's ferry, about 15 miles from the mouth of the
river, measured along its course. The drainage areas of some of these tributaries are given in the table of
statistics. The principal products of the country drained by the Nottoway are cotton, corn, peanuts, tobacco,
and wheat. As in the case of the Meherrin, I heard of no power on the Nottoway at the point where it crosses the
fall-line. But in one of the reports of the board of public works of Virginia I found an account of a survey of the
river, in which "the Great falls, on the south prong", were mentioned, situated 9f miles above the mouth of the
Little Nottoway ; and it was stated that the river there was 37 feet wide, with an average depth, at low water,
of 23 inches, discharging 31 cubic feet per second. I did not consider it worth while to visit so small a power. The
drainage-basin of the Nottoway is similar in all respects to that of the Meherrin as far as I could learn, so that it
need not be described. The rainfall is also about the same ; estimates of the flow are not necessary. No gaugings
could be found for this river except the one mentioned above.

There are no lakes on the stream, and not very good facilities for reservoirs. The bed is in some places rock,
but generally sand, gravel, and clay. Below the crossing of the Petersburg railroad the river has an average width
of about 68 feet, with banks 10 or 15 feet high, and a bed of coarse gravel, and occasionally sand, loosely deposited
on a friable sandstone.! On the lower part there are considerable areas of low ground, sometimes overflowed.
According to an old report, the stream is 30 to 40 feet wide and 16 inches deep at low water for 10 miles above the
mouth of the Little Nottoway ; the current is gentle and the bed sandy. The Nottoway is more accessible than the
Meherrin, being nearer to the Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio railroad, the nearest road on the north.

I did not visit any sites or mills on the river, having been informed that they were unimportant. The same
report which mentioned the falls on the south prong referred also to a power at "Spencer's mill", where there was
said to be a fall of 12 to 15 feet; but I was unable to learn more particulars regarding this place, and did not consider
it worth while to devote much time to searching for it. The country is sparsely settled, and the people have given
little attention to water-power, so that without a personal examination of the river little satisfactory information
could be obtained.

The tributaries of the Nottoway have some power, as is shown by the statistical table, but it will be seen that
the only mills in this vicinity are grist- and saw-mills. There is no further manufacturing of any kind by water-
power in the drainage-basin of the Chowan.

From what has been said, it seems that the tributaries of the Ohowan offer little water-power, and are not,
as a rule, favorable streams for manufacturing. The facilities for storage are small, the flow is variable, on account
of the large evaporation, and the bed and banks are not very favorable for dams. There is, of course, some power
available, but it is, according to all accounts, not very considerable.

Table of drainage areas of the Chowan river and tributaries.

Chowan, at mouth

Meherrin, at lower edge of Lunenburg county

Mehenin, at lower edge of Brunswick county

Meherrin, at lower edge of Greenville county

Meherrin, at mouth

Fontaine's creek, at mouth (tributary of Meherrin)
North Meherrin, at mouth (tributary of Meherrin).
Middle Meherrin, at'mouth (tributary of Meherrin)
South Meherrin, at mouth (tributary of Meherrin) .

Black >vator, at mouth

Nottoway, at lower edge of Nottoway county

Nottoway, at lower edge of Dinwiddio county

Nottoway, at mouth of Kowanty creek

Nottoway, at lower edge of Sussex county

Nottoway, at mouth

Rowanty creek, at mouth (tributary of Nottoway) .
Stony creek, at mouth (tributary of Nottoway)

"For the elevations of streams crossed by the Seaboard and Roanoke railroad I am indebted to the president, Mr. John M. Robiuson.
t Twenty-first report board of public works of Virginia; report on survey by John Williston.

686

River and place.

urainage
area.

Square miles.
4,870
376
671
1, 07O
1,675
288
100
35
84
700
280
475
800
1, 080
1,650
125
210

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

Table of utilized po wer of the Chowan river and tributaries.

Stream.

Chowan

Meherrin river .

Tributaries to .

Blackwater river
Tributaries to ... ,

Nottoway river

Tributaries of .

Tributary to what.

Albemarle sound .
Chowan

Meheirin

Do.

Chowan

Blackwater

Chowan

Nottoway

Chowan

State.

North Carolina. .

Virginia

....do

...do

....do

North Carolina .

...do

Virginia

...do

.-..d0..-,V".:~.

...do

Virginia

...do

....do

...do

....do i

...do

...do '.

...do

North Carolina .

...do :

...do

County.

Northampton .
Southampton .

Greenville

... do

Brunswick

Mecklenburg .

...do

Lunenburg . . .

Hertford

Northampton .

Southampton . . .

Greenville

...do

Brunswick

...do

Mecklenburg . . .

Lunenburg

...do

Surry

Nansemond

...do

Southampton . .
Isle of Wight..

...do

Surry

Southampton . .

Greenville

Dinwiddie

Nottoway

...do

Prince Edward

...do

Southampton . .

...do

Sussex

Dinwiddie

..do

Brunswick

Lunenburg

Nottoway

...do

Chowan

Gates

...do

Kind of mill.

Saw

Flour and grist .

...do

Cotton-gin

Flour and grist .

...do

Saw

...do

Flour and grist .

...do

Saw

Flour and grist .

...do

Cotton-gin

Foundry

Flour and grist .

Saw

Flour and grist .

...do

Saw

Flour and grist .

....do

Saw

Flour and grist .

...do

Saw

Flour and grist .

...do

....do

...do

Saw

...do

Flour and grist .

....do

Cotton-gin

Flour and grist .

....do

Saw

Flour and grist .

...do

Saw

Flour and grist .

...do

Saw

a a

r2 OJ

Feet.

9
5
31
21
20
35
12
16

29
8
17
57
28
10
133
31
20
122
37
8
59
10
82
114
15$
16
23
9
21
26
26
23
23
45

67
32

2
64
20
69
49

7
18

12
10
64
12
65
78
22
19
57
70
10
14
83
35
15

128
17
12

150
35
8
70
25

133
39
55
18
46
8
42
20
20

83
17
165
47

7
58
10
27
15

8
71
30

II. — THE ROANOKE RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES.

THE ROANOKE RIVER.

This river is formed by the confluence of the Dan and Staunton rivers, in Mecklenburg county, Virginia. Thence
flowing southeast, it enters North Carolina in Warren county, and forms the dividing line between Halifax and
Martin counties on its right, and Northampton and Bertie on its left, emptying into Albemarle sound just above
Plymouth. The total length of the river is about 125 miles in a straight line, and probably nearly twice as far by
the river. The principal towns on the stream are: Clarksville, Virginia (just below the junction of the Dan with
the Staunton), Weldon, Halifax, Hamilton, Williamston, and Plymouth, North Carolina. The stream is navigable
at low-water to Weldon (some 120 miles), or can be made so for boats drawing 2 or 3 feet, and to Hamilton (GO
miles) for boats drawing 10 feet. Boats of greater draught cannot come through the sound. It is considered
possible to get a low-water navigation of 5 feet to Weldon,* the principal obstacles to navigation being snags,

* Annual Reports Chief of Engineers, 1872, p. 726; 1879, p. 624.

687

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

stumps, and sand-bars. By a system of locks and dams this river, with the Dan, was long ago made navigable
to Danville, more than twice as far from the mouth as Weldon, but these old canal-works have been long in disuse,
although the company which built them — the Eoanoke Navigation Company — has continued in existence down
to the present time. Although Weldon is now the head of navigation, yet there are still long reaches on the
Roanoke and on the Dan, both above and below Danville, which are boatable.

The total area drained by the Eoanoke river comprises about 9,200 square miles, of which the Dan drains 3,700,
the Staunton 3,450, and the Roanoke below the junction 2,050. There are no large tributaries of the Roanoke
below the confluence of the Dan and Staunton, although a number of small creeks flow into it from both sides.

The drainage-basin of the Roanoke proper is divided into two nearly equal parts by the fall-line, which crosses
the river between Weldon and Gaston, North Carolina. That part of the water-shed below Weldon is low and flat,
and partakes of the general characteristics of the eastern division, and therefore need not be described here in
great detail. Above Weldon the country is more broken and the river has more fall, having cut its bed down to
the underlying metamorphic rocks. The drainage-basin is long and narrow, varying in width from 10 to 30 miles,
and along the river are many fine bottoms, among which are some of the best farming-lands in the vicinity. The
bottoms widen out as we descend the river, and the flood-plain spreads out in places to a width of several miles,
and finally is represented by the broad lowlands and cypress swamps of the eastern division. Alternating with
the bottoms are bluffs, especially on the south side of the river. The proportion of the drainage-basin covered
with forests I have not been able to ascertain. The soil is clay and loam, with sand in the lower part of the
basin, and the productions are tobacco, corn, wheat, fruits, and vegetables. Below Weldon the country is heavily
timbered, and large quantities of timber and shingles are shipped. It is said that between 15,000,000 and 20,000,000
shingles are made and shipped annually from this region. Above Weldon fine building-stone is found in many
places, and in Granville, Warren, Edgecomb, and Wilson counties, North Carolina, a fine quality of granite is
quarried. Near Gaston there is a deposit of specular iron -ore, which has been very little worked. The basin is thinly
settled above Weldon, and the river is quite inaccessible, as will be seen from the map. The Raleigh and Gaston
railroad, after leaving the river at Gaston, recedes rapidly from it, and afterward comes nowhere within 8 or 10
miles of it; while on the north the nearest railroads, the Richmond and Danville and the Atlantic, Mississippi
and Ohio, are, on an average, 35 miles distant. Before the war Clarksville had railroad connection with the
Raleigh and Gaston road, and was a thriving tobacco mart, but the road was torn up during the war to repair other
roads, and has never been rebuilt,* in consequence of which the town has decreased considerably in population.

The average rainfall on the water-shed of the Roanoke above the fall-line is probably 40 or 42 inches, varying
from 38 or 39 on the upper part of the Staunton to 44 inches at Gaston. Of this amount 10 or 11 inches fall in
spring, about 10 inches in summer, and nearly the same fn autumn and winter. Being so uniformly distributed, the
flow of the stream may be expected to be very variable, especially as in all probability the evaporation is quite large ;
and, in fact, the general testimony is that the flow of the stream is subject to very large variations. .

The freshets on the river are very violent and the fluctuations often occur very rapidly. At Weldon an ordinary
freshet gives a rise of 12 or 15 feet; but generally twice in the year, in the spring and in the fall, there is a larger
freshet, the water rising 25 to 30 feet. In 1865 the river rose 50 feet at that point, and 30 feet at Hamilton. For
60 or 70 miles below Weldon the rise is from 20 to 50 feet, but it gradually diminishes as the mouth of the river is
approached, and for the last 15 or 20 miles of its course it is from 1 to 3 feet, t These floods occur so rapidly that
the river rises sometimes over 10 feet in a day at Weldon, f and of course they overflow the banks and flood large
areas of the adjoining lands.

There are no lakes or artificial reservoirs anywhere in the drainage-basin, neither are there facilities for storage
on the Roanoke proper; but on the upper Dan and Staunton reservoirs might doubtless be constructed at many
points.

The bed of the stream is generally sand below Weldon, with one or two ledges, and the banks are alluvial, not
very low as a rule, and in many places lined with overhanging trees; while above Weldon the bed is generally
composed of solid rock, sometimes of gravel and sometimes of sand or clay, the banks beiug alternately high and
sometimes bluffy and low and alluvial. Above the falls at Weldon, which extend for a distance of 10 miles above
that place, the river is wide, full of rocks and islands in many places, and difficult to navigate in low-water, with
large areas of bottom-land subject to overflow in freshets, although the rise is smaller than at Weldon. Some of
the low grounds were diked before the war, but the dikes have for a long time received no attention. High dams
on the river would, in general, be accompanied by the overflowing of large areas.

* Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers, 1880, p. 803.
t Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers, 1872, p. 726.
t Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers, 1876, Appendix G, 9.
688 .

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED. 29

The following table will give some idea of the fall of the stream :

Table of declivity — Roanoke river.

Place.

Distance
from mouth.

Elevation
above tide.

Dist. between
points.

Fall between
points.

Miles.

120
129
185

Feet.

44
128
269

Miles.

|- - - - 120
j. . . . 9
{- - - - 56

Feet.

... 44

- - • 84

- - . 141

Feet per mile.

■ - - 0.'3«
... 9.3
- - • 2.52

In the twenty-second report of the board of public works of Virginia is a report on a survey of the Boanoke, by
J. J. Couty. It is there stated that the fall from Eock Landing, in North Carolina, to the confluence of the Dan and
Staunton, in "Virginia, is 156.65 feet, the distance being 59.9 miles. The same report states that the width of the river
is considerable, being even three-fourths of a mile in places, but on the average about 400 yards, and that the bed
is mostly of solid rock, and remarkably favorable for dams.

The water-powers on the stream will now be described as far as I have been able to obtain information regarding
them.

The water-power at Weldon, North Carolina. — The first power on the river as it is ascended is that at Weldon,
North Carolina, where the stream crosses the fall-line. The fall here is about 84 feet in a distance of 9 miles above
the town, the river within this distance being very rocky and rapid, the channel very tortuous, and the bed of the
river interspersed with rocks and islands, most of which are submerged at high water. Some of the larger islands are
cultivated. The bed of the river is almost solid rock, and the banks generally abrupt, especially on the upper part,-
for several miles below the head of the falls, where they are 40 or 50 feet high, of hard granitic rock, and generally
extending almost perpendicularly to the water's edge. The river is much narrower here than above the falls. Some
fifty years ago the Eoanoke Navigation Company extended navigation around these falls by constructing a canal on
the south side of the river between Weldon and Eock Landing, 9 miles above. This canal was 30 feet wide at the
top and 3 feet deep, dimensions sufficiently large for the boats then in use on the river. The enterprise does not
seem to have been a financial success, and, although the company is still in existence, the works have long been
allowed to fall into disuse, and the canal is very much filled up with silt and rubbish, being only kept clean to an extent
sufficient to enable it to supply the necessary water to run a few small mills, no one but the mill-owners seeming to
take any interest in it. It was originally substantially built, and crosses several small creeks by means of stone
aqueducts, all of which, as well as some of the locks, which were also of stone, are in good condition, although
the gates of the latter are gone; and toward the upper end of the canal there are extensive masonry walls in places on
the river side, rendered necessary by the abruptness of the banks, and all in good condition. At the upper end of
the canal there was a guard-lock, and probably a dam, but the gates of the lock are gone, and the dam now there
consists only of a few stones piled up roughly. The river at this place is said to be very favorable for the construction
of a dam which might extend entirely across the river.

Nearly four miles below the head of the canal is a flight of four locks with a total lift of 36 feet.* The fall of
the upper two is utilized by a saw- and grist-mill and cotton-gin, using about 18 feet fall, 25 horse-power, and
discharging the water to the lower level. This mill can run at full capacity all the time, but little additional
power can be obtained without increasing the capacity of the canal above, which is at present only 12 to 15 feet
wide and 3 or 4 feet deep. The total fall of these locks, 36 feet, is practically available at this place, and the land
in the vicinity is favorable for building.

At the lower end of the canal a fall of 48 feet between the level of the canal and the river was overcome by a
flight of 6 locks with 8 feet lift each* This fall is used by two mills and a foundry ; the upper one, a grist- and flour-
mill (two run of stones) and two cotton-gins, uses 18 feet fall and 30 or 40 horse-power; the lower one, a corn- and flour-
mill (six run of stones), uses the same fall and 70 or 80 horse power, and the foundry uses the same fall and some 15 or
20 horse-power. All these mills discharge the water directly tb the river, and are situated from 100 to 200 yards
above the old locks, which are in bad condition. They can rua full capacity all the year, except occasionally for ;l
few days at a time, when they have to stop on account of high water. Little additional power, however, can be
obtained with the present condition of the canal. There is scarcely any trouble whatever with ice.

Although the fall between the level of the canal at its lower end aud the river is 48 feet at low-water, according
to the report of the company the freshets of the river are so frequent and so violent that it is not to be considered
practically available for manufacturing unless supplementary steam-power be introduced. Just what fall may be
economically used depends on various circumstances which cannot be considered here. The land is favorable for
building so far as its topography is concerned. The canal is at present somewhat wider on the lower level than on
the upper, but is shallower.

* Report of Roanoke Navigation Company in one of the reports of the board of public works of Virginia.
1012 w P— VOL 16 44

689

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

As already mentioned, the canal at Weldon is owned by the Eoanoke Navigation Company — a stock company,
of which some shares are said to be owned by private individuals and some by the states of Virginia and North
Carolina. There being no interest taken in the canal, either as a means of navigating the river or as a means of
supplying water-power — it being, in fact, practically abandoned — the mills pay no rent for their water-power. It is
said, however, that many years ago some water-power was let at a certain rate per runof stone.

In addition to the power which is utilized along the canal there is a small amount of power used between Weldon
and Gaston by mills located directly on the river. Thus, on the north side of the river, there is a grist-mill with a
fall of about 7 or 8 feet, running two or three run of stones, and there have been others, at various times, on both sides
of the river. On the south side there was a grist-mill, about 1 mile below South Gaston, said to have had a fall of
15 feet, with a race one-half mile long. These mills are, of course, liable to be stopped often during freshets.

The total drainage area of the Roanoke above Gaston, or the head of the falls, is about 8,200 square miles, and
the rainfall over this area is about 40 or 42 inches, distributed tolerably evenly throughout the year. I found no
records of continued gaugings of the river. Professor Kerr measured the flow at Haskins' Ferry, over 50 miles above
Weldon, in the fall, and found it to be 2,950 cubic feet per second, the drainage area above this point being about
7,350 square miles, but the stage of the river is not stated.* I have estimated the flow of the river at Gaston to be as
follows (see pages 18 to 21) :

Cubic feet per second.

Minimum flow 1,500

Minimum low-season flow 1,700

Maximum available, with storage 6, 000

Low-season flow, dry years .• 1,950

The corresponding power may be tabulated as follows :

Flow, cubic feet per second.

Horse-power available, gross.

1 foot fall.

36 feet fall.

18 feet fall.

84 feet fall.

1,500 .'

170
193
680
221

6,120
6,948
24, 480
7, 956

3, 060
3,474
12, 240
3,978

14,280
16, 212
57, 120
18, 564

1,700

1,950 1

If the water could be stored during the night, so as to concentrate the total available power into 12 hours, the
powers given in the table above would all be doubled, but it would probably be found very difficult and expensive,
if not impossible, to do this. The estimates I have given may seem too low, but I have been especially anxious to
avoid making them too high, and I believe that they will be found rather under than over the truth. This enormous
power, almost totally unutilized, is available, although it would be very expensive to utilize the whole of it. The
existing canal, if cleaned out to its original dimensions, would be capable of carrying about 120 cubic feet per second,
with a fall of a foot to the mile, and by making the channel very smooth it might carry 250 to 300 cubic feet per second
with the same dimensions. To enlarge the canal to the dimensions necessary to enable it to carry 1,500 cubic feet
per second would, especially in the' upper part, be very expensive, and necessitate considerable blasting. The power
which would be rendered available if the canal were cleaned out to its original dimensions is shown by the following
table, the fall assumed being one foot to the mile. The capacity may be taken to vary between 120 and 250 cubic
feet per second, according to the condition of the bed :

Table showing available power at Weldon with existing canal.

Capacity of canal, cubic feet per second.
: . «

Horse-power available, gross.

1 foot fall.

36 feet fall.

18 feet fall.

84 feet fall.

13.64
28.41

491.0

1. 022. 8

245.5
511.4

1, 145. 8
2, 386. 4

250

' 1

The power is calculated for the same fall as before, because the fall of the canal itself could be given by a clam
at its head. It must be expressly remarked that if the capacity of the canal is to be made 250 cubic feet per second,
the bed and slopes must be made very smooth, indeed, by being cemented or lined with boards carefully fitted to each
other, and with great care the capacity might, perhaps, be increased above 250 cubic feet per second. If the fall is
made 2 feet per mile, the available powers would be nearly 1.4 times as great as those given in the above table.
By deepening the canal its capacity might be considerably increased at small cost.

* Maury (Survey of Virginia, pp. 36, 37,) says that tho flow of the Eoanoke at head of tide- water in dry seasons is estimated at 1,350
cubic feet per second.
600

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

The powers given in the above table could be rendered available without much difficulty, but it must be
remembered that all the power calculated thus far is the gross horse-power, and that the amount to be practically
utilized would be less, varying according to the motor employed. With good turbine-wheels the net power will be
about three-quarters or eight-tenths of the gross power.

The power at Weldon is one of the largest in the state of North Carolina, and the principal cause of its not
being utilized to a greater extent is probably the lack of capital. It is said that the place is not very healthy,
and that malaria and chills and fever are prevalent at certain seasons. It is certain that it is not so healthy as the
country farther west, but I doubt whether this would be a sufficient ground to prevent the utilization of such a
magnificent power. The facilities for transport are excellent, both by land and by water, for the river can bo made
navigable up to the town, and it is quite a railroad center. Four railroads terminate in the town, viz, the Petersburg
railroad, the Seaboard and Eoanoke railroad, the Wilmington and Weldon railroad, and the Ealeigh and Gaston
railroad, thus bringing Weldon within 2h hours of Petersburg, 3} hours of Richmond and Portsmouth, 6 hours of
Wilmington, and 5 hours of Ealeigh.

Good building-stone and timber can be obtained in abundance in the neighborhood, and a good deal of cotton
is raised in the vicinity. The iron deposits near Gaston have only been worked to a very small extent, although the
ore is said to be of good quality. The advantages for the utilization of the power are in fact excellent in all respects,
and that there are no serious drawbacks is proved conclusively by the successful operation of Mr. Battle's cotton
factory at Eocky Mount, on the Tar river, only a few miles distant. The place is worthy of a careful examination
by capitalists.

Above Gaston the river widens, and there are no other powers at all comparable with the one just described,
although there are some shoals which might advantageously be utilized, alternating with long boatable stretches
of smooth water. In regard to these shoals, however, I was only able to obtain a few scattered notes, and on
account of their inaccessibility I % was unable to visit any of them.

Four miles above Eock Landing, the head of the Weldon canal, is a shoal, around which the Navigation
Company constructed a canal 400 yards long, with a lock at the lower end having a lift of 9 feet. The fall at this
shoal is said to be utilized, to a small extent, by a grist-mill.

Two miles further up there is a second mill, and above that are several others, tabulated in the table of utilized
power. The available fall, however, I am unable to state. The only other place on the river where the Navigation
Company found it necessary to construct a canal was at Pugh's falls, where there was one lock with 5£ feet lift,*
but I am unable to say just where this place is located; I am also unable to give any information regarding the
present condition of these canals, but the probability is that they are in very bad order.

The principal reason why these shoals have not been used more extensively is probably the fact that the river
is wide, so that the dams necessary are long and expensive and subject to injury by the freshets. Of necessity,
therefore, mills have usually been located on smaller streams.

Finally, it may not be out of place to say a few words regarding the causes of the low flow of the Eoanoke
(estimated), as compared with that of streams in New England. These causes are probably the following : (1) The
rainfall on the drainage-basin is not greater, and probably rather less, than on the basins of New England streams;
{2) it is, on the whole, tolerably uniformly distributed throughout the year, but on some parts of the Dan and
Staunton rather more falls in winter than in summer ; hence, as the evaporation is very large, the streams will be
very low in summer, when the evaporation is greatest and the rainfall least ; (3) there are no lakes to regulate the
flow.

As regards the estimate which I have given for the power available at Weldon, with storage, it is to be remarked
that to render this power available would require the construction of storage-reservoirs sufficient to store a rainfall
of perhaps 3 inches on the whole water-shed, which would correspond to a storage capacity of over 57,000 millions
cubic feet. Such storage would be very expensive, so that, for the present at least, the estimate of power from
storage has little interest practically.

TRIBUTARIES OF THE ROANOKE RIVER BELOW THE JUNCTION OF THE DAN AND THE STAUNTON RIVERS.

In regard to these streams very little is to be said. None of them are of any importance, and possess no large
water-powers, so far as I could learn. The only power used on them is for running small grist- and saw-mills, the
grist-mills generally with one, two, or three run of stones. I visited none of these streams, aud the tables of the
power utilized on them, compiled from the reports of the enumerators, will show that they are not of much
consequence. For small powers they can be economically utilized — more economically than the Eoanoke itself —
because they have more fall, because the cost of a permanent dam is less, and because the mills are not troubled
with high water, as those on the Eoanoke are; but their flow is, of course, much more variable than that of the
Eoanoke.

'Report of Roanoke Navigation Company in one of the reports of the Virginia board of public works.

691

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

THE DAN EIVEE.

The Dan river, one of the main forks of the Roanoke, rises in Patrick county, Virginia, near Buffalo Knob, in
the Blue Ridge. It flows first in a southeasterly direction, enters North Carolina, flows through Stokes and
Bockingham counties, and, pursuing a general easterly course, enters Virginia in Pittsylvania, returns to North
Carolina in Caswell, and finally enters Virginia again in Halifax, to unite with the Staunton in the adjoining county
of Mecklenburg, forming the Roanoke. The length of the stream, measured in a straight line nearly east and west,
is about 100 miles, and by the course of the river about 180 miles. The principal towns on the river are Danbury,
Madison, and Leaksville, North Carolina (all small towns of several hundred inhabitants); Danville, Virginia,
with a population of over 13,000; Milton, North Carolina, and South Boston, Virginia, with five or six hundred
inhabitants each.

As has already been stated, the river was many years ago made navigable by the Roanoke Navigation Company
as far as Danville, and for 50 or GO miles beyond. It is now navigable for GO miles above that place (as far as
Sauratown) for bateaux carrying 12,000 pounds, although formerly bateaux sometimes reached Hairston's falls, 12
miles below Danbury. Boats propelled by poles now ply irregularly between Danville and various other points on
the river.

The river and harbor act of June 18, 1878, provided for a survey of the river from Clarksville, Virginia, to
Danbury, North Carolina, and the reports on this survey by Mr. S. T. Abert, United States civil engineer, are to be
found in the reports of the Chief of Engineers, 1879, p. 652, and 1880, p. 794. These reports give detailed information
regarding the river, and have been used freely in the present report. By the river and harbor act of June 14, 1880,
the sum of $10,000 was appropriated for the improvement of the river between Madison, North Carolina, and
Danville, Virginia, "the object being to afford a channel for steam navigation not less than 35 feet wide, and hot
less than 1£ feet deep in the pools and 2 feet deep in the rapids at extreme low- water," the estimated cost of the
work being $52,000. #

The total area drained by the Dan is 3,700 square miles. The tables on pages 34, 35, 37, and 38 give the
drainage areas above the principal water powers.

The principal tributaries to the river are, from the north, going up the river, Bannister river, Birch creek, Sandy
river, Smith's river, and Mayo river; from the south, going up, Hyco river, County- line creek, Moon's creek,
Hogan's creek, and Town fork. These will be referred to again.

The drainage area of the Dan lies principally in the middle division, the sources of the river being on the eastern
slope of the Blue Ridge. Its general character does not differ, as a whole, from that of the middle division, which
has been described on a previous page. Its shape and dimensions may be seen by referring to the accompanying
map. Geologically, it lies in the area of metamorphic rocks. Granite is found at various points ; also sandstone,
limestone, and slate, and fine building-stone is to be had in abundance. The valley is rich in coal and iron, extensive
beds of iron-ore, which have been worked to some extent for more than half a century,* occurring near Danbury,
North Carolina. The coal-fields embrace an area of over 30 square miles, and have been developed only to a very
small extent. Lying in the immediate vicinity of extensive iron-beds, their importance cannot be overestimated, t
Copper also has been found in the valley.

The water-shed separating the valley of the Dan from those of the Yadkin and Cape Fear is a " long and broad
ridge or swell of land, which trends due east", with an elevation of 800 feet and upward. The bed of the river is
generally 200 or 300, and sometimes 400, feet below the adjacent ridges, and its tributaries have, therefore, very
considerable fall, some of them affording very fine water-power.

The principal products of the valley are tobacco, corn, wheat, rye, oats, potatoes, and fruits. There is very
little, if any, cotton grown in the valley. " Between Danbury and Leaksville the land appears to be best adapted
to tobacco culture, and a fine grade is produced, although there are some short stretches of very good bottom-land.
Further down, the valley widens, and broad bottoms are found cultivated in corn and wheat." The country is hilly
and undulating, and in the extreme west mountainous. The forests above Danville are extensive and valuable.

There are no lakes in the basin, but artificial storage-reservoirs could probably be located at many points.

The bed of the river is solid rock, overlaid between the rapids with sand and gravel. The facilities for dams
are excellent. Above Danville the banks are generally moderately high, and sometimes abrupt and bluffy, and the
bottoms narrow and not often overflowed. Below Danville the banks are lower, the bottoms wider, and oftener
overflowed, and bluffs more rare. There are no regular ravines of any extent, a bluff on one side of the river
being generally faced by shelving or low ground on the other.

The river is subject to heavy floods, the river rising and falling very rapidly. At Madison, in 1850, it
rose 28.4 feet; and at Danville, in 1873, 17 feet above ordinary low water. Below Danville the floods rise still
higher. Thus, in November, 1877, the river rose to heights of 30.21 feet above low water at Milton; 33.54 feet at
Oliver's mill, 28 miles below Danville; and 23.7 feet at Clarksville. Such rises are, however, very rare. There is
seldom any trouble with ice, and ice-jams occur very seldom, although the river is sometimes frozen over.
" Notwithstanding the height of the floods, the banks are seldom washed, their permanency being secured by a fringe
of willow-growth, which borders the low grounds."

* Annual Report Chief of Engineers, 1879, p. 654. t Dr. Genth (see above source).

692

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

The Dan ami Staunton rivers, being comparatively not so wide or shallow as the Roanoke, and having fewer
bottoms subject to overflow, are considered more favorable for navigation than the latter stream.

The average annual rainfall on the valley of the Dan is about 43 inches, distributed approximately as follows :
Spring, 11 ; summer, 12 ; autumn, 10 ; winter, 10. Iu the upper parts of the valley the rainfall is as follows :
Spring, 12; summer, 14; autumn, 10; winter, 11 inches. The following table will show the declivity of the
stream :

Table of declivity — Ban river.

Place.

Clarksville

Danville, Richmond and Danville railroad-crossing* .

Madison bridge .

Hairston's ford .
Danbury ford . . .

Distance
from mouth.

Elevation
above tide.

Dist. between
points.

Fall between
points.

Miles.

0. 00
64.27

114. 37

129. 31
142. 76

Feet.

209
390

547

599
695

Miles.

} - " " 6127
j - - - 50. 10

| 14.94

| 13.45

Feet.

121
157
52
95

Feet per mile.

1. 88
3. 13
3. 49
7. 26

* For the elevations on the Richmond and Danville railroad I am indebted to T. M. H. Talcott, general manager, who had special measurements made of tho
height of the track above the water-aurface.

Having no records of gaugings of the Dan river, I am obliged to resort to estimates of the flow. The following
estimates are for the mouth of the stream :

Table of estimated flow arid power of the Ban Biver at mouth.

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Minimum

Minimum low season ..
Maximum, with storage
Low season, dry years .

The Dan river has been thus far not very accessible above Danville. Below that point the Richmond and
Danville railroad is within 4 miles of the stream for about 50 miles, after which it leaves the river nearly at right
angles. Above Danville the river is for about 30 miles within 6 miles of the railroad, but above that it has been
quite inaccessible. Thus the part of the stream which is easily accessible is between the mouth of the Bannister
river and the town of Leaksville. Two railroads are now being built, however, which will render that part of the
river above Danville as accessible as that below, and will do a great deal to develop the resources of the valley
(see page 30).

Water-poweks.— It has already been stated that the average fall of the Dan between Clarksville and the
Richmond and Danville railroad bridge is 1.88 feet per mile. This fall is, however, not evenly distributed over the
whole distance, but is mainly concentrated at a few localities, thus affording fine opportunities for developing large
water-powers.

In the table below is given each shoal on the river, but as some are of no importance, and their fall is very
small, I do not consider it worth while to make mention of them particularly. I shall therefore mention in this
place only the larger shoals, giving such of their characteristics as I have l een able to gather from the reports of
surveys made under direction of Mr. Abert. The falls given in the table are those of the shoals opposite which
they are placed, and the distance of whose foot, from Clarksville, is given in the second column.

Proceeding up the river from Clarksville, the first shoal encountered is SJcipvrifh's shoal, one fourth of a mile
above the town. Length of shoal, 6,660 feet ; fall, 2.621 feet ; rock bottom. Not utilized.

For the next 4 miles the fall is very gentle, and at one place the Staunton river is only 500 feet distant, a
portion of the water of the Dan flowing over through what is called Skipwith's Thoroughfare to join the Staunton.
About 5 miles from Clarksville is Nelson's shoal, a little over a mile long, with a fall of 2.216 feet; rock bottom;
not used ; river full of rocks, many appearing above the surface.

About 7£ miles above Clarksville is another channel, between the Dan and the Staunton, about 120 feet wide,
one-half a mile long, and known as the Upper Thoroughfare. From this point down to their confluence the two
rivers arc nowhere more than three-fourths' of a mile apart. Just above this thoroughfare commences Marblcyard
xhoal, 8,319 feet long; fall, 4.665 feet ; rook bottom ; not used.

093

Drainage
area.

Flow per
second.

Horse-power
available,
gross.

Fq. miles. Gubie feet.
3, 700 700
3, 700 810

3, 700
3, 700

3, 000
.950

Per footfall.

80
92
341
108

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

The next skoal of importance is Little Hyco falls, a very dangerous shoal for boats, and one which is ascended
with difficulty. The most important shoal on this part of the river is Big Hyco falls, 13 miles above Clarksville.
The bed of the stream consists of a series of rock ledges and projecting rocks, over which the water rushes swiftly.
I did not visit this place in person, but I was informed that the bank on one side is bluffy, while on the other a
canal could easily be led out, if necessary. Then follow a series of smaller shoals. King's shoal is utilized for a
small grist-mill, with an undershot wheel and a wing-dam, and Moon's shoal was formerly so used. It is noticeable
that there are several steam saw-mills in this vicinity.

The Yellow Gravel shoal is used for power, running a grist-mill on the south side of the river, which is here
divided by an island 3,300 feet long into two channels of nearly equal width. From the head of the island a dam
extends diagonally across the left channel, having a length of 600 feet, and serving to turn the water into the right
channel, on which the mill is situated, some 2,200 feet below, with a second dam 5.8 feet high across this channel.
Nine-tenths of the volume of the river, however, pours through a sluice in the dam at the head of the island. The
mill is driven by a 6-foot turbine-wheel, operating 3 run of stones, or using perhaps 40 net horse-power.* The river
bottom at this shoal is generally gravel, with some rock. For over 7 miles above this place there is no shoal of
importance, the next being Reedy Bottom shoal — a long shoal, with a pretty uniform slope, and generally a rock
bottom.

At GoldwelVs shoal is one of the dams built by the Roanoke Navigation Company, but the fall is not of importance.
There are several saw-mills on the river between this shoal and the previous one, but none of importance.

The next shoal of importance is the Milton shoal. The fall is moderate in the upper 4,100 feet, but for the
remainder of the length very rapid, and the river is full of islands and rocks. Below the shoal the river is only 120
feet wide for a distance of three-quarters of a mile.

The next shoal of importance is the Danville shoal, just below the Eichmoud and Danville railroad-bridge, and
nothing more than a continuation, with a less rapid fall, of Danville falls, yet to be described. The bottom is wholly
rock.

In regard to the amount of power which can be utilized on the river between Danville and Clarksville, an
opinion could only be formed by a personal examination. From what has been said, it is clear that there would be
no difficulty in building dams almost anywhere, so far as the bed of the stream is concerned, and the banks are
much more favorable than on the Eoanoke ; but whether much of the fall is available for power, at reasonable cost, I
cannot say. In the table are given estimates of the power at only a few points, but at the end are added estimates
of the total theoretical powers between those particular points, but which are, probably, not practically available.
The powers given for the separate shoals are for the natural fall in the river at each shoal, and may, of course, be
increased if that fall is increased by a dam.

Summary of power, etc., of the Dan River between Clarksville and Danville.

Locality.

Skipwith's sboal

Kelson's sboal

Jericho sboal

Marbleyard sboal . . .

Hog island sboal

Island creek sboal . .

Bagby's shoal

Hyco shoal

Little Hyco falls

Big Hyco falls

King's shoal

Grassy creek sboal. .

Moon's shoal

Boston shoal

Yellow Gravel shoal

Chappell's fish-trap.

Lawson's shoal

Reedy Bottom shoal

Miles.
0.23
5. 18
7. 00
7. 71
9. 48
9.93
10.65
11.23
12.09
12.82
14. 69

17.61
19. 93
23. 15
28.20

32. 08
33. 08
34.20

Rainfall.

Sq. miles.
3, 700
3, 700
3, 700
3, 690
*3, 680
*3, 670
*3, 610
*3, 600
*3, 600
3, 190
*3, 180

*2, 670
*2, 050
*2, 620
*2, 580

*2, 540
*2, 520
2, 485

12 1 10
12 ! 10

1 Interpolated.

In.
43
43
43
• 43
43
43
43
43
43
43
43

43
45
45
45

45
45
45

Total faU.

Horse-power available, gross. t

Feet.
2.621
2.216

0. 905
4.665

1. 261
2.390
0. 771
1.957
3. 100
9.382
2.670

1.478
2. 331
2. 131
3.644

0.980
1. 087
5.223

Feet.
6, 660
5, 565

1, 2io

8,319
882
3, 294
1,854

3, 560
1,510
3, 153
4, 482

2, 926
1,406

2, 858

4, 068

280
2, 886
11, 338

210

375

240
610

190

265

S 2

a <o

240

425

275
750

230

330

890

1, 575

1, 075
3, 000

590

1,250

CO >~t

280

500

315
850

265

365

Total util-
ized.

Feet.

Remarks.

Rock bed.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.

Rock and gravel
bed.

Rock bed.

Do.

Drift, rock, and
gravel bed.

Fish dam.

Drift and sand bed

Rock, gravel and
sand bed.

t See pages 18 to 21.

* The flow of the stream was measured by Mr. J. H. Gill, U. S.
to be 990 cubic feet per second.
694

assistant engineer, just below this place, "at low-water," and found

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER- SHED.
Summary of power, etc., of Dan River — Continued.

Locality.

Powell's shoal

Coldwell's shoal

Milton shoal

Dodson's shoal

Crowder's shoal

Rattlesnake shoal

"Wilkinson's shoal

Pass' shoal

Dix's shoal

Noble's shoal

Allen's shoal

Jack Bar shoal

"Wilson's island shoal

Danville shoal

Richmond and Danville railroad
bridge.

Between head of Skipwith's shoal.

and foot of Marbleyard shoal

Between head of Marbleyard shoal

and foot of Little Hyco shoal

Between head of Big Hyco shoal. .

and foot of Yellow Gravel shoal.
Between head of Yellow Gravel shoal

and foot of Reedy Bottom shoal. .
Between head of Reedy Bottom shoal

and foot of Milton shoal

Between head of Milton shoal

and foot of Danville shoal

Total on Dan river np to head of

Danville shoal.

Miles.
37.77
43.52
50.05
51.61
54.95
55.78
58.41
58.80
59.27
60. 38
61.28
62.09
62. 27
62.69
64.27

1. 49
7.71
9.29
12.09
13.42
28. 20
28.96
34.20
36.34
50. 05
51. 36
62. 69

>64.04

Sq. miles.
*2, 460
*2, 420
2,286
*2, 270
*2,240
*2, 230
*2, 200
*2, 140
*2, 130
*2, 010
*2, 000
*1,990
*1,990
1,989
1,989

3,700
3,690
3,690
3,600
3,190
2,580
2,580
2,485
2,485
2,286
2,286
1, 989
( 3,700}
( 1,989 ?

Rainfall.

In.
45
45
45
45
45
45
45
45
45
45
45
47
47
47
47

45
45
45
43

Total fall.

Feet.
1.241
1. 646
7.138
2.384
1.379
1.174
0.979
0.679
L714
2.173
0.665
1.890
2.185

10.668

6.452
7.272

15. 274
6.076
14.735
24. 117
120. 806

Feet.
4,478
2,738
6,898
1, 204
3,290
3,202
720
700
282
2, 052
884
854
2,280
8,375

Miles.
6.22

2.80

14.78

5.24
13.71
11.33
64.04

Horse-power available, gross, t

330

430

515

565

820
315
720
1, 050
6, 635

400

500

590
650

990
385
880
1,280
7,915

1,600

2,100

2,200
2,550

3,950
1, 500
3,500
5,150
31, 290

460

570

675
740

1, 130
440
1, 000
1,460
9,050

Total util-
ized.

Feet.

Remarks.

Rock and sand.
Gravel and rock.
Rock.

Do.

Do.
GraveL
Rock.

Do.
GraveL
Book.

Do.

♦Interpolated. t See pages 18 to 21.

The next power above the Danville shoal is at Danville falls, at the city of Danville, Virginia. The total fall
here is 21.977 feet, in a distance of 7,425 feet, between the Eichmond and Danville railroad-bridge and a point 2,000
feet above the existing dam. The town of Danville is situated ou the south side of the river, and on the opposite
side is the village of North Danville. The bed of the stream is of solid rock, covered in places with sand and
gravel, and the banks are shelving on the south side, offering good building-sites, while on the north side they are
more abrupt and less favorable ; and along this bank runs, for a short distance, the Virginia Midland railroad, which
terminates at the Eichmond and Danville railroad-bridge. Around these falls the Eoanoke Navigation Company
constructed a canal, on the south side of the river, about 3,200 feet long, 30 feet wide, and probably originally
about 3 feet deep, with three locks at the lower end, having a total lift of 20J feet, and a guard-lock at the head
with a lift of 7 feet.* The locks are out of repair, and no attempt is made to keep them in order, this canal having
passed into the hands of private individuals, and being used only to supply water-power. It is said that none of
the canals on the Eoanoke or Dan rivers, except the one at Weldon, are now owned by the Navigation Company.
The upper gate of the lower locks is kept closed to keep the water level up, and although boats enter the canal from
above there is no egress below. At the head of the canal is a dam built of wood and stone — the wooden frame
being bolted down to the rock with iron pins — extending in a broken line diagonally up stream, with a length of
about 700 feet and a height of about 4 feet. The river here is about 1,100 feet wide, and the dam extends rather
beyond the center. It was built about the year 1830, but the principal part was rebuilt in 1873 and 1874, and cost
about $8 per running foot. It is founded entirely on solid rock, and, although once a little injured by a freshet,
there is rarely any trouble with either freshets or ice. The pond is, of course, insignificant. The canal, although
probably originally 3 feet deep, is at present much filled up in some places, its depth varying from 1.9 to 3.5 feet,
and supplies power to the following mills, taking them in order down the canal:

1st. Gerst's planing-mill. A new mill is now being put up, and the old one is not running. They have a
fall of 7 or 8 feet, and own the right to 50 horse-power, but no care is taken by those owning the power to
regulate strictly the quantity of water they consume. They can run at their full capacity for about seven months,
and sometimes can only get half capacity.

Report of Roanoke Navigation Company in one of the reports of the board of public works of Virginia.

C95

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

2d. Foundry and machine-shop, owned by Crews & Bodenhizer, and rented by Corbiu & Westbrook. They
only run two or three days of the week, use 9-feet fall and 30 horse-power, and say that they can get full capacity
all the time. They use an overshot wheel, and the amount of water is not strictly regulated.

3d. G. W. Yarbrough's grist-mill, running two sets of stones, with 17 feet fall and some 25 horse-power. Full
capacity can be obtained during nine months, and sometimes only one-half can be obtained. Mill and power is
rented at a fixed price per annum, and as much water can be used as can be obtained, for here, as in the other
cases, no attempt is made to regulate the amount. The water-power on this side of the river is owned by the firm
of Crews & Eodenhizer.

These mills have no trouble with ice, aud the upper one has none with backwater, but the lower two are troubled
for perhaps two days in the year from that cause. All these mills could get full capacity all the time if the canal
were properly cleaned out.

The power on the north side of the river is owned by Lee, Hatcher & Co., and is used fo*r a corn- and grist-
mill and a foundry and machine-shop. The dam, which is built partly of wood and partly of stone, extends,
in a- broken line, very obliquely up stream below the dam on the south side, and not reaching the center of the
stream. The stone part extends from the bank for a distance of 400 feet, was -built in 1874 at a cost of $5,000, and
has an average height of 4 feet; while the wooden part, a continuation of the stone part, has a length of 600 feet,
a height of 4 feet, and was built in 187G at a cost of $2,000, being constructed of crib-work, fastened to the rock
with iron pins, and filled with stone. The bed is solid rock. The mills are situated at the base of the dam,
using a fall of 8 feet 2 inches, and about 80 horse-power, the tail-race being blasted out of the solid rock for some
distance. The dam simply intercepts what water flows around the end of the Danville dam, and, of course, gives
no storage. The owners claim 200 horse-power available with the fall mentioned, and expect to get full capacity all
the time. (The improvements were in progress at the time of my visit.) The flour-mill has 4 sets of stones, and
will run night and day, and the machine-shop 10 hours. Three turbine-wheels supply the power. The dam has
never been carried away or injured by freshets. Mr. Hatcher states that, with a 5-foot dam further up the river, a
fall of between 1G and 17 feet can be rendered available in a distance of 2,500 feet; and the firm indicated their
intention of developing the power to a large extent in this way, and of leasing water at a fixed rate per day per
horse-power.

The city of Danville obtains its water-supply by pumping wa ter from the river at a point about 1| miles above
the dams. The present supply amounts to 2,000,000 gallons per week, but is expected to be 5,000,000 in a few
years, as the water-works are new. This amount, however — less than 2 cubic feet per second — is insignificant as a
source of loss of power below.

The width of the river opposite Danville varies from 1,100 feet, at the head of the falls, to 850 feet at other
points. Between Danville and Milton shoal it is from 240 to 640 feet, or an average of 280 feet; at Milton shoal
it is from 240 to 440 feet ; from Milton shoal to Hyco s*hoal it is from 210 to 540 feet, or an average of 300 feet, and
below Hyco shoal it is from 250 to 530 feet, or an average of 340 feet.

The area drained by the Dan above Danville is about 1,989 square miles, and the rainfall about 42 to 46 inches,
with 13 inches in summer and 12 inches in winter (see table on page 37). In the absence of any gaugings of the
flow, I have estimated it, and the power, as in the following table :

Estimate of flow of stream, and of the power, at Danville, Virginia.

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Drainage
area.

Fall.

Flow per sec-
ond.

Horse-power available,
gross.

Square miles.
1,984

Feet.
21. 977

Cubic feet.
(• 360
420
1,750
l 475

1 footfall.
40.7
47.4
199.0
54.0

22 foot fall.

900
1,150
4, 375
1,188

The full power at Danville has never been utikzed. The present canal, if cleared out to its original dimensions
(30 feet wide at top and 3 feet deep), would, as in the case of the Weldon canal, carry from 120 to 250 cubic feet
per second, but in this case it would not be difficult to make its capacity sufficient to carry the whole flow of the
river.

The question of the purchase by the city of Danville of the entire water-power of the Dan river at this place
has been agitated recently.

Although the valley of the Dan above Danville offers sites 'for storage-reservoirs, yet it would, perhaps, be
difficult to obtain sufficient storage to render the maximum power available.

The location of Danville, as regards transportation, is most favorable, situated as it is on the Eichmond and
Danville railroad, and pn the Virginia Midland. Several new roads have been projected, and two are being built (or
have been surveyed and located) up the valley of the Dan. One of them, the North Carolina Midland railroad, is to
run from Danville through Madison, thence southward to Statesville and further. The termini of the other road I
cannot state, but I understand that it is to run from Danville up the valley of the Dan. The staple product in this

696

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

neighborhood is tobacco, and the people have not turned their attention to manufacturing, except to a very small
extent. The neighboring region is very salubrious, and there seems to be no reason why the water-power of the
river should not be more extensively used.

Proceeding up the river, various shoals are encountered, all of which are mentioned in the following table. As
before, the power has been calculated only for the principal ones. I am unable to describe in -detail any of these
shoals, not having visited any of them in person. It is evident, however, that the facilities for power are good, as
far as bed and banks are concerned, both from Mr. Abert's report and from what additional information I could
gather. The width of the stream between Danville and Madison varies from 190 to 430 feet, averaging perhaps
250 feet. At Hairston's ford, above Madison, it is 160, and at Danbury 120 feet. The power of the river is utilized
between Danville and Danbury at only two points, viz, at Eagle falls and at Hairston's falls, and there only by small
grist- and saw-mills, using a very small amount of power. The mill at Hairston falls is supplied by a dam at the
head of the falls, extending in the form of a V across the stream, with the apex up stream, and constructed of logs.
It was built in 1879, at a cost of about $125, and is about 150 yards (?) long and 3i feet high, baching the water
about half a mile. A race about 2,000 feet long leads to the mill, located on the right bank, where a fall of 9
feet is used with a primitive wheel to drive the grist- and saw-mill, some 20 horse-power (net) being utilized, and
in dry weather no water flowing over the dam. The bed of the river is solid rock.

A power just above Danbury was formerly used to a small extent by the iron- works at that place. The dam
was 10 feet high, and the water carried to the works through a tunnel about 100 yards long, cutting through a
spur of the hills around which the river bends, and affording at the lower end of the canal a fall of 21 feet. The
fall used by the works was about 16 feet, and the distance from the head of the canal to the foot of the tail-race
about half a mile by the river. A very small proportion of the dry-weather flow of the stream was utilized.
The works have not been in operation since 1865, and the dam has been entirely washed away. It is said that a dam
18 feet high could be built at this place, in which case the available fall, at the lower end of the canal, would be 29 feet.

Above Danbury the Dan is a small stream, but has a great deal of power, on account of its rapid fall. I
can form no estimate of its available power, but it is safe to say that sites for small mills can be found at numerous
points all the way up. The utilized power is tabulated below.

The results in the tables below must only be) considered as very rough approximations, but I believe the powers
given to be rather too small than too great. When it is remembered that the rainfall records for the region
considered are very incomplete indeed, so that its distribution through the year is very uncertain, and that there are
no gaugings of the river in existence, the engineer will be inclined to put little reliance on the figures given, and
I must be distinctly understood as not claiming for them any more value than they are worth. A more accurate
knowledge of the climatic and other features of the region considered would doubtless lead me to alter my estimates.
And finally, it is to be remarked that these figures refer to the power available with the natural fall of the stream,
with its natural flow ; or, in the case of storage-reservoirs, with its mean flow at all hours. If the water could be
stored during the night, all these powers could be doubled, and the power at many shoals could doubtless be
considerably increased by putting up dams.

I have not considered it worth while, however, to calculate the theoretical available power between the principal
shoals, as it is uncertain how much of it would be practically available. It is evident that the Dan river offers a
large amount of available power and fine facilities for manufacturing.

Summary ofpotcer ofihe Ban River* between Danville, Va., and Banbury, N~. C.

Locality.

Richmond and Danville rail-
road-bridge...

D.mville falls

Lynch's shoal

Long shoal

Glass' shoal

Butter spring shoal

Wolf island shoal

Adams' island shoal

Adams' fish- trap shoal

Little Island Ledge rapid. ...

Miles.
0. 000
0. 500
3. 232
4.583
7. 789
9.299
10. 606
11. 986
13.057
13. 263

Sq. ins.
1,989
1, 989

1, 851
fl, 810

J3L, 760

Rainfall.

Inches.
11-12
11-12
11-12
11-12
11-12
11-12
11-12
11.-12
11-12
11-12

Inches.
12-13
12-13
12-13
12-13
12-13
12-13
12-13
12-13
12-13
12-13

Inches.
10-11
10-11
10-11
10-11
10-11
10-11
10-11
10-11
10-11
10-11

Inches.
11-12
11-12
11-12
11-12
11-12
11-12
11-12
11-12
11-12
11-12

Inches.
44-48
44-48
44-48
44-48
44-48
44-48
44-48
44-18
44-48
44-48

Total fall.

Feet.

22. 00
2.53

18. 73
5.68
2.78
2.76
4. 38
0. 81
0.50

Feet.

7, 500

2, 531

8, 527
6, 228
2,420

3, 508
4,144

532
619

Horse-power available, gross. t

670
200

150

a s

1, 050

a bn

9 «
a u

1 1

4, 375

825
240

184

3, 465
1, 025

770

o x

x ^

ca cs

o v

Total utilized.

Feet.

1, 188

8-17

944
275

210

'Bottom rock ; often at surface, always at small depth. All favorable for dams. f See pages 18 to 21. } Interpolated.

180

2.28

697

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

Summary of power of the Dan river, etc. — Continued.

Horse-power available, gross.*

Total utilized.

Per cent, of minimum
utilized.

Minimum.

Minimum low
season.

Maximum, with
storage.

Low season, dry-
years.

1
Pi

u
o

145

180

750

205

Feet.

•

"""""■"*

170

211

880

241

185

228

950

260

100

440

115

31
42

196
260

18
66
30

26
98
44

134
492
213
270

30
110

50
65

19
27

28
40

140
200

32
46

18
22
37
75
102

3,480
950
930

5, 360

25
32
55
110
150

4,300
1, 275
1, 350
6,925

132
170
265
525
725

18, 000
5,600
6, 250

29, 850

29
37
63
12.5
175

4, 900
1, 450
1, 550
7,900

Locality.

Ware's shore

Pruitt's lower shoal

Pruitt's upper shoal

Cow Ford shoal

Hairston's fish-trap shoal ....

Beasley's Gallows shoal

Tan Yard shoal

Devil's Jump shoal

"Wide Mouth shoal

Indian shoal

Sauratown ford shoal

Double shoal

Hamblin's island shoal

Galloway's fish-trap shoal...

Galloway's island

Eeese's rock shoal

Eagle Falls

Mulberry island shoal

Three islands shoal

Lone island shoal

Gravel bar

Slink shoal

Cross Bock rapid

Boberson's fish-trap

Gravel shoal

Beaver island shoal

Wolf shoal

Cross Eock shoal

Shoal and fish dam

Sandy island shoal

Carter's shoal

Entity's shoal

Buzzard island shoal

Ladd's ford shoal

Dalton's fish-trap shoal

Granny Angel's shoal

Shoe-buckle island shoal

Clav's island sho-.il

Fish-trap shoal

Miles.
14. 468
15. 612

15. 768

16. 394
19. 094
19. 891
20. 452
21. 597
23. 349
26. 946
27.54
27. 835
33. 473
33. 843
35. 536
37. 420
39. 378
43. 100
45. 740
46. 240

Hairston's Falls.

Big Rock shoal

Mount Horrible shoal —
Williams' fish-trap shoal.

Davis shoal

Cow ford shoal

Ducking shoal

Fulcher's shoal

Sink hole shoal

Bed shoal

Old mill shoal

Danbury shoal

Old Iron Works shoal

Between Danville

and mouth of Smith's river.
Bet. mouth of Smith's river. .

and mouth of Mayo

Between mouth of Mayo

and Danbury

Total between Danville

and Danbury

48.30
48.60

48. 90

49. 53
50. 33
51.67
52.57
53. 70
54. 39
55. 21
56. 52
57.56
58.40
59.63
60.77
61.44
61. 79
64. 21
65. 70
66. 88
68.49
69. 91
71. 26
71. 64
71. 82
72.21
73. 08

73. 65
74.20

74. 58
75.20
77. 49

Sq. ms.
tl, 735

28
28
49
49
78

tl, 675

1, 639
975

t950
t940

Eainfall.

560
550

t340
328
t320
1315

1312
312

1275
270
250

250

1, 989 )
1, 639 5
1, 039 i
900 i
580 }
250 5
1, 989 l
250 5

Inches.
11-12
11-12
11-12
11-12
11-12
11-12
11-12
11-12
11-12
11-12
11-12
11-12
11-12
11-12
11-12
11-12
11-12
11-12
11-12
11-12
11-12
11-12
11-12
11-12
11-12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12

Inches.
12-13
12-13
12-13
12-13
12-13
12-13
12-13
12-13
12-13
12-13
12-13
12-13
12-13
12-13
12-13
12-13
12-13
12-13
12-13
12-13
12-13
12-13
12-13
12-13
12-13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13

Inches.
10-11
10-11
10-11
10-11
10-11
10-11
10-11
10-11
10-11
' 10-11
10-11
10-11
10-11
10-11
10-11
10-11
10-11
10-11
10-11
10-11
10-11
10-11
10-11
10-11
10-11
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10

Inches.
44-48
44-48
44-48
44-48
44-48
44-48
44-48
4448
44-48
44-48
44-48
44-48
44 48
44-48
4448
44-48
44-48
44-48
44-48
44-48
44-48
44-48
44-48
44-48
44-48
47
47
47
47
47
47
47
47
47
47
47
47
47
47
47
47
47
47
47
47
47
47
47
47
47
47
47
47

Total fall.

Feet.
4. 35
0. 37

0. 35
0. 23
0. 42
0.60
5.28
0.37
2. 17
0. 64
0. 71
5.85
0. 30
4.50

0. 49
2. 82
3. 14

1. 38

1. 62

1 93
0. 04

2. 58
0. 69
0. 30
0.38

0. 49
2. 44

1. 20

2. 36
1. 17

3. 51

4. 70

2 09

0. 52
1. 18
2. 59
1. 33
2. 56
L 40
3. 93

14.89
6. 65
8. 67

1. 85
1. 79

1. 01
4. 52
6. 44

2. 01
1. 13
4. 79
6. 22

10. 60
; 21. 00
! 29. 00

100.0
56.0
150.0
300.0

Feet.

3, 794
631
657
689
559
595

4, 399
658
31
890
901

8,619
400

2,898

1, 500

2, 600
1, 290
1, 250

883
1, 450
150
1, 074
150
580
750
309
1, 090
305
1, 188
381
3,241
3,276
1, 288
220
444
606
441
1, 806
477

1, 517

2, 629
3, 280
4,033
1, 119

390
205
1, 841
2, 616
810

1, 266

2, 237

3, 317

Miles.
28

693

'See pages 18 to 21.

1 Interpolated.

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

TRIBUTARIES OF THE DAN RIVER.

The first tributary of any importance above the confluence of the Dan and Staunton is Hyco river, which
enters from the south, its mouth being just above the head of Little Hyco falls. This stream rises in the extreme
southern part of Caswell and Person counties, North Carolina, and flows in a northeasterly direction through
Halifax county, Virginia, having a total length, in a straight line, of about 45 miles, and draining an area of about
400 square miles. It is about 125 feet wide near its mouth. Its tributaries are small and unimportant, and there
are no important towns on the stream. I was unable to learn much about its power. The bed and banks are said
to be everywhere favorable, the former being generally rock. The only power used on the stream is for small grist-
and saw-mills, none of which are extensive. No sites not used were brought to my notice, but probably numerous
ones may be obtained by damming. As the stream flows parallel to the general strike of the rock strata, it is
probable that the declivity is quite uniform and not broken by falls. In another table will be found the total amount
of power utilized, compiled from the enumerator's reports. The rainfall on the drainage area being about 40 or 42:
inches, I have estimated the flow of the stream at its mouth (see pages 18 to 21) as follows :

Cubic feet per Horse-power per
second. foot fall.

Minimum 45 5.

Minimum low season 64 7. 3

Low season, dry years 73 8. 3

Maximum, with storage 325 37.0

The next tributary of importance is the Bannister river, from the north, rising in Pittsylvania county, Virginia,
and flowing a little south of east through Pittsylvania and Halifax, and joining the Dan just above King's shoal,
ite total length, in a straight line, being about 40 miles, its drainage area about 500 square miles, and its width near
its mouth about 120 feet. It flows close by Meadsville and Halifax C. H., which are the principal towns on the
stream. It has considerable fall, but is utilized only for small grist- and saw-mills, and a foundry at Meadsville.
The power at this latter place is said to be fine, running, besides the foundry, a grist-mill and saw-mill; but I have
not been able to obtain details regarding it. Near Riceville, Pittsylvania county, is a power with a fall of 12 feet
in 900, with good sites for building on the north bank.* This power is now used by a merchant mill. I have
estimated the flow and power of the stream at several points, and the results are as follows (the rainfall being in
the neighborhood of 40 inches) :

Tlace.

Drainage
area.

Flow per second (see pages 18 to 21).

Horse power per foot fall.

Minimum.

Minimum
low sea-
son.

Maximum,
with stor-
age.

Low sea-
son, dry
year.

Minimum.

Minimum
low sea-
son.

Maximum,
with stor-
age.

Low sea-
son, dry
year.

Sq. miles.

Cu. feet.

Ou.feet.

Cu.feet.

500

400

6.0

9.1

45.4

10.3

440

352

6.0

8.0

40.0

9.2

400

320

5.4

' 7.3

36.4

8.3

210

197

3.1

4.2

22.4

4.8

This stream, flowing across the rock strata at large angles with their strike, like the Dan, is probably broken
by rapids at various points, but no'detailed information could be obtained regarding them. The elevation of the
stream at the crossing of the Virginia Midland railroad near Competition, about 32 miles from its mouth, is 585
feet, and at the crossing of the Richmond and Danville railroad at Terry's bridge, some 3 miles from its mouth, it is
304 feer, giving a fall between these points of about 280 feet in a distance of, say, 30 miles, or over 9 feet to the mile —
a large fall. As the distance between the two points where elevations are given above was measured from
the map, and as the stream is quite crooked, the fall per mile above given is, no doubt, to some extent incorrect ;
but it is evident that this stream has a very large fall, and it is almost certain that very fine sites for power may be
found upon it. Taking the flow at Meadsville as the average in the distance referred to, the fall of 280 feet between
the Virginia Midland railroad and the mouth of the river would correspond to power as follows:

Horse-]iower.

Minimum \ ejjtj

Minimum low season 2 044

Maximum, with storage iq X92

Low season, dry years 2, 324

The next tributary worth mentioning is Country-line creek, from the south, rising in Caswell county, North
Carolina, and joining the Dan just on the state-line (hence the name of the stream), after flowing in a northeasterly
direction for a distance of about 25 miles in a straight line and draining an area of some 130 square miles. This
stream, like the others in this neighborhood, is used only for running small saw- and grist-mills. The fall is
considerable, but no great falls at any one place were spoken of, and probably do not exist, as the stream flows

•Information from H. Eaton Coleman, civil and topographical engineer, county surveyor of Pittsylvania county.

699

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

nearly parallel to the strike of tbe rocks. The declivity is probably quite uniform, and the powers obtained only by
damming. I heard of no good sites unoccupied. Near the mouth of the stream is Yarbrough's grist- and saw-mill,
with a dam of wood and stone 125 feet long and 9 feet high, backing the water 1£ miles, with an average width of
100 feet. A fall of 8 feet at the mill affords a power of some 25 horse-power most of the time, but the flow of the
stream is quite variable. Opposite Yanceyville the stream is considerably smaller, and will only afford about 2 or
2£ horse-power per foot fall (gross) during eight months of the year. The water-power of the stream is thus not
very extensive.

The other tributaries below Danville — Moon's creek, emptying just above Wilkinson's shoal, and draining about
57 square miles, and Hogan's creek, emptying at Dix's shoal, and draining about 114 square miles — are similar iu
character to Hyco and Country-line creeks, and are utilized, like them, only to run small country grist- and saw-
mills, the former with one or two run of stones. In a later table will be found the statement of the power used ou
these streams collectively, and more need not be said here.

The mills in this neighborhood are very little troubled by ice, and rarely have to stop on that account. The
dams are generally of wood or of crib-work tilled with stone, and there is no trouble in obtaining good foundations.

The first tributary above Danville worth mentioning is Sandy river, from the north, lying entirely within
Pittsylvania county, Virginia, and emptying 1 mile above Danville. It has several grist- and saw-mills, with, two or
three run of stones, but no powers of importance. There is said to be a fine site for a storage-reservoir not far from
the mouth.

Passing by several small creeks, the next tributary is Smith's river, from the north, a very considerable stream.
Eising in the Blue Eidge, in the northern part of Patrick county, Virginia, it flows first nearly east, and, after forming
for a few miles tbe boundary between Patrick and Franklin counties, it enters Henry county, flows through it in a
southeasterly direction, and empties into the Dan, in North Carolina, just below the town of Leaksville. The distance
from its source to its mouth, in a straight line, is about 36 miles, but by the river it is probably at least twice tbat
distance. The stream flows near to Martinsville, the county seat of Henry county, it and Leaksville being the
only towns of importance on the river. The total drainage area of the stream is about 600 square miles, of which
39 are in North Carolina. The drainage area above Martinsville is 330 square miles. Not having visited the river
in person, on account of its inaccessibility, I am unable to describe its drainage basin very much in detail. From
all that I could learn, however, it is well wooded, with a fertile soil, and abundance of fine building-stone to be had
in many places, and with facilities for artificial storage, although there are no lakes. The stream has a very rapid
fall, a rock bottom almost everywhere, banks of moderate heigbt, and few low grounds subject to overflow, although
it is subject to freshets, during which the water rises 20 feet in places. It is fed to a considerable extent by constant
springs, and is said not to be very variable in flow ; and the extensive forests are a favorable feature in this respect.

The data regarding rainfall in the basin are very incomplete, but, according to the Smithsonian charts, it may
be assumed at about 41 to 48 inches, of which 12 fall in spring, 12 in summer, 10 in autumn, and 12 in winter. I
have no records of continued gaugings of the stream, or of its elevations at different points.

The stream is at present not very accessible, the nearest railroad point being Eeidsville, on the Eichmond and
Danville railroad, 14 miles from the mouth of the river. I have, however, already referred to the fact that two roads
are now being built, both traversing the valley of the Dan, which will render the lower part of the stream quite
accessible.

The upper parts of the river are most accessible from Eocky Mount, the county seat of Franklin county, which
is connected with the Virginia Midland railroad by a branch road.

Only a small fraction of the available power on Smith's river is at present used, and with the exception of the
cotton and woolen factory of J. T. Morehead & Co., near Leaksville, the only mills are country saw- and grist mills.
The Leaksville power is the only one regarding which I have detailed information, and regarding the others I must
refer to the table on page 48, compiled from the reports of the enumerators.

Major Morehead's factory is located about 1 mile from the mouth of the stream, and on its west bank. The
dam extends in a broken line entirely across the river, which is here about 500 or 600 feet wide, and is built partly
of rubble- work in cement and partly of w T ood. The stone part is about 180 feet long, 13 feet high, 6£ feet thick, and
was built in 1872 at a cost of $4,000, while the wooden part is built of logs, pinned to the bottom, and about 3 feet
high. By extending the rock dam across the river all the water in the stream could be turned into the canal. The
pond is very small, and gives no storage. A race four-fifths of a mile in length leads to the factory buildings,
where a fall of 36 feet is used, and about 300 horse-power is distributed as follows among the different mills : Cotton
factory, 175; woolen factory, 50; grist-mill, 50; saw-mill, 25. All these mills can run at full capacity all the time,
and water is always wasting over the dam. The mills are run night and day, and are seldom troubled by high
water, and only about 4 days per year by cold weather. It is said that, by extending the race, an additional fall of
about 9 feet can be obtained, making 45 feet in all, in a distance of about a mile.

The river has been gauged here by H. Eaton Coleman, civil engineer, and county surveyor of Pittsylvania
county, Virginia, who found the discharge to be 600 cubic feet per second "at mean low water". But as a single
measurement of the flow has little value, I have made some estimates from the drainage area, and the results are
given in the following table :

700

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED. 41

Table of power on Smith's river at LeaksviUe, N. C.

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Drainage
area.

Sq.miles.

1 f
1

j 600 1

Flow per
second.

Horse-power available, gross.

Horse-power
utilized, net.

Per cent, of
mi n no mil
utilized.

Cubic feet.

90
132
150
528

1 footfall.
10.3
15
17
60

36 feet fall.
371
540
612
2i 160

45 feet fall.
465
675
765
2, 700

j 300

100

Tbe results in this table will be surprising to some who are prone to overestimate power. A discharge of 600
cubic feet per second at low water would correspond to 1 cubic foot per square mile of drainage area, or over 1 inch
of rainfall per month, and for a dry month. An examination of the table on page 21 will show that this cannot be
so unless there are some remarkable springs in the drainage-basin ; and, in fact, it is sufficient to refer to the gauging
of the Dan by the United States engineers, made at a point near South Boston, above which the drainage area is
about 2,600 square miles, and which gave 990 cubic feet per second "at low water", but probably not the minimum.
Even this would give per 600 square miles of drainage area, if the discharge is taken proportional to the drainage
area, only 229 cubic feet per second, and the absolute minimum would be considerably less. The flow in the dry
season of ordinary years would, perhaps, be 190 cubic feet per second, giving about 775 horse-power, with a fall of
36 feet. My estimate gives 100 per cent, of the minimum power used, but Major Morehead states that they u can't
miss the water used by the mills". It is not impossible that the power utilized has been overestimated, which
would tend to explain this result. The cotton factory runs 101 looms and about 4,800 spindles. The goods
manufactured are brown sheetings, yarns, sewing-thread, and knitting-cotton. In the woolen-mill there is one set
of cards, and in the grist-mill 4 run of stones. According to these data, without further particulars, 300 horse power
would seem to be too high an estimate of the power utilized. It is evident, however, that this power is a most
excellent one in all respects — one of the finest in northwestern North Carolina. Reidsville is Major Morehead's
shipping point.

About 2,000 feet above Major Morehead's dam is a fall of about 6 feet in 50, not used, but easily controlled.*
It might be used at the factory below by raising the dam.

The power above this point is used only by saw- and grist-mills, in regard to which I have no detailed information.
Enough was learned, however, to show that the river offers fine sites for power all the way up, the principal
disadvantage being their inaccessibility. The river has no tributaries of much importance.

The town of Leaksville has a considerable trade in tobacco, which is the great staple of the county; but wheat
and corn are also grown in considerable quantities on the fertile bottoms of the Dan, Smith, and Mayo rivers.

Above Smith's river are several unimportant tributaries to the Dan, on some of which are small mills. They
are similar in character to the other tributaries below Smith's river. On Cascade creek, a small stream entering
from the north below Smith's river, Dr. J. G. Brodneax has a small saw- and grist-mill, and a very good small power,
with a fall of 15 or 16 feet. Timber is very cheap in this vicinity, and wooden dams can be erected at very small cost.

The next large tributary above Smith's river is Mayo river, from the north, a stream which, like Smith's river,
takes its rise on the eastern slope of the Blue Bidge, in the western part of Patrick county, Virginia, and which,
after flowing in a general southeasterly direction through Patrick county and a corner of Henry county, Virginia,
and Rockingham county, North Carolina, joins the Dan a little below Madison, and just above Boberson's fish-trap
shoal. Its length, in a straight line, is about 55 miles, and along the general course of the stream about 60 miles, but
probably considerably more if all of its windings are followed. The only town on the stream is Taylorsville, the county
seat of Patrick county. Its total drainage area is about 316 square miles, of which 60 square miles are above
Taylorsville, and its principal tributary is the North Mayo, from the north, draining about 90 square miles. Its
drainage-basin is, in all respects, similar to lhat of Smith's river. The fall of the stream is considerable, but it is said
to be more uniform than that of either the Dan or Smith's river, and with not so many rapids and falls. The bed
is rock almost everywhere, the banks high, and not many low grounds subject to overflow. In the absence of
gaugings I have estimated the flow and the power of the stream at its mouth as in the following table:

Flow and power of Mayo river at its mouth .

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Drainage
area.

Flow per
second.

Horso - power
available, gioss.

Square miles.

316

Cubic feet.

( 40
57
65

1 278

1 foot fall.

4.7
6.5
7.4
31.0

Minimum low soason

Low season, dry years

Maximum, with storage

* Information from Major Morehead.

701

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

The power on the stream is used only for small grist- and saw-mills, but there are many sites not in use. The
first, ascending the river, is about 1 mile from Madison, and the same distance from the mouth of the stream, used
until recently for a corn- and saw-mill. The dam is a natural ledge, and the total fall of the shoal is said to be 32 feet.
This site has not been used for ten years, but is said to be one of the best in the vicinity, with safe location for mills
and little trouble with high water or overflow. It is owned by Mr. Eobert Lewis.

About 2 miles further up the stream is a flour-mill, and above there are other small ones. There is very little
bottom-land on the river for some six miles from its mouth, and the fall in that distance is very considerable, ledges of
rock crossing the stream all the way. Above this, however, the stream is flat for 15 or 20 miles, and the facilities for
power are not so good.

Above the Mayo there are several small creeks flowing into the Dan, some of which have power used, and all of
which have considerable available. They are good streams for power, and, so far as I can learn, are not subject to
such great variations in flow as those farther east. The powers they afford are small, but sufficieut to ruu small grist-
and saw-mills — sufficient for the needs of the people. Being easily dammed, and having considerable fall, they are
preferred to the Dan river for small powers. The most important tributary above the Mayo is Town fork, which joius
the Dan just above Shoe-Buckle island shoal; but regarding it or the other tributaries above I have no detailed
information.

All of these tributary creeks, as well as the Dan river itself, are subject to sudden and quite heavy freshets,
but they Lave so much fall that, in general, not much damage is done, although on the Dan, even above Danville,
there are many bottoms which are overflowed at times. The freshets are, in general, short, lasting usually, it is
said, only four or five days.

Finally, it may be said of all the valley of the Dan, and particularly of the upper part, that the climate is
exceedingly salubrious (much more so than in the valley of the Boanoke, especially its lower part), the soil fertile,
and the people industrious and hospitable. The advantages for manufacturing are, in every respect, excellent,
except as regards accessibility, and it is to be hoped that the two railroads which are now projected up the valley
may soon remove that objection.

THE STAUNTON RIVEB.

This stream rises in Montgomery and Floyd counties, Virginia; flows first northeast into Boanoke; thence
southeast, forming the boundary between Bedford, Campbell, and Charlotte on its left, and Franklin, Pittsylvania,
and Halifax on its right, uniting with the Dan in Mecklenburg to form the Boanoke. Its length, in a straight line,
is about 110 miles, and by the general course of the river perhaps 200, and still more if all its windings are followed.
There are no large towns on the stream. The river is known as the Boanoke in the upper part of its course, in
Montgomery and Boanoke counties.

The river and harbor bill of June 18, 1878, authorized a survey of the river between Brook Neal and Boanoke
station, on the Richmond and Danville railroad, which was executed by Mr. S. T. Abert, whose reports are to be
found in the reports of the Chief of Engineers, 1879, p. 622, and 1880, p. 780. By the act of March 3, 1879, the sum
of $5,000 was appropriated for the work of improving the navigation of the river between these points, and by that
of June 14, 1880, $7,500. The present project contemplates the securing of a navigable channel not less than 35 feet
wide and 2 feet deep through the ledges and sand-bars, and a slope of water-surface at the rapids not greater than
10 feet to the mile, the cost being estimated at $57,670. These are the only works of navigation projected on the
river. The stream is now navigable to Cole's ferry, a distance of 45J miles, the depth being 1£ feet at low water.

The Staunton river drains a total area of about 3,450 square miles. Proceeding up the river, its principal
tributaries from the north are, in their order, Bluestone creek, Ward's fork, Falling river, Otter river, Goose creek,
and from the south, in the same order, Pig aud Blackwater rivers.

The drainage-basin of the Staunton resembles that of the Dan so closely that a detailed description will not be
necessary. The map annexed will show its general form and dimensions. As regards the bed and banks of the
stream, the freshets, the facilities for storage, the soils, vegetation, people, and products, all the general remarks
which were made in the case of the Dan will apply also to the Staunton. The river takes its source, however,
considerably higher in the mountains than the Dan, its source being west of the Blue Bidge, through a gap in which
it passes at the northern edge of Franklin county. One of the effects of this will be, perhaps, to render the flow of
the stream more variable than that of the Dan, and from what I can learn its freshets seem to be rather more
violent, the river rising between 30 and 40 feet above low water between Brook Neal and Boanoke station. But
another effect of the position of the sources of the river beyond the Blue Bidge will be that the amount and
distribution of the rainfall on its upper part will be different from what they are in the basin of the Dan ; and
although I am unable to state with accuracy to what extent or just in what way, it seems probable, from the
Smithsonian charts, that the amount of rainfall will be rather less in the case of the Staunton, while its distributioa
through the year will be a little more uniform — less rain falling in winter on the upper Staunton than on the
upper Dan. It does not seem improbable that the resultant effect of these changes will be to render the flow of the
Staunton, as a whole, smaller in proportion to its drainage area than that of the Dan, while the freshets of the

702

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED. 43

former may, perhaps, be more violent. As a whole, however, the mean annual rainfall on the basin of the Staunton
may be taken at 42-44 inches, of which 12 fall in spring, 10 or 12 in summer, 10 in autumn, and 10 in winter.
The following table will show the declivity of the river :

Staunton river — Table of declivity.

» Place.

Distance from
Clarksville.

Elevation
above tide.

Distance be-
tween points.

Fall between
points.

Fall bet ween
points.

Miles.

22
54
84
174
186

Feet.

209
385
355
500
1, 070
1, 245

Miles.

| .... a

{ - - - 32
| - - - 30
| - - - 90
{ ... 12

Feet.

36
50
145

570
175

Feet per mile.

1.04
1.50
4. 83
6. 33
14. 58

Roanoke station, crossing of Richmond and Danville railroad

Crossing of Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio railroad, 6 miles west of Salem

Crossing of Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio railroad, 1 mile west of Big Spring

The elevations given were furnished by railroad officials, with the exception of those of Clarksville and Brook
Neal, which are calculated from government reports. The distances were measured on the map, following the
windings of the rivers as nearly as possible, and they are believed to be very nearly accurate.

In the twenty-second report of the board of public works of Virginia is a report on a survey of the Staunton
river by J. J. Couty. It is there stated that the fall from the Dan river, at the head of Nelson's island — probably
at Skipwith's thoroughfare — to Brook Neal is 84.85 feet in a distance of nearly 49 miles, which agrees quite well
with the figures given above.

Mr. Abert states that, according to an old survey, the fall from Smith's gap, where the river breaks through
the Blue Bidge, to Clarksville— a distance of 112 miles — is 322.61 feet, or, on the average, 2.88 feet per mile.

No records of gaugings being at hand, I am again obliged to resort to estimates of flow and power based on
the drainage areas.

The river is crossed by four railroads : by the Bicbmond and Danville road at Roanoke station, about 22 miles
above Clarksville (by the river) ; by the Virginia Midland road at a point between Ward's bridge and Leesville,
about 84 miles above Clarksville; and by the Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio road at a point a little west of Salem,
and about 174 miles above Clarksville; and further on again, at a point some 186 miles above the same place; but
as the two first-named roads cross the stream nearly at right angles, all that portion of the river lying east of the
Blue Bidge is very inaccessible, as will be seen from the map, except that portion for a short distance above the
crossing of the Virginia Midland road, which is accessible from the branch of that road extending to Rocky Mount,
Franklin county. That portion which lies west of the Blue Ridge is easy of access from stations on the Atlantic,
Mississippi and Ohio railroad, which follows the valley of the stream for some distance.

I found it difficult to obtain much information regarding the water-power of the stream. The country is thinly
settled, and the people have paid very little attention to the subject of water-power, there being only small grist-
and saw-mills, with a foundry or two, in the whole valley of the Staunton. The power at present utilized
is tabulated below from the returns of the enumerators, but regarding the available power I cannot present any
definite figures. There is no doubt, however, that the Staunton and its tributaries offer many valuable sites for
power, some of which could be rendered available at a very small cost. The following brief notes comprise all the
information that I was able to collect with the limited time at my disposal.

Below Roanoke station, although there are some rapids, very little power ever has been used, and only for
primitive grist- and saw-mills, the former running two or three sets of stones. The principal fall occurs at Tally's
falls, but regarding it I have no particulars. The average width of the river in this section of its course is
about 450 feet, but at Tally's falls it is wider, and the channel is broken up with rocks and islands.

Between Roanoke station and Brook Neal the river is navigated by bateaux, and by a small steamer drawing
14 inches when loaded, which is, however, unable to navigate the stream at low stages of the water. The land in
this vicinity is very fertile, and is believed to be the best tobacco land in the state of Virginia. The width of the
river in this section varies from 260 to 300 feet, and the banks are 12 to 22 feet high. In November, 1877, a flood
occurred, which was the highest known in this vicinity, the rise being 36.33 feet above low-water at Roanoke
station and 43 feet at one other point (Cole's ferry); but the banks being protected by a continuous fringe of
willows, whose fibrous roots hold the soil together very effectively, are not much affected by the current, even in
such heavy freshets.

The principal shoals between Roanoke station and Brook Neal are given in the following table, taken from
Mr. Abert's report. Whether these shoals are practically available for power I cannot say, but it is evident that
none of the shoals present remarkable powers, like some of those on the Dan.

Above Brook Neal there are several shoals with considerable fall, mention having been made of Seven Islands
shoal, just above Brook Neal, Rowark's falls, and Dudley's falls. There are also several small grist-mills on the
stream, all having rough wing-dams. There is said to be not a single dam entirely across the stream, except perhaps
up in the mountains.

703

44 WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

The estimates of power given in the latter part of the table are entitled to little reliance, and are only inserted
to give a rough idea of the available power of the river as compared with that of the Dan. If these estimates are
much out of the way, they are wrong for both rivers probably, because similar suppositions have been made in
both cases.

Staunton river — Summary of power.

Locality.

Rainfall.

Total fall.

Horse-power available, gross.*

a§

% .
- ©

a ■

Clark's shoal

Watkins' reef

Horseback shoal

Hawk Mountain shoal

Cove shoal No. 3

Cove shoal No. 2

Cove shoal No. 1

Britton's shoal

Dennis' dam

Rice's shoal

Michael's dam

Bruce's shoal

Kirkpatrick's shoal

Henry's shoal

Miller's shoal

White Rock falls

Between mouth

and mouth of Falling river

Between mouth of Falling river

and mouth of Otter river

Between mouth of Otter river

and mouth of Goose river

Between mouth of Goose river

and mouth of Pig river

Bet ween mouth of Pig river

and mouth of Blackwater river

Between mouth of Blackwater river

and railroad crossing near Salem . . .

Total between mouth and Salem

Miles.
25. 93
27. 39
28.26
32.77
34. 00
34. 70
35.67
38.84
41. 25
41.93
43. 43
43.86
45.86
49. 79
51. 23
51. 91

54
54
80
80
91
91

102

113

174

Sq. ms.

3, 450 i
2, 722 5
2, 509 j
2, 257 3
1, 892 >
1, 836 5
1, 556 )
1, 500 >
1,088>
1, 043 5

730
250
3, 450 >
250+ 5

In.

10-12

10-12
10-12
10-12
10-12
10-12
10-12
10-12

In.

42-44

42-t4

42-44

42-44
42-i4
42-44
42-44
42-44
42-44
42-44

Feet.
0. 891
0. 694
C.426
3. 774
0. 707
247

0. 981

1. 411
0. 979
1.391
0. 500
2.945
2.733
2.403
0.996
3.090

86. 00
125. 0±
60. 0±
70. 0±
70. 0±
386. 0±
800. 0±

Feet.
1, 640
650
18,890
3, 450
2,190
1,920
2,420
1, 780
890
1, 370
185
10, 970
7, 510
4, 425
785
1,075
Miles.
54

174

5, 400
6,100

2, 275
2, 000
1, 250

3, 000
20, 025

6, 600

7, 500
2,775
2,600
1,675
4, 200

25, 350

24, 000
28, 500
10, 500
10, 500
7,350
19, 000
99, 850

' See pages 18 to 21.

TRIBUTARIES OP THE STAUNTON RIVER.

The first tributary met with in ascending the river is Bluestone creek, entering from the north in Mecklenburg
county, about 3 miles above Clarksville, its sources being in Charlotte county, and its general course nearly south.
Its length is about 17 miles, and its drainage area about 85 square miles. Details regarding its water-power could
not be obtained.

The next stream worth mentioning is Ward's fork, also from the north, and draining an area of 191 square
miles, entirely in Charlotte county. Its course is nearly south, and its length, in a straight line, about 20 miles. This
stream is sometimes known as the Little Roanoke. Eegardiug its available power I have no data. That which is
used is tabulated beyond. The elevation of the stream at tire crossing of the Richmond and Danville railroad,
some 4 miles from its mouth, is 322 feet.

Falling river, the next tributary worth naming, enters the river about 2 miles below Brook Iveal, from the
north. Its length is about 25 miles along its general course, and it drains an area of about 213 square miles in
Campbell and Appomattox counties. It has considerable fall, and is said to be a good stream for power, running
several saw- and grist-mills and a foundry, all herein tabulated. Details of its available power could not be
obtained with the time at disposal. Iu fact, examinations of all these streams would be necessary if any accurate
conception of their value for power is to be formed. The information given by most persons with whom I
orresponded in this section of the country was very general, being mostly confined to statements that the
streams had "a rapid fall", "plenty of sites for manufacturing establishments", and the like.

Otter river is the next considerable tributary, being larger than any thus far mentioned. It rises near the
Peaks of Otter, in the Blue Ridge, in the northwestern part of Bedford county, whence it pursues a general course
nearly southeast through Bedford and Campbell counties, entering the Staunton in the latter county, about 4 miles
704

•

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED. 45

below the crossing of the Virginia Midland railroad. Although there are very few mills on the stream, as will be
seen by turning to the table, it is said to be an excellent stream for power, and it must certainly have a very large
fall, descending, as it does, from the Blue Ridge. Its length is about 35 miles, following its general course, and
it drains an area of 3G5 square miles. Its water-power must be very considerable, and I think there is no doubt
that fine sites may be found along it at many points, although I heard of no particular ones.

The next tributary, the Goose river, enters the Staunton from the north at Leesville, about 7 miles, by the stream,
above the crossing of the Virginia Midland railroad. It lises, like the Otter river, on the eastern slope of the Blue
Bidge, and flows during its whole course nearly parallel to the latter stream, which it much resembles in general
character. Its length is about the same, but its drainage area smaller, viz, 280 square miles. Like the Otter, its
water-power is utilized only for a few small grist- and saw-mills, although its available power must be considerable.

Pig river, from the sputh, is the next important tributary, being in fact the largest tributary of the Staunton,
It rises in the Blue Bidge near the southwestern corner of Franklin, pursues a course nearly east through that
county and into Pittsylvania, where it makes a bend to the north and enters the Staunton about 11 miles, by the
river, above Leesville, its total length, following its general course, being about 45 or 50 miles, and its drainage area
about 413 square miles. It receives as tributaries several large creeks, all of which are said to afford good power.
The Pig river is a rapid stream, and probably affords many sites for power — in fact, there seems no doubt that it
does — but it is scarcely used at all, as the table of statistics shows.

The last tributary of the Staunton worth mentioning specially is Blackwater river, which rises in the western
part of Franklin county, pursues a course nearly parallel to that of Pig river, and joins the Staunton about a mile
above the northeast corner of Franklin county. Its total length, following its general course, is abo ut 35 miles, and
its drainage area 313 square miles. It is fair to conclude that its general character is nearly the same as that of
Pig river, and that it affords a very large amount of unutilized power.

The information which I am able to present regarding these tributaries of the Staunton, notwithstanding
the large amounts of power they possess, is very meager, and this is due to several causes, among which may be
mentioned their inaccessibility in general, and the fact that so little power is used on them that it is difficult to find
persons well acquainted with their water-power. It is also due in great measure to the fact that, unlike the streams
farther south, their declivities are, on the whole, quite uniform, with few precipitous falls. As regards their general
character, their banks are said to be good as a rule, and their beds are gravel and sand, with rock never at a great
depth, and sometimes at the surface. Most of the low grounds along their banks are subject to overflow in times
of freshet, the latter being severe, but short. This region is, in fact, a sort of a transition district from the glacial
region of the north, where the streams flow in beds of gravel and sand, cut down into the deposits of glacial drift,
and with uniform declivities, and the non-glacial southern region, where drift-deposits do not occur, except in the
eastern division, and where the streams pour often over ledges of rock which cross their course, falling often 20 to
50 feet in a few hundred, and without having evened out their beds to a uniform declivity and obliterated these
falls by filling them up with deposits brought down from above.

While the streams of the middle states have comparatively few precipitous falls, those of the southern Atlantic
states have many. But although there are no drift-deposits in the middle and western divisions of these states,
there are quite extensive deposits of gravel and sand which owe their origin to other causes; and there will be
occasion to show that many of the southern streams are gradually filling up and evening out their beds to a uniform
declivity, as the streams of the middle states have already done.

The following table contains some estimates of the flow of the Staunton and its tributaries, not entitled to much
confidence, but serving to give a rough idea of the power they would afford (see pages 18 to 21) :

Staunton river and tributaries — Table of estimated flow and power.

River and place.

"55
9
^

Eg
R

Kainfall.

Flow, per second.

Horse-power available, 1 foot fall, gross.

a
3.

Summer.

Autumn.

Winter.

a
a

Minimum low
season.

Maximum, with
. storago.

Low season, dry
years.

Minimum.

Minimum low

season.

Maximum, with
storage.

t »
o

Sq.miles.

In.

Cu.ft.

Cv,. ft.

Cu.ft.

Staunton, at mouth

3, 450

. 12

10-12

42-44

655

759

2, 760

807

74.5

86.2

313.6

9S. 5

Staunton, above Bluestone

3, 365

10-12

42-44

605

740

2,690

845

68.8

84. 1

306.0

90.0

Staunton, above Ward's fork

3, 033

10-12

42-41

516

667

2,425

762

62.0

75. 8

275.0

80.0

Staunton, above Falling river

2, 509

10-12

42-44

450

550

2,000

630

51. 1

62 5

227.0

71.6

Staunton, above Otter river

1, 892

10-12

42-44

321

397

1,600

450

36. 5

45. 1

182.

51. 1

Staunton, above Goose river

1,550

10-12

42-44

256

326

1,322

373

29.2

37.1

150.

42.4

Staunton, above Pig river

1, 088

10-12

42-44

163

218

957

250

18.5

24.8

109. U

28.4

Staunton, above Blackwater river

730

10-12

42^14

109

146

642

167

12.4

10.0

73.0

19.0

Bluestone creek

191

10-12

42-44

1012 W P— VOL 16 4T> 705

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

Table of estimated flow and power — Continued.

River and place.

d
•a
tn

<£>
fat
tS

°c3

Rainfall.

Flow, per second.

Horse-power available, 1 foot fall, gross.

Spring.

Summer.

1
<

"Winter.

Tear.

Minimum.

Minimum low
season.

Maximum, with
storage.

Low season, dry
years.

i
1

Minimum low
season.

Maximum, with
storage.

Low season, dry
years.

Sq. miles.

In.

Cu.ft.

Ou.fl.

Cu.ft.

Cu.ft

"Ward's fork (Little Roanoke)

10-12

42-44

Falling river .'

213

10-12

42-44

365

10-12

42-44

321

' 5.8

8.3

36.5

9.4

Goose river -•

280

10-12

42-44

246

4.5

6.3

28.0

7.2

413

10-12

. 10

42-44

363

6.6

9.3

41.3

10.7

313

10-12

. 10

42-44

275

5.0

7.1

31.3

8.1

Eoanolce river and tributaries — Table of power utilized.

Name of stream.

Roanoke river .

Tributaries of .

Dan river.

Hyco river.

Bannister river .

Smith's river.

Mayo river

Other tributaries of.
70G

Tributary to what.

Albemarle sound

Roanoke river

Do.

Do...
Dan river.
Do ..
Do...
Do...
Do...
Do ..
Do...
Do...
Do ...
Do...
Do...
Do ..
Do...
Do
Do...
Do...
Do...
Do...
Do...
Do...
Do...

State.

North Carolina

Virginia

North Carolina

......do

.... do

Virginia

North Carolina .

Virginia

.....do

.... do

North Carolina .

Virginia

North Carolina .

Virginia

North Carolina .
do

County.

Bertie

Northampton

Halifax

do .......

Mecklenburg .

"Washington . .

Bertie . .

do .......

Martin

.... do

Northampton .

"Warren

Granville

Mecklenburg .

do .......

Halifax

Pittsylvania . .

Kind of milk

Stokes

Person

Caswell

Halifax

Pittsylvania .

Halifax

Rockingham .

Henry

Patrick

Rockingham.

Patrick

Granville

Saw

Hour and grist

...do

Saw

Cotton-gin

Foundry

Flour and grist

Saw

Flour and grist

... . do

Saw

. . do

Flour and grist

..do

. . do

Saw

Flour and grist

Tobacco

Saw

... do ;

Flour and grist

Cotton-gin

Flour and grist

...do*

Saw and planing

Foundry and machine-
shop.

Flour and grist

....do

Saw

Flour and grist

....do f-mn

Saw

Flour and grist

...do

Saw

Tobacco

Cotton factory

"Woolen factory

Flour and grist

Saw

Millwrighting

Flour and grist

Saw

Flour and grist

...do

...do £,

...do

Saw

No. of mills.

Totalfallused.

Total horse-
power used.

Feet.

110

111

341

111

178

178J

163

591

110

171

260

331

148

175?

50 T

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.
Table of power utilized — Continued.

Name of stream.

Other tributaries of.

8taunton .

Little Roanoke

Falling creek ,

Otter river

Goose river

Pig rivor

Blackwater river

Other tributaries of

Tributary to what.

Dan river.
Do...
Do...
Do ..
Do...

Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do
Do.

Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.

Do .

Do..
Roanoke.

Do..

Do .

Do..

Do .

Do..

Do .

Do..

Do..
Staunton .

Do .

Do..

Do .

Do..

Do .

Do..

D» ..,

Do..

State.

North Carolina

do..

do . .

do..

do . .

Virginia .

do ..

, do..

.do .

.do

.do.

.do

.do .
-do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do
-de .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do.
.do .
.do.
.do .
do .
.do .

County.

Person . .

do .

Caswell .

do .

do.

Rockingham.
do

... : ..do ......

Stokes

Halifax

Pittsylvania .

do ......

Henry

■ do Montgomery

Patrick

Halifax

Charlotte

Campbell

Bedford

Pittsylvania .

Roanoke

Montgomery.

Charlotte

Campbell

Appomattox .

Bedford

Campbell

Bedford

Franklin

Halifax

Charlotte

Campbell

Bedford

Pittsylvania .

Franklin

Roanoke

do ,

Kind ot mill.

Saw

Flour and grist '.

...do

Saw

Agricultural imple-
ments.

Flour and grist '.

Saw

Blacksmithing

Flour and grist

Saw

Flour and grist

Saw

Foundry

Agricultural imple-
ments.

Flour and grist

Saw

Flour and grist

Saw

Agricultural
ments.

implc-

Leather

Flour and grist . .

....do

Saw

Flour and grist . .

....do

Saw

....do

...do

Flour and grist . .

...do

Saw.

Furniture

Flour and grist . .

Saw

Foundry

Flour and grist . .

.. do

Saw

Flour and grist . .

Saw

Woolen

Flour and grist . .

. . . .do

Saw

Flour and grist . .

Saw

Flour and grist .

Saw

Flour and grist . .

... do

Saw

Flour and grist . .

Saw

Flour and grist . .

Saw

Flour and grist . .

Saw

. . do

Flour and grist . .
"Wheel wrighting.
Flour and grist . .

Saw

Foundry

Fertilizers

Flour and grist . .

No. of mills.

Total fall used.

Total horse-
power used.

Feet.

176

216

126

169J

203

120+ 145

l n
XV

ft
D

2G4

ZOO

ggl

130

344

354

243

9i
£A

307

412

331

241

142

121

• 1

- 1

135

111

199

223

1054

238

26J

229

253

151

136

310

30?

176

252

100

105

707

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

III.— THE TAR RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES.

THE TAE BIVEB,

This river takes its rise in Person and Granville counties, North Carolina, flows in a southeasterly direction
through Franklin, Nash, Edgecombe, and Pitt counties, and empties into the Pamlico river, in Beaufort, near the
town of Washington, its length, in a straight line, being about 120 miles, and by the river perhaps 175. The principal
towns on the stream are Washington, Greenville, Tarboro', Eocky Mount, and Louisburg. Tarboro', 53 miles from
Pamlico river, is the head of navigation, and it is hoped to secure ultimately a channel 3 feet in depth at all stages
of the water up to this point, but at present this depth exists only during nine months of the year. The obstructions
to navigation consist of stumps, snags, fallen trees, and artificial obstructions placed there during the war.

The river drains an area of about 3,000 square miles, the greater part of which lies north of the stream, from
which side the principal tributaries — Swift and Fishing creeks — enter, draining, respectively, 340 and 760 square
miles. The stream crosses the fall-line at Eocky Mount, below which point there is no water-power. The general
character of the drainage-basin resembles that of the Eoanoke. The leading productions are tobacco, corn, and
cotton, most of the cotton being raised in the eastern part, and most of the tobacco in the western. There are no
lakes in the basin. The bed of the stream above the fall-line is rock in places, but generally sand, clay, gravel, or
mud, the declivity of the stream being quite uniform. Above Eocky Mount the bottoms are narrower than on the
Eoanoke, and the banks are generally high enough to confine the river, except in very heavy freshets. Below Eocky
Mount the banks are often overflowed, the river rising sometimes 25 feet at Tarboro'.

The average annual rainfall on the basin of the Tar is about 50 inches, but above the tall-line it is less — about
46 or 48 incites, distributed nearly as follows: Spring, 12; summer, 14; autumn, 10; winter, 11.

The fall of the stream below Eocky Mount is said not to exceed 1 or 1£ feet per mile, making the total fall below
that point between 50 and 75 feet. The elevation of the stream at the crossing of the Ealeigh and Gaston railroad is
188 feet,* making the fall between that point and the head of the fall at Eocky Mount about 2 feet to the mile or
less, the distance being in the neighborhood of 60 miles. No gaugings of the stream are on record.

Ascending the stream the water-powers met with are as follows:

Battle's cotton factory, at Eocky Mount, known as the Eocky Mount mill, is situated on the fall-line. The
dam extends entirely across the river in a broken line, part being artificial, and part natural rock. The artificial
part is of granite, 600 feet long, and averaging 9.2 feet in height, and was built in 1854 at a cost of $10,000. It backs
the water up only a very few hundred feet, forming no pond of any consequence The bed of the stream is solid
rock and the banks moderately high, affording safe building-sites. There is considerable fall in the stream for several
hundred yards above the dam, which could probably be raised some four feet or so without doing any damage, and
backing the water up to the head of a slight rift called Goodson's falls (half a mile above the dam), above which the
river is sluggish for a long distance. A race 191 feet long leads from the dam to the cotton factory, where a head
and fall of 16 feet 10 inches is used, with a turbine-wheel giving 155 horse-power. No steam-power is used, the water-
power being ample, and there being an excess of water at all times, except in very low stages of the river. In
addition to the cotton factory there is a grist- and flour- mill located at the dam, run by two overshot wheels, with 14J
feet fall and about 40 horse-power; also a saw-mill run by a turbine-wheel, with 12 feet fall and about 30 horse-
power, and a second turbine- wheel, running a cotton-gin, with about 10 horse-power. The total power used at this
place is therefore about 235 horse-power. It is said that the first cotton mill iu the state of North Carolina was
built at this place in 1817.

The drainage area above this place is about 768 square miles, and the mean annual rainfall about 47 inches,
already stated. No gaugings of the river having been made, I have been obliged to estimate the flow and the power
with the results given in the following table. The total available fall may be taken as 20 feet:

Power on the Tar river at Rocky Mount.

Character of flow, (seepages 18 to 21.

Minimum

Minimum low season ...
Maximum, with storage.
Low season, dry years. . .

Drainage
area.

Fall i Flow P er
* aLl - ' setond.

Available horse-power, gross.

Cubic feet.

1 footfall.

16§ foot fall.

20 footfall.

U 125

14.0

235

280

150

17.0

280

340

073

76.8

1,293

1,536

I 170

19.2

323

384

Utilized.

Per cent, of

Horse-
power, net.

Fall.

minimum
utilized.

Feet.

| 235

12-1GJ

133

* For the elevations on the Raleigh and Gaston railroad and the Ealeigh and Augusta Air-Line railroad I am indebted to the general
manager, Mr. John C. Winder.
708

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED. 49

la very low stages of the river the water is drawn down in the pond be.low the crest of the dam sometimes to
the extent of 6 inches; but as the pond is very small, this does not indicate that the power used is much in excess of
that due to the natural flow, but only that the latter is completely utilized. Neither is Mr. Battle troubled, to any
great extent, by freshets, being only obliged to stop at most a few days in the year. The dam was partially carried
away in 1875, but no great damage was done. There is never any trouble with ice.

The estimates given in the above table for the power available, with storage, although it might be approximated
to in the case of the Tar, whose drainage-basin is, in the upper parts, favorable in places for the construction of
reservoirs, according to Professor Kerr, yet the use of this method of increasing the power would probably, as in
the case of the Roanoke, be found expensive and impracticable, on account of the necessity of overflowing lands
which are the most fertile and the best adapted to cultivation in the whole basin, and on account of the distance
of the reservoir-sites from the fall-line. As the factory is almost on the line of the Wilmington and Weldon
railroad, the facilities for transport are excellent. Although the health of this part of the state is not so good as
that of the western part, no great difficulty is experienced on this account.

Above Battle's the river is sluggish for some distance, after which the fall becomes considerably greater. On
the upper part of the river there are only saw- and grist-mills, and there are no sites of importance not used,
although on the upper part of the stream, and on its tributaries, there are many places where power could be
obtained by damming.

Between Mr. Battle's and Louisburg there are two small grist-mills and gins ; the lower one a small mill with
8 feet fall, the dam being 215 feet long and 6 feet high, built of wood, at a cost of $600, and throwing the water
back 1J miles; and the upper one, that of Mr. N. R. Strickland, a saw- and grist-mill, with a dam of wood and stone
180 feet long, 7 feet high, and costing $1,000, and backing the water 7 miles, with an average width of 150 feet.
At this mill a fall of 7 feet is used, and about 50 horse-power, net, with a waste of water all the time, except in
times of extreme drought.

At Louisburg Col. J. F. Jones has a saw- and grist-mill using 8 feet fall and running full capacity all the time,
with water wasting. The dam is of rock, 250 feet long and 8 feet high, throwing the water back 2 uliles, with an
average width of 150 feet ; a power of about 65 or 75 horse-power is said to be used.

Above this there are no mills of importance. It will be seen that the water-power of the Tar river does not
amount to much, being almost all obtained by damming, and there being no fall of any consequence except that
at Battle's.

Tar river — Summary of power.

p
o

Kainfall.

Total fall.

Horse-power available, gross, t

Utilized.

a
p

Locality.

Distance from T:

a
Sx
ce
a
"3

Spring.

Summer.

Winter.

Tear.

Height.

Length.

Minimum low
season.

Maximum, with
storage.

Low season, dry
years.

■£

Fall.

Per cent, of mil
utilized.

Remarks.

Miles.

Sq. mi.

In.

Feet.

Battle's mills

20 ±

768

]

■ 20

2, 800

280

340

1,536

384

235

16. 83

133

Only natural
fall on river.

Vivaratti's mill

34 ±

615

> 12

100
85
60

480
390
300

115
97
69

8. 00

Mill at dam.

46 ±

565

50
60

7. 00

8. 00

150

Louisburg

75 ±

383

•Between head of Battle's

r 28±

768

shoal,

110 +

Miles.
60 ±

970

1,200

5,700

1, 375

23. 00

and Raleigh and Gaston

railroad

l 90 ±

270

* These figures are too inexact to be of any practical value, and moreover these amounts of power are not practically available.
tSee pages 18 to 21.

TRIBUTARIES OF THE TAR RIVER.

Fishing creek is the first important tributary met with in ascending the stream. It rises in Warren county,
forms for some distance the boundary-line between Halifax, on the north, and Nash and Edgecombe on the south,
and empties into the Tar in the latter county. Its length, measured in a straight line, is about 50 miles, and its
drainage area 760 square miles. Its only tributary worth mentioning is Little Fishing creek, which enters from the
north. The stream crosses the fall-line near Enfield, and the general character of its drainage-basin is the same as
that of the Tar river. The water-power of the stream is not extensive, and is used for saw- and grist-mills, cotton-
gins, and one cotton factory.

The first power is that of Dr. J. T. Bellamy, at the fall-line, 4 miles from Enfield, where there are a saw- and
grist-mill, gin, and cotton-yarn mill. The dam is of stone, built in 1857, at a cost of $9,000, and is 160 feet long

709

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

and 12 feet high, backing the water about 3 miles, and overflowing some 200 acres of swamp-land to an average
depth of perhaps 7 or 8 feet. At one end of the dam is the cotton factory, and at the other the saw- and grist-mills,
all using a fall of 12 feet and a total of about 50 horse-power, of which the factory uses perhaps 30, with a turbine-
wheel, and with always a waste of water. The drainage area above this place being about 500 square miles, and
the rainfall 47 inches, I would judge the available power to be at least 100 horse-power in the low season of dry
years, 125 in the low season of ordinary years, and twice that amount, or more, during nine months — these powers
being gross, but doubtless capable of being increased to a very large extent by drawing down the water in the pond
during working hours. This site is 4 miles from the railroad.

The next power is that of William Burnett, 6 miles west of the railroad, at Millbrook. The dam is wood (crib-
work), filled with stone, 260 feet long and 8 feet high, backing the water about three-fourths of a mile, but not
throwing it out of its banks. A race 60 feet long leads to the mill — a grist- and saw-mill — where a fall of 5 feet (?)
is used. The amount of water in the stream here is probably about the same as at Bellamy's. If the available
fall is 8 feet, the available power is therefore about two-thirds of that at the latter place. The bed of the river
here is rock, and very favorable for a dam.

The remaining powers on this creek and its tributaries are not worthy of special mention. They are included
in the table below. The grist-mills generally have one, two, or three run of stones.

On the whole, as far as could be ascertained, the stream is not of much value for water-power, on account of
its small fall and its variable flow. I heard of no good sites not used, but there are probably places where a certain
amount of power could be obtained by damming.

Swift creek rises in Warren and Granville counties, where it is called Sandy creek; flows through Franklin,
Fash, and Edgecombe, joining the Tar about 7 miles above the mouth of Fishing creek, its length, in a straight
line, being about 50 miles, and draining an area of about 350 square miles. In general character it is similar
to Fishing creek, but is said to be more sluggish, and to have lower banks. Its water-power is not valuable, and I
heard of no sites not occupied. The power utilized will be found in the table. The mills are saw- and grist-mills,
cotton-gins, and one cotton-yarn factory, at Laurel, belonging to Col. J. F. Jones. The latter is the most im-
portant of the utilized powers. The dam is of wood and stone, 100 feet long, 5 feet high, backing the water one
mile, and giving a fall of 12 feet, with a race 60 feet long. The power is used for a grist- and saw-mill, and for a
cotton-yarn factory, with 612 spindles, using perhaps, in all, 30 or 40 horse-power.

The remaining tributaries to the Tar river are of no importance, and the only mills on them are small saw-mills
and grist-mills with one or two run of stones. The smaller streams nearly dry up in summer, and many of the
mills have to stop grinding. The table for the utilized power of the Tar and its tributaries is compiled from the
returns of the enumerators :

Table of power utilized on- Tar river and its tributaries.

Stream.

Tar river

ITishing creek

Do .

Swift creek

Other tributaries of .

710

Tributary to what.

State.

Pamplico river.

Tar river

do ,

do . .

North Carolina

do .
.do .
.do .

do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .

do .
.do .
.do .
.do .

do .
.do .

do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do
.do
.do

County.

Nash

...do

Franklin

...do

Granville . . .

...do

Halifax

...do

Warren

Edgecombe .

Nash

Franklin

..do

...do

Warren .

Pitt

...do

Edgecombe .

....do

Halifax

Nash

...do

Kind of mill.

Cotton factory

Flour and grist

Saw

Cotton-gin

Flour and grist ..

Saw 1

Flour and grist

Saw

Cotton factory

Flour and grist

Saw

Flour and grist

Saw

Cotton factory

Flour and grist

Saw

Flour and grist

Saw

Flour and grist

Saw

Agricultural imple-
ments.

•a

Feet.
17

12
27

90
65
12
19
19
100
7
19
30
12
12
90
29
14
35

62
27
8

2 »

^ V

155
85
30
22
40
25

153
98
30
40
40

148
30
35
53
15
20

211
74
84
75
49
07
08
12
12

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

Table of power utilized on Tar river and its tributaries — Continued.

Stream.

Tributary to what.

State.

County.

Kind of mill.

sed,

£> .

§"8

--1

■§1

f-t

—i b-

1°

Feet.

234

251

135

163

106

112

133

186

108

Other tributaries of.

Tar.
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .

North Carolina

Nash

.do Franklin

.do
.do
.do
.do
.do
.do
.do

...do

Warren . . .

...do

Granville .
...do

Cotton-gin

Flour and grist

Saw

Cotton-gin

Leather

Flour and grist

Saw

Flour and grist
Saw

IV. — THE NEUSE RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES.

Drainage-basin of the Neuse river, North Carolina.

DRAINAGE AEEAS.

Square miles.

Neuse river, at mouth 5, 299

Neuse river, at New Berne 4, 250

Neuse river, at Goldsboro' 2, 451

Neuse river, at Smitbfield 1 , 317

Neuse river, at Milburny 995

Neuse river, at paper-mill 890

Contentnea creek, at mouth 991

Little river, at mouth 326

Little river, at Lowell 195

Flat river, at mouth 166

Little river, at mouth .' 130

Eno river, at mouth 134

THE NEUSE EIVER.

The Neuse ri\ er is formed in the northwest corner of Wake county, North Carolina, by the union of three
small streams, the Eno, Flat, and Little rivers, which themselves take their rise in Person and Orange counties.
The Neuse flows in a general southeasterly direction through Wake, Johnston, Wayne, Lenoir, and Craven counties,
emptying into Pamlico sound below New Berne, its general course, in its lower and navigable portion, being more
nearly east. It forms for a short distance the boundary between Granville and Wake counties, and, near its mouth,
between Lenoir, Pitt, and Pamlico on its left and Craven on its right. Its length above New Berne, measured
in a straight line, is about 150 miles, but it is much greater following the river, which is very tortuous in places.
The principal towns on the stream, are New Berne (population 6,443), Kinston (population 1,216), Goldsboro'
(population 1,933), Smithfleld, and Hillsboro', the last being on the Eno. The head of navigation on the river is
Smithfield, about 160 miles above New Berne, and the government is now engaged in improving the river up to
this point. At present there is a navigable depth of 3 feet as far as Goldsboro' (97£ miles above New Berne)
during eight or nine months of the year.

The area drained by the Neuse comprises about 5,300 square miles. That part above New Berne measures
about 4,250 square miles. The principal tributaries of the river enter from the north, viz: the Contentnea creek
(mouth about 30 miles above New Berne) and Little river (mouth just above Goldsboro', 97£ miles above New
Berne), draining, respectively, about 990 and 325 square miles, approximately. The river crosses the fall line near
Smithfleld, and below that point there is no water-power. The fall at Smithfleld, however, is not very great, and
the fall-line is less prominent than in the case of the Roanoke and the Tar, the ledge of rock, forming the falls at
Weldon and Rocky Mount, showing itself only very slightly on the Neuse.

Below Goldsboro' the river flows through a low, heavily-timbered country, and is very like the Roanoke in
general character. The soil is alluvial— clay, sand, and marl; the bauks from 3 to 20 feet high ; the country covered
with extensive pine forests and cypress swamps, and the staple product cotton. Some of the bottoms have been
reclaimed by the use of dikes. Below Contentnea creek the banks and adjacent bottoms are only a few inches
above low water, and the floods reach a height of 12 feet, covering large areas. The channel is very tortuous, cut-
offs are often formed, and the navigation difficult. Above Smithfield the drainage-basin presents no peculiarities
that have not been referred to in speakiug of the Roanoke and Tar. The map will show its form and dimensions.

711

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

In the upper part of the valley a fine quality of granite is quarried, and in the lower part, not far above New Berne,
a marl is found which is said to be a very good building-stone, being quite soft wben quarried, but becomiug very
hard on exposure. In fact, there is no lack of building material in the valleys of the Neuse, Tar, or Boanoke,

As regards bed, banks, and freshets, the river is similar to the Eoanoke, except that the bottoms are said to be
less extensive (above Smithfield) and the freshets not so sudden nor violent, seldom endangering dams. Trouble
with ice is very rare. There are no lakes or artificial reservoirs, but there are facilities for the latter on the upper
tributaries.

The rainfall is 47 inches — 12 in spring, 14 in summer, 10 in autumn, and 11 in winter, approximately.

The fall of the river below Smithfield is very small, its elevation at that point being in the neighborhood of
100 feet. At the crossing of the Ealeigh and Gaston railroad, some 35 miles farther up, the elevation is about 170
feet, making the fall between those points at the rate of 2 feet to the mile. Professor Kerr states that the total
fall, from the northwest corner of Wake county, about 32 miles above the railroad crossing, to tide, is about 340
feet ; it seems, however, scarcely probable that the fall in these 32 miles can be at the rate of 5.3 feet to the mile.

WATER-POWERS.

The first site for power in ascending the river is at Smithfield, at the fall-line, and it is said that there was
once a mill there, although it is now gone. Although some power might be obtained at the place, the site is not a
favorable one. The river at Smithfield is 130 feet wide.

The next site, and the first one of importance, is at Milburny or Neuse mills, about 25 miles above Smithfield
and 6 or 7 miles from Ealeigh, formerly improved, but at present idle. The available fall here is about 12J feet,
with a. dam 8 feet high and a race 150 feet long. Such a dam, it is said, would pond the water for several miles.
It is evident, therefore, that the fall here is not very pronounced, and it seems strange that there is no large fall
on the river below this point. It seems probable, moreover, that power might be got below by damming, but it is
said that there are no favorable places where a dam could be built without trouble by overflowing land above. At
Milburny the bed is solid rock, very favorable for a dam, and the race had to be blasted out. The banks are abrupt
on the right, but not so much so on the left, and the location is said to be a safe one. The power was formerly used
by a paper-mill on the left bank and a grist- and saw-mill on the other, the fall utilized being 12 J feet; but the
paper-mill was burnt, and the dam, not being taken care of, is gone. The building of the grist- and saw-mill is still
standing, although it is about five years since any power has been utilized. It is expected, however, that the power
will be again utilized in a short time.

The drainage area above this site is about 1 ,000 square miles. Professor Kerr gauged the river at low water,
and found the flow to be about 193 cubic feet per second, giving a power of 22 horse-power per foot fall. Estimates
of the flow and power, according to methods already referred to, result as follows :

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Drainage area.

Fall.

Flow, per sec-
ond.

Horse - power,
gross.

Sq. miles.
1, 000

Feet.

12i

Cubic feet.

160
175

<J 750
100
195

Per footfall.

18.2
20.0
85.2
21.8
22.0

Per 12$ feet fall.

227
250
1,065
272
275

" Low water", Professor Kerr ■

By storing the water during the night this power could be greatly increased, but whether such storage would
be practicable I cannot say, not knowing the dimensions of the pond.

This power, as before remarked, is 6 or 7 miles from Ealeigh, from which point railroads diverge in four
directions.

The next power on the river is the paper-mill of the Falls of Neuse Manufacturing Company, leased to W. F.
Askew. Between this power and Milburny there was formerly an oil-mill, but the dam is said to have caused so
much trouble by overflow, and so much sickness in the vicinity, that the property was purchased by the neighbors,
and the mill torn down. Mr. Askew's paper-mill is at Falls of Neuse, 3 miles above the Ealeigh and Gaston railroad,
and 13 miles north of Ealeigh. The dam, which extends entirely across the river, is of wood, about 400 feet long
and 6 feet high, backing the water about 10 miles, the depth averaging perhaps 8 feet. A race 1,000 feet long leads
to the mill, where there is a fall of 17 feet. The power used is 100 horse-power, used for the paper-mill and for a
grist-mill, saw-mill, and cotton-gin, but this power can only be obtained during eight months of the year, owing
to leakage, etc. There is little trouble with high water.

712

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

The draiuage area above this place is about 890 square miles, and the rainfall 42 to 44 inches. Hence the power
available, per foot, would be about eight-tenths of that at Milburny, or, in round numbers, as given in the following
table :

Table of power at Falls of Neuse:*

State of flow.

Drainage area.

Fall.

Flow, per sec-
ond.

Sq. miles.

Feet.

Minimum 1

Minimum low season I

Maximum, with storage I

Low season, dry years '• '

£90

Cubic feet.

128
340
C65
152

Horse-power.

Per footfall.

14.5
15.9
75.5
17. 2

Horse-power.

Pi r 17 feet fall.

245
270
1,283
292

Above this mill there are no powers of importance on the river so far as I could learn. It seems strange that
such a large and long river should offer so little power, especially in a section of country which abounds so largely
in water-power. The fact that there is no power on the fall-line is also remarkable.

The following table gives a summary of the powers on the river utilized and available:

Neuse River — Summary of power.

Locality.

Milburny

Falls of Neuse

C Raleigh and Gaston railroad
Between < and

( Smithfield

Miles.
25

38
35

Sq. in.

1,000
890
9001

! 1,317 J

Rainfall.

In.

In. i In. In. In.

13 10

10 44

Total fall.

Feet. : Miles.
( 124 |.

17 I

Horse-power available, gross.t

! *

227
245

1,400 s

3 »
2£

250
270

1, 540*

£2

to >.

1.005
1,283

C, 550'

272
292

1, 680'

Total utilized.

Feet. !

* Practically of no value, and, in fact, not available.

f See pages 18 to 21.

100

e 3

TRIBUTARIES OF THE NEUSE RIVER.

Most of the utilized power in the drainage-basin of the Neuse is located on its tributaries, although none of
them are large enough to afford very large powers.

The first important one met with in ascending the Neuse is the Trent river, which joins the Neuse at New Berne.
The drainage-basin of the Trent, lying entirely below the fall-line and presenting no water-power of importance,
need not be further considered.

Tbe next important tributary is Content lea creek, from the north, draining an area of about 990 square miles,
and joining the Neuse about 30 miles above New Berne. This stream has its sources above the fall-line, in Franklin
county, where it is called Moccasin creek; thence, flowing in a southeasterly direction, it forms the boundary-line
between Franklin and Nash counties on the north aud Wake and Johnston on the south, flows through Wilson and
Greene counties, and finally joins the Neuse, after forming for 6 or 7 miles the boundary between Pitt and Lenoir
counties. It crosses the fall line, in Wilson county, about at the point where it changes its name to Contentnea;
but, as in the case of the Neuse, there seems to be no decided fall in the stream at this point. Above the fall-line
it partakes of the general character of Swift and Fishing creeks, previously described, and it affords no water-power
of much importance, the declivity being gradual. There is probably power available on the stream which can be
utilized by damming at suitable places, but no particular sites for powers were brought to my notice. The tributaries
of the Contentnea are not of much importance.

The next important tributary is Little river, which rises in Franklin, flows southeast through Wake and Johnston,
joining the Neuse in Wayne county 2 or 3 miles above Goldsboro', and draining an area of about 325 square miles,
the length of the stream, in a straight line, being nearly 60 miles. The drainage-basin is long and narrow, and the

* See pages 18 to 21. According to all I can learn regarding this power, I am inclined to regard these estimates as too large,
being informed that it is sometimes only possible to ran a grist-mill in summer for several weeks at a time. But the dam is very leaky,
aud it may he tbat there are other sources of loss. Only an examination of the place can tell.

713

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

tributaries of no consequence. The stream crosses the fall-line, but, as in the case of the Neuse, no particular fall
occurs at that place. The products of the basin are principally corn, cotton, cereals, vegetables, and fruits, and the
soil fertile, generally sandy and loamy. The general character of the stream does not differ from that of the
tributaries of the Tar. The banks are often low and subject to overflow, and the bed is generally of soft material —
mud, sand, etc. The declivity is quite uniform, and no important sites for power could be learned of. There is
some power already utilized, the most important mill being the cotton factory of William Edgerton, at Lowell, abo it
. where the stream crosses the fall-line, and some 25 miles from its mouth. The power at this place is supplied by a
wooden dam, built some thirty-three years ago, about 80 feet long and 10 feet high, backing the water 4 miles, with
an average width of 150 feet and an average depth of 6 feet. The fall used is 10 feet, and the number of horse-
power 40, which can be obtained at all seasons of the year. The drainage area above the place being about 195
square imles, and the rainfall about 48 inches, I have estimated the minimum and the low-season flow in dry years
at about 18 and 25 cubic feet per second, respectively, and the available power, with a fall of 10 feet, at 20 and 28
horse-power. With storage during the night these figures could be increased, and this may easily be done if the
pond is as large as given above. Above the Lowell factory, on Little river, are only small saw- and grist-mills.
The water-power of the stream may be said to be, in general, of little value.

In the neighborhood of Goldsboro' there are several small spring streams which are said to afford quite constant
powers, but none of them have sufficient capacity to run any but very small mills. Such are Sleepy creek (mouth
10 miles below Goldsboro') and Falling creek (mouth 10 miles above the railroad bridge). On these streams large
storage can generally be obtained, and the power resulting from the natural flow could be doubled by being
concentrated into twelve hours.

The other tributaries of the Neuse below the junction of its three headwaters have numerous small grist- antl
saw-mills and occasionally a paper-mill, all of which are here tabulated. Most of these mills have to stop during
the summer on account of low water.

The most northerly of the three headwaters referred to is the Flat river, which rises in Person county and flows
southeast through a corner of Orange, having a total length of some 25 miles in a straight line. It drains an
area of about 166 square miles, being the largest of the three streams, has a considerable fall, and is well suited
for the development of small powers. The power utilized is given in the table. The power available I cannot
estimate; neither could I obtain information regarding any particular sites not used.

Little river is the second of the three headwaters. Eising in Orange county, with perhaps a few branches in
Person, and flowing a little south of east through the northern part of Orange, with a total length, in a straight
line, of some 20 miles, it drains an area of about 130 square miles. None of these streams are very tortuous.
Little river has the same general character as Flat river, and its power is utilized by saw- and grist-mills, and by
one cotton factory — the Orange factory. The power at this place is obtained by a dam of stone and wood, 270 feet
long and 14 feet high, built at a cost of $1,500, and affording a fall, at the factory, of 17£ feet and furnishing a 40
horse-power. In summer there is no waste of water, but in winter it generally flows over the dam. I estimate
the flow of this stream at its mouth to be at a minimum about 8, and at its low-season flow, in dry years, 12 cubic
feet per second, giving powers of 16 and 24 horse-power, with fall of 17£ feet. I judge, therefore, that the pond
at Orange factory is sufficiently large to store the water during the night if they succeed in getting full capacity
all the time. The above estimate, however, may, of course, be far from correct.

The most southerly of the three headwaters of the Neuse is the Eno, rising in the northwest corner of Orange
county, flowing first nearly south and then nearly east through the county, having a length of about 25 miles in a
straight line, and draining an area of about 134 square miles. It is similar in character to the others, and its power
is used only by grist- and saw-mills, some of which are obliged to stop in the summer. At Hillsboro' the stream
is about 50 feet wide, and will probably afford not more than 8 or 9 cubic feet per second in dry years during the
low season, and probably less, or about 1 horse-power per foot fall. The utilized power is given in the table.

It will be seen that the Neuse river possesses a small amount of water-power for a stream of its size in this
part of the country. The lower parts of the river and the tributaries below the Ealeigh and Gaston railroad are
not very favorable for power — the river on account of its gradual fall and low bank, and the tributaries because
of the considerable variability in their flow. Exceptions are found in the case of some tributaries not far below the
fall-line, which are fed by springs and keep up quite well during the summer, belonging, in fact, to the class of sand-
hill streams, of which we shall meet more noticeable examples in the case of the tributaries to the Cape Fear and
Yadkin. The tributaries in the upper part are more favorable, have a greater fall, higher bauks, and are probably
not so variable in their flow. Still, there are no such sites for power on the Neuse river as are found on the Eoanoke,
Tar, or on streams farther south.

714

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

Neuse river and tributaries — Table of power utilized.

Name of stream.

Tributary to what.

State.

County.

Kind of mill.

^ S3

(2*

Neuse river

%m Do

Do...

Contentnea creek (Moccasin).

All tributaries to

tattle river

All other tributaries to

Do....

Do .....

. Do

Flat river and tributaries

Little river and tributaries . . .

Do -

Eno river and tributaries

Do ..

Pamlico sound

...do

Neuse river

...do

Contentnea creek.

...do

... do ...

...do

Neuse river

...do

.do
.do

do
.do
.do
.do
.do
.do
.do
.do
.do .
.do
.lo .
.do .

do .
.do .
.do .

do .

do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .

do .
.do

do .

North Carolina ; "Wake

...do do

do do

. . do "Wilson . .

...do do

. ..do do

. . do Johnston .

.. do I do

do i Greene . .

do Wilson . .

...do . .." do

— do do

.. .do 1 Wayne . .

..do ..
..do ..
..do ..
..do ..
..do ..
..do ..
..do ..
..do ..
. do ..
. do ..
. .do ..
..do..
. do ..
..do ..
. .do ..
..do..
..do ..
..do ..
. do ..
..do ..
..do ..
. do ..
..do ..
..do ..
. .do .
..do ..
..do ..
. do ..
. do . .
..do ..
. do ..
..do ..
. do ..
..do ..

...do

Nash

...do

Johnston

...do

Wake

Wayne . . .

. . . do

. do

Johnston .

...do

Pamlico ..

Jones

Craven ...

...do

Lenoir

Wake

...do

..do

Franklin .
Granville .

...do

Orange

...do

Person

...do

Orange . ..

...do

... do . ...

...do

...do ....

Paper ,

Flour and grist

... do

...do

Saw

Cotton-gin

Flour and grist

Saw

Flour and grist

...do

Saw

Cotton-gin

Flour and grist

Saw

Flour and grist

Saw

Flour and grist

Saw

Cotton factory

Saw

Flour and grist

Saw

Woolen

Agricult'l implements

Flour and grist

Saw

Flour and grist

... do

...do

Cotton-gin

Flour and grist

...do

Saw

Woolen

Flour and grist

...do r .

Saw

Flour and grist

Saw

. . do

... do

..do

...do ...

Box

Cotton factory

Flour and grist

Saw

Feet.
17

.133
39
8
39

27
309
120

17
271
60

V.— THE CAPE FEAR RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES.

THE CAPE FEAR EIVEE.

This river, formed by the junction of the Haw and Deep rivers in Chatham county, North Carolina, flows in
a southeasterly direction through Harnett, Cumberland, Bladen, and Brunswick counties, and for a short distance
between Brunswick and New Hanover, and empties into the Atlantic at Cape Fear. Its length, in a straight line, is
about 125 miles, and by the river about 192. The principal towns on the stream are Wilmington, 30 miles from the
mouth (popidation 17,361) ; Elizabeth, the county-seat of Bladen county ; Fayetteville, the county-seat of Cumberland
county (population 3,485); Averysboro', and Lillington (the county-seat of Harnett county)— the two latter being
small towns of a few hundred inhabitants. Fayetteville is the head of navigation for steamers of light draft, its
distance from the sea being 1G0 miles by the course of the stream. Considerable money has been, and is being,
spent by the government for the improvement of the navigation of the river below Wilmington, which is a port of
the entry, and present project contemplates the securing of a navigable depth of 12 feet at mean low water up to

715

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

that city ; but by taking proper advantage of the tides 14i feet can be carried up to that point. The average range
of the tides at Smithville, at the mouth of the river, is about 4 feet. The entrance across the bar to the harbor at
Smithville can be made by vessels drawing 17 \ feet at spring-tides.

By a series of locks and dams the river was formerly made navigable up to the confluence of the Haw and Deep
rivers, and the works were carried for some distance up the Deep river. These old navigation works, like those on
the Roanoke, were never successful from a financial point of view, and before long went into disuse, and were
abandoned. Some ten years ago, however, a part of the works were again put in order, and navigation again
opened between Battle's dam and Carbonton, and kept open lor several years successfully. But at present they
have again passed into disuse, and although the last company which operated them is still in existence they are
practically abandoned so far as navigation is concerned.*

The total area drained by the Cape Fear is about S,400 square miles, of which the Deep river drains 1,350, the
Haw river 1,675, and the Cape Fear proper 5,375. The principal tributaries of the river below the forks are : From
the east, in order as the river is ascended, the Northeast Cape Fear river, draining 1,330 square miles, and entering
the Cape Fear about 20 miles above its mouth; the Black river, draining about 1,430 square miles, and joining
the main stream about 30 miles from its mouth ; and from the west, in the same order, Rockfish creek, draining 280
square miles, and emptying 10 miles below Fayetteville ; Lower Little river, draining 448 square miles, and emptying
about 25 miles above Fayetteville; and Upper Little river, draining about 176 square miles, and emptying about 30
miles above Fayetteville.

The drainage-basin of the Cape Fear proper, without the basins of the Deep and Haw, resembles that of the
Roanoke. The river is crossed by the fall-line near Averysboro', about 27 or 28 miles above Fayetteville, giving
rise to Smiley's falls, which is yet to be described. The rnap of the basin will show its form and general dimensions.
The elevations of the water-sheds between the Cape Fear and the adjacent rivers are not very great, and the
tributaries do not afford much power, except in places where, by damming, the water can be thrown back for
considerable distances and considerable storage-room obtained ; but the fall of the tributaries is, on the whole,
small. As regards soil, vegetation, and building material, the drainage-basin of the Cape Fear resembles that of
the Roanoke, and need not be described. The facilities for storage in that part below the junction of the Haw and
Deep rivers will probably be found to be not very good on account of the flatness of the country, and, in places, of
the porosity of the soil — resembling in this respect, also, the Roanoke. Further up, in the valleys of Deep and Haw
rivers, the storage facilities are better. As regards bed, banks, and freshets, the stream very closely resembles
the Roanoke, although the bottoms are said to be not quite so extensive as on the latter river. Above Averysboro 7
the river flows through an alluvial country, with banks generally low, and a width of from 400 to 600 feet. Below
Averysboro' the river is narrow, the banks high, and the soil sandy.

The rainfall on the basin of the Cape Fear is about 46 inches — 12 in spring, 13 in summer, 10 in autumn, and
11 in winter ; but in the valleys of the Deep and Haw rivers, although the total rainfall remains the same, the
summer-fall is rather smaller, and that in winter remains about the same. It would seem to follow from these facts-
that the flow of the Cape Fear becomes proportionately more variable as it is ascended. Another cause which tends
to make the flow of the river variable is the fact that the courses of many of its tributaries in Chatham county lie
in a slaty and broken region, which sheds the water with great rapidity, so that these streams become almost dry
in summer; and this cause also contributes to increase the suddenness and violence of the freshets. The freshets on
the Cape Fear, indeed, are said to be more violent than on any other North Carolina river. On the lower part of Deep
river the banks are often overflowed, sometimes to a depth of 10 or 12 feet, and much injury is thereby done to the
crops. For the upper 30 miles of the Cape Fear the banks are low and the river wide, so that the rise does not

— ■ v.

* The Cape Fear Navigation Company was first chartered by the state in 179G, with a capital of $80,000. In 1815 additional privileges
were granted, and authority given to increase the capital stock to $100,000. Although the money was expended, no useful result was-
accomplished, and in 1848-'49 a new company was organized, with a capital of $200,000, which was afterward increased to $350,000, the state
subscribing three-fifths of the whole amount. Surveys were made, but the cost of the works which were entered upon exceeded the
estimates, and although a steamer did once pass over the whole route between Fayetteville and Carbonton, on Deep river, the company
was never able to keep the locks and dams in a condition requisite to secure uninterrupted communication. The failure of these works
was partly due to bad engineering in the location of the dams, it being difficult to secure their ends against the actiou of freshets. The
amount expended by tbe last company was about $350,000. (Annual Report Chief of Engineers, 1873, pp. 743-'4.) The work was finally
abandoned when the war broke out, and subsequently the works were in a measure destroyed, in part by natural causes, and in part
intentionally. In 1868 the state appropriated the works to the Raleigh and Augusta Air-Line railroad (then Chatham railroad), but they
were afterward bought by some parties who organized as the Deep River Manufacturing Company. A little later, the Lobdell Car-wheel
Company having bought an interest in the company, and also the Endor furnace, the works were again put in order from Battle's dam up,
in the years 1872 to 1874, for the purpose of supplying the Endor furnaces with the Buckhorn ore, for which (here was no convenient
transportation except by water. Navigation was kept open for several years successfully, and may be said to be still open between
Lockville and Carbonton, although the company has carried on no traffic since 1876. In that year the Deep River Manufacturing Company
was consolidated with the Cape Fear Iron and Steel Company, under the new name of "The American Iron and Steel Company," which
company is still in existence; but the furnaces were slopped, owing to the depression in the iron business, and this, of course, put an er.d
to the navigation, which was confined to that carried on by the company, no local trade having been built up, the single steamboat owned
by the company being no more than sufficient for their own wants. Since 1876 the boat has been run whenever a paying trip could be
made, but not regularlv, and no trips have been made since 1880.
716

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

exceed 20 feet : but in the succeeding 75 miles, where the banks are high and the stream narrow, the rise is very great,
amountiug occasionally to 65 feet at Fayetteville. These freshets constitute a serious disadvantage to the use of water-
power on the stream. There is, however, no trouble at all with ice. I could find no gaugings of the river, and am
therefore again obliged to resort to estimates regarding flow and power.
The following table shows the declivity of the stream : '

Cape Fear river — Table of declivity.

Locality.

Junction of Haw and Deep rivers*.

Head of tmiley's falls

Foot of Sniiley's falls

Fayette ville

Wilmington

Distance
from
Wilmington.

Elevation
above tide.

Distances
between
points.

Fall between
points.

Average fall
between
points.

Miles.

Feet.

Miles.

Feet.

Feetpermile.

172.0

130

)

29.5

2. 060

142. 5

\
5
\

3.5

7. 710

139.0

27.0

1. 250

112.0

7(?)

112.

0. 0621.')

0.0

* At crossing of Raleigh and Augusta Air-Line railroad. This and the other elevations on the road are due to Major Winder, general superintendent.

The principal products of the region along the Cape Fear are corn, cottou, peanuts, potatoes, pease, rice, various
vegetables and fruits, rye, oats, wheat, and grasses. The whole of this region lies in the cotton-belt.

The mineral resources of this region, especially of the upper part, are very great. Coal and iron are very
abundant, but, owing to difficulties of transportation, the mines have been little worked. The coal-fields along the
Deep river have been estimated by Emmons to cover an area of 90 square miles, and to contain at least 258,000,000
tons, easily workable. The coal is bituminous, and of superior quality. At Egypt, on Deep river, a shaft was
excavated to a depth of 460 feet previous to 1850, but operations were suspended on account of want of transportation.
Iron has been found at Ore Knob, about 9 miles from the Gulf, and at Buckhorn, on the east bank of the Cape Fear,
8 miles below the forks; and all the way up through the valleys of the Haw and Deep rivers iron-ore of excellent
quality has been found in large quantities. Copper-ore has also been found in the same region, and several mines
have been worked.

The basin of the Cape Fear is not very thickly populated, and its population has not increased much since
1870. In that year the population per square mile was 22.7, while now it is only 28.4. (Census Bulletin No. 78, by
Mr.. Gannett, geographer of the Census.)

I proceed to describe the river more in detail and to discuss its water-powers, commencing at its mouth.

Below Wilmiugtou there is, of course, no power. The country is low and very swampy, and large quantities of
rice are raised. The river is, in places, over a mile wide, and at the mouth the width is 3 miles. The country is
also swampy for 50 miles above Wilmington ; there is no power, and rice is the principal product. Thence up to
Fayetteville the banks are from 15 to 40 feet high, the bed entirely sand, and the navigation difficult, on account of
shifting sand-bars.

The first dam of the old Navigation Company was at Jones' falls, 7.73 miles above Fayetteville, its height having
been about 5 feet. It is not a good site for power.

The second dam was at Silver run, 17.11 miles above Fayetteville, its height having been probably greater, as
its crest was 15.64 feet above that of the Jones' falls dam. It was not spoken of as a good site for power.

The third clam was at Williams' fish-trap, 25 miles from Fayetteville. The total fall from the top of the dam
'to low water at Fayetteville was 25.74 feet, Not a good site.

The fourth dam was at Haw Bidge, 27 miles above Fayetteville; height of crest above Fayetteville (low water),
34.97 feet. Not a good site. None of the dams thus far mentioned are now in existence.

dp to this point the fall of the river is slight, and its general character similar to what it is for some distance
below Fayetteville. We now come to the fall-line, where the river passes from the middle to the eastern division
over a long shoal known as Smiley's falls. In the table of declivity I have already stated that the fall extends
through a length of about 3£ miles, with a total fall of about 27 feet. There were three dams built on these falls,
viz: U-reen Bock, Big Island (Narrow Gap), and Sharpfield, the latter being at the head of the falls, and all of which
have been completely carried away. The table following, on page 60, will show their distances from Fayetteville,
and the height of their crests above the datum. "At Narrow Gap a ledge of rocks from 4 to 6 feet above the
ordinary bed extends nearly across the river, leaving a narrow opening near the left bank, whence comes the name.
The whole volume of water, during ordinary stages, passes through this gap."* Smiley's falls, really the first power
on the river, none of those below being worth anything as powers, are situated above the mouth of Upper Little
river, and about 20 miles from any railroad. The bed is rock, and the facilities for dams and races, as well as for

* Quoted from a report on a survey of the Cape Tear and Deep rivers, by Mr. George H. Elliot, annual report chief of engineers, 1872,
p. 74->. Much of my information regarding the Cape Fear and Deep rivers has been derived from this report.

717

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

building, are said to be good. On account of its inaccessibility I did not visit the place, but I have been informed
by good authority that the power is available. The greatest drawback would probably be the heavy freshets to
which the river is subject, and which have been already referred to ; but the fall is so great at this place that it seems
as though this difficulty might be, to a large extent, obviated, if it were not endeavored to utilize the total available
fall at low water. There is no power at present in use at the place, or if there is, it is only for some small country
grist-mill; but none such were heard of.

The drainage area above this place being about 3,400 square miles, I have estimated the power in the following
table :

Table of power available at Smiley's falls (estimated).

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Drainage area.

Kainfall.

Horse-power avail-
able, gross.

Horse-power utilized.

Per cent, of minimum
utilized.

Spring.

Summer.

Winter.

Tear.

3
Pi

Sq. ms.

In.

Cu.ft.

1ft. fall.

llftfall.

620

70.0

1,890

820

92.7

2, 500

| 3, 400

46 1

2, 400

272.7

7, 360

Low season, dry years

930

106.0

2,860

To use the power available with storage is probably altogether impracticable, as already remarked in the case
of the Eoanoke. For the same reason a concentration of power into less than twenty-four hours would probably
be impracticable, except to a very small extent.

This power, one of the finest in this section of the state, is located in a region offering many advantages for
manufacturing. Fuel, in the shape of timber and coal, is abundant in the immediate neighborhood. Building
materials — fine wood and stone — are also to be had with ease. The principal economic drawback is the inaccessibility
of the place, the nearest railroad being the Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley railroad, whose nearest point is 20 miles
distant. The products of the neighborhood are corn, cotton, wheat, oats, rye, pease, potatoes, vegetables, and fruits
of various kinds. In case of the establishment of a cotton factory, an abundance of the raw material could probably
be obtained from wagons. Finally, this part of the state is quite healthy, although not so much so as the western
portion, chills and fever being more prevalent.

The next dam above Sharpfield dam was McAllister's, 3 miles above, the present fall in the river between these
points being about 8 feet. Then came Fox's Island dam, 3 miles above, the natural fall being now 10 feet. The
next was Douglas' falls dam, rather over 8 miles above, and the fall is 9 feet. The bed of the river above Smiley's
falls is rock, and the fall considerably greater than below. The next dam above Douglas' falls was Battle's, which
is the first dam at present existing on the river, having been, as already mentioned, the lowest dam rebuilt by the
last company. The fall between this dam and Douglas' falls, a distance of a little over 3 miles, is 9 feet. Battle's
dam is a wooden structure, straight across the river, and about 11 feet high and 500 feet long. It is not used for
power, although it might be, as the place is topographically favorable, but the freshets would be a drawback to
the use of so small a fall. The dam ponds the water for 2 miles, up to the foot of Buckhorn falls, the most important
fall on the river next to Smiley's, and navigation through which is effected by means of a canal. At the head of
the falls is a dam, built of wood, like Battle's dam, aud about 1,000 feet long and 3 or 4 feet high. It has the shape
of a letter V, with the apex up stream, one arm being nearly at right angles to the banks, and it is terminated on
the east side by an island, behind which it turns a portion of the water, as into a natural race, which extends for a
distance of a mile or so between the bank and a succession of islands, which have been connected by a series of
slough-dams. At the end of the mile a slough-dam connects the last of the series of islands with the bank, and the
navigation is continued by means of a canal about half a mile long, 40 feet wide at the surface, and feet deep.
At its head is a guard-lock, with a lift of about 4 feet, and at its foot two locks, made of crib-work filled with stone,
like the guard-lock, with together 17 feet lift, one having 11 and the other 6 feet, making the total fall from the
crest of the Buckhorn dam to that of Battle's dam some 22 or 23 feet. A part of the fall has been used by the
North Carolina Iron and Steel Works to run machinery connected with their furnaces (blast, etc.), the canal
having been extended some 300 yards from a point just above the outlet-locks, so as to utilize the power lower down,
nearer the ore-bed. A fall of 12 feet was used, the water being discharged into a small creek having a fall of some
5 feet between the tail-race and the river. Although in freshets the backwater from the river came up to the wheel-
pit, full capacity could be secured during the whole year, and no steam-power was used. These works have not
been in operation since 1876, it being said that the ore-bed is exhausted, not being so extensive as was supposed,
although it is not certain that this is the case.

These falls constitute a most excellent power, very easily available, and with a location . perfectly safe. The

718

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

existing canal constitutes a race ready for use, and by utilizing' the lift of the guard-lock and discharging the water
directly into the river at the works a fall of 20 feet could be rendered available, except duriDg very severe freshets,
when the works might be obliged to stop, although this would be very rare. The canal is in tolerably good
condition, and could be made perfect at a very small cost ; and, if necessary, it could be easily widened so as to
increase its capacity. At its lower end, where the locks are, the land is low for several hundred yards back from
the river, and subject to overflow at times; but further back is a hill, on which buildings could be erected with
safety, and on which stands the furnace of the iron company.

I have estimated the available power and flow at this point, with the results given in the following table:

Table of available poiver at Buckhorn falls (estimated).

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Minimum

Minimum low-season

Maximum, with storage
Low season, dry years . .

Sq. miles.

3, 200

In.

Rainfall.

In.

Horse-power available,
srross.

1 foot fall.

05.4
87.0
2S3.4
100.0

20 feet fall.

1, 300
1,740
5,000

2, 000

To utilize the whole of the minimum power with a fall of one foot per mile to the canal would require a canal
with rather larger dimensions than those given for the present one. With a fall of 2 feet per mile, however, the
present one would answer, the banks being composed of earth, with no special precaution to keep them smooth.
The present canal, or one 40 feet wide at top, G feet deep, and slopes of 45°, would be capable of carrying volumes
of water, and of affording power, with different slopes, as per the following table:

Table of power afforded by canal in earth, 40 feet icide, feet deep, sides at 45°, at Buckhorn falls.

Fall of canal.

Capacity per
second.

Horse-power availablo,
gross.

Remarks.

Cubic feet.

450
625
. 790

1 footfall.
51
71
90

Total.
1,020
1,349
1,620

Available fall about 20 feet.
Available f ill about 19 feet.
Available fall about 18 feet.

The estimates of flow in the first table, and in that for Srniley's falls, may seem too low, but the flow of the
Cape Fear was stated to be very variable. The available power, with storage, would be found impracticable, I
think, although the power due to the ordinary flow of the stream might be considerably increased by constructing
storage-reservoirs in the valleys of Deep and Haw rivers.

Buckhorn falls are more accessible than Srniley's, being only about 8 miles from Haywood, at the junction of
Haw and Deep rivers, and from the Raleigh and Augusta Air-Line railroad, which crosses both rivers near their
junction. As already mentioned, coal and building materials can be obtained in abundance in the vicinity. The
locality is healthy, and the climate mild. The property, including land, canals, and dams, is all owned by the
Navigation Company.

The width of the Cape Fear at Buckhorn dam is about 700 or 800 feet, and the dam ponds the water with this
average width up to the forks, and beyond, or about 8 miles. Buckhom falls is thus the highest power on the
river.

In the following table of power on the Cape Fear river I have only mentioned those powers which may bo
considered as available practically, viz : Srniley's falls, Battle's dam, and Buckhorn falls. As curiosities simply
I have added the theoretical power between certain points.

It will be noticed that there is only one mill in operation on the river, probably because small mills — the only
kinds that have ever sought a location in this part of the state — have been more cheaply located on small streams,
where there is not such danger from heavy freshets.

719

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

Cape Fear river — Summary of power {estimated).

Locality.

Smiley 's falls -

Battle's dam

Buckhorn falls

Between Fayetteville

and foot of Smiley's falls

Between head of Smiley's falls

and Battle's dam

Total between Fayetteville

and junction of Haw and Deep rivers

Miles.
30.5

48.0

51.0

0.0
27.0
30.5
48.0

0.0
60.

Sq. ms.
3, 400

3, 200

4, 250 >
3, 400 5
3, 400 ^

3, 200 i

4, 250 )
3, 025 >

Rainfall.

In. In.
10 11

10 j 11

Total fall.

Feet.
27

♦20

35
26
127

Miles
3.5

0.0

1.5

27.0
17. 5
60.0

Horse-power available, gross. *

1, 890

2, 500

7, 360

2, 860

720

950

2, 780

1, 100

1, 300

1,740

5, 000

2,000

2, 800

3, 650

10, 000

4, 200

1,750

2, 275

6, 800

2, 600

9, 000

12, 000

36, 750

13, 700

Total util-
ized.

Feet.

'See pages 18 to 21.

t Not available practically in all probability.

t See description.

Table giving number and location of dams constructed on the Cape Fear and Deep rivers by the Xavigation Company,
together with a profile of the rivers between Fayetteville and Hancock 1 s dam.

[Taken from a map aud profile of the rivers according to a survey by Hamilton Fulton, civil engineer, in the office of the state geologist

in Ealtigh. ]

Name cf dam or place.

Fayetteville bridge .
Jones' Falls dam . . .
Silver Bun dam

Fayette-
ville
bridge.

Distance Elevation of crest
from or water but.

"William's fish-trap dam

Haw Ridge dam

Green Rock dam

Big Island dam (Narrow Gap ?) .

Sharpfield dam

McAllister's dam

Fox's Island dam

Douglass' dam

Battle's dam

Buckbom falls

Buckhorn dam

Deep river, near junction with Haw.

tockville dam (lower)

Lockville dam (upper)

Gorgas dam (Clegg's)

Endor dam (Farish s fish-trap)

Gulf dam (Haughton's)

Carbonton dam (Evans')

Tyser's dam (Hancock's)

Miles.
0. 00
7. 73
17. 11
25.00
26. 99
28. 14
29.37
30. 59
33.65
36.50
44. 76
47. 97

50. 00

51. 65
60. 44

face above low-
water at Fay
etteville.

62.21
64. 70
71.43
81. 37
87.37
99. 87

Feet.
0. 00
50.00
20.64
25.74
34.97
45.47
53.61
62.56
73. 18
80.46
88.68
99.51
108. 47
122. 39
127. 11
151. 67
165. 02
172. 24
174. 36
181. 66
190. 12
204. 64

Notes on this table. — The height of each dam may be found approximately (a little too large) by subtracting from the height of its crest that of the dam
below, except in cases where locks and canals were used, i. e., in the case of the Buckhorn dam, the lower Lockville dam, and the Gorgas dam.

These figures, having reference to the work as originally planned, are not correct for those now in existence, for in some cases these figures were altered when
the works were built, and in others they have been altered since.
»

TRIBUTARIES OF THE CAPE FEAR BELOW THE FORKS.

The first important tributary of the Cape Fear, as we ascend the river, is the Northeast Cape Fear, which rises
in the extreme northern part of Duplin county and flows south, through Pender and New Hanover counties,
entering the Cape Fear river at Wilmington, some 20 miles from the sea. Lying entirely below the falMine, it has
no water-power of any consequence, flowing mostly through swamps. There are only a few small mills on the
stream and its tributaries.

The next important tributary is South river, also from the east, rising, under the name of Black river, in the

northeastern part of Harnett county, and flowing south through that county, and between Cumberland, Bladen, and

720

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

Brunswick counties on its right, and Sampson and Pender on its left, entering the Cape Fear about 10 miles above
Wilmington, after a course, in a straight line, of about 85 or 90 miles. Its drainage area comprises about 1,430
square miles. Although its sources are above the fall-line, the stream is very small where it enters the eastern
division, and its water-power is, therefore, of no consequence. Some of the small tributaries near its sources have,
as in the case of the Northeastern Cape Fear, small grist-mills, but of no consequence. The South river has one
large tributary, the Black Eiver (not the one above mentioned), which enters from the east, after having flowed, from
north to south, through the whole length of Sampson county, in the northern part of which its sources lie. ' Its
length is about 50 miles in a straight line, and its drainage area 620 square miles; but as «it lies entirely in the
eastern division, it possesses no water-power. There are no towns of importance on these streams. They are so
swampy that the towns are located some miles from them on higher and more healthy ground.

We next come to Eockfish creek, which rises in the western part of Cumberland county, flows nearly east,
forming for about 10 miles the boundary between Cumberland and Bobeson counties, and empties into the Cape
Fear about 10 miles below Fayetteville, in the former county. Its length, in a straight line, is about 30 miles;
following the general course of the stream it is about 35 miles, but taking in all its windings it is considerably moie.
It drains, in all, an area of 280 square miles, and its principal tributaries are from the north, the largest being the
Little Eockfish, draining an area of 77 square miles. There are no towns on the stream. ,

Eockfish creek is a good sample of a class of streams which I have not yet described in detail, not having had
occasion to refer to any particular powers on any of them, although some tributaries of the Neuse and Tar belong
to this class. These streams, located generally just below the fall-line, which they sometimes cross, differ very
materially in character from the majority of streams in this part of the country. I have alluded to the fact that
just below the fall-line there is a belt of sand-hills, some 30 or 40 miles wide, running almost parallel with that line,
and sometimes extending above it. The streams of the class referred to rise and flow through this sandy region,
and it is to this fact that their character is due. The sand-hill belt consists of broad, flattish swells, well wooded,
as a rule, with long-leaf pine, and generally with an undergrowth. The surface deposit of sand varies generally
from a foot or two to five or six feet in depth, and is in places 10, 20, and even 100 feet thick. It is underlaid with
an impervious stratum of half-compacted grit or clay of the tertiary formation (overlaid at points by a stratum of
gravel several feet thick), which is in places very thick, having been bored into to a depth of 66 feet at one place. The
smaller streams in the sand-hills have not cut out their beds through the sand, and are often sluggish, stagnant, and
marshy ; but the larger creeks, and the rivers, have cut away the sand entirely and worn out their beds in the
impervious stratum beneath, which sheds into the water-courses all the water which reaches it by percolation.

The rapidity with which the sand-hills absorb the rain which falls upon them, thus removing it from the direct
action of the sun, has the effect of diminishing the evaporation, while their large thickness in places enables them
to absorb considerable water, and to give it out gradually, as it reaches and flows along the impervious stratum
beneath, thus enabling them to act as storage-reservoirs, and to regulate the flow to a remarkable degree. Thus
there is considerable difference in the sand-hill streams, according to the depth of the sand on their drainage-basins,
and by no means are all these streams good sources of power. Sand and gravel in general, although they absorb
water rapidly, give it out rapidly also, unless occurring in sufficient masses to be able to store up considerable
water without becoming saturated. Hence the depth of the sand-hills acts very beneficially, and when the sand is
deep the streams of the class referred to not only discharge a large proportion of the rainfall on their drainage
basins, but discharge it very uniformly, their flow being remarkably constant. The power which can be obtained
from these small streams is sometimes remarkable, and we shall see further on that it is one of them which is the
principal manufacturing stream in the state of South Carolina. Their value is also increased by the fact that the
topography of the sand-hill region is such that large ponds can be obtained easily, and storage-room sufficient, not
only to regulate the flow to a considerable extent during the year, but also to permit of the concentration of the
entire flow of the stream into working hours, thus rendering it possible to double the power due to the natural flow
if the mills are only worked 12 hours. Those streams which have cut deep channels for themselves through the sand
down to and into the impervious stratum of hard pan flow considerably below the general surface of the country,
often 50 or 60 feet. The banks of the Big Eockfish, for example, are almost 100 feet high near the Cape Fear, and
well wooded. These sand-hill streams are, of course, not subject to such heavy freshets as ordinary streams. Big
Eockfish has been known to rise 14 feet, but 10 feet is a very large rise, while Little Eockfish rises only 6 or 7 feet.
There is, however, not much land overflowed. The smaller streams, however, are sometimes bordered by wet
grounds, heavily wooded and overgrown, nearer the general surface of the ground, and lying high above the Seds
of the main streams. Though the sand-hills are, as a rule, well wooded, the woods have in parts been cut down
to a considerable extent, and it is stated, and doubtless truly, that the flow of the streams in these sections is more
variable than formerly.

Eegarding available power on these streams it was difficult to obtain much information, owing to the fact
that the streams have a uniform declivity, with no falls, so that power may, as a rule, be obtained at almost any
point where the banks are favorable for the location of a dam and buildings.

The drainage-basin of Eockfish creek lies below the fall -line; and the stream has no falls, but a gradual declivity.
1012 w P— vol 16 46 721

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

The map shows the general form and position of the basin. Like the others of this class, it has no lakes, but the
facilities for constructing reservoirs are tolerably good. The banks are moderately high, and seldom overflowed;
the rise in freshets is small, the flow very constant and strong, and the fall rapid. The rainfall is about 40 inches, 12
in spring, 13 in summer, 10 in autumn, and 11 in winter — a distribution which, of itself, would tend to render the
flow constant. The stream is used for rafting, and there are no mills on it for 15 miles from its mouth, although
formerly there were one or two saw-mills below the mouth of Little Eockflsh, and above that are a few small
country saw- and grist-mills, herein tabulated. Of the available power of this stream a very small proportion is
utdized. Some of its tributaries, however, are well utilized. The most important is Little Eockflsh creek, which is
the same in general character as the main stream, which it enters about 7 miles, in a straight line, from the Cape Fear.
The first power on this stream is an unimproved site formerly occupied by Murphy's paper-mill, with 18 feet fall,
and an available power, at all seasons, of at least 100 horse-power net (with good wheels), judging by the power used
at the other mills on the stream. This power is one-fourth of a mile from the mouth of the stream, with no important
tributaries below it. The drainage area above is therefore about 77 square miles.

About 1£ miles above this site is the Hope mill of the Eockflsh Manufacturing Company (T. Campbell Oaktnan,
president*), a cotton-mill, with grist- and saw-mill attached, using a power of about 130 horse-power, with a fall
of 23£ feet. The dam is of wood, 53 feet long and 20 feet high, rebuilt in 1872 at a cost of about $2,000, and
ponding the*water over about 200 acres to a depth of 7 feet. A race 300 feet long leads to the wheel. No steam
is used for power, and by storing the water during the night full capacity may be obtained at all seasons, the factory
being run during 12 hours. Mr. Oakman has carefully measured the water used by his wheels, and states it to be
89.7 cubic feet per second, saving the water at night ; i. e., the natural flow of the stream is never less than 44.5
cubic feet per second. The drainage area above the mill being about 70 square miles, the stream discharges at its
minimum 0.63 cubic foot per second per square mile — a remarkable discharge.

A mile and a half above Hope mill is the Bluff mill (H. & E. J. Lilly), a cotton factory, with a fall of 9 feet,
using 57 horse-power. The dam is earth, 900 feet long, 10 feet high, built in 1872, and costing $5,000, and the pond
covers 75 acres to an average depth of 8 feet. Full capacity can be secured the whole year. The drainage area
above being about 55 square miles, the discharge of the stream should be very nearly 0.63 cubic foot per second per
square mile to give the power stated if the water is stored at night.

The only other power worth mentioning specially is the Beaver Creek mill (H. & E. J. Lilly), just above the Bluff
mill, situated on Beaver creek, a tributary of the Little Eockflsh — a cotton-mill, using 111 horse-power and a fall of
14 feet. The dam is earth, 1,500 feet long, 14 feet high, built in 1841, and ponding the water over 200 acres to a depth
of 12 feet. A race 100 feet long leads to the mill. Full capacity can be secured the entire year. A calculation, on
these data, gives the discharge of the stream so great that I am inclined to think that some of the figures must be
erroneous. In fact, the amount of machinery run in the mill is not much greater than in the Bluff mill, according
to the Hand-book of the Department of Agriculture".

Above the Bluff mill the Little Eockflsh and its tributaries are well utilized by a number of small saw- and
grist-mills.

Above the Eockflsh there are a number of smaller streams belonging to the same class which flow into the Cape
Fear, two of which empty almost in the town of Fayetteville, and on which there were four factories before the war,
but the powers are small — not over 20 or 30 horse-power probably. There are some small grist-mills on all these
streams, generally running two pair of stones. About 7 miles above Fayetteville there is a small tributary (Carver's
creek) which, near its mouth, falls over a ledge of hard pan and soft rock a distance of 18 or 20 feet, but in dry
weather there is hardly any water in the stream. The next important stream above Eockflsh is Lower Little river,
which risis in Moore county and flows east through Cumberland, and between Cumberland and Harnett, emptying
into the Cape Fear below Av^erysboro'. Its length is 45 miles in a straight line, and its drainage area about 448
square miles. The principal town on the stream is Manchester, a very small place. This stream, with its tributaries,
may be classed among the sand-hill streams, but its basin lies near the upper limit of the sand-hill belt', and so the
general character of the sand-hill streams (like the Eockflsh) is not so pronounced here, the flow being not quite
so constant and the freshets rather more violent, the water rising some 15 feet. The banks are high and well
wooded, and the bed of the stream the same as has been described ; the country, as a whole, is not so sandy. The
fall of the stream is uniform, and at the rate of 3£ feet per mile.t I have estimated the flow as follows :

•

Place.

Drainage
area.

Flow per second.

Horse-power, gross.

Utilized.

Gross horse-
power avail-
able, with
fall used.

Minimum.

Ordinary
summer.

Minimum.

Ordinary
summer.

Horse-power,
net.

Fall.

Square miles.

448

329

Oubicfeet.
224

164

Oubic feet.
336

246

Per footfall.

25.4

18.6

Per footfall.

38.2

28.0

100+
20

Feet.
12.0

3.5

804
65

* I am indebted to Mr. Oakman for most of my information regarding the streams in this vicinity.

tThe elevation above tide at crossing of Raleigh and Augusta Air-Line railroad is about 221 feet, and at month say 31 feet. Length,
measured from map, is about 55 miles.
722

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

In the foregoing estimate 0.5 cubic foot per second per square mile was assumed as the minimum flow, ami
0.75 cubic foot per second per square mile as the ordinary low-water flow. These figures are very high— perhaps
too high— but a series of gaugings only can serve as a correct guide.

The power of the stream is utilized by one cotton factory and a number of saw- and grist-mills. The first mill
is 2^ miles from the mouth, with a fall of 12 feet, not subject to interruption, except sometimes for a day or two by
backwater from the Cape Fear. At Manchester is the cotton- and woolen-mill of the Linwood Manufacturing
Company, using a fall of 3i feet and about 20 horse-power. The Manchester mill, a cotton factory of about the
same size, uses power from a small tributary. There are doubtless many places on Lower Little river where dams
might be located and excellent power obtained.

Upper Little river is a stream similar to Lower Little river, except that it is still less of a sand-hill stream, and
said to be not so bold or so reliable as the latter. It is only used for saw- and grist-mills, and there are, no doubt,
sites not used. Each of these streams is about 100 feet wide at its mouth. The length of Upper Little river is
about 32 miles, measured in a straight line, its drainage area 176 square miles, and its fall, from the crossing of
the Ealeigh and Augusta Air-Line railroad to its mouth, about 290 feet, or perhaps at the rate of 6 feet or over to
the mile.

Above Upper Little river there are no tributaries to the Cape Fear which are worth mentioniifg specially,
although there are some small creeks which afford good small powers, and are utilized for grist- and saw-mills.

HAW EIVER.

This river rises in Eockingham and Guilford counties, North Carolina, pursues a general southeasterly course
through Alamance, a corner of Orange, and Chatham counties, and in the southeastern corner of the latter unites
with the Deep river to form the Cape Fear, which has just been discussed. The length of the stream, following
its general course, is about 80 miles, but considerably more if all its windings are followed. Near the northwest
corner of Alamance county the river forks, the north fork going by the name of Haw river, while the south fork is
known as the Reedy fork of Haw river. The Reedy fork, as well as the north fork in its upper parts, flows nearly
east, but the course of the stream below the junction of the two is nearly southeast. There are no large towns on
the river, but Graham, the county-seat of Alamance county, is only a mile or so distant.

The drainage area of the Haw river comprises about 1,675 square miles, and the stream receives two important
tributaries: the New Hope creek, from the east, draining about 317 square miles, entering about 3 miles above the
junction of Haw and Deep rivers, and Alamance creek, from the west, draining about 237 square miles, and enters
the Haw river about 4 miles south of Graham. The Eeedy fork receives as its principal tributary Buffalo creek, from
the south, draining about 128 square miles, and the north fork receives Troublesome creek, from the north, with
a drainage area of about 88 square miles. The map shows the position of all these streams.

Haw river flows through a fertile country lying in the center of the cotton-belt, and the productions of which
are about the same as along the upper part of the Cape Fear, viz: corn, cotton, wheat, oats, rye, tobacco, grasses,
a great variety of vegetables, and fruits. It is tolerably well wooded, although not enough care is taken to preserve
the forests. Topographically, the region, especially in the lower part, is more broken than the drainage-basins of
the Neuse, the Tar, or the Eoanoke rivers. The mineral resources of the basin are very great, iron being found in
various places in large quantities, and of very fine quality. Copper has also been found, but the mines have been
little worked. Building-stone of good quality is found all through the basin. In fact, in regard to building-stone in
the middle and western divisions of the southern Atlantic water-shed, as Professor Kerr has remarked, would
be tedious to particularize, as granite and gneiss are everywhere."

The bed of the stream is generally rock, covered in places with deposits of sand, gravel, or clay, but affording
almost everywhere excellent foundations for dams. The banks on the lower part of the stream are tolerably high,
in some places very steep, and the bottoms are narrow and not much subject to overflow, while in the upper part
of the stream, where the country is not so broken, the banks are, in places, low. In the upper parts of Alamance
and Guilford counties the country is much flatter than in Chatham county. The stream is subject to very heavy
freshets, and there are no lakes serving to restrain their violence; but the stream is rarely frozen over, and the mills-
suffer no trouble with ice. Some of the tributaries of the stream rise in a region where the prevailing rock is a
slate, which is covered with a thin soil and sometimes with nOne at all; and from this region the rain-water is sned
very rapidly, so that these streams are nearly dry in summer. But Haw river is less affected in this way than.
Deep river, because only a few of its tributaries rise in this region, in consequence of which the latter stream is
said to be more variable in flow and more subject to freshets than the former. The facilities for the construction
of storage-reservoirs are said to be good in the upper part of the stream, though I do not know that any surveys,
or examinations have ever been made with a view to determining this point accurately.

The rainfall in the valley of the Haw river is about 45 inches, distributed as follows: spring, 12; summer, 12;
autumn, 11; winter, 10; its distribution throughout the year being quite uniform, judging from the chart published
by the Smithsonian Institution.

723

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

The fall of the stream between different points will be seen from the following table, which gives the elevation
at several points ; and it will be remarked that the fall of the stream is quite large for one not rising in the mountains,
being much larger than that of any stream, or of any part of a stream, which we have yet considered, which lies in
the middle division :

* -

Table of declivity — Haw River.

Place.

Distance from
mouth.*

Elevation
above tide.

Distance be-
tween points.

Fall between
points.

Fall between
points per
mile.

At confluence with Deep river

Miles.

50
80

Feet.

► 130
450
676
647

Miles.

| - - - 50
} - - - 30
| ... 27

Faet.

- - - 320

- - - 226
--- 197

Feet.

- - - 6.4

- - - 7.5

- - . 7.3

At crossing of North Carolina railroad t *

* Distances based on measurements from a map, made to follow the windings as closely as was practicable,
t Based on a rough estimate of the height of the railroad bridge above water.

The flow of the stream in different seasons is not known with accuracy. Professor Kerr states the flow at its
mouth to be 1,760 cubic feet per second, but as this is not low- water, and probably more nearly the average flow,
it is of no value for our computations.* I am therefore forced to base my figures, as usual, on estimates from
drainage area and rainfall.

Haw river (crossed almost at right angles by three railroads) is not very accessible. Especially is this the
case with that part of the river below the crossing of the North Carolina railroad at Haw river, in Alamance
county, while above that point the stream is, on the average, about 8 miles from the railroad, to which the Keedy
fork runs nearly parallel. A railroad has been projected to run from the junction of Haw and Deep rivers up the
valley of the Haw, starting from Moncure, following the river to a point about G miles above the crossing of the
North Carolina railroad, and then passing, via Yanceyville, Caswell county, to Danville, Virginia. The charter
has been obtained, but no surveys have yet been made; and although subscription-books have been opened, there
has not yet been a meeting to organize.

The foregoing general sketch shows that the Haw river ought to afford a great deal of water-power on account
of its rapid fall and the fact that it crosses the ledges of rock at large angles, and the following account of the power
on the stream will show that this is the case, and that the Haw river is well fitted, in some respects, to become a
large manufacturing stream, and indeed it is at the present time one of the principal manufacturing streams of the
state-
Commencing at the mouth of the river, the water-powers met with, in ascending the stream, will now be
described.

The first power is situated 3 miles from the junction, and just below the mouth of New Hope river. It is
utilized by a mill belonging to the American Iron and Steel Company, and known as the "Bland mill". The banks
on the east are favorable for building, and not often subject to overflow, while on the west rises a rocky bluff to a
height of over a hundred feet. Diagonally across and up the river from the east bank to this rocky bluff extends
the dam, a wooden structure, 300 feet long, 7 feet high, vertical in front, but sloping downward on the up-stream
side, and throwing the water back for over a mile, with an average width of 200 feet, the river not being thrown
out of its banks. At the east end of the dam is the mill, a grist-mill, running two pair of stones, with 7 feet fall,
and using perhaps 20 horse-power net. This mill can run during eleven months of the year, but during the
remaining month is troubled with backwater on account of the small fall. There is at all times, of course, a
great excess of water. In the summer of 1880 about 80 feet of the dam at the western extremity was undermined
and carried away by a freshet, but has since been rebuilt. The dam as it stands would probably cost some $2,000.
The river here is about 250 feet wide, and the water rises very high iu freshets, sometimes 30 or 40 feet, but there
is no trouble with ice. The drainage area above this power being about 1,675 square miles, I have estimated the
power as in the following table :

Table of power at the Bland mill^

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Drainage
area.

Fall.

Flow per
second.

Horse-power available
gross.

Sq. miles.

Feet.

Cubic feet.

1 foot fall.

7 feet fall.

r 280

32.3

225

| 1, 675

335

38.0

'J70

1, 340

152.

1, 050

[ 380

43.5

300

'Professor Kerr's statement is that the river affords 200 horse-power per foot of fall at its mouth. (Geol. Eep., p. 39.)
724

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

The effect of the uniform distribution of the rainfall is to render the flow more variable and to decrease the
minimum flow, while at the same time the total amount of power or flow available, with storage, is increased beyond
what it would be were the summer-fall greater. It was stated to me as a fact that the flow of this stream is very
variable. The maximum flow given as available, with storage, would require the construction of storage-reservoirs
with a capacity in all of at least 900,000,000 cubic feet, which would require, for instance, if only one reservoir were
used, one of say 2 miles square and between 8 and 9 feet deep. Such a large amount of storage would, of course,
be very expensive. The pond at the Bland mill is, of course, not large enough to furnish any appreciable storage,
or to allow of the concentration of the available power into working hours. The site is not an especially good one
for large establishments on account of the small fall and the trouble resulting from backwater. It is, however,
very favorably located within a few miles of the Ealeigh and Augusta Air-Line railroad, and in a healthy part of
the state.

The next power above this is situated about 2 miles further up the stream, and is not improved. It is known
as Hartsaw's site, and it is said that the available fall amounts to G feet. Being above the mouth of the New Hope,
the drainage area amounts to about 1,320 square miles, and the power available will be about 0.07 of that at the
Bland mill, or as follows :

Power at Hartsaw's site.

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Minimum

Minimum low season . . -
Maximum, with storage
Low season, dry years . .

The next power is Moore's mill, improved and in use, situated some 3 miles above Hartsaw's. There is no dam r
but a race some 200 yards long leads to the mill — a grist-mill, with 2 or 3 run of stones, together with a saw-mill,
cotton-gin, and foundry, using a fall of some 10 feet (?) and a small amount of power. The shoal is about a mile
long, and the total fall is said by good judges to be about 22 feet; but I did not examine the place, and am not able
to vouch for this statement. In dry weather a rough dam of stone turns the water into the race, but this is
disturbed in freshets, and in ordinary times is not necessary. The power used I am unable to state exactly ; that
available, assuming the fall to be 22 feet, is estimated in the following table :

Power at Moore's mill.

Drainage
area.

Fall.

Flow per
second.

Horse-power available^
gross.

Sq. miles.

Feet.

Cubic feet.

1 foot fall.

6 feet fall.

I" 218

24.7

150

1,320

264

30.0

180

1,060

120.0

720

I 300

34.0

200

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Drainage

Fall
assumed.

Flow per I Horse-power available,
second. gross.

Minimum

Minimum low season . .
Maximum, with storage
Low season, dry years. .

Sq. miles.

Feet.

{

1,300

Cubic feet.

214
260
1, 040
29o'

1 foot fall. 22 feet fall.

24. 525

30.0 COO

118. 2, 000

33. 7 740

This site, one of the best on Haw river, is quite easily accessible, being only about six miles from tl^ Ealeigh
and Augusta Air-Line railroad, and about the same distance from Pittsboro', the county-seat of Chatham county,
[t is well worthy of the attention of capitalists desiring to locate in this vicinity.

The next power above Moore's is about 2 miles above, an unimproved site, with a fall said to amount to 8 feet.
The power here will be a very little over one-third of that at Moore's, and is given in the table beyond, with a
summary of all the others.

Next comes a second unimproved site, known as the Seven Island shoal, where the fall is said to be 7 feet. It is
2 miles above the one last mentioned, and the- power is tabulated beyond.

Next comes the mill and site of Stephen Henley,* about 1£ miles above Seven Islands, and just about on the road
from Pittsboro' to Ealeigh, and 12 or#3 miles from the mouth of the stream. A wing-dam 500 feet long and 3£
feet high extends across to an island and serves to turn the water into the race, which carries it about 100 yards,
affording a fall at the mill of 8 feet. The dam was built in 1874 and 1875 at a cost of some $500, and is of rock,
planked over, and backs the water some 600 feet. The mill is a grist-mill, and uses about 50 horse-power. It is
situated on the west bank, but the principal channel of the river is on the east side of the island above referred to,

* To Mr. Henley I am indebted for the greater part of my information regarding this part of the Haw river. Mr. Henley in thoroughly
acquainted with the water-power in this vicinity.

725

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

which is about half a mile long. Mr. Henley estimates the fall at this place at about 16 feet. Taking this estimate
as correct (though I cannot vouch for it), the available power at this place may be estimated as follows :

Table of power at Henley's mill.

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Minimum

Minimum low season . . .
Maximum, with storage
Low season, dry years. .

Sq. miles.
1,285

Horse-power available,
gross.

The next power is Brown's mill, where there is said to be about 7 or 8 feet. I have no further particulars
regarding this place. It is about 1£ miles above Henley's, and the power is tabulated beyond. The power is said
to be not in use at present.

The next is an unimproved fall of some 8 feet, belonging to the Bynum Manufacturing Company, formerly used,
but now altogether abandoned. The estimated power is given in the table.

We next come to the cotton-mill of the Bynum Manufacturing Company, about 4 miles above Henley's mill. The
dam is of wood, built in 1860 at a cost of $500, and is 475 feet long and 3 feet high, ponding the water over 10 (?)
acres. A race 600 yards long leads to the mill, where the fall is 16 feet, and 80 horse-power is used. The mill is
run night and day, and water always wastes. The following table gives my estimate of flow and power :

Table of power at mill of Bynum Manufacturing Company.

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Minimum

Minimum low season

Maximum, with storage
Low season, dry years . . .

Drainage
area.

Sq. miles.

1, 250

Fall.

Feet.

Flow per
second.

Cubic feet.

1200
250
1, 000
280

Horse-power available,
gross.

1 foot fall.

16 feet fall.

23.4

375

28.4

450

113.6

1,825

32.4

510

One mile or less above Bynum's is B. J. Powell's mill-site, the mill having been recently burnt. The dam is of
wood and stone, and extends entirely across the river, and a fall of about 7 feet was used.

Less than a mile above Powell's is Burnett's unimproved site, where the available fall is said to be about 6 feet.

A short distance above this is Pace's mill. The dam is 300 feet long, from which a race 450 feet long leads
to the mill, where a fall of 12 feet is used. Mr. Pace has a flour- and corn-mill, with four pair of stones, a saw-mill,
wagon-shop, and blacksmith-shop. He writes that upon his property, which extends for three-quarters of a mile
along the river, there are two sites not used — one below the mill, with 10 feet fall, and another above, with 13 feet
fall — available, with a dam 4 feet high, 600 feet long, and a race 600 feet long.

Table of power at Pace's mill.

State of flow (s

ee pages 18 to 21).

Drainage
area.

Fall.

Flow per
second.

Horse-power available,
gross.

Sq. miles.

Feet.

Cubic feet.

lfootfall.

12 feet fall.

192

21.8

220

237

27.0

325

1 1, 209

980

111.3

1, 335

1 273

31.0

370

The next mill above Pace's is Love's, about three miles above, but between the two it is said that there are
several sites not used. The river is said to be quite rapid at this point of its course. At Love's mill there is a dam
across the river 700 feet long, and the fall at the mill is said to be 11 feet, the mill being a grist- and saw-mill.

726

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.
Table of potcer at Love's mill.

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Minimum

Minimum low season . .
Maximum, with storage
Low season, dry years. .

Drainage
area.

Sq. miles.

1,155

Fall.

Feet.

Flow per
second.

Horse-power available,
gross.

1 footfall.
20.9
26.1
110.8
29.5

11 feet fall.

230
280
1, 220
320

Above Love's mill we come to several unimproved sites, among which mention was made of Jeanes' and Stephen
Eobinson's, but the first improved power above is some ten miles farther up, in Alamance county, near the Orange line.
Before leaving Chatham county it may be said that, according to the foregoing, it is clear that Haw river offers a very
large amount of power in its course through the county, very little of which is utilized, but a large proportion of
which is available. The bed and banks are almost everywhere good, the country hilly, but not mountainous, and
the climate healthy. A disadvantage in the use of the small falls which have been mentioned lies in the sudden
and large rise to which the river is subject on account of the narrowness of the bottoms. Although in some places
the fall is considerable in a short distance, yet on the whole the declivity of the stream seems to be tolerably uniform,
while the width of the stream seems to be on an average some 400 feet or more. I desire to expressly state here,
however, that none of the data given regarding Haw river, except the facts regarding the Bland mill, were derived
from personal examination, for, on account of their inaccessibility, I did not visit any sites except the one mentioned.

The next power above Love's mill is Saxapahaw factory, near Saxapahaw. The dam extends entirely across the
stream, and is about 375 feet long and 3 feet high, built of wood in 1878 and 1879, and backing the water about a
mile, with an average width of 350 feet. A race half a mile long leads to the factory, where 45 horse-power is used,
with 19 feet fall. The mill is a cotton-mill, run night and day. Estimates of the power will be found in sufficient
detail in the table giving the summary. This mill being above the mouth of the Big Cane and several other
creeks, the stream is considerably smaller than at Love's.

The next power above Saxapahaw is Newlin's grist-mill. The dam is of wood and stone, 600 feet long and 6
feet high, built in 1875 at a cost of $3,500; and from it leads a race, 485 yards long and 10 feet wide, conducting the
water to the mill, where the fall is 10 feet, the power used being probably some 40 horse-power net, with three
turbine- wheels. The pond covers some 30 or 40 acres, with an average depth of 6 feet or over, but the stream is not
thrown out of its banks. This power is located near the town of Cedar Cliffs, Alamance county, and this property,
with 350 acres of land, is for sale. I have estimated the power in the table on page 68.

The next power is an unimproved site belonging to the Falls of Neuse Manufacturing Company, where there is
said to be 10 feet fall. A grist-mill was formerly located here.

The next mill is the cotton factory of the Falls of Keuse Manufacturing Company, at Swepsonville, Alamance
county. The dam is of wood, 550 feet long, 5£ feet high, built in 1876 at a cost of about $3,000, and from it a race
450 feet long leads to the mill, where the fall is 13 feet, and the power used 150 horse-power. Full capacity can be
obtained all the time. The factory is run night and day. Connected with it is a grist- and a saw-mill. The factory
was burned in June, 1881, but is being rebuilt.

We next come to the Granite cotton-mills of T. M. Holt, at Haw river, just above the crossing of the North
Carolina railroad. The dam was built in 1857, and is constructed of crib-work filled with rock. Its length is 350
feet, and its height about 10 feet ; and it backs the water some 2 miles, but does not throw the river out of its banks
to any extent. The factory is located directly at the dam, on the east side of river, and the power used is 100 horse-
power, with a fad of 11£ feet, there never being any scarcity of water. My estimate of the power is given in the
summary.

At the head of Mr. Holt's pond is Seller's mill, a site not now used, and owned by the Falls of Neuse
Manufacturing Company ; said to have about 12 feet fall.

At Big Falls, 3 miles from Graham station, on the North Carolina railroad, Mr. G. W. Swepson, of Raleigh, is
building a cotton factory, to use 13 feet fall, and expecting to get 150 horse-power all the time. If my estimates
given in the summary are correct, this ^ill be obtained only part of the time unless the pond is large. There was
formerly a cotton-mill at this place, but it was burned down.

About half a mile above Big Falls are the Carolina cotton-mills (J. H. & W. E. Holt & Co.). The dam was built
in 1868, and is a frame dam, with stone abutments, about 240 feet long and 4 feet high, making a pond of 3 acres,
and giving a fall of 15 feet at the mills, three-fourths of a mile below. A power is used of 11,0 horse-power, which
can be obtained all the time, and without drawing down the water in the pond much in the 12 hours during
which the mill is run.

Half a mile above a cotton factory, to be called Glencoe mills, is being built by J. H. Holt & Bro., on a site
formerly occupied by the Company mills (cotton). The dam, constructed of stone and logs, was built long ago, and

727

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

is about 250 feet long and 8 feet high, giving a fall of 13£ feet, with a race 400 yards long. It is expected to obtain
152 horse-power at all times, but according to my estimates I doubt if this can be done unless the pond is large.

Two and a half miles north of the company's shops, on the North Carolina railroad, is an old grist-mill (Ireland's),
not now used, although the fall is said to be 10 or 12 feet.

The highest power on the river is about 5 miles from Gibsonville station, on the North Carolina railroad,
Although there was a mill there long ago, the power has for some time been lying idle, but has been recently
improved by Messrs. Gant & Davidson, who have a cotton factory, flour- and saw-mill there, using a fall of 15
feet, with 150 horse-power, which can be obtained for eight months of the year, and averaging 75 horse-power during
the remaining four. The dam is 250 yards above the mill, and is about 200 feet long and 4£ feet high, backing the
water only a few hundred yards. - It was built about forty years ago, and is constructed of rock. It is stated that
the fall at this place could be increased to some 20 feet.

From the above sketch it will be seen that the water-power on Haw river is quite extensively used, especially on
the upper parts, where the stream is more accessible. Haw and Deep rivers are, in fact, the principal manufacturing
streams of North Carolina, together with the south fork of the Catawba, yet to be described.

Summary of power of Haw river.

Locality.

Bland mill

Hartsaw's site

Moore's mill

Unimproved site

Seven Island shoal

Henley's mill

Brown's mill

Bynum's site

Bynum's factory

Powell's site

Burnett's site

Pace's mill

Several unimproved sites .
Love's mill

Saxapahaw factory

Newlin's mill

Unimproved site of Palls of

Neuse Manufacturing Co.
Factory of Palls of Neuse

Manufacturing Company.

Granite cotton-mills

Seller's mill

Big Falls factory

Carolina mills.
Glencoe mills .

Ireland site

Gant & Davidson's mills.

Miles.

3.0

5.0

8.0
10.0
12.0
13.5
15.0
16.5
17.5
18. 0±
18. 5±
20. 0±

22. 0±

38. 0±
41. 0±

45. 0±

50. 0±
52. 0±
55. 0±

55. 0±
56. 0±

Sq. miles.
1,675
1, 320
1, 300 ±
1,295±
1,290±
1,285
1,275±
1,260±
1,250
1, 240 ±
1,230±
1, 209

Rainfall.

1, 155+

967
935 ±

670 ±

585

494

490 ±
475 ±

460 ±
450<?)

Total fall.

Feet.
7.0
6.0

22.0
8.0
7.0

16.0
7.0
8.0

16.0
7.0
6.0

12.0

11.0

19.0
10.0
10.0

13.0

11.5
12.0
13.0

15.0
13.5

10.0
15.0

Feet.

5,280

Horse-power available,
gross.*

225
150
525
190
170
360
165
190
375
155
130
260

230

310
160

140
110

110
100

a s

3 ce
3 £

270
180
660
240
210
480
200
230
450
190
165
325

280

460
200

190
150

130

150
140

90
130

1, 050
720

2,600
940 I
825 |

1, 888
800
900

1,825
780
670

1,335

1,220

1,800
940

870
670

640

740
640

460

675

300
200
750
270
240
540
230
260
510
220
190
370

320

460

230

220
170

150

175
160

110
150

Utilized.

Z50

Feet.
7.0

10.0

75 ±

8.0

16.0

12.0

19.0
10.0

150
100

110

150

13.0
1L5

15.0

■si

13
^14

39 ±

19
34

136
117

125

Remarks.

Mill at dam.
Not improved.

Unimproved.

Said to be not in use.

Mill burnt ; dam itill there.
Not improved.

Probably not over 50 horse-
power used.

1 See description.

Being built; expect 150 horse-
power.

Being built ; expect 152 horse-
power.

210

*For explanation of powers estimated see introduction, pages 18 to 21. Power much larger than in last column during nine months of the year.

THE TRIBUTARIES OF HAW RIVER^

The first considerable tributary met with "in ascending the river is New Hope river, which enters from the west,
after flowing through Orange and Chatham counties, and draining an area of some 317 square miles. The
substance of what 1 1 could learn regarding this stream is that it is generally sluggish, flowing through a level
country, and without water-power of any importance, the only mills being a few small local grist-mills. The power
used is tabulated farther on.

The succeeding tributaries of the Haw river are small and unimportant until we reach Cane creek, which
enters from the west, at the extreme southwest corner of Orange county. It rises in the extreme west of Alamance

738-

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

county, with some tributaries from Chatham, and flows very nearly due east and only a mile or so from the county-
line, but without leaving Alamance. It has more fall than the streams entering Haw river from the east, but is
specially mentioned chiefly on account of its having one factory, the Clover Orchard cotton factory, which is
situated some 6 miles from its mouth. The length of the stream, in a straight line, is about 17 miles, and its
drainage area 73 square miles. The factory above referred to, with which is connected a grist-mill, uses a fall of
23 feet and 50 horse-power, which can be obtained during nine months of the year, the average during the
remaining three months being 25 horse-power, during which period auxiliary steain-power is used. The mill being
run only during 12 hours, and there being no waste at night in dry seasons, the natural flow of the stream would
afford only, say, 10 horse-power in low seasons, and probably much less when at its lowest. The dam is of rock, 120
feet long and 17 feet high, and backs the water about a mile ; the factory is 300 yards below.

The next important tributary is Alamance creek, which rises in the eastern part of Guilford county, pursues a
general direction nearly due east, emptying into Haw river about 4 miles below the railroad crossing. Its length
is in the neighborhood of 25 miles, and its drainage area about 237 square miles. It receives as tributaries two
creeks called Little Alamance, from the north, and Stinking Quarter creek, from the south. There are only two
powers on the stream worth mentioning, viz : Alamance cotton factory (E. M. Holt's Sons) and Bellemont cottom
mills (L. B. & L. Holt). The Alamance factory uses a fall of 12£ feet and 50 horse-power, which can be obtained
during nine months of the year, while the latter uses a fall of 12 feet and 175 horse-power, which can be obtained
for six or seven months, the power sinking in low seasons to 20 horse-power, and steam-power to the extent of
80 horse-power being used during dry weather.

The Beedy fork of Haw river, and the other tributaries and forks in the upper part of the drainage-basin, offer
some power, utilized to some extent by saw- and grist-mills, but have no power worthy of special mention. The
country is quite flat in the upper part of the basin, and there are no falls in the streams.

THE DEEP BIVEB.

This stream rises in the western part of Guilford county, North Carolina, near the sources of the Haw river,
flows in a southeasterly direction through Bandolph county and into Moore, where it bends quite abruptly, and
flows a little north of east into Chatham county, where it joins the Haw to form the Cape Fear. Its length is
about the same as that of the Haw river, and its drainage area is 1,350 square miles. It has only one important
tributary, Bocky river, from the north, which enters Deep river about 4 miles above Lockville, and drains an area
of 205 square miles, all in Chatham county. The most important towns on Deep river are Lockville, near the
ftouth, Frankliusville, Cedar Falls, and Bandleman's Mills, in Bandolph county.

The drainage-basin of Deep river resembles that of Haw river so closely that it is not necessary to describe it
in detail. In its lower part the river flows, with a tortuous course, through a narrow valley with abrupt banks,
and, in a few cases, perpendicular and overhanging cliffs some 100 feet high.

The rainfall on the basin is a little greater than on that of Haw river, with rather more rain in winter, as will
be seen from the maps in the Smithsonian publications. The flow of the river is rather more variable, owing
probably to the fact that a greater number of its tributaries rise in the slate country and become nearly dry in
summer. For the same reason, the freshets are, on the whole, more violent, and the river rises oftener above its
banks, overflowing the bottoms on the lower part to a depth of 10 or 12 feet. On the upper part of the river there
are probably sites for reservoirs, although Guilford and the neighboring counties are, on the whole, not very
favorable for their construction, being too flat.

The following are some elevations on the stream, with distances measured from the map, and resulting
declivities :

Place.

Distance from
month.

Elevation
ahove tide.

Distance be-
tween points.

Difference of
elevation.

Fall perm ilebe-
tween points.

Mouth, or confluence with Haw

Near Egvpt mine*

Milet.

14
88
100

Feet.

133
213
625
762 ±

Miles.

} ■ ■ - 14
\ - 74

\ - 12

Feet.

- - - 80

- - - 412

- - - 137

Feet.

■ - - 5.7
- - - 5.6
• - - 11.4

Northern part of Randolph county

Crossing of Piedmont Air-Line railroad t

* I think there is some error in this elevation, or in that at the mouth, and that the fall hetween the two is not so great.

t For this elevation I am again indebted to Mr. T. M. R. Talcott, general manager of the road, who took particular pains to obtain it.

From this it appears that the fall of the stream is not much different from that of Haw river, though greater
in its upper part. *
There are no records of continuous gaugings of the river.

As will be seen from the map, the river is very inaccessible, there being no railroad within easy reach except
at the extreme lower and upper parts. Nevertheless, a number of manufacturing establishments have been located
at various points, especially in Bandolph county, shipping their products by the Piedmont Air-Line railroad.

S29

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

The following are the mills and sites, so far as I have been able to learn them :

The first power on the river is at Lockville, about 2 miles from the mouth of the river. The falls, known as
Pullin's falls, were overcome by the Navigation Company, and navigation established around them by means of 2
dams and a canal leading down the river from the lower one, with an outlet-lock into the river at the lower end
of the town, with a single lift of 24 feet. The lower dam is 600 or 700 feet long, 11 feet high, built of crib-work
filled with stone, with a vertical back, and a face sloping down to about 1 foot above low water, the base being 30
feet wide, up and down stream. It is said to have cost about $14,000. It does not extend straight across the river,
but has the shape of a letter V, with the apex up stream, and backs the water half a mile, with an average width
of about 700 feet, to the upper Lockville dam. The foundation is rock, and the dam is not, to any great extent,
liable to injury by freshets. The canal which leads from the dam is less than half a mile long, with a guard-lock at
its head having a lift of a foot or so, and the high lock at its outlet below. All along this canal are magnificent
sites for mills, which could use a fall varying between 11 and 24 feet, with perfectly safe locations. The following
are the mills now in use, all owned by the Navigation Company, viz : 1 cotton-gin, 14 feet fall ; 1 saw- mill, 16 feet;
1 grist-mill, 16 feet; 1 foundry, 18 feet; 1 grist-mill, 18 feet; 1 machine-shop, 18 feet; all on the canal, fed directly
from it, and discharging the water into the river. The aggregate power used by these mills is not exactly known,
but is, perhaps, in the neighborhood of 150 horse-power. There is always a waste of water, and there are about 15
days in the year when there is trouble with backwater, the river at the outlet-lock being probably less than 300
feet wide. In high freshets the water rises 5 feet on the dam. The canal is 40 feet wide, and originally 6 feet
deep. With a fall of a foot to the mile it could probably carry the entire flow of the stream at low water ; so that
the entire power at this place is really at present available, except that the wood-work of all the dams of the
company is in bad condition, badly rotten, and there is considerable leakage.

The drainage area above this place being about 1,350 square miles, I have estimated the flow and power as in
the following table :

Table of power available at Lockville.

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Drainage
area.

Fall.

Flow por
second.

Horse-power available,
gross.

TJtili

Horse-power,
net.

zed.

Fall.

Percentum
of minimum
utilized.

Minimum low season

Low seasons, dry years

■Square miles.
1,350

Feet.

Cubic feet,
f 216
256
1,080
I 293

1 foot fall.
24.5
29.1
122.7
33.3

24 feet faU.

590
700
2,950
800

I 150 ±

Feet.
14-18

I think that in low water the reservoir-room would be sufficient to allow of the concentration of power into 12
hours to such an extent as to increase the minimum power by 50 per cent, at least.

This power is an excellent one in all respects. A branch of the Raleigh and Augusta Air-Line railroad leads
directly to the mills. There is an abundance of fine building-stone in the neighborhood. There is no trouble with
ice, and little with high water. The river is navigable up to Carbon ton, so that the copper deposits near Egypt,
the coal-beds, and the iron-ores of the valley are easy of access. The location is healthy, and indeed there seems
to be no reason why a large amount of power should not be utilized at this place.

The second Lockville dam, half a mile above the first one, is of similar construction, and extends straight across
the river, its length being about 700 feet, its height 16 feet, and its pond 2 miles in length, up to the Gorgas canal,
with an average width of about 600 feet. It would probably cost some $12,000 to build it now. It is in bad condition,
the timbers rotted and the stones gone, but could easily be put in order. The lock at its north end is 115 feet long,
18 feet wide, with a lift of 16 feet. The banks between this dam and the one below are steep and rocky on the
north side and shelving on the south. The available power here could best be used on the south side, unless it
were desired to use it at Lockville, in which case a canal or flume should be built on the north side. A canal 20 feet
wide and 6 feet deep would probably suffice to carry the minimum flow, with a fall of 1£ feet per mile. During the
war there was a grist-mill on the right bank, but the dam was not sufficiently secured, and it was washed around
at this end. It was rebuilt in 1874, when the last company put the works in order, and 150 or 200 feet of the south
part were put in, at a cost of $10,000, several accidents happening during the work. The power at this dam is easily
available, although there have been no steps taken to utilize it. The amount of water is the same as at the lower
dam, and the available power less in proportion to the fall, i. e., two-thirds of that in the last table. In this case,
too, the reservoir- room* would, I think, be ample to allow of the concentration of power and to render double the
low-season flow available during 12 hours.

Two and a half miles above the second Lockville dam is the Gorgas dam, just below the mouth of Rocky river,
extending straight across the river, about 600 feet long and 7 feet high, built of cribs filled with stone, vertical on

730

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

both sides, and with, a width of 6 or 8 feet, and backing the water up to the Endor dam, a distance of about 7
miles or a little less, with an average width of about 500 feet. This dam is at the head of a canal half a mile long,
the third of the navigation canals, with guard- and outlet-locks, at the latter of which is a grist-mill taking water from
the canal, using 7 to 8 feet fall and perhaps 20 or 25 horse-power, with 2 run of stones. Full capacity can be secured
all the time, except for about 15 days in the year, when the river is high. The location is a very favorable one for
building, and all the available power could easily be utilized along the canal, which is of ample capacity to carry
the dry-weather flow. The drainage area above this place is about 1,300 square miles, and the amount of water and
power less than at Lockville. I have estimated it as in the following table. The pond being 7 miles long, there is
no donbt that the low-season flow could be concentrated into 12 hours, so that the power given in the table would
be doubled with a small diminution of head. Although this place is not quite so conveniently located as Lockville,
it is easy of access from that place, as well as from Eygpt, on the Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley railroad :

Table of power at Gorgas dam.

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Drainage
area.

Fall.

Flow per
second.

Horse-power available,
gross.

IT til

Horse-power,
net.

lzed.
Fall.

Per cent, of
minimum
utilized.

Minimum low season

Maximum, with storage

Square miles.
1 1, 300

Feet.

Cubic feet,
f 208
247
1,040
I 282

1 foot fall. 7 feet fall.
23.6 ! 165
28.1 200
118. 2 1 830
32.1 225

I 20

Feet.

The Endor dam is about 400 feet long and 4 feet high, crossing the river in the shape of a Y, with a vertical
face and inclined back half way across, and an inclined face and vertical back for the remaining distance. It is
built of wood, and ponds the water back to the Gulf dam, a distance of 10 miles. As far as the location goes, it
could be used for power, but the fall is so small that it would not be advisable. It is not necessary to consider it
further. The estimated power is as follows :

Table of power at Endor dam.

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Drainage
area.

Fall.

Flow per
second.

Horse-power available,
gross.

IT til

Horse-power,
net.

ized.

FaU.

Per cent, of
minimum
utilized.

Maximum, with storage

Low season, dry years

Square miles.
| 1, 075

Feet.

Cubic feet,
r 160
200
900

I 225

1 foot fall.
18.3
22.6
102.0
25.6

4 feet fall.

70
90
400
100

1 '

Feet.

The Gulf dam is a crib-dam, with vertical face and sloping back, extending straight across the river, about 400
feet long, 8 feet high, and backing the water up to the Oarbonton dam, 6 miles above, with an average width of
pond of, say 300 feet. At one end is a grist-mill with 4 run of stones, using 8 feet fall and about 40 horse-power.
The following table gives estimated flow and power, and, as in the former cases, it is probable that the power
might, in low seasons, be increased to a considerable extent by drawing down the water in the pond during
working hours:

Table of power at Gulf dam.

• »

State of flow (9ee pages 18 to 21).

Drainage
area.

Fall.

Flow per
second.

Horse-power available,
gross.

TJtih

Horse-power,
net.

zed.

Fall.

Per cent, of
minimum
utilized.

Minimum

Minimum low season

Maximum, with storage

Low season, dry years ,

Square miles.
• 1,047

Feet.

Cubic feet.
, 157
194

j 900

{ 222

1 foot faU.
17.8
22.0
102.0
25.0

8 feet fall.

140
175
820
200

Feet.

34 ±

731

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

Carbouton darn is partly a frame dam, constructed of triangular wooden frames, set lengthwise up and down the
river, and planked over, and partly a crib-dam, and is 300 or 400 feet long and 9 or 10 feet high, extending straight
across the stream, and ponding the water for 6 miles, the average width being about 200 feet. The power is utilized
for a grist mill, saw-mill and cotton-gin, using about 35 horse-power and 10 feet fall. The available power is given
in the table.

The last of the navigation dams is Hancock's, now called Tyser's, 12J miles above Carbonton. It is of wood,
300 feet long and 10 feet high, with a pond 3 miles long and 200 to 300 feet wide. The power is used by a grist- and
saw-mill and cotton-gin — a mill at each end of the dam — using 12 feet fall, and a total of some 60 or 70 horse-power.
The available power is given below :

Table of power at Carbonton dam.

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Drainage
area.

Fall.

Flow per
second.

Horse-power available,
gross.

TJtiL

Horse-power,
net.

zed.

Fall.

Per cent, of
minimum
utilized.

Square miles.

} 1, 010
J

Feet.

10 ±

Cubic feet.

150
180
880
206

1 foot fall.
17.0
20.5
100.0
33.5

10 feet fall.

170
200
1, 000
235

Feet.

Table of power at Tyser's dam.

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Drainage
area.

Fall.

Flow per
second.

Horse-power available,
gross.

Utilized.

Per cent, of
minimum
utilized.

Horse-power,
net.

Fall.

Square miles.
814

Feet.
10 ±

Cubic feet.

123
147
716
168

1 foot fall.
14
16.7
81.4
19.1

10 feet fall.

140
170
800
190

60±

Feet.

12?

Carbonton is the head of navigation. The foundation of a lock was put in there, but the lock was never
completed, so that boats never ascended into the pool of the Carbonton dam. I will now briefly mention and
describe in order the remaining powers on the river, referring to the summary of power for estimates :*

1st. At Prosperity, Moore county, E. K Moffitt's grist-mill; fall, 8 feet; 30 horse-power; dam, wood and stone, '
275 feet long, 10 feet high.

2d. Big falls (belonging to N. D. Woody, Shaw's Mills, Guilford county), in Moore county, about 3 miles
above Prosperity ; unimproved. Said to be an excellent site, 12 miles from the proposed line of the Cape Fear and
Yadkin Valley railroad and 23 miles from the Ealeigh and Augusta Air-Line railroad. The fall has been
estimated at 18 feet, with a 2-foot dam at head; length of shoal, three-eighths of a mile. The bed is rock, banks
favorable; width of stream, about 350 feet. «

3d. Unimproved privilege belonging to Elias Eitter, esq., Carter's Mills, Moore county. Fall unknown.

1th. Howard & Moffitt's grist- and saw-mill, Moore county, near the Randolph line. Stone dam, 310 feet long,
10 feet high, backing the water 3 miles. Fall utilized, 12 feet, and 30 horse-power at all times.

5th. Unimproved power, Randolph county; said to be 12 to 15 feet.

6th. Enterprise Manufacturing Company's mills, at Faust's Mills, Randolph county; stone dam, 300 feet long,
3 feet high, built in 1858 at a cost of $300, ponding about 18 acres. Head-race, 672 feet ; fall utilized, 15 feet ; horse-
power used, 40. The company have a cotton-mill, saw-mill, and flour-mill. They say that they have an additional
fall of 5 feet available, making 20 feet in all. There is always a waste of water.

7th. Unimproved site, 2 or 3 miles above Enterprise mills, known as the Cox falls, supposed to have a fall of
12 or 14 feet.

8th. Unimproved site, 4 miles farther up, known as the Allen falls, supposed to be 12 to 20 feet available,
about 8 miles from the Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley railroad. Length of fall, about half a mile; rock bed and
good banks.

*It may be stated here that most of the information regarding Deep river, in Randolph county, is due to the Hon. A. S. Homey,
who furnished a long list of powers.
732

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

9th. Columbia Manufacturing Company (formerly Deep Eiver Manufacturing Company). The dam is of stone,
about 350 feet long and 12 feet high, built about 1850 at a cost of $2,000, backing the water If miles, with an
average width of 300 feet. . Head-race, 1,200 feet long; fall used, 12 feet at mills and 14 at factory, and about 100
horse-power in all. The company have a cotton factory, grist- and saw-mills, cotton-gin, and wool-cards, all driven
from same dam and canal, the factory using about 70 horse-power. Water always wastes.

10th. Eandolph Manufacturing Company, Franklinsville, 2 miles above Columbia Manufacturing Company.
Dam of wood and stone, about 350 feet long, 8 feet high, giving a fall of 12 J feet, with a race of 450 feet; utilized
power, 50 horse-power, which can be secured at all times. The mill is a cotton factory. In low water the water is
drawn down below the crest of the dam, the mill being run during 12 hours.

11th. Franklinsville Manufacturing Company (cotton-bag factory, grist- and saw-mills, wool-carding machine,
and cotton-gin). The dam is of stone, 350 feet long, feet high ; length of head-race 2,000 feet ; fall utilized, 19
feet; power, 80 horse-power, which can be secured at all times by drawing down the water in the pond in dry
seasons.

12th. Unimproved site, a mile or less farther up stream, said to have 15 to 20 feet available within a distance
of rather over half a mile. Good location for a dam, with rock bottom and banks, known as the Eeuben Aldred site.
All accounts agree in stating this to be a valuable privilege.

13th. Grist-mill of Cedar Falls Manufacturing Company, about a mile above No. 12. Dam of stone and wood,
250 feet long, 8 feet high, ponding 2 acres, built in 1851 at a cost of about $6,000 (!). Length of head-race, 500 feet;
fall utilized, 14J feet; power used, some 20 to 30 horse-power; water always wasting.

14th. Cedar Falls Manufacturing Company's cotton factory, half a mile above grist-mill. Dam of stone and
wood, 200 feet long, 6 feet high, built in 3836, costing $1,000. Pond, 1 acre; head-race, one-eighth of a mile;
fall used, 25J feet, and 60 horse-power at all seasons.

15th. Unimproved site, 1 mile above. Said to be 12 or 15 feet available.

16th. Central Falls Manufacturing Company's cotton factory, now building, 2 miles above No. 15. Fall said
to be 12 feet.

17th. Cotton factory now building 2 J miles above No. 16 ; fall about 14 feet.

18th. Naomi Falls Manufacturing Company's cotton factory and grist-mill, 2 miles farther up. Fall about 10
or 11 feet ; power used not stated ; some steam used for power.

19th. Kandleman Manufacturing Company. Three cotton factories, all from one dam, half a mile above No.
18. Dam is of stone, cemented and planked, 272 feet long and 10 feet high, built in 1878, costing $2,200. The
pond is 2 miles long and 200 feet wide. Fall used, 11 feet ; 125 horse-power obtained during 9 months by drawing
down the water in the pond. Steam used to supplement water in low seasons.

20th. Unimproved site, called Island Ford, 2 miles above last power. Said to be 10 or 12 feet.

21st. Walker's grist-mill and saw-mill, 1 mile farther up. Dam of wood, 258 feet long, 8 feet high ; fall used,
12 feet ; power used said to be 20 to 25 horse-power.

22d. Unimproved site 5 miles above ; said to be 10 to 12 feet.

23d. Col train's grist- and saw-mill.

24th. Freeman's grist- and saw-mill. Fine cemented rock dam ; fall, 12 feet.

The powers above this are small, generally grist- and saw-mills, with one cotton factory at Jamestown, the
Oakdale Manufacturing Company, using 19 feet fall and 70 horse-power during 10 months. During the remaining
two months about 50 to 55 horse-power can be obtained by drawing down the water in the pond during the night,
the mill being run 12 hours. The natural flow of the stream affords, therefore, about 2 horse-power per foot (gross)
during the dry season of ordinary years, or the flow is about 17 cubic feet per second, and probably about 40 to 50
during nine months of the year. There are several sites not used, one of about 8 feet fall just below the cotton
factory, and another of about the same several miles farther down.

733

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

Summary of power of Deep river.

[N. B. — The powers given in this table may, in most cases, be increased to a large extent, and perhaps doubled, if the mills are run only 12 hours and the watw

drawn down in the ponds at night.]

Locality.

Lockville, lower dam

Lockville, upper dam

Gorgas dam

Endor dam

Gulf dam

Carbonton dam

Tyser's dam

Prosperity mill

Big falls

Unimproved site

Howard & Momtt's mill

Unimproved power

Enterprise factory

Unimproved site

Columbia Manufacturing

Company.
Randolph Manufacturing

Company.
Franklinsville Manufactur-
ing Company.

Unimproved site

Cedar FaUs Manufacturing

Company.
Cedar Falls Manufacturing

Company.

Unimproved site

Central Falls Manufacturing

Company.

Factory being built

Xaomi Falls Manufacturing

Company.
Kandleman Manufacturing

Company.

Miles.
2.0
2.5
5.0
11.7
21.7
27.7
40.2
47.0 '
50.0 i

Sq. miles
1, 350
1, 350
1,300
1, 075 ±
1,047
1,010

814

784

746

53.0

63.0
65.0
68.0
69.0

71.

71.5

72.5
73.5

74.0

75.0
77.0

79.5
81.5

82.0

453
440±
425 ±
420 ±

408

400 ±
341

300 ±
257

257

Kainfall.

Total fall.

Feet.
24.0
16.0
7.0
4.0
8.0
10.
10.0
10.0
18 ±

Feet.
2, 000

2,000

12.0

20.0

14.0
12.5 I.
19.0 .

15+
14.5

25.5

12 ±

14 ±
10 ±

11.0

3, 000+

Horse-power available,
gross. t

590
390
165
70
140
170
140
125
210

118

112

700
470
200
90
175
200
170
155
250

150

100
70
110
'90

2,950

1, 950
825
400
820

1, 000
800
780

1, 340

800
925

600
500
800
600

o n

800
525
225
100
200
235
190
180
285

170
170

115

125
105

Utilized.

150 ±

Feet.
14-18

40
35
60
30
C

60-100

50
80

20-30

(*)
125

7.0

8.0
10.0
12.0

8.0

12.0
15.0

12-14

12.5
19.0

14.5
25.5

10±
11.0

25±

130
130

Remarks.

Dam 11 feet.
Dam 16 feet.
Dam 7 feet.
Dam 4 feet.
Dam 8 feet.
Dam 10 feet.
Dam 10 feet
Dam 10 feet.

Fall not known.
Dam 10 feet.

Dam 3 feet.

Dam 12 feet ; information

conflicts.
Dam 8 feet ; water drawn

down in pond.
Dam 6 feet ; water drawn

down in pond.

Dam 8 feet.
Dam 6 feet.

Being improved.
Being improved.

Dam 10 feet; full caps.-
city 9 months.

* Not stated.

t See pages 18 to 21.

TRIBUTARIES OF DEEP RIVER.

The tributaries of Deep river are of small consequence, and only one of them is worthy of special mention,
viz: Rocky river, which rises in the northwestern part of Chatham county and flows southeast, joining Deep river
just above Gorgas dam. The stream is utilized to a considerable extent by small saw- and grist-mills, but, like
other streams in the vicinity, it is subject to great variations in flow, owing to its course lying in the slate region.
The drainage area of the stream is about 205 square miles, and its length, in a straight line, about 25 miles ; yet
during the dry season the flow is not sufficient to afford more than 20 or 25 horse-power, with a fall of 20 feet.
There are 12 mills on the river, with falls of from 8 to 25 feet, but some sites are still unimproved.

The other tributaries above Eocky river are utilized for small grist- and saw-mills, but are not of much
importance. Some of them are nearly dry in summer.

734

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

Table of utilized power on Cape Fear river and tributaries.

Name of stream.

Cape Fear river

Northeast Cape Fear.
Do

South river .

Do....
Black river .

Do.-.

All other tributaries to .

Haw river

Tributaries of

Deep river

Tributary te what.

Atlantic

Cape Fear

Northeast Cape Fear.

Cape Fear

South river

Cape Fear

do .

Haw river

do •

.do

Cape Fear

State.

County.

North Carolina ! Cumberland .

do I Pender

do do

do | Duplin

do do

do Sampson

do Pender

do I Sampson

.do
.do
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do.
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do.
.do .
.do.
.do.

.a*.

.do.
.do.
.do .
.do.
.do.
.do.
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do ,
.do .
.do
.do
.do
.do ,
.do
.do
.do .
.do

...do

... do

....do

Bladen

... do

Cumberland .

....do

...do

....do

Harnett

....do

Wake

....do

Chatham

Moore

....do

Chatham

...do

....do

Alamance

....do

. . .Tdo

....do

Guilford

....do

Rockingham .

...do

Chatham

....do

Orange

....do

Alamance

....do

... do

...do

Guilford

...do

Randolph

Rockingham .

...do

Chatham

...do

....do

' Being built.

Kind of mill.

Flour and grist

Saw

Flour and grist

Saw

Cotton-gin

Flour and grist

...do

... do

Cotton-gin

Flour and grist

Saw

Flour and grist

Cotton-gin

Flour and grist

Saw

Cotton-gin

Agricultural implements.

Cotton factory

"Woolen

Flour and grist

Saw

Flour and grist

Saw

Cotton-gin

Flour and grist

...do

Saw

Flour and grist

Saw

Wheelwrighting

Cotton factory

Flour and grist

Saw

Blacksmith shop

Cotton factory

.. do*

Flour and grist

Saw

Flour and grist

Saw

Flour and grist

Saw

Wheelwrighting

Cotton gin

Flour and grist

Saw

Cotton-gin

MilTwrighting

Cotton factory

Flour and grist

Saw

Cotton-gin

Foundry

Agricultural implements.

Flour and grist

Saw

Woolen

Flour and grist

...do

Saw

Flour and grist

Saw

Agricultural implements

umber of mills.

ital fall used.

ital horse-power
used, net.

Feet.

10.0

7.0

144.0

153

29.

20.

7.0

16.0

17.0

9.0

50.0

115.0

22.0

8.0

95.0

150

29.0

122

20.0

72.0

348

155.5

158

21.0

99.0

11.0

78.0

30.0

132.0

139

88.5

118

64.0

142

14.0

7.0

16.

69.5

202

25.5

11.5

73.5

505

26.5

27.0

12.0

36.0

18.0

179.0

176

29.0

12.0

161.0

188

85.0

134

14.0

47.5

275

209.0

294

52.0

11.0

15.0

16.0

344.0

379

79.5

12.0

19.0

105.0

100

54.0

41.

112

24.0

16.0

735

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.
Table of utilized power on Cape Fear river and tributaries — Continued.

Name of stream.

Tributary to what.

State.

Comity.

Kind of mill.

■3 s

Deep River

Do.. ....

Do .'

Tributaries of.

Cape Fear .

do ....

Deep river .

do ....

North Carolina
do

.do .
.do .
.do .
.do
.do ,
.do
-do
.do
.do .
.do
.do
-do .
-do .
.do .
.do .
do .
.do
.do
.do
.do
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .

Chatham .

...do

Moore

Randolph .

...do

....do

Guilford..

...do

Chatham . .

. . . .do

...do

Moore

...do

Randolph .

...do

Guilford ..
...do

Foundry

Machine-shop

Cotton-gin

Flour and grist

Cotton factory

. . do*

Flour and grist

Saw

■Woolen

Furniture (?)

Flour and grist

Cotton factory

Saw

Carriages

Woolen

Flour and grist

Saw

Agricult'l implements

Leather

Flour and grist

Saw

Flour and grist

"Woolen

Saw

Flour and grist

"Woolen

Feet.
18.0
18.0
14.0
32.0

107.0
26.0

100.0
12.0

3.0
92.5
19.0
24.0
17.0

7.0
225.0
45.0

9.0
12.0
86.0
42.0
331.0

8.5
106.0
79.0
16.0

120
475

250
12
50
4

124
70
25
20
15

10
6
135

74
361

128
56

"Being built.

Table of drainage areas of Cape Fear river and tributaries.

Square miles.

Cape Fear river at mouth 8, 400

Northeast Cape Fear river at mouth 1, 330

South river at mouth 1, 430

Black river at mouth 620

Cape Fear river at Fayetteville _ 4,250

Cape Fear river at Jones' falls 4, 170

Cape Fear river at Silver run - 3,660

Cape Fear river at Smiley's falls 3, 400

Cape Fear river at Buckhorn falls 3,200

Cape Fear river at forks : 3, 025

Haw river at mouth 1,675

Haw river at Bynum's , li 250

Haw river at North Carolina railroad 585

Haw river at Reedy fork 173

New Hope river at mouth 317

Alamance creek at mouth 237

Reedy fork of Haw at mouth 281

Deep river at mouth 1> 350

Deep river at Lockville 1> 340

Deep river at Gorgas - L 300

Deep river at Gulf !. 047

Deep river at Carbonton L 010

Deep river at Tyser's 814

Deep river at Franklinsville 408

Deep river at Unionville 257

Rocky river at mouth . 205

Rockfish creek at mouth 280

Little Rockfish creek at mouth 77

Little Rockfish creek at factory 55

Lower Little river at mouth 448

Lower Little river at Manchester 329

Upper Little river 176

736

PEE DEE RIVER,

^ OVE CHERAWT

ScaZg

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

VI— THE GREAT PEE DEE RIVER (AND YADKIN) AND TRIBUTARIES.

THE GEEAT PEE DEE EIVER.

The Great Pee Dee river takes its rise on the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge, in Caldwell and Watauga
counties, North Carolina. It flows first a little north of east through Caldwell and Wilkes and between Surry and
Yadkin counties, when it bends abruptly to the right, and flows a little east of south, forming the boundary between
the counties of Forsyth, Davidson, Montgomery, and Richmond on its left, and Yadkin, Davie, Rowan, Stanley, and
Anson on its right, passing into South Carolina, and continuing in the same general direction between Marlborough
and Marion counties on its left, and Chesterfield, Darlington, Williamsburg, and Georgetown on its right, emptying
into Winyah bay just at the town of Georgetown, after flowing for some distance through the county of the same
name. The river is known as the Great Pee Dee only in that part of its course below the mouth of the Uwharrie
river, in Montgomery county, North Carolina, being called the Yadkin above that point. Following the general
course of the stream, the distance from its source to its mouth is between 275 and 300 miles, but following all its
windings it is much greater — as nearly as I can estimate by measurement on the map, some 400 miles or more, and
I think that it will be found in fact to be greater still.

There are no towns of great importance on that part of the river where there are any facilities for water-power.
Georgetown, at the mouth of the stream, has a population of 2,557, and Cheraw, the head of navigation, 918. In
North Carolina there are no towns on the river with more than a few hundred inhabitants, the principal one being
Wilkesboro', the county-seat of Wilkes county.

The head of navigation on the river is Cheraw, South Carolina, about 149 miles above the mouth. By the act of
Congress of June 14, 1880, the sum of $7,000 was appropriated to the work of improving the navigation on this part of
the river, and it is hoped to secure 9 feet of water as high as Smith's Mills, 46 miles from the mouth, and 3J feet at the
lowest stage as far as Cheraw, the estimated cost of the whole improvement being $25,520. There is considerable
trade upon the river as high as Smith's Mills, and vessels drawing 9 feet reach that place at a fair stage of the
water. The principal shipments are cotton, lumber, and naval stores. There is at present a navigable depth of 3
feet in favorable stages of the water as high as Cheraw, and two steamers run regularly upon the river, ascending
as high as this place when practicable. An examination of the river between Cheraw and the mouth of the
Uwharrie, a distance of 67 miles, has also been made, and it is found practicable to render the river navigable as
high as this point by locks and dams, but no appropriation has yet been made for the work. , Above the mouth of
the Uwharrie the "Narrows" form an insurmountable obstacle to navigation, but above them, between the North
Carolina railroad bridge and Wilkesboro', the river has been surveyed, and an appropriation of $20,000 made
March 3, 1879, the object being to secure a navigable depth of 2£ to 3 feet as high as the foot of Bean's shoal, a
distance of 64.8 miles. There are some mill-owners in this distance with whom it has thus far been impossible to
effect an arrangement " whereby the United States might be protected from claims for damages resulting from the
prosecution of the improvement".* A second appropriation for this work of $20,000 was made June 14, 1880. The
cost of the improvement is estimated at $82,000, and is to be effected without locks and dams.

The Great Pee Dee drains a total area of about 17,000 square miles, of which about 9,700 lie in North Carolina
and 7,300 in South Carolina. The principal tributaries to the river are the Waccamaw river, from the north, draining
about 1,200 square miles; the Black river, from the west, draining about 1,500 square miles; the Little Pee Dee river,
from the north, with a drainage area of some 3,000 square miles; Lynch's creek, from the west, draining about 1,350
square miles; Black creek, from the west, draining about 450 square miles; Little river, from the east, draining 400
square miles; Rocky river, from the west, draining 1,400 square miles; Uwharrie river, from the east, draining
317 square miles; the South Yadkin, from the west, draining 820 square miles; and the Ararat river, from the north,
draining about 315 square miles, besides numberless smaller streams and creeks affording fine water-power, especially
in the upper part of the drainage-basin.

The Great Pee Dee crosses the fall-line a little above Cheraw. The fall is not so pronounced as in the case of
the Tar and the Roanoke, consisting of a series of rapids extending over a number of miles, with no very great fall
at any one place, or within any short distance. The drainage-basin of the river below the fall-line will be understood
sufficiently well from the general description which has been already given of the eastern division, and of the lower
parts of the Cape Fear and other rivers, while its general shape and dimensions may be seen from the accompanying
map. Neither does that part of its drainage-basin lying above the fall-line differ in any essential particulars from
that of the Cape Fear or the Roanoke, except that it reaches f arther west (and into the mountains) than that of the
Cape Fear. Below the great bend, where the river turns so abruptly to the south, its valley averages 50 miles wide,
and at many points the river is bordered by wide and fertile bottoms, subject to overflow at times, and forming some
of the best farming lands in the state, while at others the hills close in upon the river, leaving no bottoms at all, and

HMt% „„ "Annual Report Chief of Engineers, U. S. A., 1830, App. H.

1012 w p— vol 16 47 ° ' -,~

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

sometimes confining the river between steep and rocky banks on each side. In one case the river flows through a
regular ravine, confined in a very narrow channel by bold and abrupt banks for a distance of several miles, forming
the noted "narrows". Above the great bend the valley is narrower (only 15 to 20 miles wide), and the divides
which separate the basin of the Yadkin from those adjacent are much higher, so that the tributary streams in the
vicinity have a very large fall. The level land along the stream, however, is seldom in this part of its course over
a mile wide, interjected between the spurs of the parallel ranges of mountains which form the divides, and forming in
places extremely picturesque little valleys, surrounded on almost all sides by high mountains. Even in this part of its
course the river rises above its banks in high water, although the grounds subject to overflow are not very extensive-
Near Yadkin ville the river passes through a gap in the mountains, and above that point its valley is flanked on the
north by the Blue Eidge and on the south by the Brushy mountains, the divides having elevations of from 1,500
feet upward, and from these come pouring down many mountain -streams and torrents. The upper part of the valley
of the Yadkin is very well wooded, and the mountains not being bare, the streams are more constant in flow than
would be expected.

The facilities for the construction of storage-reservoirs are good on some of the tributaries, and on the main
stream in the very upper part of its course. Below, they would, of course, be impracticable.

The products of the Yadkin valley are cotton, tobacco, corn, rice, wheat, oats, rye, clover and grasses, sorghum
cane, vegetables, and fruits in the lower part, and principally grain, vegetables, and fruits in the upper part.
Between the cool slopes of the Blue Bidge on the north and the low and hot plains of the eastern division on the
south the range of production — as in the case of the Boanoke — is very large, the mountains being well adapted
to grazing, the bottom-lands of the valleys to the raising of cereals, grasses, vegetables, fruits, and tobacco, and the
low country along the lower part of the stream to the production of cotton and rice.

The river is subject to freshets, but I learned of no peculiarities concerning them. They are said not to be so
violent, as a rule, as on the Cape Fear, Neuse, or Tar, probably because of the character of the upper part of the
basin ; and, although there are no lakes to regulate the flow, the extensive woods and the mountains, well covered
with soil, serve to restrain their violence. Neither are the freshets so violent as on the Boanoke, the cause in this-
case being, probably, the fact that the rainfall in the upper valleys of the Yadkin is perhaps, on the whole, more
uniformly distributed throughout the year than on the Dan and Staunton. At any rate, the highest flood ever known
at Wilkesboro' occurred in September, 1878, yet the rise was only 23 feet above low water; and at Langenhour &
Reason's mill the extreme high-water mark is at 22.9 feet. The floods are short, generally subsiding in from 3G to
48 hours. It is said that twenty-five years ago high floods very rarely occurred, and their frequent occurrence now is
accounted for by the clearing of the hills and the removal of obstructions from the river.* The low grounds adjacent
to the river are more frequently overflowed than formerly, and more damage is done to the crops.

The river sometimes brings down a good deal of ice, so that it cannot be ferried; still there is not very much
difficulty on this account. The rise is sudden, the water sometimes rising, it is said, 2 feet in 20 minutes at Kirk's
ferry (mouth of the Uwharrie).

The annual rainfall in the valley varies from 44 inches near the coast to 50 inches between Cheraw and the
"narrows", and 44 to 50 above the latter point. The table on pages 82 and 83 gives more detailed information
regarding the rainfall above the important powers, and of its distribution through the year.

The following table gives the elevations of the various points on the stream, distances, and declivity:

Table of declivity of Yadkin river.

Placo.

Mouth

Cheraw, South Carolina

Crossing of Carolina Central railroad

Foot of "narrows", mouth of TJwharriet.

Head of "narrows"}

Crossing of Piedmont Air-Line railroad§ .

Foot of Bean's shoal ||

Head of Bean's shoal||

Wilkesboro' ||

Patterson 1T

Distance from
mouth.

Miles.

149
169
216
220
256
321
325
378
410

Elevation
above tide.

Feet.

65
105
385
490
591
722
761
928
1, 250

Distance be-
tween points.

Miles.

149
20
47
4
36
65
4
53
32

Fall between

points.

Feet.

Feet per mile.

- - - 0.44

- - - 2.00

280

- - - 5.S6

105

- - - 26.25

101

■ ■ ■ 2.81

131

... 2.01

... 9.75

167

... 3.15

322

- - - 10.06

* Annual Report Chief of Engineers, 1879, p. 628.

tEeport of Chief of Engineers, 1879, p. 725.

} From barometric observations.

§ From Professor Kerr's Geological Report.

|| Report of Chief of Engineers, 1879, p. 626.

IT For elevation at Patterson I am indebted to Maj. C S. Dwight, chief engineer Chester and Lenoir railroad, and to L. C Jones, Esq., chief engineer and
superintendent of the Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley railroad.

738

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

I have only one measurement of the flow of the river, viz : that of Professor Kerr,* who states the flow (at low
water) to be 2,586 cubic feet per second near the crossing of the Piedmont Air-Line railroad. But as the drainage
area above this place is only 3,202 square miles, it seems impossible that this can be anything near the minimum,
but probably nearer the ordinary flow. I have therefore had recourse to estimation of the flow.

One- of the greatest drawbacks to the utilization of water-power on the Yadkin is the inaccessibility of the river.
It is crossed in its water-power portion by only two railroads, and even these cross it almost at right angles, so that,
as the map shows, hardly any portion of the river is of easy access. Various railroads have been projected along
the river, and at present two are in course of construction or survey which will do much to opeu up the river and
develop its resources. The Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley railroad, which at present extends only from Fayetteville
to Egypt, on Deep river, will before long be extended, passing through Greensboro', and striking the Yadkin river
some 10 or 12 miles southeast of Pilot mountain, near the southeast corner of Surry county, whence it will follow the
valley of the Yadkin up to Wilkesboro' and beyond. The Chester and Lenoir railroad, now being built, runs
from Chester, South Carolina, through Lincolnton and Lenoir, striking the Yadkin valley near Patterson, and will
be continued across the Blue Bidge to Elizabethton, in eastern Tennessee. A road has also been spoken of up the
valley of the Yadkin in the lower part of its course in North Carolina, passing the " narrows"; but I do not know
that any steps have yet been taken toward obtaining a charter.

I proceed to describe the river more in detail, with its various water-powers, in order, commencing at its
mouth.

Below Cheraw there is, of course, no power, and the river has the same general character as the Cape Fear
below Fayetteville, so that it need not be described here.

Between Cheraw and the crossing of the Carolina Central railroad, a distance of 20 miles, the fall is at the rate
of 2 feet per mile,t and the width of the river 350 to 500 feet. There are 11 shoals in this distance, but none of
much importance, and none in themselves available for power, although, by the construction of a long canal, power
might be secured. Such a plan would not, however, be advisable. At Cheraw the river is only 350 feet wide, and
the greatest rise in freshets is 34 feet. The bed is generally rock and bowlders.

Betweeu the CaroUna Central railroad crossing and the mouth of Little river, a distance of 10 miles, there are
two shoals which might be utilized. The first is Bluitt's falls, perhaps 5 miles above the railroad. A dam with a
height of 9 feet is considered practicable here, and sufficient to render the stream navigable, so that 9 feet may be
considered the available fall. This shoal is used by a small grist-mill and cotton-gin in Bichmond county, using
6£ feet fall and some 12 horse-power. The dam is a primitive wing-dam. The second shoal is at Grassy islands, 10
miles above the railroad. This is really the first fall of importance on the river, and is probably at the crossing
with the fall-line. The river is very wide and dotted with islands, and the banks are said to be favorable for the
utilization of the power. In the engineer's report above referred to it is proposed to overcome the fall by four locks
and dams, with 9 feet Uft each, or 36 feet iu all, but the distance in which this fall occurs is not stated. This shoal is
utilized by a small grist-mill, using probably some 10 or 15 horse-power and a small fall. Three miles or thereabouts
farther up is another similar mill. The total fall in the river between the railroad and Little river is estimated at
100 feet, and the width varies from 551 to 627 feet. The greatest rise on record at Little river is 19.77 feet.
Between Little river and Bocky river, 11 miles, the fall is said to be about 60 feet, and there are several shoals,
though their falls are unknown. Between Bocky river and Shankle's mill, 11 miles, the fall is about 65 feet, with
several shoals. Thence to the mouth of the TJwharrie river, 9 miles, the fall is 55 feet; and in this section are two
shoals, Swift Island shoal and Greenville's shoals, the former being t mile and the latter 2 miles in length. Swift
Island shoal is the first place on the river where power has been used to any considerable extent, a cotton mill r with
8 or 9 feet fall, being located here. The dam is of rock, 4 or 5 feet high, extending across the river in the form of a
A, and a head-race about half a mile long leads to the factoiy, which is on the east side of the river, while on the
west side was a grist-mill, run from the same dam, but burned a short time ago. There is also a grist-mill on the
east side near the factory. Mills have been in operation here for 50 or 75 years. At present about 40 horse-power
is used, and the mills are stopped by high water about 12 days in the year. The entire property is for sale. This
place is about 8 miles east of Albemarle, the county-seat of Stanley county, and is about 27 miles from the nearest
railroad station, Concord, ou the Piedmont Air-Line. Before proceeding farther, it is to be remarked that, as the
table of utilized power will show, there are various other small grist-mills on the river below Swift island with
small falls and power.

At Gunsmith's shoal, just below the mouth of the Uwharrie, on the east side of the river, is Dr. Kron's grist-
miil, using 4 or 5 feet fall, with a wing-dam. At the mouth of the Uwharrie the river is 1,155 feet wide, and the
greatest rise is 12 feet.

Four miles above the mouth of the Uwharrie is, perhaps, the most remarkable power in the state, the
" Narrows of the Yadkin." At the upper end, before entering the " narrows", the river is nearly or quite 1,000 feet

* Geological Report, page 40.

t Annual report of the Chief of Engineers, 1879, p. 725. From this report, on an examination of the river between Cheraw and the
mouth of the TJwharrie, most of the following notes on that portion of the river have been taken.

730

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

wide, from which it suddenly contracts, entering a narrow ravine between the hills, which rise abruptly on either side
with rocky and almost perpendicular banks, and through which it pours with great violence, preserving for a
distance of over a quarter of a mile an average width of not over 75 feet, while in some places the width is only 30 feet.
No description can do justice to this place, which is one of the most wonderful spots that can be found in the south.
In the " narrows" proper — the quarter of a mile referred to above — the river has cut out its channel in the solid rock,
the banks being almost perpendicular for a height of 5 to 15 feet above low water, when they retreat nearly
horizontally, but very broken and rough, and with projecting points of rock, alternating with holes and crevasses,
so that it is difficult and tiresome to make one's way along, for a distance of about 100 to 150 yards from the
immediate channel, where the hills rise very steeply. Thus the average width of the ravine is in the neighborhood
of 250 yards, or rather less, while the single channel of the river, through which its whole volume pours in low
water, is 75 feet, and in places 30, in which the water is said to be very deep. The stream overflows its banks in
freshets and fills the whole ravine, although it is very seldom that it covers all the projecting rocks. Below the
" narrows" proper the stream widens to a width of 150 or 200 feet, and flows for the succeeding 2£ miles through a
narrow gorge, the banks on either side being very steep and rocky all the way, except at one or two places, where
small lateral valleys diverge, and where there is sometimes place to put a single mill. The real footof the "narrows"
is at the extremity of this 2£ miles, at which a small creek enters the river, and where the fall, which is very large
all the way from the head of the "narrows ", comes to an end. This place — the foot of the "narrows " — is called Little
falls. Just below it comes a long and narrow stretch called the " Lake", the river being still confined between
rocky and almost vertical banks, but the fall being very small, and the width of the stream only about 100 to 150
feet, the depth is very great. The banks slope down at a large angle straight into the river, and are of solid
rock. At the lower end of the lake, which is between a quarter and a half mile long, the river widens, at a
place called the Terrapin Hole, and thence down to the mouth of the Uwharrie, a distance of three-quarters of a mile
or thereabouts, it is interspersed with rocks and islands, with banks 10 to 20 feet high on each side, and behind
them flat lands for some hundred yards. Above the head of the "narrows" the banks on either side are moderately
high, and behind them are fertile bottom-lauds and hills. The fall at the "narrows" has never been accurately
measured, and it was, of course, not possible for me to make any such measurements. In fact, it is said to be a
difficult and tedious undertaking to attempt to follow the river from the head of the "narrows" to the lake. But
through Professor Kerr, to whom I have already acknowledged my great indebtedness on various occasions, I was
enabled to take some barometric readings at various points. Unfortunately, however, the barometer was in a state
of rapid change when I was at the "narrows", and although I took measurements of the fall on two different days
they agree poorly with each other. According to the best estimate I can make, the total fall between the head of
the "narrows" and the mouth of the Uwharrie, a distance of 4 miles, is about 105 feet, and I am inclined to consider
this result too small, rather than too great. This fall is distributed about as follows : At the entrance of the
"narrows " there is a fall of 5 or 6 feet in about 150, according to measurements with a pocket-level ; in the succeeding
quarter of a mile — the "narrows " proper — the fall is not less than 30 feet, according to the barometer and the pocket-
level ; for the next 2 miles the rapids continue with a pretty uniform fall of about 50 feet in all ; then comes Little
falls, where the fall is 5 or 6 feet in 500 and 14 or 15 in 1,000, from the top of a mill-dam above the falls ; at the
falls the river is almost as narrow as at the "narrows", or about GO feet in one place; below them comes the lake,
etc., the fall down to the mouth of the Uwharrie being, perhaps, 5 or 10 feet.

According to what has been said, it will be seen that this magnificent power is, unfortunately, not available, or
only to a very small extent. A dam could be built on the river above the "narrows", and the water carried along by
a flume, the mills being located on the rocks ; but while such a use of the power would be perfectly practicable,
no one would think of locating a large establishment right in a gorge of the mountains, in such an inaccessible
place and on the rocky banks of a river, where it is liable to overflow in times of high water. A canal could not
be cut along the "narrows" except at very large cost; neither could it be carried around the hills, except with great
difficulty. Below the "narrows" proper there is no horizontal bank, as there is at the former place; but the channel
is wider and the banks slope down to the water's edge, so that to canal, or even to flume, around this part of the
fall would be difficult. There are a few places, where lateral ravines make down to the river, at which the banks
are not so abrupt, and where there is room for a single mill ; and, in fact, one small grist-mill is situated in this
partof the "narrows", near Little falls,being run from a small wing-dam, and using a fall of 6 or 7 feet; but there are
no facilities for the location of a manufacturing town, or even of a large mill. There are no low grounds between
the head of the "narrows" and the mouth of the Uwharrie. The rock in the "narrows" is a solid metamorphic
conglomerate, very hard, almost impossible to fracture by ordinary blows, and certainly difficult to blast. Some
power might be obtained by damming the river at the Terrapin Hole and throwing the water up over Little
falls, or at Little falls itself a mill could be established ; but a very small proportion of the total power at this
place is practically available. When it is added that the site is 30 miles from Salisbury, the nearest railroad point,
it will easily be concluded that it will be a long time before any endeavor is made to utilize the power to any large
extent.

740

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

I have estimated the theoretically available power, with the result, in the following table, taking the fall at 105
feet. Of this total power probably not over 500 horse-power would be practically available without great cost, and
even that, for the present at least, not economical, and only profitable for grist-mills:

Table of power on the "narrows" of the Yadkin.

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Minimum

Minimum low season . . .
Maximum, with storage
Low season, dry years . .

Drainage
area.

Square miles.

3, 940

Fall.

Feet.

*105±

Flow per
second.

Cubic feet.

866
1,100
3, 350
1, 250

Horse-power available,
gross.

1 foot fall.
98.4
125.0
380.7
142.0

105 feet fall.

10, 330
13, 125
39, 973
14, 910

* See description.

Between the "narrows" and the railroad bridge there are several shoals, some of which are said to afford good
power and considerable fall. They are used by small grist- and saw mills, with wing-dams (Nash & Kirk's mill,
west side ; Eedwine & Pemberton's mill, west side ; Snotherly & Cooper's grist-, saw-, and wood-turning mill,
east side), and in one case, at Milled geville, by a cotton factory, together with a grist-mill, using, in all, some 40
horse-power. The dam at this place is of rock, about 600 feet long, and only a wing. On the opposite side of the
river are a saw-mill, grist-mill, cotton-gin, and wool-carding machine, also run from a small wing-dam across to an
island. The stoppage by backwater is from six to ten days in the year.

Above Milledgeville there are still several shoals and mills, viz: Mott's falls, not used; Eeed's and Bald
Mountain mills, on opposite sides ; a mill on each side at Bringle's ferry ; St. John's mill, 1 mile below the bridge. In
regard to all these 1 have no particulars. They are tabulated in the table of utilized power, and it will be seen that
the falls are small as a rule, though there is one fall of 28 feet put down in Montgomery county. But as I have no
other mention of such a fall, I am inclined to think it must be on some tributary.

As showing the topography of this region, and how the Yadkin descends from an elevated plateau, while one
of its tributaries, the Uwharrie, flows along the base of the same, it may be mentioned that according to a railroad
survey (the line of which crossed both rivers) the elevation of the Yadkin at Stokes' ferry, about 10 or 11 miles
above the mouth of the Uwharrie, was 190 feet greater than that of the latter stream at about the same distance
from its mouth, so that the fall of the Yadkin must be at least 200 feet within the distance mentioned.

Above the railroad bridge the river has been surveyed in detail by Mr. S. T. Abert, United States civil
engineer, to whose report, published in the Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers, 1879, pp. 026-G48, I must refer
for more detailed information regarding the stream, which I did not visit in this section. Mr. Abert's survey extended
as far up as Wilkesboro', ami the shoals in that distance are tabulated farther on. The following notes regarding
them are taken principally from his report:

Below Beau's shoal there are several small grist-mills on the stream, using very primitive wheels and little
power; and several other mills, not mentioned in the table of power, have been operated at different times. The
first mill of much importance is Langeuhour & Reason's, and the dam is the first one which extends entirety across
the river, except Swicegood's, about 20 miles below — a low wing-dam of stone. It is built of wo oden frames planked
over, and the foundation is rock.

At Shallow Ford shoal there is a grist-mill on the right bank, with a wing-dam.

The principal shoal on this part of the river is Bean's shoal, the. fall in 4 miles being over 39 feet. The most
rapid descent is at the head, being nearly 17 feet in a mile. The bed of the stream is very ragged, of stratified
rock, which rises in sharp points and ridges at right angles to the course of the river, forming in some places
natural dams, extending nearly across, and the channel is much obstructed and cut up with rocks and islands.
Between 1820 and 1835 "the Yadkin Navigation Company did considerable work at these shoals, with a view to
rendering the river navigable. A dam was built at the head of the shoals, and a canal commenced along the
northern side of the river. The only trace of the dam now to be seen is the abutment at the entrance to the canal.
The canal was completed for a little more than a mile from the head of the shoals, and was 15 to 45 feet wide at the
bottom. Where the cliff forms one wall the minimum width is 15 feet. At 2,000 feet from the head of the canal are
the ruins of a guard-lock 12 feet wide. The canal walls are of earth, except along the foot of the cliffs. Here a
very good retaiuiug-wall was built of stone quarried on the spot. The upper wall, 700 feet in length, was built of
headers aud stretchers, neatly pinned with small stone, and is in good condition. The outer face has a batter of 2f
inches to the foot rise. The inner face was left rough, and covered with gravel and earth. No cement was used in its
construction. The dimensions are : height, 6 to 20 feet ; top width, 2.5 feet ; bottom width, about 7 feet. The lower

741

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

-wall, about 400 feet in length, is of the same general character, but in some places has been torn down to obtain
stone for the construction of fish-dams. The canal has been filled in by the floods, and where it runs through the
woods is overgrown with trees and bushes. No water flows through it ".

The other shoals mentioned call for no special remark. The bed of the stream is everywhere rock, overlaid
sometimes with gravel, and is most favorable to the construction of dams. Beside the shoals mentioned in the table
there are many others with smaller falls, but which might equally well be used for power. As regards the amount
of power available, there is no doubt that it is very large indeed, and that almost every one of these shoals might
be utilized to a greater or less extent. Bean's shoals would seem to offer the most excellent site in this part of the
state, and it having been considered practicable to build a canal around the whole shoal it would seem to follow
that the power might be utilized without much difficulty. While the estimates of power given in the table are only
to be regarded as rough approximations, it is believed that they will serve to give some idea of the amount of
power which might be obtained. But until larger establishments seek a location in this vicinity, and until the
means of transportation are improved, the water-power of the smaller tributary streams will be preferred to that
of the main river, on account of the smaller cost, the (in general) safer location, and the diminished liability to
stoppage by high water. But when large amounts of power are wanted, and money is at hand to develop it, the
Yadkin will, no doubt, be found to afford a large supply.

Above Wilkesboro' the fall of the river continually increases, and there are some sites for power, but regarding
them I could procure no detailed information. The only power utilized is at Patterson, Caldwell county, where
Gwyn, Harper & Co. have a cotton-mill, using, as they estimate it, 50 horse-power and a fall of 25 feet. The dam
is of rock, 130 feet long and 20 feet high, built in 1850 at a cost of $500, and backing the water a quarter of a
mile, without throwing the river out of its banks ; and from it a race 630 feet long leads to the mill. There is no
trouble with scarcity of water, and there is waste at night even at low water, the mill running 12 hours; so that the
capacity of the stream here is at all times at least 2 horse-power to the foot fall, if the above data have been
correctly reported. But as the drainage area above this place is very small, according to the map only 30 or 40
square miles, 1 should estimate the capacity of the stream at only about 1 horse-power, net, per foot fall. If the
data returned are correct, it must be that there are large springs in the upper part of the basin, rendering the flow
very large.

Above this the stream is rapid — a mountain stream, with very little, if any, power used.

It may be remarked that there are only three dams extending entirely across the river, all above the " narrows".

The estimates of power given in the following table are liable to large error, and it is impossible to check them.
All of the powers used seem large in comparison with the drainage areas above them, as in the case of the one at
Patterson, and it seems probable that the streams in the upper part of the basin are fed by large springs, which render
the flow comparatively constant. I have therefore made my estimates larger than I should do in ordinary cases, and
they may be found too large. It is to be remarked, however, that powers are often overstated, and that turbine-
wheels are rated very high as regards efficiency. A power of 50 horse-power at Patterson, with a fall of 25 feet, would
correspond to a flow at all times of 0.6 cubic feet per second per square mile. In the Hand-book of North Carolina,
published by the Department of Agriculture, it is stated that the factory there has 18 looms and 960 spindles.

Summary of power of the Yadkin river.

Locality.

Bluitt's falls

Grassy Island shoal

Swift Island shoal

Narrows

Douthet's mill

Langenhour & Reason's dam .
Shallow Ford shoal

Shoal ahove Shore's island .

Bean's shoal (head)

Limo Bock shoal

Shoal below Bockford

Seven Island shoal

Miles.
174.0
180.0
212.0
220.0
291.5
298.5
305.0

315.2
324.7
329.3
335.8
337.0

Sq. m.
6, 650
6,624
4,323
3, 938
1, 865
1, 827
1, S12

1,633
1, 521
1, 165
1, 097
1, 066
Miles.

Bainfall.

In.
12
12
12
12
13
13
13

13
13
13
13
13

Total fall.

Feel.
9. 00
36. 00
9. 00

105. 00
3. 86
4.57
7. 89

7. 73
39. 17
10.62
8. 38
4.02

Feet.

*1
*4
1,600

5, 560

9,662
*4
*2.59
4, 500
2, 630

Horse-power available, gross.t

1, 500
5,970
970
10, 330
190
220
375

330
1, 560
325
240
112

.5 %

1, 900
7,600
1,240

13, 125
245
280
485

430

2, 030
425
320
145

5, 780
23, 000
3, 760
39, 973
720
840
1, 440

1, 260
5, 960
1,240
920
425

2,170
8, 680
1,400
14, 910
2S0
325
550

490
2, 320
490
360
165

Utilized.

15-
25-
40
00-
25-
20-
6

25-

Fcet.
6. 50

8-9
6-7
3. 86
5.00
11(?)

1.2-
0.5-
6.0±
0.6-
14.0-
15.0-
4.0-

3.0-

Bemarks.

Not available.
Bock bottom.
Bo.

Bock and gravel
bottom.

Do.
Bock bottom.

Do.

tSee pages 18 to 21.

742

Locality.

Long shoal

Woodruff's Fish-trap shoal

Mitchell's Island shoal

Swan Creek shoal

Keeve's Island shoal

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

Summary of power of the Yadkin river — Continued.

Blair's Island shoal

Total between —

•Cheraw

and mouth of TJwharrie

Total between —

Mouth of TJwharrie

and railroad bridge

Total between —

Railroad bridge

and foot of Bean's shoal

Total between —

Foot of Bean's shoal

and Wilkesboro'

Total between —

"Wilkesboro'

and Patterson

Total on river between —

Cheraw, South Carolina

and Patterson. North Carolina.

rath.

Rainfall.

Total fall.

Horse-power available, gross, t

Distance from mc

Drainage area.

j Spring.

Summer.

Autumn.

1 "Winter.

Year.

Height.

Length.

Minimum low
season.

Maximum, with
storage.

Low season, dry
years.

Miles.

Sq. m.

In.

Feet.

342.0

949

11. 18

*1.61

265

335

1,140

385

345.0

925

4. 55

1, 800

105

134

450

155

346.6

925

4. 00

2,740

115

400

135

356.7

739

5.40

3, 160

100

125

450

145

366.5

540

3. 86

2, 700

240

' 75

376.5

420

3.44

1,700

170

149.
216.0

(, I/O

3, 938

Miles.

I 12

320. 00

44, 500

56, 500

170, 000

64, 600

216.0
256.0

3,938
3,202

206. 00

18, 000

23, 000

69, 500

26, 300

256.0
321.0

3, 202
1, 500

}l3

131. 00

6,675

8, 700

25, 500

10, 000

321.0
378.0

1,500
372

I 13

206. 00

4,600

5, 900

20, 000

6,750

378.0
410.0

372
30

322. 00

1,000

1, 925

8, 000

2, 200

149.0

7,175

1, 185. 00

261

75, 375

96, 025

293, 000

109, 850

410.0

Utilized.

300 ±

200-

40-

736

Feet.

1.0-

1.5-

5.0-

1.5-

1.4-

Bemarks.

Bock bottom.
Do.

Gravel bottom.
Bock bottom.
Bock and gravol

bottom.
Gravel bottom.

' Miles. t See pages 18 to 21.

TRIBUTARIES OF THE YADKIN.

The lower tributaries of the Great Pee Dee, viz : the Waccamaw, the Black, and the Little Pee Dee rivers,
scarcely call for a detailed description. Lying entirely below the fall-line, their general character will be sufficiently
clear from what has been already said regarding similar streams, and regarding the eastern division, as a whole, in
the introduction. The Waccamaw rises in Waccamaw lake, Columbus county, ISTorth Carolina, not over 25 miles from
the Atlantic, and flows for a distance of 244 (?) miles nearly parallel to the coast, joining the Great Pee Dee at its
mouth. It is navigable for light-draught steamers for 1G3 miles, and for boats drawing 3 feet of water up to
the lake. Its water-power, and that of its tributaries, does not amount to much. The Black river, which has its
sources in Kershaw and Sumter counties, South Carolina, is similar in character, and has no water-power, except a
little in the upper part, among the sand-hills. The Little Pee Dee, which unites with the Great Pee Dee 23£ miles
above its mouth, is more important. Kisiug in Eichmond county, North Carolina, it flows in a general southerly
course, as will be seen from the map, its length along its general course being about 75 miles, but much greater by
the river, which is quite crooked, like all the streams in the low region near the coast. The total drainage area of
the river is about 3,000 square miles, and it receives one tributary larger than itself, the Lumber river, from the east
and north, which drains nearly 1,800 square miles. The sources of the Little Pee Dee are just about on, or a little
below, the fall-line, in the sand-hills; and they therefore afford some power, their general character being the same
-as that of the sand-hill tributaries of the Cape Fear, which has been described on page 61. Their declivities being
uniform, no sites could be specified. Gum Swamp creek will serve as a sample of these streams. There is a cotton
factory, saw- and grist-mill at Laurel Hill, on this stream, the fall being 8J feet, and the power for the factory 44
horse-power, and in all, perhaps, 60 or 65 horse-power, which can be obtained all the time by drawing down the
water in the pond, which covers 200 acres, during working hours. The dam is of dirt and timber, 7 feet high,
•and the head-race 1J miles long. As already mentioned, the constant flow of these streams, and the large ponds
possible, render them valuable for power.

The Lumber river has its sources higher up than those of the Little Pee Dee, in Montgomery and Moore
counties, North Carolina, but reaching little, if at all, above the fall-line. Its character resembles that of the Little
Pee Dee, and on its upper part it probably belongs to the class of sand-hill streams. There are no mills, except
small saw- and grist-mills, on the main stream, or on any of its tributaries.

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

Lynch's river rises in the extreme southern part of Union county, North Carolina, and flows in a south-
easterly direction through South Carolina, between the counties of Lancaster, Kershaw, Sumter, and Clarendon, on
its right, and Chesterfield and Darlington, on its left; thence through Williamsburg, to join the Great Pee Dee,
about 16 miles in a straight line, above the mouth of the Little Pee Dee. It has its sources a considerable distance
above the fall-line. The stream is about 120 miles long, following its general course, but probably twice as long by the
river, and its drainage area comprises some 1,350 square miles. In its lower parts the banks are low and swampy, and
it is only in that part which Ues above Sumter county that the stream is worth anything for power. But although
its sources lie above the fall-line, I was unable to learn of any important shoals on the stream, and the utilized power
is quite insignificant, consisting only of that used for a few grist- and saw-mills. Between Kershaw and Chesterfield
counties the stream crosses the sand-hill belt, and many of its tributaries in those counties afford good small powers,
the principal affluent being Little Lynch's creek, from the west, taking its rise in Lancaster and joining the main
stream in Kershaw county, after draining an area of about 170 square miles, and being utilized for a few small grist-
mills. The beds of these streams are of rock down to the fall-line, or about the lower end of Lancaster county, below
which they are sand and alluvium. The mills on these streams have sometimes as many as four run of stones, but
in summer they are often obliged to run a smaller number. The dams are generally wooden triangular frames, set
lengthwise up and down stream, and planked over. Lynch's river is navigable for a considerable distance from
its junction with the Pee Dee. The freshets on these streams are not very heavy, and there is no trouble in keeping
dams in order.

The Great Pee Dee receives in South Carolina several other tributaries resembling Lynch's river, such as Black
creek, which rises in Chesterfield county and joins the river in Darlington ; Crooked creek, from Marlborough county;
and a creek from Chesterfield county, which empties a few miles below Cheraw. These streams need not be
described, because they resemble, in every particular, the streams below the fall-line, which have already been referred
to. In the upper parts of their courses they flow on the sand-hill belt, and afford, as a rule, good constant powers,
but with no natural falls, and with a uniform declivity, all the power used being obtained by damming.

The first tributary worth mentioning in North Carolina is Hitchcock's creek, although there are' several streams
below it which are also favorable for power. Hitchcock's creek flows entirely in Bichmond county, and has a
length, in a straight line, of only about 16 or 20 miles, draining an area of some 102 square miles. It receives one
tributary from the south — Falling creek — worth mentioning on account of its utilized power, although it is a small
stream, with a drainage area of only about 12 square miles. At the junction of these two streams is the town of
Bockingham, the county-seat of Bichmond county, with a population of about 1,600. These streams are true sand-
hill streams, so that for their general character we may refer to page 61. Falling creek, however, differs from the
ordinary sand-hill streams by having a large natural fall near its mouth, which may be its crossing with the same
ledge of rocks which forms the fall-line. Both streams are used to a considerable extent to drive saw- and grist-
mills, as will be seen from the table of utilized power. They are principally remarkable, however, as running two
of the largest cotton factories in the state, and they thus offer a good example of the large amount of power which
may be obtained from these unpretending little sand-hill streams. The factory of the Pee Dee Manufacturing
Company is located on Hitchcock's creek at Bockingham, and uses 168 horse-power, with a fall of 17 feet. The
dam was built in 1875, at a cost of $3,000, and is of wood for 80 feet of its length and of earth for the remaining 100
feet. It is 17 feet high, and ponds the water over 100 acres to an average depth of 11 feet, affording reservoir-room
sufficient to allow of the water being drawn down during working hours without diminishing the head much, and
thus allowing of the concentration into working hours of the whole daily capacity of the stream. Full capacity
can be secured all the time, except for a few weeks in summer, when the available power is only about 112 horse-
power. The wheel used is a Hercules turbine (Holyoke Manufacturing Company).

On Falling creek is located the factory of the Great Falls Manufacturing Company, using 112 horse-power and
a fall of 43 feet. The dam was first built in 1869, rebuilt in 1879, costing about $2,000, and is of wood, 100 feet
long and 16 feet high, ponding the water over 10 or 12 acres to a depth of 10 feet. A wooden race, 75 feet long,
leads the water to the wheels. As in the case of the other factory, the water is stored during the night. Full
capacity can be secured for ten months, and two-thirds capacity during the remaining two months. During dry
summers between two and three weeks are lost on account of want of water, and sometimes as much as four or five
weeks.

. It is interesting to calculate the amount of water which may be depended upon from these sand-hill streams,
as was done in the case of the tributaries of the Cape Fear, but the inaccuracy of the available maps renders the
result liable to error to an uncertain extent. The drainage area of Hitchcock's creek above the factory is, according
to the map, about 86 square miles. If we assume that in the low season of dry years 100 horse-power (gross) may be
obtained with a fall of 17 feet during 12 hours, or 50 with the natural flow of the stream, then the flow will be about
0.3 cubic foot per second per square mile. If we assume that 224 horse-power (gross) can be obtained at ordinary
stages of the stream by drawing down the water at night, then the flow will be 0.7 cubic foot per second per square
mile. For Falling creek, if we take the capacity at low seasons at 70 horse-power (gross) during 12 hours, we
find the corresponding flow to ,be over half a cubic foot per second per square mile, or more than in the case of

744

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

Hitchcock's creek; and if the capacity in ordinary seasons be taken at 150 horse power (gross) during 12 liours, we
obtain a flow of over 1 cubic foot per second per square mile. It would therefore seem that these sand-hill streams
discharge from one-third to 1 cubic foot per second per square mile of drainage area, except during freshets.
(Compare the remarks on pages 04 and 05.)

Below Eockingham there have been four mills on the creek, .two of which (Wall's and Acock's) are not in
operation. There is also one other site not used just below Acock's mill, and above Eockingham there are three
others. On Falling creek there are no mills of importance except the factory. The fall of the stream from the
foot of the Great Falls dam, on Falling creek, to the Pee Dee, a distance of 5^ miles, is 41 feet, or about 8 feet to
the mile. The pond of the Great Falls factory is about 187 feet above tide, and the mouth of the creek 103 feet.
The fall is said to be just as great for several miles above Eockingham.

The tributaries to the Pee Dee from Anson county are not of much value for water-power, as they appear to
lie above the sand-hill belt, and are said to be very variable in flow. They are used only for small grist- and saw-
mills, which often have to stop in dry weather. Little river, which rises in the southern part of Eandolph county
and flows south through Montgomery and into Eichmond, joining the Pee Dee above Grassy Island shoal, is the
next tributary worthy of mention, although its water-power is not of much importance. The length of the stream
is about 40 miles in a straight line, and it drains an area of about 400 square miles. None of its tributaries are of
any importance. It passes within a mile or so of Troy, the county-seat of Montgomery county, but there are no
large towns directly on its course. Its fall is not large, and its flow is said to be very variable — very much more so
than that of the sand-hill streams just discussed — and it is much more subject to freshets. There are only a few
small saw- and grist-mills on the stream, and although it was said that there are some sites for power, especially on
its upper parts, none of them are of importance. The mills in use have 2 or 3 pair of stones and falls of from 6 to
10 feet, generally with a dam of about the same height. I would estimate the flow of the stream at about 50 cubic
feet per second at a minimum, and 90 or 100 in the low season of ordinary years. The rainfall is about 40 inches,
12 in each season, except autumn.

The next important tributary is Eocky river, which rises in the southern part of Iredell county, flows in a
general southeasterly direction, making, however, several abrupt bends, and passing through Mecklenburg and
Cabarrus counties, and then between Stanley on the north and Union and Anson on the south, its total length
along its general course being about 75 miles, and its drainage area 1,405 square miles. The stream receives a
number of considerable tributaries, viz: from the south and west, Lane's creek (140 square miles), Eichardsou's
creek (199 square miles), and other smaller ones; and from the north, Long creek (158 square miles), Irish Buffalo
creek, Coddle creek, and others. There are no towns of importance on the stream. As the drainage-basin lies
entirely above the fall-line, the stream offers some power. The bed is rock, and in freshets the stream often rises
over its banks. The power utilized is for small saw- and grist-mills and a cotton factory. The grist-mills have
generally 2 run of stones, which they can run almost all the time, although the flow of the stream is said to be
quite variable. The cotton factory, which is located not far from Concord, uses probably not over 25 horse-power
with a fall of 13 feet, and can run all the time. I visited no particular sites on the river, none having been brought
to my notice. The information which I was able to collect is very meager, but it seems probable that there is not
very much power on the stream. I would estimate the flow at its mouth at between 400 and 500 cubic feet per
second in the low season of ordinary years. The rainfall is about 50 inches.

The Uwharrie river, which enters the Yadkin in Montgomery county just below the " narrows", rises in the
northwestern part of Eandolph county, and pursues a course nearly due south through that county and Montgomery,
its length in a straight line being about 37 miles, and its drainage area 317 square miles. It passes by no important
towns, and has no large tributaries. Its water-power is not considered valuable, and is only used for country saw-
and grist-mills, having generally 2 run of stones. The bed is rock, and the banks generally tolerably high on the
lower part, though the low grounds are more extensive on the upper parts. There are no falls on the stream, and
all the power has to be obtained by damming. The stream is, on the whole, rather sluggish, having a small fall,
and crossing the ledges of rock at small angles, as has been noticed when speaking of the " narrows" of the Yadkin.
Its flow is exceedingly variable — in fact, the stream is said to become nearly dry in summer— due, perhaps, to the
fact that it comes out of the slaty region, which has been referred to when speaking of the Deep river. On this
account its water-power is of small value, and the mills have often to stop in summer. The lowest mill is about 6
miles from the Yadkiu, below which the fall is very small. A short distance above it is an old site, now not used,
but probably not of much value. The freshets are heavy and sudden, as is to be expected in the case of a stream
from the slate region.

Above the Uwharrie there are several small streams in Eowan and Davidson counties, but they are hardly
worthy of special mention, being utilized only by saw- and grist-mills, and are, as a rule sluggish, with no fall or
available power of much importance.

The next important affluent is the South Yadkin river, which rises in the southern slope of the Brushy
mountains, in Alexander county, and flows a little south of east through Iredell, and between Davie and Eowan
counties, joining the Yadkin a little above the railroad bridge, its total length in a straight line being about 42
miles, and its drainage area 820 square miles. Two of its tributaries from the north are worth gaming, viz:

745

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

Hunting and Rocky creeks, which drain respectively 146 and 94 square miles. The bed of the stream is rock,
overlaid in places by detritus; the banks moderately high, although overflowed in places in times of freshet ; the
fall considerable, and the flow more constant than in the case of any of the tributaries thus far mentioned above
the sand-hill belt. The power of the stream and of its tributaries is utilized to a considerable extent by saw- and
grist-mills and a few cotton factories, as will be seen by the table of utilized power. The first mill on the stream
is 4 miles from its mouth, at South river (Foard & Lindsay's), and has a fall of 6 feet, with a dam of the same
height and about 240 feet long. About 30 horse-power is utilized, but the available power is much greater.
The drainage area above being about 800 square miles, I would estimate the capacity at perhaps 18 horse-power
per foot fall in very dry seasons, and at 27 to 30 in the low seasons of ordinary years. This mill is sometimes
troubled with backwater. The clam backs the water about 3 miles, nearly up to the foot of the next power above,
Hairston's or Perkins' shoal. This shoal is the most important one on the stream, and is some 12 miles from
Salisbury, and above the mouth of Third creek. The stream has, with a dam 3£ feet high, a fall of 15 or 10 feet
in a quarter of a mile, but the principal part is at the upper end, being 13 or 14 feet in 200 yards. There was at
one time a race cut on the north bank to the foot of the shoal, a quarter of a mile long, and along it were a foundry,
a woolen-mill, and a grist-mill. At present there is a race 200 yards long, at the end of which is a grist-mill, with a
fall of 13 feet, and there is also a saw-mill 50 yards from the dam with a fall of 12 feet. The power used is probably
not over 40 horse-power. The dam, which extends entirely across the stream, is 250 feet long, 3i feet high, built of
wood about eleven years ago at a cost of $1,250, and backing the water for a mile or so, it is said. The location is
an excellent one — safe, and with good facilities for canals and buildings. The practically available fall being taken
at about 13 feet, and the drainage area above being in the neighborhood of 591 square miles, I would estimate the
power about as follows :

Table of power at Hair stones Falls, South YadMn river. %

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Drainage
area.

Fall.

Flow
per second.

Horse-power available,
gross.

Squaremiles.
| 591

Feet.

Cubic feet.
, 118
148

\ 560
1 168

1 foot fall.
13.4
16.8
63.6
19.1

13 feet fall.

175
220
825
250

Above this shoal there are no mills for a long distance, and there are no important powers. On the upper part
of the stream there are small mills, but none worth mentioning.

The tributaries to the South Yadkin afford some very good small powers. Second, Third, Foiirth, and Fifth
creeks, from the south, are all utilized to a greater or less extent by small mills, but are not very favorable ; and
Bear, Hunting, Eocky, and Snow creeks, from the north, are also used. Hunting creek has a cotton factory at Eagle
Mills with a fall of 18 feet and 60 horse-power, it is said, the dam being 3£ feet high, and the race 400 feet long.
This stream is said to offer a number of sites not used, and it is probable that the tributaries from the north all
have a much greater fall than those from the south. Hunting creek drains an area of about 146 square miles, and
the area above the factory is about 100. I would estimate the power at the factory at between 2 and 3 horse-power
gross per foot fall in low seasons of ordinary years — nearer 3 than 2 — or perhaps 40 horse-power net, with 18
feet fall and a good motor. The amount of power actually used in the factory is uncertain. Eocky creek has also a
cotton factory at Turnersburg, using a fall of 19 feet and about 80 horse-power during ten months, and 60 during
the remaining two. The drainage area is about 88 square miles above the factory and 94 at the mouth of the
stream. This stream is similar in character to Hunting creek.

The tributaries to the Yadkin from Forsyth, Davie, and Yadkin counties are not worthy of special mention,
as they are small, and in some cases very sluggish, offering no powers of importance. In Surry and Wilkes counties
we come to a number of streams which rise in the Blue Eidge and pursue a southerty course to the river, draining
a country very well wooded and having a very considerable fall. In Wilkes county there are also a few streams of
this class which rise on the south, on the northern slope of the Brushy mountains, and flow nearly north. All of
these streams are said to afford numerous excellent sites for power, only a few of which are at present utilized.
They flow over rocky beds, with banks generally favorable for the construction of dams, and their flow is said
not to be very variable. They are bordered with fertile and cultivated bottom-lands. Their drainage areas are
given in the table on page 87, and as I was unable to visit this part of the state on account of its inaccessibility I
cannot present much detailed information regarding them. The brief notes which follow below comprise all that I
was able to colleet. The rainfall over all this upper part of the Yadkin valley is about 51 inches — 13 in spring, 14
in summer, 10 in autumn, and 14 in winter. As regards the flow of the streams, I do not present any detailed
estimates, because they are liable to be too far out of the way. According to all the information which could be
obtained regarding power utilized, the flow must be large compared with other streams of similar drainage area
746 «

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

thus far considered. 1 would be inclined, however, to estimate the flow in the low season of ordinary years at
between 0.20 and 0.35 cubic foot per second per square mile of drainage area, varying between these figures for
drainage areas between 30 and 300 square miles in area.

The first of these streams met with is the Little Yadkin, which flows south from Stokes county, and is not very
important. The next, and the largest of them all, is Ararat river, which has its source in Patrick county, Virginia,
and flows south through Surry, draining 315 square miles. It is said to be a very fine stream for power, and is
utilized for saw- and grist-mills, and for a cotton factory at Mount Airy, with a fall of 13 feet and 20 or 30 horse-power.
On its tributaries there are also a few woolen-mills, and there are said to be numerous sites not utilized. The
remaining tributaries in Surry county are Fisher's and Mitchell's rivers. Elkin creek, which flows for the greater
part of its course in Wilkes county, is used at Elkin for a woolen and a cotton factory (Elkin Manufacturing Company),
with a fall of 22 feet, and using 70 horse-power during nine months and about 50 during the remaining time.
Gwyn & Chatham have also a woolen-mill and a flour- and grist mill at the same place, but from a different dam,
the fall used being 15 feet; 35 horse-power is used in the flour-mill. Elkin creek is said to be a very good stream for
power, there being numerous falls not used. Three miles above Gwyn & Chatham's factory is a site known as
Carter's falls, said to be a very fine power, with a large fall in a short distance. The banks of these streams being
generally tolerably high, dams can be built without doing much damage by overflow, so that almost the entire fall
of the streams is said to be practically available for power, and there seems no doubt that a large amount of power
could be utilized. It is to be added that this part of the state is remarkable for its healthy and salubrious climate.
The principal drawback at present is its inaccessibility, the Elkin factory, for example, being 40 miles from the
nearest railroad station. The other streams belonging to this class need not be referred to in detail, as I am able
to present no particulars regarding them beyond what has already been given. They offer numerous sites for good
small powers, but in all probability none of them would afford more than 2 or 3 horse-power per foot fall in dry
seasons. Sites can be found on them; however, where falls of 20 or 30 feet can be obtained.

The following table will give in a more connected form a view of the drainage areas of the various streams
tributary to the Yadkin and Great Pee Dee :

Drainage areas of the tributaries of the Yadkin and Great Pee Dee rivers.

Stream.

Tributary to what.

Place.

Waccamaw river

Black river

Little Peo Dee river .

Do .'

Lumber river

Lynch's river

Little Lynch's creek.

Black creek

Jones' creek

Hitchcock's creek ...

I Do

Palling creek

Little river

Brown's creek

Uwharrie river

Rocky river

Long creek

Richardson's creek . .

Lane's creek

Crane creek

Grant's creek

South Yadkin river. .

Third creek

Fourth creek

Bear creek

Dutchman's creek . .
Hunting creek

Rocky river

Great Pee Dee

...do

...do ...

...do

Little Pee Dee

Great Pee Dee

Lynch's river

Great Pee Dee

...do

Hitchcock's creek
Great Pee Dee .... ,

...do

.. do

Rocky river

...do

Yadkin

...do

....do

...do

South Yadkin

Third creek

South Yadkin

...do

.do .
.do ,
.do
.do.

Mouth

In North Carolina

In South Carolina

Mouth ,

...do

In South Carolina

In North Carolina

Mouth of Lumber river

Mouth

... do

.do .
.do
do
.do .

At mouth of Palling creek.

Mouth

...do

At Garmen'8 mills

Mouth

...do

....do

...do

Hairston's falls

Mouth

...do

....do

...do :

....do

Factory

Mouth

Factory

747

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

Drainage areas of the tributaries of the Tadlcin and Great Pee Dee rivers — Continued.

Stream.

Tributary to what.

Place.

Drainage
area.

Second creek

Muddy creek

Abbott's creek

Dutchman's creek. .

Deep creek

Little Yadkin river

Ararat river

Stewart's creek

Loving's creek ,

Elkin creek

Fisher's river

Mitchell's river

Roaring river

Mulberry creek

Eeddie's river

Cub creek ,

Moravian creek

Warrior creek

Buffalo creek

South Yadkin

Yadkin

...do

...do +

...do

Ararat

....lio

Yadkin

...do

...do .,.

....do

...do

Mouth

...do

Mount Airy

Mouth

...do

....do

...do

....do

...do

....do

108
179
198
97
106
58
315
60
51
52
63
90
81
89
56
47
37
31
33
41

Table of po wer utilized on the Yadldn [Pee Dee) river.

Name of stream.

Tributary to what.

State.

County.

Kind of mill.

Pee Dee river

Yadkin river

Do ,

"Waccamaw and tributaries

Black river and tributaries

Do....:

Little Pee Dee river and tributaries

Do,

Lynch's river and tributaries...

748

Atlantic ocean .

Great Pee Dee.

i Carolina. .
. Carolina .

North Carolina.

...do

South <
North (

...do

South Carolina. .

...do

"...do

...do

North Carolina

...do

....do

...do

....do

South Carolina.

...do

....do

....do" ...

Richmond

...do

Anson

Montgomery. . .

...do

... do

...do

Stanley

...do

Eowan

Davidson

...do

Forsyth

Yadkin

...do

Caldwell

Horry

Brunswick

...do

Clarendon ,

Sumter

Marion

...do

Marlborough . . .

Columbus

...do

Robeson

...do

Richmond

...do

Williamsburgh

Sumter

...do

Darlington

....do

Flour and grist

Cotton-gin

Flour and grist

...do

Cotton factory

...do

Flour and grist

Saw

...do

Flour and grist

...do

Saw

Flour and grist

...do

Saw

Cotton factory

Flour and grist

...do

Saw

Flour and grist

...do

Saw

Flour and grist

...do

Cotton-gin

Flour and grist

Saw

Cotton factory

Agricultural implements.

Flour and grist

Saw

Flour and grist

...do

Saw

Flour and grist

Rice

Feet.
6.5
6.5

8.0

7.0

7.5
22.5
14.0
36.0
18.0

4.0
18.0
29.0
25.0
13.0

9.5

67.0
81.5
28.5
35.0
23.5
24.0
195.0
68.0
8.5
5.0
61.0
10.0
61.0
20.0

24
49
30
30

120
16
12

120
84
99
26
40
10
26
50
22
6
12

136
96

128
CO
65
20

6.0

259

134

88
25

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.
Table of power utilized on the Yadkin (Pee Dee) river — Continued.

Name of stream.

Tributary to what.

State.

Comity.

Kind of mill.

Lynch's river and tributaries

Other tributaries of

Do...

Hitchcock's creek and tributaries .

Little river

Rocky river and tributaries

Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.

South Yadkin river and tributaries

Do ;

Other tributaries of

Do....

Ararat and tributaries

Other tributaries of

Do ;

Great Pee Dee .

Yadkin river. . .

South Carolina
do

North Carolina

.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
..lo .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
-do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do',
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .

Chesterfield...

Kershaw

Lancaster

....do

Marion

Darlington —

...do

Marlborough .

...do

Chesterfield ..

...do

Richmond

...do

Montgomery . .

...do

Anson

...do

Stanley

...do

Marion

...do

Cabarrus

...do

Mecklenburg .

Rowan

...do

Davie

...do

Iredell ,

...do

Alexander

...do

Richmond

...do

Montgomery. .

...do

Randolph

...do

Davidson

...do

Forsyth

Stokes

...do

Anson

...do

Mecklenburg .

Rowan ,

Davie

...do

Yadkin

Surry

...do

"Wilkes

...do

Flour and grist

Saw

...do

Flour and grist

...do

Saw

Flour and grist

...do

Cotton-gin

Flour and grist

Saw

Tar and turpentine

Cotton factory

Saw

...do

Flour and grist

...do

Saw

Flour and grist

Saw

... do

Flour and grist

...do

Saw

Cotton-gin

Flour and grist

...do

Saw

...do

Leather

Cotton-gin

Flour and grist

Cotton factory

...do

Saw

Furniture

Blacksmithing

Flour and grist

Cotton-gin

Flour and grist

Saw

...do

Flour and grist

...do

Saw

Cotton-gin

Flour and grist

...do

Saw

....do

Flour and grist

...do

Saw

Flour and grist

Cotton and woolen factory

Flour and grist

Saw

....do

Flour and grist

Cotton and wool

Flour and grist

Saw

"Woolen

Feet.
27.0
7.0
12.
52.0

87.0
12.0

25.

60.0
10.0
27.0
77.0
21.0
14.0
85.0
28.0
10. «
72.0
220.0

34.0
38.0
92.0
124.0
101.0
37.0
97.0
15.0
56.0
456.0
37.0
60.0
12.0
7.0
7.0
50.
10.0

8.0
52.0
206.0
240.0
80.0
0.0
227.0
70.0

23.0
125.0
38.0

9.0

53.0
112.0

69.0

53.0
163.0

37.0
140.0

12.0

70
10
20
46
53
34
200
154
16
38
62
40
280
40
42
127
45
22
258
80
20
122
321
60
55
27
42
148
171
38
109
10
31
480
140
92
15
10
4
54
20
92
15
66
192
446
154
4

188
58
73
36

137
27

132
75
8

171
95

133
96
37

110

102
14

749

90 WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

VII. — THE SANTEE RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES.

Drainage-basins of the Santee and Edisto rivers, South Carolina.

DRAINAGE AREAS.

Square milea.

Santee river, at mouth 14,725

Congaree river, at mouth 7, 965

Congaree creek, at mouth .... . 115

Edisto river, at mouth • 2, 883

North fork Edisto river, at mouth 745

South fork Edisto river, at mouth 790

Shaw's creek, at mouth 119

Eocky creek, at mouth 195

THE SANTEE EIVEE.

The Santee river is formed by the junction of the Congaree and the Wateree rivers at the angle of the four
counties of Richland, Sumter, Oran geburgh, and Clarendon, South Carolina, whence it flows in a general direction nearly
southeast between Clarendou, Williamsburgh, and Georgetown counties on its left, and Orangeburgh and Charleston
on its right, emptying into the Atlantic ocean about 10 miles north of Cape Romain. Its total length, in a straight line,
is about 90 miles, and by the river about 184 miles. There are no towns on the river, although it is navigable for its
entire length, it being considered practicable to secure a depth of 7 feet at low water for 154 miles and 5 feet for the
remaining distance. The river flows through a fertile country, cotton being the principal staple on the upper part
and rice on the lower, and the banks, more or less subject to overflow, are lined with extensive forests and swamps.
As the river lies entirely below the fall-line, and as its general character corresponds exactly with that of the Great
Pee Dee below Cheraw, it need not be described further. The total area drained by the stream is about 14,700
square miles, and it has no tributaries of much importance below the junction of the Wateree and the Congaree. The
width of the stream varies from 200 to 500 feet, and its fall averages about half a foot to the mile. The utilized
power on its tributaries is tabulated herewith.

THE WATEREE (OR CATAWBA) RIVER.

The Catawba river rises on the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge, in McDowell county, North Carolina, its main
source being between the Blue Ridge and a spur of the same known as Bald mountain. It first flows nearly
northeast into Burke county, and then nearly east between Caldwell and Alexander on its left and Burke and
Catawba counties on its right. It then bends quite abruptly toward the south, and flows in a direction a little east
of south between Iredell and Mecklenburg counties, North Carolina, and Lancaster, Kershaw, and Sumter counties,
South Carolina, on its left, and Catawba, Lincoln, and Gaston counties, North Carolina, and York, Chester,
Fairfield, and Richland counties, South Carolina, on its right, uniting with the Congaree to form the Santee. It
also flows for a short distance through Kershaw county, South Carolina. Its general course is seen to be nearly
parallel to that of the Yadkin and the Great Pee Dee. The river is known as the Catawba down as far as the mouth
of the Big Wateree creek, in Fairfield county, South Carolina, below which point it is known as the Wateree. Its
total length, in a straight line, is about 160 or 170 miles, but by the general course of the river it is nearly 225 miles,
and over 300 miles if all its windings are followed. The length of the Wateree is about 105 miles,* and the total
length in South Carolina about 160 miles. The principal town on the river is Camden, South Carolina (population
1,780), there being no important ones above.

The stream is navigable as high as Camden, it being probably practicable to secure a depth of 2 feet and over
up to this place. One light-draught steamer now plies upon the river. Above Camden the fall of the stream is
so great that navigation is not practicable. About the year 1826 the state of South Carolina attempted to render
the river navigable by means of locks, dams, and canals, and several very extensive and important works were
constructed at great expense; but the undertaking is said to have been given up before the works were completed.

The total area drained by the stream embraces about 5,225 square miles (of which 3,085 are in North Carolina),
and the drainage-basin resembles in many respects that of the Yadkin, so that it need not be described here in
detail. Like the Yadkin, the upper part of the river flows between parallel ranges of mountains, from which it
receives a number of tributaries, affording considerable water-power, and with a rapid fall, the width of the valley
being about the same as that of the Yadkin. In the lower half of its course in North Carolina the valley of the
Catawba is very narrow — not over 15 or 20 miles in width — and it receives only one important tributary, the South
fork, which enters from the west near the South Carolina line, after draining an area of about 730 square miles.
Below this point the valley is wider, but there are no tributaries of much importance. A few miles above Camden
the river crosses the fall-line, and below that point it partakes of the general character of the streams of the eastern

750

* Annual Eeport Chief of Engineers, 1880, p. 915.

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER- SHED.

division. The country drained by the river is very fertile and well populated, the productions being about the
same as in the Yadkin valley. The valley abounds in building-stone of the best kind, and iu Gaston, Lincoln, and
Catawba counties there are fine deposits of iron ore.

As regards bed, banks, freshets, and bottoms, the river resembles the Yadkin, except that the bottoms are
narrower in the lower half of its course in North Carolina. There are no lakes in the basin, but in the upper
part the facilities for storage are said to be good.

The average rainfall in the basin is about 50 inches, of which about 12 fall in spring, 14 in summer, 10 in
autumn, and 14 iu winter. Toward the upper part of the stream, however, the rainfall in winter increases, and is
probably greater than in the summer.

The elevation of the stream at different points is given in the following table, from which it will be seen that
the fall is very great for such a large stream; and it is this large fall which has prevented the river from having
ever been made navigable, although, as already remarked, many years ago the state of South Carolina expended a
great amount of money endeavoring to make it navigable by means of locks, dams, and canals :

Table of declivity of the Catawba and Wateree rivers.*

Place.

Junction with Congaree

Crossing of Chester and Cheraw railroad

Crossing of Charlotte, Columbia, and Augusta railroad

Crossing of Charlotte and Atlanta Air-line railroad : .

Crossing of Western railroad of Xorth Carolina

Five miles northwest of Hickory

Morgauton

Mill creek at Old Fort

Mill creek, last crossing of Western railroad of North Carolina.
Swannanoa gap (headwaters)

Distance from
mouth.

Miles.

125

150

170

225

250

268

318

326 d

334 d

Elevation
above tide.

Feet.

80 ±
365
496
600
810
978

1, 019
1, 510
2, 050

2, 658

Distance be-
tween points.

Miles.

125

- 25
. 20

- 55

- 25

- 18

- 50

• 8+

- 8+

Fall between
points.

Feet.

■ - - 285

- ■ ■ 131

- - - 104

- - - 210

- - • 168

- - - 41

- - - 491

- - - 540

- - - 608

Feet psr mile.

- - - 2.28

- - - 5.24

- - - 5.20

- - - 3.82

- - - 6. 70 (T>

- - - 2. 28 (»)

- - - 9.80

- - - 67.50

- - - 70.00

* From some discrepancies in tho data obtained from various sources I am inclined to believe that some of these elevations are those of the rails, and not of the
water surface. On this account this table must bo considered as only a rough approximation.

The flow of the river was measured by Professor Kerr near Hickory, giving 2,150 cubic feet per second, which
is evidently not the low-season flow, as the drainage area above this point is not much over 1,000 square miles.

The map shows the railroads which cross the stream, from which it will be seen that it is easily accessible in
almost all of its parts.

I proceed to describe the powers in detail, ascending the river.

Formerly the head of navigation was 5 miles above Camden, at which point the river crosses the fall-line in a
long shoai extending through several miles. When the river was made navigable by the state, in 1826 or thereabout,
this fall was overcome by a canal 5 miles in lengtb, with G locks, aggregating 52 feet fall,* the position of the canal
being shown on the map. I visited the place from Camden, from which town it is distant by road about 12 miles,
for the purpose of ascertaining the availability of the power. The canal is on the west side of the river, which it
leaves just below a rocky bluff, from which a dam extended out into the river. This old dam is entirely gone,
and I could not ascertain what its height had been ; but the fall for the next mile above is probably 10 or 12 feet,
according to the pocket-level, although the stream is not rocky except for a few hundred feet. The canal had a
guard-lock about a quarter of a mile from its head, and below that it passes through nearly level or gently rolling
bottom-lands, and is now entirely overgrown with underbrush and filled up with deposits of all kinds, so that it is
in some places scarcely distinguishable. It retreats some distance from the river, the bottom between them being on
the average several hundred yards wide, and parts of it are subject to overflow in times of high water. Near the foot
of the canal is a flight of three locks, and a little farther down the canal passes out into Sawney's creek by an
outlet-lock. I was unable" to find the sixth lock mentioned by Mills. The principal part of the fall in the river
occurs near the lower end, or about two-thirds of the distance from the head, and is utilized for a small grist-mill,
with two pair of stones, by means of a rough wing-dam and a race a quarter of a mile long, affording a fall of or
7 feet and a fall to the tail-race sufficient to avoid the trouble occasioned by ordinary rises of the water. In a
distance of rather over a mile, from a little above the head of the race leading to the grist-mill, the fall, as
ascertained by the pocket-level, is in the neighborhood of 20 feet. Above this the bottom bordering the river is
subject to overflow to a considerable extent, while below it is ouly occasionally flooded. Below the mill, too, the
bottom becomes narrower, and is more undulating than above. As regards the most advantageous method of
utilizing the power, my examination was too superficial to permit of any definite conclusions being reached. To
clear the old canal out would require considerable work, although of an easy kind. The capacity of the canal, too,
could be easily enlarged if it were considered desirable to utilize the entire power, which might be done by locating

* Statistics of South Carolina, including a view of its natural, civil, and military history, general and particular. By Robert Mills

(182G).

751

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

the mills at the lower flight of locks, where, if we accept Mills' statement, a fall of some 50 feet could be obtained j
and the location here is probably as safe and as favorable as anywhere along the canal. A smaller power could be
much more easily secured probably by building a dam somewhere near the head of the grist-mill race (whether the
bed and banks there would be found very favorable I cannot say) and leading a canal down near to the old locks,
in which way a fall of 20 feet might probably be secured, the race being a mile or so long. As regards the amount
of power available, I have tabulated it below, basing it, like all my others, on estimates, in the entire absence
of any data regarding the flow:

Table of power at 11 Wateree canal".

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Minimum

Minimum low season

Maximum, with storage.
Low season, dry years. . .

Drainage
area.

Sq. miles.

4, 376

Fall.

Feet.

*32

Flow per
second.

Horse-power
available,
gross.

1 foot fall.

109.4
150.0
398.0
170. 5

Horss-power
available,
gross.

52 feet fall.

5,700
7, 750 i
20, 700
8, 850

* Mills.

I did not have time to look at the other side of the river, and only cursorily at the west side ; but as the canal
was built on the west side, it may be presumed that the "lay of the land" there is more favorable for canals and
buildings than the other. The fall in the river is not accompanied by any violent commotion, being gradual,
and the river wide, with a large volume of water. This power is the first of the four great powers on the Catawba
(Wateree) river.

The second of these powers, and the next one above the Wateree canal which necessitated any extensive
navigation works, is at the great falls of the Catawba, near Eocky Mount. Between the two places, however, there
is a very considerable fall, it being stated by Mr. Wolbrect, United States assistant engineer, that the fall in the
upper 17 miles of the Wateree river is 75 feet, or 4.5 feet to the mile.* Nevertheless, no particular water-powers
between the two referred to were brought to my notice, although I obtained information of a few small grist-mills.

The fall at the Great falls is similar in some respects to that on the Yadkin at the "narrows", described on
page 80. The navigation works planned were very extensive. In ascending the river the course of the canal is as
follows: Leaving the river about opposite Eocky Mount, on the west side, it rises to the level of the bottom (which
borders the river at this place) by a flight of two locks, aggregating about 18 feet lift, crosses the bottom, and after
passing around a steep and rocky bluff, at which place it was necessary to build the outer wall of the canal of solid
masonry for a distance of half a mile or thereabout, within which distance occurs one intermediate lock, with a lift
of about 9 feet, it debouches into Eocky creek, a small stream which flows into the Catawba at a point in the
neighborhood of a half or a quarter of a mile above its mouth, opening into it by a guard-lock, with a lift of about 8
feet, situated at one end of a wooden dam, which extended across the creek, backing up the water, with a navigable
depth, to a distance of about a mile. This first canal is about a mile in length, and has a total rise, according to
what has been said, of about 35 feet from low water in the Catawba at the outlet-lock to the crest of the dam
across Eocky creek. Between the canal and the river is a bottom, in which the lower part of the canal itself lies,
and which is subject to overflow in times of freshet. It was probably on this account that the canal was carried
so closely around the bluff. In fact, this part of the river, just below the principal fall, is subject to large rises,
much larger than within the next few miles above, where the declivity is great, and down which the water rushes
so rapidly that the smaller declivity below is insufficient to carry it off without a considerable rise. This part of
the canal, as well as that above, is so overgrown with brush and by trees of half a century's growth that its
original dimensions cannot be accurately determined. The lock-chambers are about 70 feet by 10 feet, and the
canal was perhaps 20 or 25 feet wide at the top and 3 or 4 feet deep. The dam across Eocky creek was probably
about 12 or 13 feet high, and its pool, as before mentioned, was navigable for about a mile, at which point the
second portion of the canal commenced, leaving the river by a flight of 4 locks, with together 32 feet lift, by which
it rises to the level of a narrow valley running about parallel with the Catawba, but separated from it by a ridge.
Along the side of this valley, out of sight of the Catawba, although the latter is only a quarter of a mile distant,
and with a ridge nearly a hundred feet high between them, passes the canal for a distance of about 2 miles, at the
end of which the valley that it has been following opens out into the river, but at an elevation above it of 20 or 30
feet, having gradually become narrower as the river was approached, and at its upper end being very little more
than wide enough to carry the canal without cutting into the hill-sides. Within this two miles, from the point
where it leaves Eocky creek till it again reaches the river, the canal has, in addition to the 4 locks already
mentioned, two flights of locks, one with 4 locks, aggregating 36 feet lift, and another with 3 locks, and in all 27 feet
lift, as far as could be ascertained. Both of these flights of locks are situated in the lower part of the valley
followed by the canal, and at points where it is several hundred yards wide. The ridge between the river and the
canal is interrupted at a point about a quarter of a mile below where the canal again comes in sight of the river by
a narrow ravine, which retreats down to the river, and is not over 100 feet wide. From the point where the canal
reaches the bank of the river it proceeds about a mile further, first skirting the face of a steep and rocky bluff, and

752

'Annual Eeport Chief of Engineers, 1880, p. 915.

DRAINAGE BASIN.

01? THE .

"WATEREE,\ COXGAI1EE. /

RLYERS.

Scale:

^\ E-aiTAYUORSVIUiS

i «\

«■ -I \/ U je*:;STAT£SV!LLEi

Mi E W tVwJ^/A' 7 'Ai. v

SherfylUFd.

o ,l In a *

" r "*~' ^

o X

A N

E L D^Of' ^

V —3

l_ \J LEXINGTON"

U M

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

then across a bottom, and after rising about 9 feet, by a lock situated in the latter, it opens into the river by a
guard-lock and a dam, which seems to have extended across to an island, backing up the water between it and the
right bank of the river, as well as some distance up Fishing creek, which enters a short distance above, and
enabling boats to pass out into the river, up between the island and the shore, and up Fishing creek, just as they
did below up Eocky creek. The third portion of the canal, which I did not have an opportunity to examine, leaves
Fishing creek at a point a mile or so from its mouth (according to the map), and after a length of a mile or a mile
and a half, in which distance, according to Mills, the fall is 56 feet, opens into the river again, which is navigable
from this point to Landsford, a distance of 12 miles or thereabout. As regards the river itself, its fall in a distance
of a mile and a half or thereabout, down to the point where the second portion of the canal passes in behind the
ridge, as ascertained by the pocket-level, is about 35 or 40 feet. At this point there was formerly a small mill.
Below this the river is narrower, and the water rushes with great velocity between steep, rocky, and almost vertical
banks, falling about 25 feet in less than a quarter of a mile, down to the mouth of the ravine already referred to as
running up to the canal, making a total fall to this place from a point not far from the head of the second portion of
the canal of, say, 60 feet in a distance of about one and a half miles. Just below the ravine was located a cotton
factory, using a fall of some 5 to 7 feet, with a wing-dam, and built almost over the water. The banks in this portion
of the river are so steep and rocky as to preclude the construction of a canal or of extensive buildings, at least on
the west side of - the river. The cotton factory was a small building, not more than 50 by 25 feet. From the mouth
of the ravine the river falls about 30 feet in the next quarter of a mile, making nearly 100 feet in about 2 miles.
These are the great falls of the Catawba. The total fall is stated to be 173 feet in 8 miles.* The largest fall in a
short distance occurs between the old mill-site and the ravine, the river at this point being not over 150 feet
wide, while its average width for half a mile is not over 200 feet perhaps, and at the narrowest part it rushes with
tremendous force over its rocky bed — a sheet of foam, falling some 10 or 15 feet in 150 or 200 feet.

The enormous power at this place is entirely unutilized at present, but a considerable portion of it could be
rendered available without much difficulty, I think, in various ways. I have already mentioned the fact that except
for small falls and small buildings there is no opportunity for the utilization of power along that part of the
river opposite the second portion of the canal. A building might be erected on the site of the old factory and a
fall of 10 feet obtained with ease, but only room for a small building. It may be mentioned that the dwellings of
the factory operatives were on the top of the ridge between the river and the canal. But any scheme for the
extensive utdization of the power must, I think, include the use of the old canal, and in this respect various
methods may be employed, as follows :

1st. By rebuilding the dam at the head of the second portion of the canal, raising that portion of the canal
below the first lock and locating the mills in or near the ravine already described, discharging the water through the
same into the river, a fall of at least 50 feet could be obtained, necessitating, however, considerable work in cutting
out the ravine for a tail-race, and with poor building facilities. The quantity of water will vary, of conrse, according
to the dimensions given to the canal. If the canal is not raised to the level of the former dam, or nearly so, but is
left at the ravine, as it was originally, the fall available will be at least 30 or 35 feet.

2d. At any or all of the three flights of locks mentioned above Bocky creek the facilities for utilizing a large
power are very good, there being ample building-room, and the water being discharged into Bocky creek. This is,
in my opinion, the best way of utilizing the power. The available fall of all three flights is 95 feet, and the fall of
Eocky creek would doubtless prevent any danger whatever from freshets or any trouble from backwater ; of course
there would be no trouble with ice. If the level of the canal were raised, so that it ran (nearly) level from its head
to these flights of locks, the available fall would be increased to about 110 feet.

3d. As regards the power on the first (lowest) portion of the canal, below Eocky creek, the total amount
of water brought through the second portion, together with the entire flow of Eocky creek, could be turned into
the canal, provided it were of sufficient capacity and utilized lower on the stream. By raising thatportion of the canal
below the first lock, an available fall of about 30 or 35*feet could be secured at the lower end ; but as this whole
bottom, through which the canal passes, is subject to overflow, the facilities for building are not so good as in the
last case. Still, there is no reason why this fall could not be utilized, if desired. This site would suffer also more
troublg with 'backwater than the last one described, which would be, in fact, almost absolutely free from it.
Summing up the lifts of all the locks in the first and second portions of the canal we see that the total fall. is 130
feet and over, as follows :

Feet.

One guard-lock at upper end of second portion, lift, say —

Ono lock half a mile below, lift, say 9

Flight of 3 locks, 9 feet each, behind ridge, lift, say 27

Flight of 4 locks, 9 feet each, behind ridge, lift, say 36

Flight of 4 locks, 8 feet each, behind ridge, lift, say 32

Guard-lock at head of first portion (lowest), lift, say —

Lock, half a mile below, close to bluff, lift, say 9*

Two locks, outlet to river, 9 feet each, lift, say 18

Total 131+

* Mills' statistics of South Carolina.

1012 W P— JK)L 16 48 753

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

Mills states the fall as 121 feet, and the number of locks as 13 ; but as this part of the canal was in process of
construction when his book was written, some changes were evidently made thereafter.

The accompanying sketch of the Catawba river at the Great falls, South Carolina, while it makes no pretensions
to accuracy, will at least give some idea of the general situation.

The upper portion of the canal, from Fishing creek through to the river, I was unfortunately unable to examine.
The power there is said to be available, and any persons seeking a location will, of course, thoroughly examine this
as well as the lower portion of the canal.

As regards the amount of power available, I have estimated it as follows :

Table of available power at the great falls of the Catawba.

State of flow (see pp. 18 to 21).

Drainage area.

Tall.

Flow per sec-
ond.

Horse-power
available, gross.

Remarks.

Maximum, with storage

Low season, dry years

Square miles.
*3, 600

Feet.
173

Cubic feet.

(■ 793
1, 080
2, 900

l 1, 230

1 foot fall.

90
123
330
140

173 feet fall.
15, 500
21,000
57, 000
24, 000

Drainage area for second portion of canal is 3,830,
} and for lower portion 4,015 square miles, taking in
J Fishing and Rocky creeks.

*Without Fishing creek.

To render the whole of this flow available would require a canal of considerably larger dimensions than the
existing one, as will be seen by reference to the table of capacity calculated for the canals at Weldon, on the
Koanoke, and Buckhorn falls, on the Cape Fear.

The power just described is about 25 miles from Chester, the nearest point on the Charlotte, Columbia, and
Augusta railroad, and about 8 miles below where the Chester and Cheraw railroad crosses the river. The upper
portion of the canal, above Fishing creek, is not more than five or six miles from the latter road, so that it has the
advantage in point of location, and shoidd by no means be overlooked by persons wishing to find power.

Proceeding up the river, there is no power of much importance till we arrive at Landsford, about 4 miles above
the railroad, where the third canal was built by the state. This canal was nearly 2 miles long, and had a guard-lock
and 4 lift-locks, with about 35 feet lift in all. It passes through a bottom for its entire length, retreating in some
places about 300 yards from the river, leaving abundant room for building purposes, and is not liable to be often
overflowed. At the head of the canal a curved dam of loose rock extends across to an island, its length being
about 1,500 feet, and its height 4J feet. It raises the water only about 2£ feet. About a mile below is a pair of locks
with a lift together of 18 feet, over which Mr. W. E. Davie has a grist-mill, using a fall of 18 feet, with a turbine-
wheel giving 25 horse-power, discharging the water into the river through a break in the bank of the canal below
the locks, and having a fall of 6 or 7 feet io the tail-race. The total fall from the ordinary level of water in the canal
to low water in the river at this place is nearly 29 feet. The mill is not often troubled by high water, owing to the
rapid fall in the river for some distance below. Five hundred yards or over below this mill are two outlet-locks,
with a total lift of about 17 feet from low water, and making the total fall in the canal, exclusive of that in the
guard-lock, about 35 feet. With a tight dam at the head of the canal a fall of 40 feet could be obtained, which,
however, could not all be utilized, except perhaps at low water, unless the dam were made over 6 or 8 feet high.
The stream is quite wide opposite the canal, and the rise in freshets not great.

The drainage area above Landsford is about 3,425 square miles. The available power I estimate as follows :

Table of power at Landsford.

State of flow (see pp. 18 to 21).

Drainage area.

Fall.

Flow per
second.

Horse-power available, gross.

Remarks.

Minimum

Square milee.
3, 425

Feet.

Cubic feet,
r 750
J 1, 027
1 2, 900
1 1, 160

1 foot fall.

85.3
116.7
330.0
131.8

IS feet fall.

1, 540
2,100
5, 900
2, 370

40 feet fall.

3, 400
4, 650
13, 000
• 5, 270

( 25 horse-power (net) util-
r ized. «

J •

This site is within 4 miles of the Chester and Cheraw railsoad, from which a branch road can be easily extended
to it.* It is 22 miles from Chester, and about 20 miles below the crossing of the Charlotte, Columbia, and
Augusta railroad. It wiU be found, I think, to be the most available site which we have thus far met upon the
river, although I cannot speak of the upper part of the canal below, near Fishing creek, not having visited it.
Opposite the canal, on the east side of the river, is a small grist-mill, with a wing-dam and a small fall.

Above Landsford there are no powers of importance in South Carolina, although there is a small mill just
below where the Charlotte, Columbia, and Augusta railroad crosses. There are several shoals, with falls of from 3
to 5 feet, some of which have been used, but the trouble with high water is so great that they are of no value.
A mile or so above the mouth of the Souffli fork there was a grist-mill with a fall of 3 or 4 feet, and above it

* Liberal propositions are made lor the development of this power with an 8-foot dam at the head of the canal.

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

the cotton factory of the Eock Island Manufacturing Company, which was moved because the high water was so
troublesome, the fall having been 5 feet. Both of them were on the Mecklenburg side.

It may be mentioned here that the width of the Catawba between the North Carolina line and the mouth of
the Wateree creek varies between 300 and 3,000 feet, while the banks vary in height from 10 to 100 feet.

The river was surveyed in 1824, under authority of the state of North Carolina, between the state-line and
Moore's shoals, 10 miles below Morgauton, by Mr. Hamilton Fulton, a portion of whose map and profile is in the
office of the state geologist in Raleigh, from which the table of shoals further on is condensed.* Beside the shoals
mentioned in the table, there are numerous others of smaller fall, but which, however, may be more favorable for
power than those named, being perhaps more favorably located, and permitting the erection of high dams. All
these points can only be determined by a survey.

After Ross's falls, which is probably one of the shoals referred to as having been used by a small mill, or
perhaps a factory, the next important shoal is Tuckasegee shoal (also called Powder-Mill shoal), close to tbe crossing
of the Carolina Central railroad. It is only utilized on the west side by a grist-mill, with about 4 feet fall.

Three miles above it is the fourth large power on the Catawba, at Mountain Island shoal, about 3 miles above
the railroad, and above the mouth of Dutchman's creek. The fall in the river between a point one mile above the
factory, or a little above the head of the shoal, and the railroad bridge below is 38 feet, t but of this fall nearly 30
feet occurs in one mile near the factory. The bed of the stream is rock, the banks on the east side very bluffy,
while they are shelving on the west and very favorable for building, with no danger in high water. The power is
utilized to a small extent by the cotton factory of G. K. Tate & Brothers. At the head of the shoal is a series of three
small islands near the right bank, with a distance of only a few feet between them and the shore, and between the
islands and tbe shore a certain amount of water flows naturally, with no dam to turn it in. This water is all that is
used by the factory, there being no dam at the head of the islands, and the only dams being three slough-dams,
connecting the islands with each other and the 'lowest one with the shore, the two former of which are of rough stone
and the third of crib-work, and about 40 feet long and 8 feet high. From the foot of the lowest island an artificial
race about GOO feet long leads to the factory, where a fall of 22 feet is used and about 190 horse-power; in addition
to which there is a grist- and saw-mill and a cotton-gin, using together 50 to 60 horse-power and 15 to 1G feet fall.
Full capacity can be secured all the time. The total distance between the head of the small islands referred to and
the factory is about three-quarters of a mile, below which the fall continues for a short distance. The fall in the
canal is considerable, and I think that the total fall down to the factory is in the neighborhood of 26 feet.

The drainage area above this shoal being about 1,538 square miles, I have estimated the power as follows :

Table of power at Mountain Island shoal.

State of flow (see pp. 18 to 21).

Drainage
area.

Fall.

Flow per
second.

Horse-power available, gross.

Sq. mile*.
1, 538

Feet.

•30

Cubic feet,
r 300
380

] 1, 350
1 450

1 footfall.

34.1
43.2
153.4
51.1

25 feet fall.

850
1, 080
3, 800
1, 275

30 feet fall.

1, 000
1, 300
4,600
1, 500

* See description.

The whole of this large power is easily available on the west bank, with good facilities for buildings and canals.
A series of mills could be built, using an average fall of 25 feet or more, and with little trouble from high water,
and none from ice. The west side is not so favorable. It is to be remarked that the pond would probably be small,
and the power could not be concentrated into fewer than 24 hours except by reservoirs elsewhere. The shoal is
12 miles from Charlotte and 3 miles from the Carolina Central railroad, with which it might easily be put in
communication by rail. It is in the cotton-belt, and in a most healthy part of the country. It is one of the most
available powers I visited.

Just aboye Mountain island the river makes a remarkable bend, or horse-shoe, the distance by land across
the chord being 1£ miles, while it is 7£ miles around by the river. % This bend has been talked of as a site for
water-power, which would afford a large fall if the bend were cut through. According to Professor Kerr, however,
the river is sluggish along the bend, and the total fall is small, some 9 or 10 feet only.

I did not visit any of the shoals above Mountain island, and can therefore give no particulars regarding them
beyond what is in the table. The next utilized power, however, if we pass over a few small saw- and grist-mills,
is in Catawba county, where thtre are two cotton factories, located between Buffalo shoals and Lookout shoals, and
within a few miles of the railroad. The Granite shoals mill, or the factory of the Catawba Manufacturing Company
(A. M. Powell, president), uses a fall of 5£ feet and 35 or 40 horse-power. The dam is of wood and stone, built in
1871, costing $1,000, and the main part of it extends across to an island, being 200 feet long and 5.5 feet high, while
a wing-dam 700 feet long and 2 feet high extends from the island, reaching only about half way across the river.
There is no race. Full capacity can be secured all the time (except during high water). The other factory, Long,

* Extract from Annual Eeport Chief of Engineers, 1876, p. 33, et seq. t From information furnished by B. S. Guion, C. E. , Lincolnton, N. C.
t Annual report Chief of Engineers, 167^, app. G, p. 31.

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

Island factory, owned by Powell & Shuford, uses 7 feet fall and 35 or 40 horse-power, which can be obtained at all
times. The dam extends half way across the river, was built iu 1872, cost $3,000, and is of wood and stone, 500
feet long and 4 feet high. The race is 200 feet long.

The next improved power of importance is the mill of Eamsour, Bonnewell & Co., in Caldwell county, three
miles from Hickory, but on just what shoal I do not know, although the location corresponds very well with that
of Horseford shoals, the largest shoal on this part of the river. They have a dam made of logs, built in 1853,
extending nearly half way across the river, being about 250 feet long and 18 inches high. A race one-half mile long
leads to the mills (grist and saw), where the fall is 8 feet. Not over 40 or 50 horse-power is used, which can be obtained
all the time. If this power is really at Horseford shoals, it is a valuable one, as the estimate of, power shows.

Devil's shoals is said to be a very fine site, situated 6 miles from Hickory (on the Carolina Central railroad) and
12 miles south of Lenoir. It is not improved at all. A ledge of rock is said to extend entirely across the river,
offering a fine site for a dam.

Above this I have no detailed information of the shoals, but there are doubtless other sites for power. The
stream is rapid, the bed rock, and the low grounds on either side subject to overflow. The only mills in this part
of the state are saw- and grist-mills. Near Morganton, at Eocky ford, Major J. W. Wilson has a good site, used for
a grist-mill, the fall being 9 feet and over, with a dam 2 feet high, 400 feet long, and a head-race of 1,400 feet. The
wheel gives 60 or 70 horse-power, and there is never lack of water.

Above Morganton the river has a rapid fall, but it is more gradual than below, the shoals being more numerous,
but not with such great descents. Between Morganton and the mouth of Mill creek there are 197 shoals, with an
average fall of about 2 feet, the distance being 50 miles. The valley narrows to two, one, and one-half miles in width.

In McDowell county the river forks into Mill creek, which the Western North Carolina railroad follows, and
the South Catawba, on which ogcur the Catawba falls, where the fall is said to be several hundred feet in a short
distance, but the stream is too small to be used much for power. Both of these streams, as well as the others which
enter the Catawba in McDowell county, are mountain streams, with a large fall and often abrupt descents of many
feet, forming cascades and cataracts of great beauty. Some of them are used by small grist- and saw-mills.

Summary of power on the Catawba and Wateree rivers.

Rainfall.

Total fall.

Horse-power available, gross.*

mce from mi

aage area.

mum low
leason.

5 B

a °

season, dry
years.

Disti

Sprii

Sumi

_g
<

"3
k

s
<v

Heig

<o
>1

Mini

CS
*

Low

In.

Feet.

Miles.

Sq. m.

In.

Miles.

85 +

4,375

52.00

5. 00

5,700

7,750

20, 700

8,850

117 +

3, 600+

173. 00

8. 00

15, 500

21, 000

57, 000

24, 000

130

3,425

40. 00

2.00

3,400

4, 650

13, 000

5,270

161

1, 725

8.13

0. 90

300

400

1,400

450

169
175 +

1,670
1,538

12
12

10
10

11.22

1. 02

425
1,600

525

1,900

600
2, 300

46.52

3. 10

2,000

7,000

178

1, 500 +

3. 93

0. 22

130

170

600

200

188

1, 455

27.25

4. 17

900

1,125

4, 000

1, 300

194

1, 420

13.00

2. 38

420

520

1,850

600

210

1, 342

13. 13

1. 88

400

500

1, 750

600

212

1, 307

23. 44

1. 69

700

870

3, 000

1, 000

214

1,290

3. 93

0. 05

120

150

500

175

215

1, 287

11.41

0. 66

325

400

1,450

475

222

1,205

9. 71

2. 18

250

325

1, 200

375

224

1, 200

8. 64

1. 32

225

300

1, 000

350

225

1, 184

54. 25

3. 20

1, 450

1, 850

6, 400

2, 100

231

1, 180

9.70

1.16

260

325

1,150

375

233

1, 125

8.94

1. 87

225

280

1, 000

325

235

1,100±

14.82

1. 02

375

475

1, 650

525

245

964

31. 43

2.91

700

875

3, 000

1, 000

249

935

8.88

1.82

190

240

850

275

251

918

13.78

1.01

290

360

1,275

425

262

557

9.50

0. 30

100

140

575

160

4, 376 j

28, 0*00

125

3, 450 >

200 ±

35.00

19, 500

24, 000

70, 000

125

3, 450 1

225

1, 200 |

445

100. 00

22, 500

28, 000

90, 000

32, 500

225

1, 200 }

209

37. 00

4, 000

5,200

18, 500

6,000

262

557>

75
262

4, 500 >
557 >

854 ±

187. 00

52, 000

65, 000

199. 000

75, 000

Locality.

Wateree canal . ,

■Great falls

Landsford shoals

Boss' falls

Tuckasegee shoals

Mountain Island shoals

Abernathy's falls

Cowan's ford shoal8

Beattie's ford shoals

Sberrill's ford shoals

Crawford Island shoals

Small shoals

Buffalo shoals

Lookout shoals

Lower Little river shoals

Canoe landing shoals

Great falls

Horseford shoals

Shoal

Devil's shoals

Bocky ford shoals

Between head of Wateree canal

and crossingof Chester and Cheraw
railroad.

Between crossing of Chester and
Cheraw railroad —

* and crossing of Western North
Carolina railroad.

Between crossing of Western North
Carolina railroad —

and Morganton «.

Total between Camden

and Morganton

Utilized.

1 *

'wi

Feet.

7. 0. 8

0. 0.

♦18. 1. 2+

250 22.

607

9.5

257.5

30.0—

2.0—

Bemarks.

Utilized, 80 horse-
power and 12. S
feet fall.

These figures are
of no practical
value.

756

' See pages 18 to 21.

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED. 97

TRIBUTARIES OF THE CATAWBA (WATEREE) RIVER.

The point where the Wateree and the Congaree meet is nearly on the lower limit of the belt of sand-hills already
referred tOj perhaps a little below it. As a consequence, the tributaries of the Wateree for a distance of upward
of 30 miles in a straight line belong to the class of sand-hill streams. Eegarding them but little is to be said,
none of them having been utilized except to a small extent. Some of them are swampy and of no value, while
others might be made to afford large powers. The most prominent of these streams are Big and Little Pine Tree
creeks, the latter a tributary of the former, which passes close by the town of Camden; and they are said to be the
best of the sand-bill tributaries of the . Wateree. The water-bearing stratum of the sand-hill streams in this
neighborhood is stated to be an impervious white clay, while nearer the surface of the ground is a layer of pervious
red clay. The valleys of the two streams above referred to are said to be very favorable to the production of large
ponds, so that by damming large storage-room can be obtained. They are utilized by saw- and grist-mills, and
offer some available sites for power, regarding which I gained the following information: Big Pine Tree creek has
five sites, of which all have at some time been improved. The lowest mill, a grist-mill and cotton-gin, uses only a
part of the creek, and is subject tq,stoppage from backwater, the river (Wateree) being said to rise 30 feet at times.
The available fall here is said to be 18 feet, subject to reduction by high water. Farther up the stream, and just
above £he mouth of Little Pine Tree creek, there was formerly a mill, using, it is said, a fall of 16 feet, and above
it was a second mill with 15 feet, neither of which is now in existence. The fall in the six miles just above the
mouth of Little Pine Tree is stated, and doubtless accurately, at 30 feet, and these two sites are said to be the best
on the stream. The lower one had a race a mile long, but the upper one had none. Above the latter there are two
grist-mills in operation. There is no doubt that this stream is an excellent one for manufacturing purposes, and
that large amounts of power could be obtained from it at the two sites near Camden, especially as it would probably
be practicable to secure ponds sufficiently large to store all the water during thft night. According to what has
been said on pages 61, 62, 84, and 85 regarding these sand-hill streams, and the data which have been obtained
regarding their flow in the cases of the tributaries to the Cape Fear, Yadkin, and Savannah (see page 87), it would
seem a fair allowance, if we assume them to discharge at their minimum about half a cubic foot per second per
square mile, at their low-season flow 0.65, and at their ordinary flow 0.75 to 1 cubic foot. If this is correct, the flow
of the Big and Little Pine Tree creeks would be as follows :

Table of estimated flow and power of Big and Little Pine Tree creelcs.

Place and stream.

Drainage
area.

Rainfall.

Plow per second.

Horse-power, gross.

Minimum.

Average.

Spring.

Summer

Winter.

Year.

Low sea:

Average

Sq. miles.

In.

Oubiefeet.

lfootfall.

f 28

3.2

4.1

6.3

Big Pine Tree above junction of Little Pine Tree

14-15

i 22

2.5

4. 9

Little Pine Tree at mouth

I «

0.7

0.9

1.4

It must not be forgotten that these powers can be doubled by storing the water during the night, which would
be doubtless practicable. ' Neither must it be forgotten that the maps are not accurate, and the drainage areas are
subject to error. The above estimates were made independently, by comparison with other streams. It may be
remarked, however, that Mr. J. Millar Williams, the owner of the mill below the mouth of Little Pine Tree creek,
and a civil engineer by profession, gauged the stream once, and found that the whole stream would afford 6.25
horse-power per foot, which agrees almost exactly with my estimate in the last column. John McRae, esq., of
Camden (civil engineer), estimates the flow of the stream above Little Pine Tree creek at 100 cubic feet per second.
At the time I saw the stream (February, 1881) it was discharging a little more than two-thirds of this, according to
a rough measurement. The two sites above mentioned — above the mouth of Little Pine Tree — are doubtless worthy
of attention, and are probably -the best sites in the vicinity of Camden.

Little Pine Tree creek, although a strong, constant stream, like the Big Pine Tree, is much smaller, and its
available power is not of very much value. It was at one time used to run a cotton factory using 20 feet fall and 30
or 35 horse-power, and the sa'me site is now used by a grist-mill (1 run) and 2 cotton-gins, using 16 to 17 feet fall and
perhaps 20 horse-power. The pond is 1 mile long and 400 feet wide, and the dam of earth 18 feet high. On these
streams good foundations for dams can always be had on the impervious stratum forming the bed.

The other tributaries to the Wateree furnish also good powers no doubt, but regarding them no detailed
information could be obtained. Toward the upper limit of the sand-hill belt the streams become very variable in
their flow, and are notably inferior in capacity to the sand-hill streams. The next creek worth speaking of is Rocky
creek, which flows for its whole length in Chester county. Draining an area of about 185 sqifare miles, and situated

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

entirely above the sand-hill belt, it has a considerable fall, especially in the lower part, where it passes over the
same rock formation which gives rise to the Great falls on the Catawba, and where there are several flue sites
not used. There are several grist- and saw-mills on the stream, but none of much importance, and they are sometimes
obliged to stop at low water. In the table on page 101 1 have given my estimate of the available power per foot
fall on this stream at its mouth.

Fishing creek, which enters the Catawba a few miles further up, is similar in many respects to Rocky creek. It
rises about the center of York county and flows southeast through York and Chester, draining a total area of
about 223 square miles. It is utibzed for several grist- and saw-mills, and at present two cotton factories are being
built on it. At Cedar shoals, a few miles from the mouth of the stream, Captain O. Barber is erecting a mill, to be
run with the Clement attachment, and to use a fall of 10 feet, with a dam of the same height, built of wood and
stone, and 300 feet long. I have estimated the available power at this place at about 25 horse-power at its minimum
and 54 horse-power at low seasons in dry years. Further up the stream Mr. F. Barber is putting up a second
factory, to use 29£ feet fall. The dam is of wood and stone, 200 feet long and 6 feet high, and the race is 750 feet
in length. The available power will probably not exceed 75 horse-power at low water in dry years. The
grist-mills on this stream have generally two pair of stones, and can run nearly all the time. Estimates of the
flow of this stream will be found in the table.

There are no other tributaries to the Catawba worthy of special mention till we come to the South forks, which
enters the main stream just at the state-line, and which is noted for its water-power. It is formed near the center
of Catawba county by the union of two forks, Henry's and Jacob's forks, both of which take their rise among the
mountains in the southern part of Burke county and flow nearly east into Catawba county. From the junction of
these forks the river pursues a course a little east of south through Catawba, Lincoln, and Gaston counties,
entering the Catawba river at the southeastern corner of the latter, after draining a total area of about 730 square
miles. Its tributaries, with the exception of the forks above mentioned, are all small streams, not worthy of special
notice. The river passes within a mile or two of Lincolnton and within 3 or 4 miles of Newton, the county-seats of
Lincoln and Catawba counties, respectively, and the most important towns in the vicinity. The character of the
drainage area and of the stream, differing in no particular respect from that of the Catawba river in its course in North
Carolina, need not be described in detail. The rainfall is about 51 or 52 inches, distributed as follows: spring, 12;
summer, 14; autumn, 10; winter, 16.

The stream has a rapid fall from Lincolnton down to its mouth, as will be seen from the following table, and in
fact it is nothing but a series of rapids between those points, with few bottoms subject to overflow. From
Lincolnton up to the junction of Henry's and Jacob's forks it is flat, with no large powers, and with considerable
areas subject to overflow. .

Table of declivity on the South fork of the Catawba.

Locality.

Distance from
mouth.

Elevation above
tide.

Distance be-
tween points.

Difference of
level between
points.

Fall between
points.

Milet.

25
31

Feet.

610
704
749

Miles.

} ... 17
} - - - 6

Feet.

- .-- 94

Feet per mile.

There are no reliable records of gaugings of the river. The stream is subject to heavy freshets, which overflow
the banks in places, but the fall is so rapid below Lincolnton that the rise is not extreme in that portion of its
course. The bed is uniformly rock at the shoals, overlaid between by gravel, clay, and sand. The stream is
easily accessible from three railroads, as the map shows. The Chester and Lenoir narrow-gauge road, now in
course of construction, will do much toward opening up the resources of the region along this stream, as well as on
the Catawba and the Yadkin.

The powers on this stream are as follows, in their order, ascending:

1. Stowesville cotton factory (T. A. Gaither, Charlotte), 3 miles from Garibaldi, a station on the Atlanta and
Charlotte Air-line railroad. The dam is of crib- work, extending in a broken line across the stream between islands,
its total length being about 800 feet, and its height 4 feet. It was built in 1858, and cost $1,000. It backs the water
half or three-quarters of a mile with a width of 150 to 200 feet, the natural width of the stream. A race 500 to 600
feet long gives a fall at the wheel of 11 to 12 feet, the power used being perhaps 25 to 30 horse-power for the
factory. Near the latter is a grist-mill, and on the opposite side of the river a saw-mill and cotton-gin, the total
power used being perhaps 70 to 80 horse-power. The factory is run night and day, and there is always waste of
water. My estimate of the power available at this place will be found in the table.

• 2. Spring shoals (E. Y. McAden, Charlotte), 1£ miles from Lowell, on the Charlotte and Atlanta Air-line
railroad, and above the mouth of Duhart's creek. This is one of the best sites on the river, and is now being
improved by Mr. Mctlden, who is putting up a cotton factory there. The fall of the shoal is about 24 feet in all,

758

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

and in less than half a mile there is said to be nearly 30 feet fall over a ledge of solid rock, with rock banks, very
favorable for building on one side. The dam extends diagonally across the stream, and is of timber bolted to the
rock, the new dam having been built in 1S31, at a cost of 81,200. It is 000 feet long and only 2i feet high, backing the
water three-fourths of a mile. A race 350 feet long, 50 feet wide, and feet deep leads to the factory, where the fall
is 23 feet. It is intended to use 200 horse-power, which it is expected to get at all times. The table gives my estimate
of the power available. This shoal is in the middle of the cotton-belt, with good building-stone (gneiss) near by,
an abundance of timber, and in a very healthy country.

3. The Massey shoal, an unimproved site, a mile above Spring shoal, with a Fall of about 4 or 5 feet in a distance
of 1,000 feet. This, with the two succeeding powers, belong together, as will be noticed below.

4. Mill of the Lawrence Manufacturing Company, a cotton factory (5,000 spindles), using a fall of 8 feet and
about 60 horse-power. The dam is of wood, 600 feet long, 5 feet high, extending diagonally across the river, and ponds
the water about a third of a mile, to the next dam above. It was built in 1877, and cost 81,750. The race is about
400 feet long. Water always wastes. Opposite it stood once an old mill, now almost all washed away.

5. Mills of the Woodlawn Manufacturing Company, a cotton factory (2,500 spindles and 50 looms), cotton-gin,
grist- and saw-mill, with a fall used of S or 9 feet, and in all 100 horse-power. The dam is of logs, 600 feet long, 5
feet high (on both sides of an island), and backs the water 3 miles. It was built in 1852. Full capacity can always
be secured, and water always wastes. Both factories are run 23 hours out of the 24.

The three powers last mentioned belong to the Woodlawn and Lawrence Manufacturing Companies and ihe
Lawrence Water-Power Company, of Lowell, Gaston county, Xorth Carolina, of all of which C. J. Lineberger is
president, and they really form one continued shoal, with a gradual fall over a gravel bottom of 26 feet in a distance
of a little over a mile, from the Woodlawn dam to the foot of the Massey shoal. The site is not far from Lowell,
which is 16 miles southwest of Charlotte, on the Atlanta and Charlotte Air-liue railroad. The fall from the
Woodlawn pond to the tail-race of the Lawrence mill is 16.9 feet, and to the foot of the Massey shoal 25.9 feet,
according to a recent survey, the results of which were furnished by Mr. X. Dumont, the manager of the companies.
It is proposed to utilize some of the surplus power at this place, if possible, and the company promises liberal
inducements to capitalists. My estimate of the available power (which, by the way, is considerably smaller than
that of the company) will be found in the table.

6. Island Creek cotton-mills (J. H. Wilson, jr., Gastonia), 3 miles further up, and just below the mouth of Long-
creek, a considerable tributary, using a fall of 14 feet and 75 horse-power.* The dam is a wooden-frame dam, 600
feet by 4 feet, built in 1874, from which a race 190 feet long leads to the wheel. The mill is run 14 hours out of the
24, and there is always a surplus of water. The fall here might be increased, it is said, the available fall being stated
at 16 to 18 feet, and even more. There is considerable fall below the mill, which is therefore never troubled with
high water.

7. The next is an unimproved site with about 4 feet fall, where there was formerly a mill.

8. Friday shoals, not improved — a rock shoal, said to have 10 feet fall and to be a good power. It is below
the mouth of Kettle Shoal creek, and 1 mile from the Chester and Lenoir railroad.

9. The next power is High shoals, one of the best powers on the stream. It is situated between the mouths
•of Kettle Shoal creek and Hynes creek, 7 miles from Lincolnton and 1 mile from the Chester and Lenoir railroad,
which crosses the river just below it. The stream here flows over a ledge of solid gneiss-rock, the fall being about
22 feet in 300; but the fall continues below for some distance, amounting to 27 feet in 600, and probably 35 feet in
a quarter of a mile or a little over. The banks are quite abrupt on both sides, but there is still abundance of room
for building, the best location being on the left bank. The whole flow of the stream can easily be controlled, the
facilities being in all respects most excellent. The width of the stream is 300 feet above the fall, and probably
greater below, the channel being cut up with islands and rocks. Just below the principal fall a small creek enters
the river from the left, which could be utilized well as a tail-race if the mills were situated on the hill by which it
flows. This power was used till about ten years ago to drive iron works — rolling-mill, nail-factory, and others —
together with a grist- and a saw-mill, situated on the left bank, and using together ISO. horse-power. Xow it is used
by a small grist- and saw-mill, with a rough wing-dam at the head of the falls, and using a fall of about 20 feet. The
ruins of the old iron works are still to be seen, and it is evident that they utilized a fall of between 22 and 27 feet.
In the table I have given the drainage area above this place and the estimated available power. In the
immediate vicinity of this place are some of the most noted deposits of iron ore in the state, and the place is
especially adapted for the iron manufacturer. The Chester and Lenoir railroad will afford the best facilities for
transportation.

10. Paper-mill (W. & E. Tiddy, Charlotte), called Long Shoal mills, situated below the mouth of Indian creek,
and within a few miles of Lincolnton. The banks are favorable for building on the left, where the mill is situated.
The dam is of wood and stone, about 1,200 feet long and 8 feet high, with a pond of 30 acres and a head-race of
300 feet. The fall used is 11 feet, and the power 150 horse-power, which can only be obtained nine months of the
year, the average for the remaining three being about 112 horse-power. In dry weather there is no waste at all, the
mill running 24 hours.

. 9

* In statistics by special agent on cotton-mills, fall stated as 25 feet and 40 horse-power.

759

100

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

11. Mosteller's shoals, unimproved, about half a mile above this, have a fall of 7 feet or so over a rock bottom.

12. Paper-mill (W. & E. Tiddy, Charlotte), 1 miles from Lincolnton. The dam is of wood and stone, 276-
feet long and 8 feet high, with a head-race of 100 feet, the fall used being 10 feet, and the pow'er 120 horse-power,,
which can always be obtained, but with no waste in summer. The mill is run 24 hours. *

13. Half a mile above the last mill is the site of the old Lincoln factory, with a fall of about 8 feet and good
building facilities. It is now utilized to drive a chair factory. A log dam, 560 feet long and 4£ feet high (built iu
1875 at a cost of $1,000), turns the water into a race 300 feet long. The fall used is 8 feet, and the power 50 horse-
power, the mill running 10 to 15 hours out of 24, and the water being partially stored during the night in very dry
weather. This power (as well as No. 12, probably) is above the mouth of Indian creek, but below that of Sand
branch.

14. The next power is the cotton factory of Phifer & Allison, using a fall of 6J feet and about 50 horse-
power, which can be obtained all the time. Above it is a saw-mill, grist-mill, and cotton-gin, using 4£ feet fall and
30 horse-power, subject to stoppage by backwater, and farther up are small grist-mills and saw-mills, which it is
not necessary to refer to.

It will be seen that the south fork of the Catawba is an excellent stream for power, a large amount of which
is already utilized. The climate in the vicinity is salubrious, the agricultural and mineral resources of the country
very large, and the facilities for manufacturing in all respects hardly to be excelled.

Summary of power (estimated) on the south fork of the Catawba.

[Powers are for natural flow, without drawing down water at night in pond.]

Locality.

Stowesville cotton factory, etc . .

Spring shoal

Haasey shoal

Lawrence Manufacturing Com-
pany.

Woodlawn Manufacturing Com-
pany.

Island Creek mills

Unimproved site »

Friday shoal

High »hoal

W. Si, R. Tiddy's paper-mill

Moateller's shoal

W. &R. Tiddy's upper mill.

"Old Lincoln factory "
Phifer's cotton factory.

Miles.

13 ±

20 ±
22 ±

Sg. ma.
720
688
675
675

675

640
600 +
550
518
493

450A
430

400+

325 I 12

Rainfall.

Total fall.

Feet.
12.0
24.0

>25.9

18. 0+
4.0
10.0
27.0
11.0

7.0
10.0

8.0
6.5

Feet.

500 +

5,000:

600

Horse-power available,
gross.* .

180
350

a s
■a"

240
450

375 480

240
50
100
280
100

320
70
150
380
140

85
115

a 1

875
1, 700

1, 800

1,200
240
560

1,400
550

325
450

325
200

280
500

550

375
75
175
450
150

100
130

Utilized.

70-80

200

60
100

75t

25
150

120

Feet.
11-12

23.0
0.0

8.0

14. Ot
0.0
0.
20.0
11.0

0.0
10.0

8.0
6.5

ST3

21
200

192

118
183

Remarks.

Solid rock.

Rock.

112 horse-power, thre#
months ; mill runs 24
hours.

Rock. .

No waste in summer,

24 hours run.
Mill run 12 hours. No

waste in dry weather.

' See pages 18 to 21.

t See description.

Dutchman's creek enters the Catawba just above the crossing of the Carolina Central railroad, and is the next
tributary worth mentioning above the South fork. It rises in Lincoln county and flows nearly south, and is a small
stream, with only one power worth referring to, viz, Ehyne's cotton factory, close to the mouth, where a fall of 8 feet is
used, 50 horse-power being obtained for nine month's and 35 for the rest of the time, a steam-engine being used during
that time; no water waste in dry summers, the mill being run all the time. There is some trouble with high water,
the stream being subject to heavy freshets, and there not being many low grounds subject to overflow. The stream
drains an area of about 88 square miles. Above Rhyne's factory are only saw- and grist-mills, the latter generally
with two pair of stones. There are some sites not occupied where there have formerly been mills. The dams are
all wood, founded on rock, and sometimes bolted down. The stream averages 100 feet in width for some distance
from its mouth. On one of the tributaries of the stream a small amount of power is used for an iron-furnace.

There are no important tributaries to the Catawba in Mecklenburg, Catawba, and Iredell counties, the small
streams which join the river being only capable of running small grist-mills with one or two pair of stones, for which
purpose they are in some cases used. The tributaries from the north are more important. The three Little rivers —
Upper, Middle, and L^wer — have considerable fall, but are very small streams, draining, respectively, 31, 31, and 53-

760

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER- SHED. 101

■ v

square miles. On Lower Little river there are several grist-mills and one cotton factory near Taylorsville, with a fall
of 12 feet and a small amount of power, and the other two are utilized by grist- and saw-mills. These streams can
probably hardly be depended on for one horse-power per foot fall in dry seasons at their mouths. The tributaries in
Caldwell and Burke counties are of more importance. Gunpowder creek, from the north, drains an area of about 31
square miles, and is about like the Little rivers. Lower creek, from the same side, drains 117 square miles, but is said
to have little power v John's river, also from the north, drains 120 square miles, but is not used except for one mill,
although it has considerable fall. Upper creek (north side) drains 45 square miles, and has a cascade about 18 miles
from Morganton, but of no value for power. Linville river (north side) drains 61 square miles, flowing through a
very narrow valley, and has a cascade about 28 miles from Morganton, but which, like that of Upper creek,
is of no value for power. It has one mill near the mouth. The tributaries from the south are more sluggish, but
on Hunting creek there is a grist-mill. Silver creek is very sluggish.

In McDowell county the character of the streams is the same. Those which rise in the mountains are small,
and are subject to considerable fluctuations in volume, but have a very large fall. Major Wilson, for example, has a
mill on Mill creek with a fall of 46 feet, and he calculates that the power is 75 horse-power at all times. There are
many other similar sites in the mountains. North Cove creek, which drains about 83 square miles, is said to be a
good stream, and it has one good shoal not far from its mouth, where there were formerly iron "works. All these
streams are, in fact, a succession of shoals, but the powers are all small, and many are very inaccessible. That they
have a rapid fall will be seen from the fact that the elevation of the gap at the head of Linville river is 4,100 feet,
and that of the gap at the head of the North Catawba 3,407 feet.

Before leaving the Catawba river it must be remarked that few rivers present so many fine powers and so many
advantages of all kinds for manufacturing. The stream seems destined, with the great interest now being taken
in manufactures in the South, to become a great manufacturing river.

Table of flow and power (estimated) on the tributaries to the Wateree and Catawba rivers.

Name of stream.

Rainfall.

Plow per second.'

Horse-power available, gross.

Big Pine Tree creek . . .
Little Pine Tree creek

Rocky creek

Pishing creek

South fork, at mouth . . .

Dutchman's creek

Sugar creek

Lower Little river

Middle Little river

Upper Little river

Gunpowder creek ,

Lower creek

John's river

Upper creek

Linville river

Mill creek ,

North Cove creek

Sq. me.
55
12
185
223
730
88
380
53
31
31
31
117
119
45
61
24
83

Cu./t.

18
25
130
10
50

Cu.ft.

25
40
175
15
60

Cu./t.

160
200
650
75
330

Cu.ft. I ft. fall.

30
50
200
20
70

2.0
2.8
14.7
1. 1
5.6

I ft. fall.

3.0
4.5
19.8
1.7

lft.faU.

18.2

22.8
73.8
8.6
37.5

lft. fall.

3.4
5.8
22.7
2.3
8.0

Plow in dry seasons only sufficient to run small mills with the falls in use : varies from
one-tenth to one-fifth of a cubic foot per second per square mile in dry seasons.

' See pages 18 to 21.

t See page 97.

THE CONGABEE BIVEE.

The Congaree is formed by the junction of the Broad and the Saluda rivers between Lexington and Bichland
counties, South Carolina, whence it flows in a general southeasterly direction, forming the boundary between
Bichland county and the adjacent counties of Lexington and Orangeburgh, uniting with the Wateree to form the
Santee. Its course is quite tortuous, and its length, measured in a straight line, is about 32 miles, while it is 60 by
the course of the river. The principal town on the stream is Columbia, the capital of the state, with a populatior
of about 10,000, and situated just below the junction of the Broad and the Saluda. The stream is navigable up to
Granby, between 2 and 3 miles below the city, and its course lies almost entirely through the sand-hill belt, which
extends up to Columbia, at which place the river crosses the fall-line, giving rise to the only power on the stream,
and below which the stream i-esembles the Wateree below Camden, or the Pee Dee below Cheraw, in all essential
points. The swamp-lands on the Congaree are, however, more extensive than on the Wateree, and from Granby

761

102 WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

down to McOord's ferry, 28 miles, they average 4 miles in width and cover 50,000 acres, while on the Wateree they
are not over 2 miles wide. The rainfall oh the drainage-basins of the Broad and the Saluda is about 51 inches,
distributed as follows : spring, 13; summer, 13; autumn, 9 to 10; winter, 15 to 16. The elevation of the river at the
crossing of the Charlotte, Columbia, and Augusta railroad, below the falls at Columbia, is 129 feet above tide. The
total drainage area of the stream is 7,905 square miles.

It only remains to describe the power at Columbia. About sixty years ago, the state of South Carolina having
appropriated a million dollars for rivers and canals, a canal was built on the north side around these falls extending
from Granby to the junction of the Broad and the Saluda rivers, at the upper end of the city of Columbia, and
subsequently extended for more than two miles up the Broad river, the object being to secure an uninterrupted
water communication from that stream, which was navigable for bateaux, to the sea, the original dimensions of
the canal being as follows: width at top, 15 feet; at bottom, 8 feet; depth, 4 feet. This canal was gradually
abandoned as railroads were introduced, and is now only used as a race to supply a small amount of power to the
city water- works and to the state penitentiary, and occasionally navigated by bateaux down as far as the center of the
city, the remainder being filled up and overgrown with trees, some of which are even 6 inches in diameter. Until 30
years ago it was much used by pole-boats and " match" boats. In 1868 the canal, with all its appurtenances, was
sold to William Sprague, of the A. & W. Sprague Manufacturing Company, of Providence, Bhode Island, on condition
that he should improve it, in default of which the property should revert to the state. A company was incorporated
under the name of the Columbia Water-Power Company, but no improvements being made up to 1878 for various
reasons, among which was the failure of the A. & W. Sprague Manufacturing Company, the state took jjossession
of the property, agreeing to give to the Water-Power Company 500 horse-power whenever the power should be
developed. The state proceeded to take steps toward the development of the power, and a survey and report were
made by Byron Holly, civil engineer, who proposed to build a dam on the Broad river at the head of the canal,
carrying the water to the city by a canal 150 feet wide at the top, 110 at the bottom, and 10 feet deep. While the
matter was under discussion a new plan was proposed by Thompson & Nagle, architects and mdl-engineers of
Providence, Bhode Island, and finally, in December, 1879, a bill was passed by the legislature and a charter granted
incorporating the Columbia and Lexington Water-Power Company, the state granting to Thompson & JSfagle various
rights, lands, and franchises, including the exclusive right to build dams on either the Broad or the Congaree river,
exemption from taxation for 10 years on all improvements, and the free use of 250 able-bodied convicts for 3 years,
together with other privileges. They prepared very elaborate plans and estimates for the work, and issued an
elaborate " Prospectus of the Columbia and Lexington Water-Power Company", containing all the available
information regarding the power, history of the canal, maps and views of the river, and details of the proposed
improvements, all prepared at great cost. They have permitted me to make free use of this prospectus in the
preparation of this report, and from it I have obtained these notes regarding the history of the power, as well as
what follows regarding its technical features. But notwithstanding these elaborate and costly preparations the
power remains undeveloped, fine as it is, and favorable as are all the collateral advantages.

Such is the history of the canal. It remains to present its technical features. Its total length is 5J miles,
and its fall 36 feet. Thompson & Nagle proposed two plans for developing power, and submitted estimates for the
same. The first contemplated the construction of a dam across the Congaree just below the junction of the Broad
and the Saluda, giving a fall at the foot of Gervais street of 22 feet at mean low water, and by carrying the canal
11,160 feet farther down an average fall of 27£ feet (the fall in the river between Gervais street and Granby being
l3 feet), in addition to which a canal on the opposite side of the river was projected. The dam was to be 1,330 feet
long between abutments, the bulkhead 200 feet long, and the total length of canal (on the Columbia side) 3 miles.
The estimated cost of the whole improvement (not including the canal on the other side of the river, which was
not intended to be built at first), including a mill with 864 looms and 26,112 spindles, was $1,699,848. It was
considered best, however, to extend the canal at first only seven-eighths of a mile below Gervais street, the cost for
this project being $1,555,764. The second plan proposed the erection of a dam across the Broad river alone at the
head of the navigation canal, the canal being carried to a point seven-eighths of a mile below Gervais street. The
length of the dam would be 650 feet between abutments, the bulkhead, as before, 200 feet long, the canal 4 miles
long, and the fall at Gervais street 34 feet at mean low water, the total cost of this plan being estimated at
$1,711,124. Both plans proposed a canal 200 feet wide. If in the last plan, however, the canal be assumed to be
150 feet wide, the estimated cost is $1,594,124.

The river opposite Columbia flows over a bed composed of ledges of rock, overlaid in places with deposits of
sand and gravel. The stream is subject to heavy freshets, the most notable ones having occurred as follows : in
May, 1840; in August, 1852; in 1856 the water rose 25 feet at Columbia; and in January, 1865, it rose 30 feet at
the same place.

The drainage area of the Broad river is about 4,950 square miles, and that of the Saluda 2,350; so that the total

drainage area of the Congaree above Columbia is about 7,300 square miles. The rainfall on the basin of the Broad

is as follows: spring, 13; summer, 13; autumn, 10; winter, 15; total, 51 inches; and on that of the Saluda as

follows: spring, 13; summer, 13; autumn, 9;*winter, 16 inches. In regard to the flow of these streams I have no
762 $

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED. 103

accurate data; but it has been estimated by other engineers, and in regard to these estimates I feel constrained to
say a few words, as well as to make a few general remarks on the subject of estimates of flow. In making my own
estimates, hitherto given, I have proceeded according to principles which have been fully explained on pages 10 to
21. I have repeatedly called attention to the fact that they are only to be regarded as rough approximations, and
I believe them myself to be rather under than over the mark. Without a single series of gaugings in this part of
the country, with few extended observations of rainfall, and with by no means a perfect knowledge of the country,
it is impossible to present anything very accurate. Before presenting my estimates for the Broad and the Saluda
rivers I desire, therefore, to show briefly by what considerations I am led to them, principally on account of the fact
that my estimates are very much lower than those which have been heretofore made. For this purpose I select
a few typical streams for comparison and present in tabular form the various facts which are to be taken into
consideration (page 104). From this table it will be clear that in estimating the minimum flow of the Broad and
the Saluda the Merrimac and the Connecticut cannot serve as guides, on account of their large flow, probably
due to the lakes and artificial reservoirs in their basins. It is further clear that from the size of the drainage area,
when it exceeds about 1,000 square miles, no sure conclusion can be reached, for the Potomac, with the largest
drainage area, has the smallest flow. It is difficult to explain the small flow of this river, considering the large
area drained, although it may be due to the topography of the country and to the way in which the rainfall is
distributed through the year, as will be shown when that river is considered; but whether the low flow is to be
ascribed principally to these causes it is impossible to say. Comparing all these points, it would seem reasonable
to take the minimum flow of the Broad and Saluda at 0.20 to 0.25 cubic feet per second per square mile. I have taken
0.23 for the Broad and 0.21 for the Saluda. As regards the minimum low-season flow, the rainfall being 51 inches,
perhaps 14 or 15 inches may be considered as flowing oft" in a dry year (nearly 0.7 x 0.40 x 51), or 1.3 inches per
month, equal to 1.15 cubic feet per second per square mile, for which we take 1.10. It remains to determine the
proportion of this flow in the driest month. Compared with the Merrimac and Connecticut, the flow of the
Schuylkill appears very large, considering that it has no lakes. On these water-sheds more rain falls in summer
than in winter, while on the Broad and Saluda the opposite is the case. There being no lakes to regulate the
flow, these last streams will therefore get proportionately lower in summer, so that under these circumstances 0.27
to 0.30 does not seem too small a fraction for the driest month. We take 0.28, giving 0.30 cubic feet per second per
square mile for both streams. For dry years, but not the driest, we take 0.35. Finally, as regards the maximum
with storage, it is clear that the figures for the Merrimac and Connecticut cannot be applied to the Broad and
Saluda on account of the influence of the lakes on the former streams. On the other hand, the climatic and other
conditions in the Schuylkill basin seem quite similar to those of the latter streams, except that the rainfall in the
former basin is greatest in summer (when the evaporation is greatest), while in the latter it is greatest in winter
(when the evaporation is probably least). From this it seems legitimate to conclude that a larger proportion of
the rainfall would be available in the latter case (supposing the conditions of evaporation to be the same in both
cases); but, on account of the larger drainage area of the latter streams, and the fact that storage is only
practicable in their upper parts without overflowing fertile bottom-lands (counted as the best farming-lands in the
state), and that consequently the stored water would have a considerable distance to pass over before reaching
Columbia (losing thereby considerably in volume by evaporation), it would seem safe to take the proportion of the
rainfall available in the latter case as the same or even a little smaller than in the case of the Schuylkill. I take
22 per cent., or about 12 inches, as available.

Such are the considerations on which the estimates are founded. In fact, 8,000 cubic feet per second, which
has sometimes been taken as the low-season flow of the Broad river, would be nearly the average flow of the
stream, supposing half the mean annual rainfall on the drainage-basin to be discharged, a quantity which it would
be impossible to utilize. The following table gives the results of the calculations :

Table of power of Congaree river at Columbia.

State of flow (see pp. 18 to 21).

Drainage area.

Flow per second.

Horse-power, gross.

Horse-power avail-
able, gross.

Broad.

Saluda.

Both.

Broad.

Saluda.

Both.

Broad.

Saluda.

Both.

Broad.

Congaree.

Sq.miles.

Sq. miles.

Sg. miles.

Cubicfeet.

1 foot fall.

1 foot/all.

1 footfall.

Sifeetfall.

22 feet fall.

( i. wo

500

1,680

130

191

4, 400

4, 200

Minimum low season

j 1, 480

700

2, 200

168

250

5,700

5,500

Maximum, with storage

| 4, 950

2, 350

7, 300

1 4, 200

2, 000

6,200

477

227

705

16, 000

15, 500

Low season, dry years

{ 1, 730

825

2,550

197

290

6,700

6, 400

Nevertheless it is evident that the power at Columbia is very fine, with every collateral advantage. There is
an abundauce of room for buildings, with safe locations; railroad communication in four different directions; fine
building-stone (granite of excellent quality) within the city and for several miles up and down the river, and a fine
brick clay along the canal. Of the large power available only about 75 horse-power is used, there being one small

104

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

grist-mill, with a wing-dam and 3 to 4 feet fall, situated on the river, and on the canal the city water-works, using
about 12 feet fall and 40 to 50 horse-power, and a small amount of power being also used from the canal at the city-
penitentiary to run a grist- and saw-mill and for hoisting rock from a quarry, the fall being 18 feet. At the head
of the canal is a rough wooden wing-dam extending across to an island.

It is to be hoped that this magnificent power may soon be developed, and the hopes of the city of Columbia, so
long deferred, at last consummated.

Comparative table of drainage areas of various streams.

Nam© of stream.

Drainage
area.

Rainfall.

« a

a o h

£ O <D

2 & t*

a ? s

2a£a

3-5 £
S.S 2

(S.O >v

o f-vS >»

■6 3 5>3

§ 5 3 &

. n > «

§ I 5 t»

Remarks.

Merrimac . . .
Connecticut
Schuylkill . . .
Passaic

Delaware .
Potomac . .

James
Neuse

Broad..

Saluda .

Sq. miles.
4, 136
10, 234
1,800
981

6,500 +
11, 476

6,800
1,000

4,950

2,350

Cubic feet.
0. 53
0. 51
0.21
0. 23

0. 30
0.09

0.19
*0. 16

*0.23

0. 38
0.41
0. 38

Inches.
21. 13
19.16
9 to 12

48.0
13.5
20. 5 to 27. 3

*0.21

'0.28

+0.28

12. 00

*12. 00

*22.0

-22.0

Plow regulated by large lakes. Well wooded.
Many lakes in drainage-basin. Quite well wooded.
No lakes. Tolerably well wooded.
Several lakes of considerable size. Not very thickly
wooded.

Many small lakes and ponds in basin. Very well wooded.
No lakes. Narrow valleys. Considerable limestone
formation.

No lakes. Valleys narrow in mountains. Well wooded.
No lakes. Soil much deeper than in rivers above.

Very well wooded.
No lakes. Deep soil. Well wooded. Mountains not

baid, but covered with soil. Evaporation probably

smaller than on J ames.
No lakes. Deep soil. Well wooded. Mountains-

covered with soil. Evaporation probably less than

on James.

* Estimated.

TRIBUTARIES OF THE CONGAREE RIVER.

The Oongaree river has no very important tributaries, only one of them, Congaree creek, being worthy of
mention. Like the other and smaller streams flowing into the river, it is a sand-hill stream, and is only about
15 miles long, flowing for its entire length in Lexington county, and joining the river about 3 miles below the
Columbia bridge. It is not a rapid stream, and flows for a considerable part of its course through swamps, over a
sandy bed, and it is only on the upper half of its course that it offers any facilities for power. There are two sites
now not improved, but formerly used for saw-mills, with brush-dams and races about a mile and a half long, the
falls being about 5 to 8 feet. The stream drains an area of about 115 miles, according to the map I have used. If
we take its flow, as in the case of the Pine Tree creeks (see p. 101), at a half to one cubic foot per second per square
mile, it will afford at its mouth a power of 6.6 and 13.2 horse-power per foot fall, without storage during the night.
The sites above named are 5 or 6 miles from Columbia, and 1 to 3 miles from the Charlotte, Oolumbia, and Augusta
railroad. The owner, Mr. John Taylor, of Columbia, states that an engineer's survey found the flow to be 500 to
800 cubic feet per second, or 625 on the average — an evident impossibility, provided the drainage area above stated
is correct, or it would correspond to an annual rainfall of 72 inches, all of which flowed off by the stream.

Eed Bank creek, a tributary of Congaree creek, is another sand-hill stream, and on it is the Eed Bank cotton
factory, with a fall of 12 feet, and using 40 horse-power for nine months of the year and about 30 for the rest of
the time, the water being drawn down in the pond at night, so that the natural flow of the stream in dry weather
does not afford over 1 horse-power per foot fall. There are also two saw-mills on the stream. All the dams are of
dirt, that of the factory being 25 feet wide at the bottom, 12 at the top, and 8 high. It may be mentioned as an
interesting fact that wood can be obtained in this neighborhood at 75 cents a cord.

On some of the other sand-hill streams in the vicinity, such as Berry creek, power can be obtained to a small
extent.

THE BEOAD EIVER.

This stream takes it rise on the eastern slope of the Blue Eidge near Hickory-Nut gap, in the southwestern
part of McDowell county and the northeastern part of Henderson county, North Carolina, and after flowing in a
general southeasterly direction through Eutherford county and a corner of Cleveland county, North Carolina, and in
South Carolina between the counties of York, Chester, Fairfield, and Eichland on its left, and Spartan burgh, Union,
764 •

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED. 105

Newberry, and Lexington on its right, it unites with the Saluda river jnst above Columbia to form the Congaree.
The length from source to mouth, measured in a straight line, is about 128 miles, but following the course of the
river it is very considerably greater. There are no towns of any importance on the river. The stream is navigated
to a certain extent by bateaux (carrying 30 to 40 bales of cotton, and drawing 20 inches when loaded and 4 inches
when empty), the present head of navigation being about 141 miles above Columbia (by the river) and 28 miles
above the North Carolina line. A survey was made of the river by the government in 1879-'80 for the purpose of
ascertaining the practicability and.probable cost of improving the navigation, and the report is found in the annual
report of the chief of engineers for 1880, p. 1010, in which the cost of rendering the river navigable for pole-boats
carrying from 70 to 90 bales of cotton is estimated at $90,000.

The Broad river drains a total area of about 4,950 square miles, of which 3,550 are in South Carolina and 1,400
in North Carolina. The river receives a number of important tributaries, as follows :

From the west, ascending the stream : Square miles.

Enoree river, draining an area of 730

Tiger river, draining an area of 720

Pacolett river, draining an area of 475

Thicketty creek, draining an area of 100

Green river, draining ah area of -- 198

From the east :

Little river, draining an area of 203

Sandy creek, draining an area of 63

Bullock's creek, draining an area of 73

King's creek, draining an area of 72

Buffalo creek, draining an area of 178

First Broad river, draining an area of 302

Second Broad river, draining an area of '. 193

The general character of the drainage-basin resembles that of the Catawba. It lies entirely above the fall-line ;
is well wooded, especially in the upper parts ; is without lakes ; affords fine building-stone in numerous localities ;
and as regards soil, etc., is just like the valley of the Catawba. The rainfall and the flow of the stream have been
discussed in detail in speaking of the power at Columbia. The bed of the stream is rock, clay, sand, or gravel,
and in many places the banks are low and the bottoms overflowed in freshets. The declivity of the stream will be
seen from the following table, which shows the fall to be less than that of the Catawba, but still very large :

Table of declivity of Broad river, South Carolina.

Place.

Congaree river, crowing of Charlotte, Columbia, and Augusta railroad

Congaree river, foot of Gervais street, Columbia

Bull sluice

Ninety-nine islands

Ninety-nine Islands shoal

Foot of Summers' shoal

Head of Summers' shoal

Foot of Lyle's shoal

Head of Lyle's shoal

Foot of Neal's shoal .'

Head of Neal's shoal

Foot of the Gravel

Foot of Lockhart's shoal

Head of Lockhart's shoal

Foot of Kinety-nine islands

Head of Cherokee shoal

Crossing of Atlanta and Charlotte Air-line railroad

Green river

Distance from
Columbia.

Milei.
-2±

0.00

2. 75

11. 50

14.25

26.25

27. 19

41.00

41. 93

58.50

59.12

68.25

69.00

70. 41

94.25

100. 50

104.75

141. 00

Elevation

above tide.

Feet.

129.0
135.5
162.0
176.2
193.4
229.1
240.7
269.7
281.1
322.1
331. 9
339.9
346.0
393.7
426.
530.0
542.0
758.5

Distance be-
tween points.

Miles.

- 2.0±

- 2.75

- 8.75

- 2.75

- 12. 00

- 0.94

- 13.81

- 0.93

- 16. 57

- 0.62

- 9.13

- 0.75

- 1.41

- 23! 84

- C. 25

- 4.25

- 36.25

Fall between
points.

Feet.

- 6. 5

- 26.5

- 14.2

- 17.2

- 35.7

- 11.6

- 29.

- 11.4
• 41.0

■ 9.8

■ 8.0

■ 0.1

■ 47.7
. 32. 3

■ 104.

- 12.0

■ 216. 5

Fall between
points. ,

Feet per mile.

< gjg* | f 3.25
. . - -: 0.;36

■ a - - - i. so

, - 6.40

- S - - -2.97

■ -. - -12.20
. - ' - • -2.09

- - - - -12.15

. .. 2:47

'.15.60
R9fi ''-''- 0.87

- ■ 8 14
• - - - - 33. 80

■ - - - - 1.31
\ - . - -10.63

. ' - - - 4 *~2. 88'.

■ - - - - 6.00

The average fall between Columbia and the crossing of the Atlanta and Charlotte Air-line railroad (104.75
miles) is nearly 3.9 feet per mile, and thence to the mouth of Green river it is, as by the table, 6 feet per mile.
Above that point the stream is a mountain torrent, 'the elevation of its headwaters being not less than 2,500 feet.

It will be seen from the map that the lower part of Broad river is very accessible, while that part above the
mouth of the Pacolett is quite the contrary.

7G5

106 WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

Proceeding up the river, the water-powers met with will now be named. Almost all the information I have
regarding them is obtained from the report on the river above referred to. The shoals are tabulated below, and
regarding most of them very few remarks can be made.

At Bull sluice the river is 200 yards wide, but exposed rocks extend from either side, leaving a straight sluice
in the middle only 100 feet wide, through which the whole volume of the river pours at ordinary stages. Just
above the sluice a ledge of rock extends across the river, which widens to 900 feet. The head of the Columbia
canal is just above this sluice.

Ninety-nine Islands shoal is the next one of importance, the fall being 17.26 feet in 2| miles. It is used for
power to a small extent, driving a grist- and saw-mill on the left bank, with a fall of 5 feet. The banks are
favorable for building, and the power is no doubt easily available. The river is very wide, in some places over
half a mile. The shoal is just above the mouth of Cedar creek, but its head is just below that of Little river.

Boney shoal, 11% miles above Columbia, is a mile long, with a fall of 6 feet, and is utilized by a small grist-mill.

At Alston, 25 miles from Columbia, the Greenville and Columbia railroad crosses the river, which is here 300
yards wide.

Summers' shoal begins 26£ miles above Columbia and extends for a mile, the fall being 11.61 feet, part of
which is used by a grist-mill. This shoal is said to be a fine site for power. It is 13 nyles below the mouth of the
Enoree river.

Lyle's shoal (41 miles) has a fall of 11.36 feet in 4,930 feet. It is situated 3 miles below the mouth of the Tiger
river, and 1 mile above the mouth of the Enoree.

At Shelton, where the Spartanburgh and Union railroad crosses the river, the rise of freshets is 27 feet, the
width of the stream being 250 yards.

Neal's shoal (58 J miles) has a fall of 9.75 feet in 3,300, and there is a grist-mill on each bank of the river, which
is from 250 to 350 yards in width. This shoal is said to be favorable for power. It is situated 14 miles above the
mouth of Tiger river, and about 9 miles below the mouth of Turkey creek.

The next shoal, really the first of great importance as a water-power, and perhaps the best site on the river, is
Lockhart's shoal, situated less than 2 miles above the mouth of Turkey creek. This shoal is preceded by a short
shoal called the Gravel shoal, which has a fall of 6.1 L feet in 2,673 feet, ju^t above which is Lockhart's shoal
proper, which is " formed by the intrusion of two trap-dikes 500 yards apart, causing the bed of the river to be a field
of jagged rock, much resembling the crater of an old volcano". The lower shoal is 2,955 feet long, with a fall of
15.80 feet, and the upper shoal is 3,000 feet long, with a fall of 31.86 feet ; so that the total length of the shoal is
1.41 miles, and the fall 47.66 feet. The width of the stream above the shoal is 200 yards, and the depth 25 to 30
feet. Near the foot of the upper shoal the width is 500 yards. At the foot of the lower shoal the west bank is very
hilly, and the east bank not quite so much so. The hills gradually recede on the west side, leaving a bottom 800
yards wide along the river, and gradually returning to the river near the head of the upper shoal. On the east
bank the shore-line is irregular, and there are many high bluffs along the river. On the upper shoal there is in one
place an abrupt fall of 5 feet, and two mills — one on each side of the river — utilize a small amount of the power.

These shoalc being the most difficult on the river, a canal was built around them on the west bank by the state
between the years 1818 and 1825, at a cost of .$130,000, and it was used till 1852, when it was abandoned. Leaving
the river a little below the head of the upper shoal, with a guard-lock of ordinarily small lift, it passes through the
bottom above described, and after descending about 14 feet by a flight of two locks it meets the hills near the foot
of the lower shoal and follows them to the river, into which it descends by four locks with about 28 feet lift. The
total length of the canal is 7,869 feet, and the fall 45.78 feet. Its original dimensions were : width on top, 16 feet ;
at bottom, 8 feet ; depth, 4 feet. At present the width at the bottom is 5 feet, and the depth 2.5 feet ; and it is
estimated that it would cost $3,794 to restore it to its original dimensions and to put the locks in order, the gates
being gone and some of the masonry having been removed. These locks were 10 by 76 feet, and were built of
first-class cut-stone masonry. The canal is now filled up with deposits and overgrown with trees.

As regards the availability of Lockhart's shoal for power, it must be stated that its extensive utilization is
only possible on the west bank. The canal for the lower 600 yards of its course is built along the side of the
hills on an embankment about 12 feet high, with small building-room between it and the river, the outlet-lock
being only 16 feet and the lower flight of 3 locks (115 feet above the outlet-lock) only 110 feet from the river,
while the upper flight of 2 locks is, perhaps, 400 yards from the same. Hence it would not be easy to utilize the
whole fall of the shoal, but it is said that the fall of the upper shoal could easily be utilized, with abundance of
building-room.

In the following table I have estimated the flow and the available power at this place, and the latter will be
seen to be very large. The whole amount would, of course, only be rendered available by digging a large canal; for
the present canal, if cleaned out to its original dimensions, would only carry about 70 cubic feet per second, with
a fall of a foot to the mile.

This shoal is located in a very healthy part of the state, in the midst of the cotton-belt, and 8 miles from Union,
the nearest railroad point. It is, without doubt, one of the finest powers in the vicinity.

766

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED. 107

Table of power available at LockharVs shoal.

State of flow (see pp. 18 to 21).

Drainage area.

Upper shoal.

ill.

Lower shoal.

Flow per
second.

Horse-power available, gross.

Square miles.
1 2, 400

Feet.

15. 80

Feet.

31.86

Cubic feet,
r 540
720
2, 100
' 830

1 foot fall.

61.3
81.8
240.0
94.3

15.80 feet fall.

970
1, 300
3,750
1, 500

31.80 feel fall.

1, 950

2, 600
7, 500

3, 000

Above this shoal there is no power of importance for nearly 25 miles, the next of importance being a long shoal,
6J miles long, generally subdivided into two, the Ninety-nine Islands shoal, 3.2 miles long, with a fall of 50.62 feet,
and Cherokee shoal, 2 miles long, with a fall of 50.95 feet. The head of the latter shoal is only about 3 miles below
the crossing of the Atlanta and Charlotte Air-line railroad. Notwithstanding the large amount of power theoretically
available at these shoals, ouly a small part of it can practically be utilized according to all that I could learn, the hills
coming abruptly up to the fiver on both sides for almost the whole distance, and leaving no building-room except a
small amount in a few isolated places, where power can be used to a certain extent. There are several grist-mills
along the shoals in these places with small wing-dams and generally small falls, and there have been others, which
are now abandoned. Of these sites for power probably the best is the one formerly utilized by the King's Mountain
Iron Company, on the west side of the river, about 2.]- miles above the foot of Ninety-nine Islands shoal. A branch
of the river, about 80 feet wide, passes here between the shore and an island, the fall in the main river above the
head of the island being about 5 feet iu 500, and the fall in the branch about 16 feet in 800 to 1,000, making in
all about 20 feet, which could be used with a 5-foot dam above the head of the island and favorable ground for
building — not very high, but probably not often overflowed, on account of the rapid fall of the stream below. Not
more than one-quarter or one-fifth of the volume of water in the river flows naturally to the west of the island, but
more could be turned in by a dam. , Were it not desired to utilize a large fall, 12 feet could be obtained very easily.

The fall between this place and the foot of the shoal, 2J miles below, is about 28 feet, which has only been used
in part by a few grist-mills. Above there is one place on the east side where there is a little building-room, and
where it is proposed to erect a cotton factory, to use a fall of 9 feet, with a wing-dam 6 feet high and 120 feet long,
the mill to be a yarn-mill, with 3,000 spindles. This site was formerly used by the King's Mountaiu Iron Company
for their forges and furnaces, and is 1 mile below Cberokee ford. Opposite it there was once a saw-mill, using a
fall of 5 or 6 feet. Both sites are on the lower part of Cherokee shoal.

About 300 yards above Cherokee ford, at the head of Cherokee shoal, were formerly located the works of the
Magnetic Iron Company, now abandoned. The dam was a curved one, extending entirely across the river, being
the only dam quite across, and was about 410 yards long and 10 feet high, built of crib- work bolted down to the
rock foundation. It was first built in 1837, and was washed out in 1875, the works having been abandoned in 1870.
The canal was 200 yards long, the fall at the lower end being 10 feet and the average fall 8 feet, and along it were
situated the various mills, as follows : stamp-mill (S to 10 horse-power), grist-mill (40 horse-power), machine-shop (20
horse-power), trip-hammer (40 horse-power), blast for forges (40 horse-power), rolling-mdl (120 horse-power), nail
factory (20 horse power), blast-furnace (50 horse-power), or a t otal of 340 horse-power, and with a surplus of water at
all times. The dam backed up about a mile, with a width of 300 yards. The banks at this place are very favorable
for building, and the available fall is greater than was used, amounting to some 16 feet in three-quarters of a mile,
all of which is available, although the land is more favorable for building at the point where the old works were
located. Below this the hills close in upon the river on both sides, and continue from there down to the foot of the
shoal.

To recapitulate, then, regarding these two shoals, their complete utilization is impracticable on account of the
abruptness of the banks, the impossibility of building a canal, and the small amount of building-room. In fact, it
is said that there are only two places along the whole shoal, over 6 miles, where it is possible to get a road down
to the river without considerable difficulty. At the head of Cherokee shoal, and in perhaps half a dozen places
below, small areas of favorable building-ground are found where small mills might be located and some power
obtained, the best place of the kind being, perhaps, the site of the works of the King's Mountain iron-works.

Surratt's shoal is the first shoal above the railroad, and is If miles long, consisting of a continuous series of
ledges, the fall being stated to be not less than 20 feet to the mile. The river is 200 yards wide above the shoal,
which is 3 miles above the mouth of Buffalo creek.

Gaston's shoal is 2£ miles beyond, and is 1 mile long, with a fall of about 10 feet, of which 6 feet occur in the
first 400 yards. The river is 300 yards wide.

Palmer's shoal, 6J miles further up, is said tofce the best site above Cherokee shoal, the fall being 18 feet in
half a mile. It is used by a grist-mill, with 6 feet fall, and there are fine building-sites on both sides of the river,
the entire fall being available for power. It is situated about a mile above the mouth of the First Broad river.

7G7

108

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

Above Palmer's there is said to be no shoal of much importance till the mountains are reached, the fall of the
stream being gradual, although considerable. Above Green river there may be some good sites, and also below ; but
none were specially mentioned by persons acquainted with the river.

The most noticeable fact connected with the water-power of the Broad river is that there is not a single dam
entirely across the stream, notwithstanding its large fall and the large amount of power available on it.

The following table contains estimates of the power at the shoals of the river:

Table ofpoicer on Broad river.

Locality.

a .

Rainfall.

Total fall.

Horse-power available, gross. *

S 8
5 <*

Utilized.

Nigger shoal

Bull sluice

Ninety-nine Islands shoal

Boney shoal

Summers' shoal

Lyle's shoal

Neal's shoal

Lockhart's shoal

Ninety -nine Islands shoal

Cherokee shoal

Surratt's shoal

Gaston's shoal

Palmer's shoal

Between month c

and foot of Lockhart's shoal J I

Between head of Lockhart's shoal c

and foot of Ninety-nine Islands shoal } <

Between head of Cherokee shoal c

and mouth of Green river J t

Total between mouth r

and mouth of Green river t t

Miles.
1. 25
2.75
11. 50
17.75
26.25
41. 00
58.50
69. 00
94. 25
98. 50
108. 00
110. 25
116. 50
2. 75
69. 00
70.40
94. 25
100. 50
141.00
2. 75
141. 00

Sq. m.
4, 950
4, 950
4,760
4,525
4, 480
3,490
2, 590
2,400
1, 357+

1, 357
1,142
1, 133

821
4, 950 >

2, 400 5
2, 400 l
1, 370 I
1, 357 J

236 5
4, 950 l
236 >

13 ! 13

In.
51
51
51
51
52
52
53
53
54
54.
54
54
54

52
53
54
51

Feet.

2.5

4. 37
17. 26

6. 0-f
11. 61
11. 36

9. 75
47. 66
50. 62
50. 95
35. 0(?)
10. 00
18. 00

184. 00

596. 00

750"
1, 050"
2. 75"

0. 94"
4, 930"
3, 300"
1.41"
3. 20"
2. 00"°
1. 75"
1.00°
0.50°

66. 25"

32. 00 23. 85»

228. 00 40. 50»

138. 25"

(t)
(t)
2, 150

700
1, 350
1,050

650
2, 900
1, 800
1. 800
1,000

280

350

17, 500
1,600
4, 000

(t)
(t)

2, 800
925

1,775
1, 350
850

3, 900
2, 350
2, 350
1,250

360
420

23, 000
2, 000
5, 000

30, 000 39, 000

(t)
(t)

7, 950
2,600
5,000

3, 800
2,550

11, 000
6,900
6,900

4, 000
1, 150
1, 500

65, 000
5,700
18, 000

(t)

(t)
3, 250
1,075
2, 000

1, 600
1,000
4,500
2, 700
2,700
1, 450

400
475

27, 000

2, 300
0, 000

114, 000 <

(t)
(t)
50 —
50 —
50 —

50—

50— 6 15. -

50—
225

* See pages 18 to 21.

t Included in estimate for Columbia.

♦ Estimates in these lines of no practical value.

TRIBUTARIES OF THE BROAD RIVER.

The first important tributary of the Broad is the Enoree river, the largest one below it, viz, Little river, from
the east, having no powers worthy of special mention.

The Enoree river rises in the northern part of Greenville county and flows southeast, forming the boundary
between the counties of Greenville, Laurens, and Newberry on the south, and Spartanburgh and Union on the
north, joining the Broad 40 miles above Columbia, after flowing a distance of about 70 miles in a straight line and
draining an area of about 730 square miles. There are no towns on the stream, which flows through a hilly country,
gently rolling but not very broken, the principal productions of which are grain and cotton. The bed of the
stream is rock at all the shoals, but between them sand, clay, or gravel. The prevailing rock in all this upland x
country drained by the tributaries of the Congaree and of the Savannah is gneiss, the streams crossiug the ledges
nearly at right angles. Almost all of the water-powers of this part of the state are formed by the str&utos passing
over these ledges of gneiss, and the falls are very often quite sudden. It is to be remarked, however, that the
rivers in this section of the country are in many places rapidly filling up with detritus — sand and mud— which is
washed in from the hill-sides, so that many shoals are being rapidly obliterated, and at many places, where within
the memory of middle-aged men there were shoals with falls of from 5 to 10 feet, at present scarcely any shoals can
be noticed. The cause of this is probably to be attributed, to a large extent, to the cutting down of tin forests, by
which the soil is divested of the roots, fibers, and mosses, which serve in so great a degree to hold it together and
prevent its being washed aWay by sudden showers ; also partly due, it is said, to a superficial methO' I 1 dtivation,
by which the soil is also rendered less cohesive and more liable to washing. This phenomenon ii lotieeablc
in North Carolina, but not to such a marked extent as in the portion of the country we are now considi'j ihg. It is
very important to notice also that one effect of this silting up of the streams is to diminish the facilities ' i
storage ; for if artificial reservoirs are constructed, they soon fill tp, and their capacity is greatly diminished. Thil
effect will be noticeable on small streams, where artificial reservoirs could be located ; and, in fact, it is said that
many mill-ponds fill up so rapidly that they have to be cleaned out at short intervals.

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED. 109

The valleys of these streams are not especially favorable for reservoirs from a topographical point of view,
although some sites could, no doubt, be found.

The Enoree has considerable bottom-land on its lower parts, more than most streams in this vicinity, and the
banks are not often steep and hilly. In fact, along the banks of this stream are some of the finest and most fertile
bottom-lands in the state. The stream is 75 feet wide at its mouth, and is navigable for pole-boats for a distance
of 10 miles, the shoals which formerly existed in this distance being filled up. The rainfall on the valley is about
53 inches : 15 in spring, 13 in summer, 10 in autumn, and 15 in winter.

The elevation of the stream at the crossing of the Atlanta and Charlotte Air-line railroad is 842 feet, and at its
mouth about 269 feet, giving a fall between these points of 573 feet, or about 7 feet to the mile. The stream is at
present very inaccessible, but the new railroad from Spartanburgh to Greenwood, now being built, will cross the
stream about the middle of its course.

The shoals on the lower part of this river are rapidly filling up, and in the first 25 miles there are only two small
mills, with falls of 5 feet each. At " Musgrove's mill",* about 10 miles from Laurens, there is a grist-mill with 6
feet fall, the dam being 4 feet high, and there is said to be a fall of 4 feet additional below the mill. Four miles
above is the first power of importance on the river, and between the two is a small shoal — Flat shoal — with a fall
of 4 feet or so. At the other shoal, just referred to, the fall is said to be 16 feet, which is utilized by a small
grist-mill. I am not able to locate this place exactly on the map, but as nearly as I can find the drainage area
above it is between 350 and 400 square miles. I have therefore estimated the power to be as follows :

Power at Tarbrough's mill.

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Drainage
area.

Fall.

Flow per
second.

Horse-power.

Remarks.

Sg. miles.
375

Feet.
16

Ou. ft.
r 62

400

I 97

1 foot fall.

7.0

9.0

45.4

11.0

16 feet fall.

112

144

725
176

| Only 20 to 30 horse power utilized.

In regard to my estimates of the power on these streams of western South Carolina it must be remarked that
they are liable to considerable error on account of lack of data for comparison. The powers stated to be utilized
by various mills and factories are, in many cases, very large in proportion to the fall and the drainage area, and it'
they were taken as correct, the conclusion would be inevitable that these streams have a much larger flow per
square mile of drainage area than those farther north, or even than those in New England, notwithstanding
the lakes in the latter part of the country ; and it may be that the effect of the depth of the soil and of the
forests in South Carolina is larger than would be expected, and that the streams in question are quite constant in
flow and are fed by perennial springs. But in the first place the powers stated to be used generally have reference
to ordinary years, and even if water is scarce for a month or so in summer, it is rarely mentioned; secondly, the
rated power of turbine- wheels is generally much too large; and thirdly, people generally have a tendency to
overrate their powers, especially if they do not use quite the full power of the stream. I have therefore prepared
my estimates from comparisons with streams of similar drainage area, and they must be looked upon as giving
simply the power and flow which would be expected, reasoning from analogy, and not taking into account any
abnormal circumstances, such as large springs, which may exist in some cases.

The next shoal above this one is Mountain shoal, the most important power on the Enoree. It is situated
about 12 miles from Laurens, which is the nearest railroad point. The stream pours here over a ledge of gneiss-
rock, falling nearly 70 feet in a quarter of a mile, but divided into two parts. At the head of the upper shoal a
natural dam extends nearly across the stream, which is some 200 to 300 feet wide, and the stream falls 16.5 feet in
500, the whole of which fall can be easily used on the left bank, with safe building-sites, the right bank not being
so favorable. A fall of 6 feet is used here by a cotton-gin with a wing-dam. After flowing 200 yards with a fall
of only a couple of feet, the river flows over a second ledge of gneiss, falling 52 feet in 250 yards. At the head of
this fall the stream is 300 feet wide, and a wing-dam, consisting simply of a log bolted to the rock, turns the water to
the left bank, where a race 300 feet long affords a fall of 16.5 feet at the grist- and saw-mill below, although 25
feet could be obtained. The banks on the left are steep and rocky, while on the right they are lower, and at the
foot of the shoal is a bottom which is sometimes overflowed to a depth of 5 or 6 feet. The channel of the stream is
interspersed with islands, one at the foot of the shoal, on the left side, covering 12 acres at low water, and one at
the head, on the right, covering 6 acres, with a narrow branch between it and the right bank. Some power could

•Mills states that at Musgrove's ford there is a fall of "26 feet in 14 chains". The falls have, however, doubtless changed
considerably since his book was written. *

1012 W P— VOL 16 49 7(39

110

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

be used at the site of the grist-mill with a fall of 20 to 30 feet, but the entire power could best be used on the right
bank, with a canal 750 feet long, and without a darn of any consequence. The water could not be stored during
the night, except above the upper shoal. Thus it would seem best to utilize the two shoals separately, by which
means all the fall could easily be rendered available.

The following table gives my estimate of the power here, together with the drainage area and rainfall :

Table of power at Mountain shoal.

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Drainage
area.

Fall.

Kainfall.

Flow per
second.

Horse-power available, gross.

Utilized.

Spring.

Summer.

Autumn.

Winter.

Tear.

Net
horse-
power.

Fall.

Sg. miles.

Feet.

In.

Cu.ft.

1ft. fall.

Wftfall.

Feet.

f ^

4.8

330

| 280

J 56

6.3

450

l 50

Maximum, -with storage ;

1 300

34.0

2,400

Low season, dry years

I 04

7.3

500

This power is eminently worthy of attention, for it is in all respects an excellent one. Building-stone is near
at hand, and the only objection to the place — its inaccessibility — bids fair to be removed by the construction of the
Spartanburgh and Greenwood railroad, which will probably cross the river just at the shoal. The place is owned
by Mr. W. A. McOlintock, Mountain Shoal post-office.

Above this place come several small shoals — Kilgore's, Yarbrough's, Flemming, Woffbrd's, and Leatherwood's ;
but they are gradually being filled up and are disappearing, especially Kilgore's and the Flemming shoal, which
are said to be worthless. The other three, none of which are used, are said to have falls of from 6 to 12 feet
available. But the most important power is Van Patten's shoal, about 300 yards above Leatherwood's shoal, 15
miles above Mountain shoal (by river), and over 20 miles from Laurens. The river here falls over a ledge of gneiss-
rock, as at Mountain shoal, the fall being 55 feet in 900 feet. Both banks are steep, and both could be almost
equally well used for building ; but the left bank is probably the more favorable if only a small amount of power i&
to be used, while if the total available power is to be utilized the right is perhaps better. However, the whole fall
could be easily utilized. At present only a small portion is used by a small mill on each side. The river is about
150 yards wide at the head of the shoal.

Leatherwood's shoal, just below, is also available, the natural fall being 10 to 12 feet in 150 yards.

The following table gives my estimate of power, with drainage area and rainfall for these two shoals :

State of flow (see pp. 18 to 21).

Drainage
area.

Fall.

Kainfall.

Flow per
second.

Horse-power available, gross.

Utilized.

Spring.

Summer.

3
3

Winter.

Tear.

Net
horse-
power.

Fall.

Minimum low season

Low season, dry years

Sg. miles.

!> 234
J

Feet.

( Van Pat- 1

ten's, 55;
<! Leather- >

wood's,
{ 10-12. J

In.

In.
14

In.
10

In.
16

In.

Gu. feet,
r 35
47

] 250
I 53

1 ft fall.
4.
5.3
28.4
6.0

55 ft fall. ! ID ft. fall.
220 40 -j
290 50 1
1, 550 280 |
330 60 J

50—

Feet.
12 and 6-

Like Mountain shoal, this is a most excellent power, and worthy of attention.

The next shoal above Van Patten's is one belonging to the Pelham Manufacturing Company, and the fall
available is 30 feet, with a 5-foot dam and a race 500 yards long through clay, according to the secretary, O. P.
Jackson, esq. Just above it is the Buena Vista cotton factory, using a fall of 18 feet and 00 horse-power, with a
dam 4 feet high, 120 yards long, and a race of 80 feet. In summer there is no waste except at night, when running
full capacity, the mill being run 12 hours. In addition to the factory, there is a gin-, saw-, and grist mill.

One mile above this is a shoal belonging to Dr. T. R. League, the fall being 23 feet in a distance of about 80 feet,
with no dam, according to Mr. Jackson. These three shoals last mentioned are all about 11 miles from Greenville
and G miles from the Air-line railroad at Greer's station.

Abo re this are several other shoals, one (Taylor's) about 8 miles from Greenville and half a mile above the
railroad, and said to have a natural fall of 5 to 8 feet, capable of being increased by a dam. And there are several
similar ones further up, including Bannister's, with a fall of 15 feet and a dam 9 feet high.

It will be seen that the Enoree river has a succession of*considerable shoals affording excellent powers.
Crossing the ledges of rock at larger angles than the Broad river, the falls of all these tributaries are more abrupt.

770

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

Table "of power at Pelham for the three shoals mentioned.

Ill

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Minimum

Minimum low season

Maximum, with storage.
Low season, dry years . .

Drainage
area.

Sq. miles.

Fall.

Feet.

Pelham 30;
Buena Vis-
ta factory,
l8;League's
shoal, 23.

Rainfall.

In.

16 i 14

10 : 10

In.

56 <;

Flow
per

second.

Cu. ft.
10
12
100
15

Horse-power available, gross.

lft. fall.
1.1
1.4
11.4
1.7

30 ft. faU.

18 ft. fall.

340

200

23 ft. fall.
25 -I

Utilized.

Net
horse-
power.

Fall.

Feet.

Mr. Jackson estimates the available power of these three shoals daring nine months of an ordinary year at
200, 150 to 200, and 120 horse-power, respectively. My estimates above given amount to G3, 39, and 49 horse-power
during, say, the driest month of an ordinary year, and about 180, 120, and 150 horse-power during nine months. I
do not know that Mr. Jackson's estimates are founded on gaugings, but my own are, of course, liable to many errors.
Mr. Jackson states that at the factory they run full capacity (60 horse-power) all the time, with water always
wasting some, which would indicate the above results, based on analogy, to be too small.

THE TIGER RIVER.

The next important tributary of the Broad is the Tiger, which enters it only 4£ miles above the mouth of the
Enoree, and from the same side. It is formed in Spartanburgh county by the union of three forks, the north, middle,
and south, whence it flows into Union, and at its lower extremity forms for a short distance the boundary between
that county and Newberry. Of its headwaters, the south and the middle forks rise in Greenville county and drain
respectively areas of 108 and 65 square miles, the latter uniting with the north fork, which rises in Spartanburgh
county, and drains 41 square miles; the total drainage area of the middle and north forks at their junction with
the south fork being 121 square miles. The length of the Tiger from the junction of its forks to its mouth is about
36 miles, measured in a straight line, and its total drainage area 720 square miles, almost exactly the same as that
of the Enoree. The principal tributary of the stream is Fair Forest creek, which rises in Spartanburgh county and
enters the Tiger in Union, about 15 miles from its mouth, after, draining about 203 square miles. The Tiger is very
similar in all respects to the Enoree, to which it flows nearly parallel, the distance between the two varying from 4
miles in their lower parts to 7 or 8 near their headwaters, the ridge between them being low. Their drain age-
basins.are also exactly similar in character, and the Tiger is also being gradually filled up and the shoals obliterated
in places. The elevations of the three forks at their crossings with the Air-line railroad are as follows : South
Tiger, 728 feet; Middle Tiger, 792 feet; North Tiger, 712 feet. The elevation of the mouth of the stream being
about 285 feet, the fall is perhaps at the rate of 6 or 7 feet per mile, or about the same as that of the Enoree. The
rainfall is the same as on the latter stream; and as regards accessibility, the same remarks are true regarding both.

On account of the silting up of the stream there are no shoals of importance for 30 or 40 miles from the mouth,
the first worth mentioning being the site of " Hill's factory", situated about 18 miles from Spartanburgh, Laurens,
and Union. Four miles below it is a fall of 10 feet used by a grist-mill, the available power at which place can be
seen from the following table for Hill's factory. Between this point (called Burnt factory) and the mouth of the
stream there were formerly 4 mills, all now abandoned on account of the filling up of the shoals.

At " Hill's factory" the fall continues for about three-fourths of a mile, but may be divided into three parts, the
lower one with a fall of about 12 feet, the middle one with 15 to 16 feet, and the upper one with 12 to 15 feet
(according to Mr. Hill). The width of the stream is about the same as that of the Enoree at Mountain shoals. The
bed is rock, and the banks said to be favorable. The lower shoal has been used for a factory, but is now used for
a grist-mill, and there were iron works on the middle shoal sixty or seventy years ago. The following table gives
my estimate of the power :

Rainfall.

State of flow (seepages 18 to 21).

Drainage
area.

Fall.

Spring.

Summer.

Autumn.

CD
C

Tear.

Flow per
second.

Horse-power avail-
able, gross.

Remarks.

Minimum low season 1

Maximum, with storage [

Low season, dry years J

Sq. miles.
308 1

Feet.

Perhaps 40
feet in aft.

In.
j 15

In.
14

In.
10

In.
16

In.

Cti. feet.

J CO
330
I 70

1 ft. fall.
5.1
6.8
37.5
8.0

iOftfall.
204

272
1, 500
320

I Fall according to Mr. Hill.
J

112

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

Four miles above is a grist- and saw-mill (Nesbitt's), with a fall of 9 feet and a dam 5 feet high, subject to
stoppage by backwater. The power available is probably about 70 horse-power iu the low season of dry years, 86
in the low season of ordinary years, and over 200 during nine months in an ordinary year. The drainage area above
is about 274 square miles. There are some powers above, below the junction of the forks, one of which is said to
have a fall of 15 feet, and is not improved.

The North Tiger has one power below its junction with the Middle Tiger, used by a grist- and saw-mill (Ott's),
with 14 feet fall. The dam does not extend entirely across, and is 3 feet high, the race being 200 feet long. The
owner states that he has a fall of 36 feet in 300 yards, the bed and banks being rock ; and it was very generally stated
that this power is an excellent one. The drainage area above this place being about 112 square miles, I would
estimate the power at about 2 horse-power per foot in the low season of dry years, 2J in the low season of ordinary
years, and perhaps 7 or 8 horse-power for nine months of ordinary years. It is said that there are three shoals
not improved between this place and Nesbitt's, and the falls of the same are stated to be 10, 15, and 15 feet, the
last below the junction of the south fork, and already referred to.

The North Tiger above the mouth of the Middle Tiger is so small a stream that it is not worth while to
consider it in detail. There are several shoals and mills upon it, but the stream, even at its mouth, probably will not
afford over 3 horse-power per foot for nine months in an ordinary year. The powers are excellent, although small,
and are generally abrupt, with the best facilities for dams and buildings. There are some sites not used, one
formerly used, belonging to Dr. Cleveland, with a fall of some 15 or 20 feet.

The Middle Tiger is also a small stream, its drainage area at its mouth being 65 square miles. It would
therefore, in all probability, not afford over 5 or 6 horse-power per foot during nine months of an ordinary year.
It has a number of shoals, where the stream pours over ledges of solid rock, falling from 10 to 20 feet in a short
distance, and there are several grist-mills and a cotton factory on the stream. Dean's mill has a fall of 11 feet, and
above it are 4 to 5 feet unimproved ; the drainage area is about 50 square miles. At Ballinger's mills there is a fall
of 14 feet; and at the Orawfordsvdle cotton factory a fall of 17 J feet is used, with 35 horse-power. There are three
sites not used on the stream, of which the best is Penny shoal, one mile below Ballinger's mills, where there is a
continuous fall for a distance of nearly a quarter of a mile over a layer of gneiss-rock, the total fall being about 35
feet. The banks are favorable for a canal and for building, but a high dam could not be erected at the head of
the shoal, because it would reduce the fall at the mill above. The stream is from 100 to 150 feet wide. The
drainage area above this shoal being about 50 square miles, the available power will probably not exceed 1.2 horse-
power per foot in the low season of ordinary years (42 horse-power in all), and about 4 horse-power per foot during
nine months of ordinary years (140 horse-power in all). This shoal is 2 miles from Wellford, on the Air-line railroad,
and is owned by Dr. J. Jones, of that place. Below it, and a little above Crawfordsville, is a second unimproved
shoal, said to be superior to the one at the latter place, it being equal in fall, and having better building facilities.
Three miles below Crawfordsville is a third fall, not used, said to have a fall of 10 feet. I must once more state that
the drainage areas I have calculated make no pretensions to accuracy, and I have more than once had occasion to
notice great disagreements between those given by different maps. My estimates of power are likely to be in error
one way or the other by fully 20 or 25 per cent.

The South Tiger is the largest of the three forks, and it resembles the other forks in all respects, and, like them,
has a number of fine shoals, some used and some unimproved. It drains a total area of 108 square miles, and
will therefore afford, in all probabiUty, about 2 horse-power per foot in the low season of dry years, 2£ in the low
season of ordinary years, and 6 or 7 for nine months of ordinary years. There is one cotton factory on the stream^
with a fall of 17 feet, and several grist- and saw-mills. There is said to be one shoal, with a fall of about 10 feet,
not used, not far from the mouth. Some of the shoals on this stream are being silted up.

Fair Forest creek, the principal tributary of the Tiger, flows within a mile or so of Spartanburgh, and within 5
miles of Union, and has a number of grist-mills. Being similar in character to the streams already described, it is
necessary merely to describe the only important shoal on the stream, at present not utilized, viz, Murphy's shoal,
about 5 miles from Union, and about an equal distance from the mouth of the stream. The fall is about 19 feet in
a distance of 400, over a ledge of gneiss-rock ; but the rapids continue below, the total fall amounting to about 27
feet in 1,000. Just above the falls the stream is 100 feet wide, and at the falls it is about 200 or 250 feet wide. The
left bank is favorable for building, and the fall of 19 feet could be utilized very easily, and in fact 14 feet of it have
been utilized until within a few months by a grist-mill and cotton-gin, with a low wing-dam about 300 feet long and
3 or 4 feet high and a wooden flume 150 feet in length. A high dam could not well be built without overflowing
considerable bottom-land. The drainage area above this site being about 180 square miles, I have estimated the
power in the following table :

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Drainage
area.

Flow per
second.

Minimum

Minimum low season

Maximum, with storage
Low season, dry years . .

Sg. miles.

Feet.

Oubiefeet.

I foot fall. I 19 feet fall.

3.0 j 57

4.0 \ 76

22.7 | 431

5. | 95

27 feetfall.

108

180

613
135

772

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED. , 113

Hence in ordinary years, with 19 feet fall, about 110 horse-power could be obtained in the dry season, and over
300 during nine months.

The banks on the south side of the stream are high and rocky, so that the power can best be used on the other
6ide, where the grist-mill was. The utilization of the total fall of 27 feet would not be so easy, the location not
being so safe, on account of the presence of a bottom just below the main fall.

Less than a mile below this shoal is a small rift, with a fall of perhaps G feet in GOO, with a favorable location
on the south side. Between the two there are other shoals, which make up, with the one just referred to, a fall
of 12 or 15 feet in a distance of three-eighths of a mile. This fall is available, and could best be utilized by building •
a dam about 8 feet in height, provided the bed should be found favorable. This place, however, is far inferior to
Murphy's shoal.

On a little tributary to the Fair Forest river, about 5 miles from Spartanburgh, there is a perpendicular fall of
30 or 40 feet; but the stream is so small that the power is unimportant, though it is used by a small mill.

THE PACOLETT RIVER.

The next tributary of the Broad river which is worthy of special mentiou is the Pacolett river, which enters from
the west in Union county, at a point about 75 miles above Columbia, and is one of the most important tributaries
as regards water-power. It is formed by the union of two forks, the North Pacolett and the South Pacolett, the
former rising in the southern part of Polk county, North Carolina, and the latter in the northern part of Greenville
county, South Carolina, uniting in Spartanburgh county. The distance from the junction of these forks to the
mouth of the river is about 37 miles in a straight line, and the total drainage area of the stream is about 475 square
miles, of which the North Pacolett drains 80 square miles, the South Pacolett 82 square miles, and Lawson's fork,
the other principal tributary, 82 square miles. The stream flows within 7 miles of Spartanburgh, Lawson's fork
passing within 2 miles of that place.

The drainage-basin of the Pacolett river is mountainous in its upper part, and especially in that part drained by
the North fork, which is a real mountain stream, tumbling down a narrow valley, from rock to rock, with a fall of
100 feet or over to the mile. The basin of the South fork, and of the main stream below the junction of the two,
is very similar to that of the Tiger, or to that of the Enoree, except that it is more hilly and broken, especially
toward the lower part, where there are fewer bottoms than near the foot of the mountains. The rainfall is about the
same also. The elevation of the stream at the crossing of the Air-line railroad is 612 feet, and at its mouth about
400 feet; so that the fall between those points is at the rate of about 7 feet to the mile, or about the same as that
of the Tiger and the Enoree. The stream is a succession of shoals, and affords considerable water-power; and it
has one great advantage over the Tiger and the Enoree, viz, that it is easily accessible from the Air-line and the
Spartanburgh and Union railroads.

The first shoal met with in ascending the river is Skull shoal, 4 miles from the mouth, but the fall is only 3 feet
or so. It is to be remarked here that the Pacolett and the streams north of it suffer less from the silting up of
shoals than the Tiger and the Enoree, perhaps due to the fact that the country is better wooded as the mountains are
approached. The next shoal above Skull shoal is Grindall shoal, 14 miles from the mouth, with a fall of about 6 feet,
used by a grist-mill. The next is Easterwood shoal, 17 miles from the mouth, mentioned by Mills as having a fall
of 6£ feet in six chains ; but it has filled up somewhat since his report, and is of no value. The first really important
power on the stream is Trough shoal, the most notable fall on the river, 23 miles from its mouth, 12 miles from
Spartanburgh, and 2 miles from Pacolett station, on the Spartanburgh and Union railroad. The total length of the
shoal is nearly three-fourths of a mile, and the total fall in that distance 60 feet or thereabout, as ascertained by a
pocket-level. At the upper end the stream is contracted for a distance of 100 feet or over between two vertical walls
of rock to a width of from 10 to 15 feet, the depth being about 16 feet at ordinary stages of the water; but at high
water these walls are overflowed, and the whole stream has a width of 200 or 300 feet. The bed of the stream is solid
rock or bowlders for the entire length of the shoal, and the fall is distributed as follows, commencing at the head :

Twenty-two feet in 500, including the "trough"; width about 200 feet; banks on the right not bluffy, and
favorable for building; on the left not so good.

Five and a half feet in 750, down to where the stream is crossed by a bridge; width, 200 feet. Bank on the right
favorable ; on the left rocky. This fall extends from the foot of the dam (a wooden wing-dam about 250 feet long and
4 feet high, extending in a broken line out into the stream) to the bridge, the dam supplying power to a saw- and
grist-mill and cotton-gin, and having a fall of from 6 to 7 feet. '

Five and a half feet in 350 ; a very steep and rocky bluff on both sides, especially on the right, and very difficult
or impossible to canal along it.

Eleven feet in 500, and both banks are very rocky and steep. At the head of this distance a creek enters from the left.

Five and a half feet in 250, both banks being steep and rocky. It includes the narrowest part of the shoal
below the trough, the stream being from 100 to 125 feet wide.

Five and a half feet in 750, the bank rocky on the right, except at the center of distance, where the hills
recede, and the left bank is high and precipitous at the upper end, but low at the lowej end. Width of stream at
head, 150 feet ; at foot, 200 feet.

773

114,

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

Five and a half feet in 300, the right bank being very rocky and steep. This makes a total of about 60 feet.

The accompanying sketch, wliick makes no pretensions to accuracy, will make the location clearer.

From the above, it is clear that the utilization of the entire fall at one place would be impracticable, except at
great expense. At the head, however, a fall of 20 feet could be used very easily, with no dam of importance, and
with a favorable site for building 6n the south side. If the fall below were to be used, it could probably best
be done by a dam near the middle of the shoal, and perhaps 15 to 20 feet high, which could be put in without doing
any damage by overflowing. A canal one-quarter of a mile long would give a fall of perhaps 30 feet at the foot of the
shoal. The drainage area and the estimated power for this place are given in the following table :

Table of power at Trough shoals.

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Drainage
area.

Fall.

Sq. miles. Feet.

Minimum h

Minimum low season I I

Maximum, with storage (

Low season, dry years J

380

Rainfall.

In. In.

In.

16 55

Ou./t.

( 62
88
420
100

Horse-power available, gross.

1 foot.
7.0
10.0
47.7
11.4

20 feet.
140
200
950
230

30 feet.
210
300
1,430
350

Utilized.

Horse-
power,
net.

Fall.

Feet.

25 ±

This power is one of ihe best in the vicinity. As before stated, it is used now only by a small grist-mill.
Building-stone can be had in the neighborhood, and the railroad is only two miles distant.

One mile above Trough shoals is Brown's mill, where there is said to be a fall of some 14 feet, and two and a half
miles beyond is Hammett's mill, said to have a fall of 8 or 10 feet. This is above the mouth of Lawson's fork, and the
drainage area is not much greater than that above Clifton. Just below the mouth of Lawson's fork is the Crocker
Ford shoal (fall not known). Two and a half miles above it, and above Hammett's mill, is another shoal, at
Thompson's ford, with a fall of perhaps 5 or 6 feet ; and two miles further up is a third shoal, said to have a fall of
about 10 feet. One mile above, and 30 miles from the mouth of the river, is Hurricane shoal, formerly occupied by
iron works, but now the site of the Clifton cotton factory. This shoal is 7 miles from Spartanburgh, and only a mile
or two from the Air-line railroad. The fall is 22 feet, and the estimated power is as follows :

Table of potver at Clifton factory.

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Drainage
area.

Fall.

Flow per
second.

Horse-power available,
gross.

Remarks.

Sq. miles.
220

Feet.

Cubic feet,
r 33
44

250

I 53

1 foot fall.

3.7
5.0
28.4
6.0

22 feet fall.

80
110
625
130

1 The estimate of drainage
1 area is particularly liable
to error in the case of t his
J stream.

Low season, dry years

According to the estimate, in ordinary years 160 horse-power may be expected in the dry season, and 400 or
over for nine months.

Two miles above Clifton is a fall of perhaps 8 feet, not improved, called the Lindner shoal. This is the last
shoal on the main stream.

Mills gives the following shoals above the mouth of Lawson's fork : 3 miles from junction, 12 feet in 10
chains (this is probably Hammett's Mill shoal) ; 2 miles above, 10 feet in 3 chains (this is probably Hammett's upper
shoal) ; a mile above, Hurricane shoal, 16 feet in 40 chains; 5 miles further up, 8 feet in 4 chains (this is perhaps
the Lindner shoal). The chain referred to is probably 66 feet.

The South fork has only small saw- or grist-mills, and no large powers so far as could be learned. The North
fork has a very large fall in its upper part, and below the mountains is a grist-mill with 12 feet fall, and a cotton
factory with 12 feet fall. Both streams are of about the same size, draining about 80 square miles each, and will
probably Afford at their mouths 2 horse-power per foot fall in the dry season of ordinary years and 5 or 6 horse-power
during nine months. The Spartanburgh and Ashville railroad follows the North fork for some miles in the
mountains, where the stream is a roaring mountain torrent. There are numerous sites for small mills here, and
there is one saw- and grist-mill, with a fall of 34 feet and scarcely any dam, and a race a quarter of a mile long.

Lawson's fork, which enters the Pacolett several miles below Clifton, has a drainage area of about 82 square miles,
and will probably give 2 horse-power per foot during the dry season of ordinary years and 6 horse-power during nine
months, according to my estimates. There are several falls on it : the first, just below Glendale, of 15 feet or so,
not used, giving 90 horsepower most of the time; the second, at Glendale, 6 miles from Spartanburgh, used by the
cotton factory of D. E. Converse & Co. The dam is of rock, rebuilt in 1879 at a cost of $1,200, and is 300 feet long

774

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

115

and 4 feet high. The head-race is 700 feet long, and the fall 35 feet, 200 horse-power being" utilized by storing the
water at night in a natural pond half a mile above, the factory being run 12 iiour* The pond above is formed by a
natural dam, which crosses the stream. This dam has been blasted through at one place for the gates, through which
the water is drawn down during the day. The reservoir is half a mile long, 150 feet wide, and 5 feet deep, and is
large enough to store all the water at low-water stage. This natural dam affords a fall of 12 feet in all, which
is now unimproved, but would afford one-third the power at Glendale. According to my estimates, the gross
power available at Glendale would be 210 horse-power for nine months of an ordinary year for the natural flow
■of the stream and 70 horse-power for the low season, or 140, with storage, during 12 hours. The shipping-point
for Glendale is Spartanburgh.

Above Glendale there are several small grist-mills and one cotton factory on the stream, some with good
shoals, but the stream is small.

Thicketty creek, a tributary of Broad river, enters from the west about 6 miles above the mouth of the Pacolett.
It drains an area of 100 square miles, and has no large falls, so far as I could learn.

Bullock's creek and King's creek, both from the east, drain about 72 square miles each, and offer no large powers.

Buffalo creek, which rises in North Carolina and joins the Broad in York county, South Carolina, draining an
area of 178 square miles, is a tributary of some importance. It has a considerable fall, and is utilized by a number
of grist- and saw-mills and one paper-mill. It will probably afford at its mouth about 5J horse-power per foot fall in
the low season of ordinary years, and 15 or over during nine months. The stream is only 15 feet wide at its mouth.

FIRST BEOAD RIVER.

This tributary rises in the extreme northern part of Cleaveland and Rutherford counties, North Carolina, and
flows south through the former, passing within three miles of Shelby, joining the Broad a mile below Palmer's
shoal. It drains an area of 302 square miles, and its fall from the crossing of the projected railroad from Shelby
to Rutherfordton is about 105 feet, or at the rate of 8 feet or more per mile. The rainfall is the same as on the
Pacolett and Tiger. The width of the stream at its mouth is 90 feet.

The first power on the river is Chambers' grist-mill, with a fall of 9 feet, though 15 feet are said to be available.
The stream is almost as large here as at its mouth, and will probably afford 7 or 8 horse-power per foot fall in the
low season of dry years, 9 or 10 in the low season of ordinary years, and 20 or 25 for nine months.

Above come two small grist-mills, and then a third (Loutze's), where there is said to be 12 feet fall available. The
next important power is at Double shoals, at the cotton factory of E. A. Morgan & Co., a fall of 8 feet and 30 or 40
horse-power being used. It is said that double this amount of fall rould be obtained with a canal 400 yards long.
The place is some 15 mdes from the mouth of the stream, and the drainage area is perhaps three-fifths what it is at
the mouth. There are other mills above, and on a tributary (Knob creek) is the cotton factory of Schenck,
Ramsour & Co., with 15 feet fall, and about 35 horse-power.

SECOND BROAD RIVER.

This river, the next tributary worth mentioning, rises in McDowell county, and flows through Rutherford county,
draining an area of 193 square miles. It is a small stream, only 30 feet wide at its mouth, but there are several
good powers on it, viz :

Tumbling shoal, 3 miles from the mouth, not now utilized, is the first, and it is said that a fall of 15 feet could
be obtained, with good building-sites, in a distance of 200 yards. The stream would probably give from 4£ to 5
horse-power per foot in low seasons of dry years.

High shoal, one mile above, is said to be the best water-power in Rutherford county. It is not now utilized, but
was formerly used for iron works. The fall is stated to be 29 feet in 400 yards, over a solid rock bed, all of which
is available, with good building-sites. The stream is about as large as at Tumbling shoal, and will perhaps give
6 horse-power per foot in dry seasons of ordinary years, and perhaps 15 or more during nine months.

The "Burnt factory", 2 miles above, is the next site — a very good one, now used for a saw- and grist-mill, with a
crib-dam 300 feet long, 9 or 10 feet high, a race 100 feet long, and a fall of 14 feet, capable of being increased to 16.

Farther up the river are other shoals, but they are of no great consequence, although in its upper parts the fall
of the stream is very great.

Shelby is the nearest railroad point to all of the shoals mentioned on the Broad rivers, being 16 miles from
High shoal and Tumbling shoal and 8 miles from Double shoals. There are numerous other water-powers in the
vicinity on smaller streams; thus on Brushy creek, a tributary of the First Broad, there is within 2%riles of Shelby
a fall of 36 feet in 600 yards, not improved, said to be capable of affording 50 horse-power in dry seasons ; and on
Muddy fork, a tributary to the Buffalo creek, there is an unimproved fall of 20 feet in 100 yards about a mile
from its mouth, said to be good for 40 horse-power in dry weather. All these streams have, as a rule, rock beds
and good banks, which are not often overflowed. They are subject to heavy but short freshets. The soil in all this
region is clay and loam.

The projected railroad to Rutherfordton, the grading for which was done long ago, will pass nearer to some of
the powers which have been mentioned: for instance, within 3 miles of High shoal. *

775

116

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

. GREEN river.

This, the last important tributary of the Broad, rises in the mountains of Henderson county, and flows a
little north of east into Polk county, where it joins the Broad. The upper part of its course lies in a narrow
valley, not over 4 miles wide for 20 miles from the head of the stream, but below that the basin is much
wider. The length of the stream in a straight line is about 36 miles, and its drainage area 198 square miles.
It has a rapid fall, and considerable power is available, though very little is used. The bed is rock, and the
banks in some places are nearly vertical rock walls, while at others the river winds through fertile bottoms,
subject at times, though not extensively, to overflow, these bottoms being specially frequent in the lower part of
its course. The stream is very inaccessible, being crossed by only one railroad — the Spartanburgh and Asheville —
about 16 miles from its head. The stream is about 75 or 100 feet wide where this road crosses it, and 90 feet wide
at its mouth.

I obtained information regarding three shoals on the stream, but on account of the rapid fall there are
doubtless other places where power could be obtained by damming. The lowest point is at Green Eiver cove,
where there is said to be a considerable fall, not utilized, extending over some distance. This site is some distance
from the railroad, and not easily accessible. Pott shoal, which is just below the railroad-crossing, is much more
favorable, and is said to be the best site on the river. The falls commence just below the bridge, and continue for
some distance, the fall being very rapid, with now and then an abrupt fall of several feet. The bed is solid
rock, and the banks generally high ; but near the foot of the shoal there is said to be a very good building-site.
The shoal takes its name from a number of curiously worn-out holes in the rock forming the bed of the stream r
almost circular, and looking very much like large auger holes.

About two miles above the railroad, and therefore not so favorably located as Pott shoal, are the falls of the
Green river, the third site above referred to, and the only one I visited in person. The fall is about 30 feet iu 100,
preceded by rapids for three-eighths of a mile, making a total fall of over 45 feet. The banks are rocky and very
steep, so that building facilities are not very good. The drainage area above this place is about 67 square miles,
and the available power would perhaps be 1 horse-power or a little over per foot in the low season of dry years,
and 3£ or 4 horse-power for nine months of an ordinary year. The building facilities at Pott shoal are said to be
much better than at these falls, and the fall is also said to be greater.

THE SALUDA RIVER.

The Saluda is formed on the boundary between Pickens and Greenville counties, South Carolina, by the union
of its north, south, and middle forks, whence it flows southeast, forming the boundary-line between Anderson,
Abbeville, and Edgefield counties on its right, and Greenville, Laurens, and Newberry counties on its left, and after
passing through Lexington county unites with the Broad to form the Congaree. The length of the stream, in a
straight line, is about 110 miles, and its drainage area 2,350 square miles. All its important tributaries enter from
the north side, viz : Bush river, Little river, and Reedy river. The general character of the Saluda is similar to
that of the Enoree river and other tributaries of the Broad. The three forks rise in the mountains, the north fork
very near to the North Carolina line and very near to the sources of the Pacolett, and all three are mountain
streams. Down as far as the lower border of Anderson county the country is broken, and the banks of the stream
are generally high, with few bottoms; below that the country is more open, and there are considerable areas of*
bottom-laud subject to overflow. The facilities for artificial reservoirs are said to be rather poor, as on all the
tributaries of the Broad, the fall of the streams being so rapid. The bed is rock, and the banks iu places of the
same material, and in other places alluvial. The rainfall in the basin is about 51 inches (see p. 121). The following
table will show approximately the declivity of the stream :

Place.

Distance from
mouth.

Elevation
above tide.

Distance be-
tween points.

Fall between
points.

Miles.

60
125
135

Feet.

148
383
749
809

Miles.

| - - - 60
\ .... 65
} - - - - *

Feet.

- - - ■ 235

- - - • 366

- --. CO

Feet per mile.
■ ■ - -3.9
- - - - 5. 6
.... 6.

Crossing of Greenvilleltnd Columbia railroad 4

The stream is accessible from the Greenville and Columbia railroad and from the Air-line railroad, as will be
seen from the map.

The water-powers met with in ascending the stream will now be described:

At Beard's falls, 2 miles above Columbia, is the factory of the Saluda Manufacturing Company. The dam is of
stone, 900 feet long and 9 feet high, ant' at the factory the fall is from 14 to 16 feet, the race being 200 feet long. The

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

317

power utilized is 150 horse-power, with always a waste of water. According to what has been said regarding the
flow of the Saluda, the power at this place is estimated as follows :

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Drainage
area.

Fall.

Plow per
second.

Horse-power available,
gross.

Sq. miles.
1 2, 350

Feet.

Cubic feet,
f 550
700

| 2, 100
1 825

1 footfall.
62.5
79.5
238.6
93.7

16 feet fall.
1,000
1, 275
3, 800
1,500

The Saluda river was made navigable many years ago by the state, and three canals were constructed, the
lowest one being around Beard's falls. The canal was 2J miles long, and had 5 locks, with 34 feet lift together,
covering the fall of the river between its mouth (where there was a dam across the Broad, in the pool of which the
boats were floated over to the Columbia canal) and the head of Lorick's falls, a mile and a half above the Saluda
factory. At these falls there is a natural fall in the river of about 6 feet, and their head is 27 feet above the mouth
of the river, according to a recent survey, from which it follows that there must have been a dam at the head nearly
10 feet high. The available, power at the mouth of the Saluda may therefore be considered as that due to a fall of
from 30 to 34 feet, and it is said that the old canal could be put in order without much difficulty.

The next site above Lorick's falls is above the mouth of Twelve-Mile creek, at Dreher's canal, the second state
canal, which was a mile long, and had 4 locks, with a total lift of 21 feet.* The canal was on the north side, and the
power is used now to run a grist- and saw -mill and a cotton-gin, using falls of less than 10 feet, the only dam existing
being a rough stone wing-dam. This is an excellent site, and a fall of 20 feet could probably be rendered available,
or 10 feet with a canal only 300 yards long. The place is about 6 miles from Lexington, which is the nearest
railroad point. The drainage area above being about 2,200 square miles, the available power may be estimated for
20 feet fall, as in the table on page 121.

Three miles above this there was once, though not now, a mill. The next power is at Wise's ferry, known as
Hyler's shoal. The total fall is not known, but a fall of 5 feet is utilized by a grist-mill near the head. Mills gives
a fall near Wise's ferry of 17 feet, but whether there is a fall there now I cannot say.

Above that is a small shoal known as Kelly's, and then a shoal at Hiller's ferry, with a mill on each side of the
river, using, however, falls of only a few feet. The available fall at this place I am unable to state. Mills mentions
several shoals above Wise's ferry, in Lexington county, viz: Hunter's ferry (5£ feet), shoal (3£ feet), Snellgrove's
island (9 feet), Manning's island, or Simon's ferry (15 feet, and a little above 15 feet additional), Domick's mill (15
feet) j making in all, in Lexington county, a fall in the river of over 135 feet in a distance of perhaps 25 to 30
miles. For want of accurate data I have not tabulated these powers, but it is evident that the river offers a large
amount of power in this distance. Above Hiller's ferry the next large fall is said to be at Calk's ferry, probably
called Simon's ferry by Mills. There is a mill at this place using a fall of 5 feet, and, according to all that could be
learned, the fall is one of the best on this part of the river.

The next site is at McNary's ferry, where there is a mill using a fall of 11 feet, with a dam 4 feet high and a
race 100 feet long. It is said to be a fine power, with only a small fraction utilized.

There was formerly a mill a mile or two below the mouth of the Little Saluda, but the next site of importance is
8 miles further up, at Perkins' ford. This shoal is said to be the best in Newberry and Edgefield counties, and is
altogether unimproved. The banks are said to be favorable for building, and the fall was variously stated at from
5 to 10 feet in half a mile.

Bauknight's mill, one and a half miles above, is said to be the site of the third canal on the river, which had
one lock, with a lift of 6 feet. The canal is on the north side, while the mill is on the other. Above this there are
several small shoals and small mills. The river seems to be quite sluggish through this part of its course from
Perkins' ford up, and the banks are said to be troublesome, and to wash out often at the dams. The next important
power, and the most important on this part of the stream, is at Ware's mill, or the Great falls, above the mouth of
Reedy river, and about 12 miles from Hodges, the nearest railroad point. It is shown in the following sketch :

* All statements regarding these canals are from Mills.

777

118

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

Sketch of the Saluda river at the Great falls, South Carolina.

The shoal is a mile long, and the fall is, in all, about 45 feet. At the head is a wing-dam on the left bank, and
a race half a mile long gives a fall of 21 feet at Gaines' saw-mill. About 300 yards below the tail-race is a second
wing-dam on the right bank, and a race 300 yards long gives a fall of 20 feet at Hart's grist- and saw-mill. The
width of the river is about 400 feet opposite Hart's dam, and 200 feet below the shoals. The total fall could not
be used at Hart's mill without a very expensive canal around bluffs. It could, however, be used on the left bank,
this side being much more favorable. The most convenient location, however, is on the left bank, just below
Gaines' mill, and by building a dam where Gaines' wing-dam is now, making it 10 feet high, or sufficient to back up

778

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

119

over a shoal about one-fourth of a mile above, a fall of 35 feet could be utilized with a race half a mile long. The
bed of the stream is solid rock, and the facilities for the utilization of power are, in all respects, excellent. This is
one of the best powers on the river. It is to be mentioned that a mile below the foot of the shoal is Robertson's
shoal, with a fall of 3 or 4 feet, not of value for power.

Three or four miles above Ware's is Mattox's mill, 9 miles below Honea Path. It is not an important power,
the fall being said to be only 4 or 5 feet. The next important power is Erwin's mill, a few miles from Honea Path,
and at. the lower border of Abbeville county. The river is divided by two islands, the total width being about 200
yards. Across one of the arms is a dam 300 feet long and 3 feet high, giving, with a race 150 feet long, a fall of 8
feet, capable of being increased to 10 feet, it is said, by going farther down.

Above Erwin's come several small shoals — Harper's, Kay's, and Gambrell's — not of much consequence, except
Harper's, where it is said that a fall of 8 feet could be obtained. The next shoal is opposite Belton, used by.Poore
& Cox's mills, with a fall of about 8 feet, not capable of being increased, and not of importance for manufacturing.
Some distance above is a ledge known as Hamilton Ford shoal, with a fall of 4 feet, which could be increased to 10
feet — a good location, and near the railroad.

Half a mile above is Holland's Ford shoal, with a fall of 7 feet in 300 yards, which is not improved. A canal 200
yards long would be necessary, and would not be expensive. It is one and a quarter miles from the railroad, and the
amount of water is about the same as at Piedmont (see beyond). A dam could be built 8 feet high, giving a tall
of 15 feet. Half a mile fartlier up is Blackburn Island shoal, not improved, with a fall of 6 feet in 100 yards, not
capable of being increased to above 10 feet without backing over the shoals above. A canal would be difficult to
build on account of a high rock bluff. Three-fourths of a mile above are the Tripp shoals, not improved, with a fall
of 8 feet in 300 yards, capable of being increased to 16 feet without backing up to more than within 5 feet of the
fall above. The shoal is of solid rock, and a canal would not be difficult. The place is a favorable one, situated
one and a half miles from Williamston, on the railroad.

One mile above, at Wilson's ferry, the Pelzer Manufacturing Company is putting up a cotton factory. The dam
is of granite, in cement, 250 feet long and 15 feet high, with a race of 200 feet, and a fall used of 21 feet at low
water. The mill is building for 13,000 spindles, and is expected to be in operation by December 1, 1881. The site
is a very favorable one, one and a half miles from Williamston, on the railroad, and half a mile from the nearest
railroad point, from which a siding is to be run.

Six miles above is the factory of the Piedmont Manufacturing Company, but between this and the Pelzer mill
is the Allen shoal, not used, with a natural fall of 14 feet in 250 yards, capable of being increased to 18 feet without
interfering with the Piedmont factory. It is the most imposing fall on this part of the river, and is in all respects
a very fine site. Bed and banks are favorable, and the place is located only a quarter of a mile from the railroad.

The Piedmont factory, one of the most important cotton-mills of the state, is 2 miles above the Allen shoal.
The dam is of wood and stone, built in a curve on a solid rock foundation, and is 270 feet long and 7£ feet high. It
was first built in 1873, and raised in 1879. A head-race 250 feet long, cut through stone, gives a fall of 10 feet at.
the wheel. The power used is stated at 500 horse power, which it is said can be obtained during eleven months,
and 400 during the remaining month. In addition to this, about 20 horse-power is used by a saw- and grist-mill,
with a fall of 10 feet. The capacity of this factory is at present being increased, and it is intended to use 800
horse-power, which it is expected to obtain during eleven months, and 700 the other month; the fall is at the same,
time increased to 20 feet by raising the dam to a height of 11 J feet. No steam-power is used. It is to be remarked
that here, as well as at all the other sites on this part of the Saluda, the conformation of the banks is such that large
ponds are not formed, and the natural flow of the stream is all that can be utilized. When the mills are not running
water flows over the dam.

The drainage area of the stream above Piedmont was measured from the map and found to be about 380
square miles. The rainfall is 56 inches. Reasoning by analogy, I would therefore estimate the power as follows :

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Drainage
area.

Fall.

Flow per
second.

Horse-power available, gross.

Sq. miles.
380

Feet.
20

Cubic feet.

1 105
425

I 125

1 foot fall.

8.0
12.0
48.3
14.2

20 feet fall.

160
240
970
284

Minimum low season

Maximum, with storage

Low season, dry years

I have made these estimates larger than those for Mountain shoal on the Enoree, and others in the
neighborhood, because the Saluda extends farther into the mountains, and the rainfall is greater. I have even
made them large in proportion to the other estimates for the Saluda, and the latter estimates may be, in fact, too
small.*

* Since the above was written, I have observed that in the statistics of cotton-mills for the state of South Carolina, according to the
present census, the power used at the Piedmont factory is stated at 320 horse-power.

779

120

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

According to the above table, in the low season of ordinary years about 350 horse-power could be depended
upon, and probably 800 to 1,000 during nine months. The Piedmont factory has been nominally using over 400
horse-power at all times. I incline to think that the power actually used is hardly so large, but the result must
once more show that the estimates of power given, although as accurate as I am able to make them with the data
at hand, must be taken as approximations only.

Above Piedmont is a small shoal, where there was once a grist-mill; but the fall is only 4 or 5 feet, and it is of
no importance.

The next is the Blasingame shoal, 5 miles from Greenville. It is said to have considerable fall, but to be hard to
develop.

Harrison shoal, 6 miles from Greenville, which has never been used, is the next. It is said to have a small fall,
and to be of no importance for manufacturing.

The last shoal on the main stream is at Farr's mills, also 6 miles from Greenville. It is utilized by a saw- and
grist-mill, with a fall of 7 feet, using only 20 or 30 horse-power probably. The dam is of wood and stone, 300 feet
long and 5 feet high, and the head-race is 200 feet long. It is said that the fall could be increased to some extent.

Summary of power on the Saluda river.

Locality.

•

Distance

from
mouth.

Drainage
area.

Rainfall.

Total fall.

Horse-power available, gross. *

Utilized.

Percentage of mini-
mum utilized.

Remarks.

In.
13
13
13
14

—

In.
9
9

s
>-I

Minimum.

Minimum low
season.

Maximum, with
storage.

Low season, dry
years.

Horse-power, net.

"3
ft

■ <• tiro.
1
2. 5

10.
14.0

2 350

2,350
2, 200
2, 200

In.
13
13
14
14

In.
16
16
16
16

In.
51
51
53
54

Feet.
16
34

17 (?)
5-6 (?)
9(?)
30 (?)
15 (?)

1, 000

2, MO
1, 150

1,275
2, 700
1, 500

3, 800
8, 100
4, 400

1, 500
3,200
1, 750

150
150

50-

30-

Feet.
16
16
3-9
5

20
10
5-

Bam, 9 feet.

Dam, 15 feet.
Dam, 11.5 feet.

Dam, 5 feet.

Hyler's shoal

2. 5 miles.
1 mile . . .

5
11

Small .
39

Small .
50—

5-10 (?)
6
55
4-5
8-10
8-10 (?)
8
t4
t7

tl4

4-5

Great falls

Mattox's mill

65 ±
69 ±

635
600
523

1. 25 mile

800
60±
120 ±

1, 000
75±
150 ±

4, 000
300 ±
600 ±

1, 200
90±
175 ±

Erwin's mill

J 0)

(?)

20-30

(?)

900 feet
300 feet

Blackburn's Island shoal.

900 feet

Pelzer Manufacturing

Company - .
Allen shoal

400

380

600 feet .

Piedmont Manufactur-
ing Company.

160

240

S70

284

Farr's mills

275

* See pages 18 to 21. t Without dam. t Not yet running.

TRIBUTARIES OF THE SALUDA RIVER.

Twelve-Mile creek is the first stream worth mentioning in this connection. It enters the Saluda from the south
a few miles above the Saluda factory, and drains an area of 93 square miles, entirely in Lexington county. It is to
some extent a sand-hill stream, not very variable in flow, and it is utilized for a number of saw- and grist-mills,
with falls of from 7 to 12 feet. The stream is said by those acquainted with it to afford near its mouth about 5
horse-power per foot most of the time. It flows by the town of Lexington, in the neighborhood of which there are
two sites not utilized, said to be the only ones of any importance on the stream. Close by the town is a grist-mill,
with a fall of 10 or 12 feet, and just below it is a fall of about 14 feet in half a mile. Just above the mill is the
site of the old Laurel Fall factory, now used by a grist-mill, which, however, only utilizes a small part of the power.
The first site referred to is a good one, and could be combined with the one occupied by the mill, giving a total fall
of between 20 and 30 feet. The stream here is not over half as large as it is at its mouth.

780

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED. 121

Little Saluda creek, from the south, is the next tributary of note. It drains about 297 square miles, and joins
the main stream at Wise's ferry. Its water-power, however, is not of much importance, and its flow is quite
variable. There are a few small grist-mills on the stream and its tributaries, but it is not favorable for power.

Bush river, which rises in Laurens county, and enters the Saluda just below Perkins' ford, in Newberry
county, drains an area of 105 square miles, and has considerable fall and some sites not used, but the powers are
all small. The stream is quite variable in flow, and the mills have to stop in summer.

Little river, which rises in Laurens county and flows nearly parallel to Bush river, drains about 220 square
miles, but is sluggish, and has no power of importance.

The only other tributary below the forks worth mentioning is Beedy river, which rises in Greenville county,
flows southeast into Laurens, and enters the Saluda several miles below the Great falls, after draining an area of
about 386 square miles. The length of the stream, measured in a straight line, is about 50 miles, and it receives
one tributary worth mentioning, Beaburn's creek, which drains 105 square miles. The river flows through the
town of Greenville, and offers a large amount of power, being shoaly for its entire length. The map shows the
form and dimensions of the drainage-basin. The rainfall is about 53 inches on the entire basin: 15 in spring, 13
in summer, 9 in autumn, and 16 in winter. The fall of the stream is considerable, and much greater than that of the
Saluda, its elevation at Greenville, at the crossing of the Air-line railroad, being 929 feet, while that of the Saluda
is 809 feet, and that of the Enoree 842 feet, at the points where the same road crosses them. The bed of the stream
is rocky, and the banks in some places high and rocky, and in others low and alluvial. It is said that the bottoms
on the Beedy river are more extensive than on the Saluda above the junction of the two, but the fall of the stream
is so rapid that they are not often overflowed. The stream is not very accessible in some parts, the nearest
railroad points being Greenville and Laurens, as will be seen from the map.

The shoals and mills on the streams are as follows, in their order ascending :

Washington's mill, grist and flour, with a small fall of 4£ fyet or so. I would estimate the flow and power of
the stream at its mouth as in the following table :

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Drainage
area.

Flow per
second.

Horse-power,
gross.

Sq. milet.
386

Cubic feet.

f 62
82

400

I 97

Per foot.

7.0
9.4
45.4

n.o

This mill, however, is probably above the mouth of Beaburn's creek, which enters Beedy river about 3 miles
above its mouth, so that the stream is considerably smaller than at its mouth.

Next comes a grist-mill with 5£ feet fall; then a shoal not used, said to have a fall of about the same amount;
then Boyd's shoal, used by a grist- and saw-mill with about 8 feet fall; then a long shoal, 2 or 3 miles long, not
improved, said to be a good site, and once used by a small mill.

Then comes Tumbling shoal, about 16 miles from the mouth of the stream, 12 miles from Laurens, and 27 miles
below Greenville. The shoal is short, and the fall amounts to 10 feet in 75. Here is a grist-mill using a fall of 10 feet
and about 50 horse-power. The drainage area above the place is about 198 square miles, and I would estimate the
gross power at about 34 horse-power (minimum), 45 horse-power (minimum low season), 53 horse-power (low season,
dry years), and 60 to 70 horse-power during the low season of ordinary years. There is little storage during the
night. The present mill uses all the power in dry seasons.

The next shoal is Cedar falls, though below it there used to be a tannery and grist-mill using a small fall. The
fall at Cedar falls was stated at about 20 feet, of which 14 or 16 feet are used by a grist- and saw-mill and a cotton
factory. The power used I do not know. There is no dam at all, and the mills are on both sides of the stream.
The drainage area above this place is about 150 square miles.

One mile above it is Fork shoal, at the mouth of Beedy Fork creek, and about 16 miles from Greenville. There
is a dam across both streams ; that across the creek is 110 feet by 3, ponds over 10 acres, and at one end of it is
situated the cotton-mill, using 20 feet fall and 40 horse-power, which can be obtained during about ten months,
there being no waste in summer, except at night ; that across the river is 125 feet by 2, and at one end of it is the
grist-mill, with a fall of 7 feet, and using about 25 horse-power. The drainage area above this shoal is about 140
square miles.

It will be sufficient to mention simply the other shoals and mills, with one or two exceptions :
Harrison's grist-mill, about 10 feet fall.
Houff's mill (grist and saw), 10 feet fall.

Log shoal, 14 feet fall, with a 2-foot dam; used by a saw- and grist-mill.
Ashmore's grist-mill, 10 feet fall.
Linderman shoal, not used; small fall.

781

122 WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

Eeedy Biver Manufacturing Company, one and a half miles above. The dam is of wood, 225 by 5 feet,. the fall
22 feet, and 125 horse power is used during ten months and 100 horse-power the rest of the time. The drainage area
is 87 square miles, and I would therefore estimate the power at about the same as on the Enoree at Pelham (see
page 111).

Jones' paper-mill and saw-mill, 11 J feet fall ; 50 hOrse-power during twelve months.
Parkins' grist-mill, 11 feet fall ; said to be capable of increase by raising the dam.
Greene shoal, not used ; very small — valueless.
Saw-mill shoal, not used ; 8 or 9 feet fall.

Oamperdown mills, at Greenville. The fall here is the most important on the stream, amounting to 64 feet in
500 yards, over a layer of gneiss-rock. The fall is used in two parts. The upper part is used on the left bank by
Camperdown mill No. 2, and on the right bank by a machine-shop and box-factory, both using a fall of 32 feet.
The dam is of timber bolted to the rock, 60 feet long and 3 feet high, making scarcely any pond; the race is 325
feet long, and the power used about 245 horse-power, which, however, can only be obtained for six. months of the
year. The factory uses 225 horse-power. The lower fall of 32 feet is used on the right bank by the Oamperdown
mill No. 1, with a triangular wooden frame dam 105 feet long and 14 feet high, bolted to the rock and planked over,
and built in 1875 at a cost of $1,000. It ponds the water up to the tail-race of the upper factory, about 300 yards,
and the head-race is 165 feet long. The power used is 160 horse-power, which can be obtained nine months of the
year. This mill uses steam-power in dry seasons to the extent of 160 horse-power, while the upper mill uses up to>
200 horse-power steam, the machine-shop using none.

Just above the upper mill is Cox & Markley's carriage factory, using about 12 horse-power, with a fall of 8 feet
and a 4-foot dam, and utilizing all the water during the day-time in dry weather. The ponds are not large enough
to store the water during the night, but just above the railroad crossing in Greenville there is said to be a good site
for a storage-reservoir, where a 14-foot dam would^low 800 to 1,000 acres, allowing the power at the mills below to
be increased to a considerable extent.

The drainage area of the stream above Greenville is only 44 square miles, and there are no falls above. It is
evident that for such a small stream the Eeedy river offers a large amount of power, which is well utilized. There
are shoals on some of its tributaries, but the powers are small. Laurel creek, which comes in above Ashmore's, has
a shoal not used ; and Eeaburn's creek, a large stream, has one good shoal about nine miles from Laurens, with a fall
of 26 feet over a solid rock ledge, used by Goodgion's grist- and saw-mills. Less than a mile above, on the same
stream, is the old Fuller factory-site, now used by a saw- and grist-mill, with a fall of 14 feet.

It remains to say a few words about the three forks of the Saluda.

The North fork drains an area of about 56 square miles, and is a mountain stream, like the north fork of the
Pacolett, with a rapid fall, but small volume of water. It has at one place a perpendicular fall, over a gneiss ledge,
of between 200 and 300 feet, and at another place a similar fall not quite so high. The stream unites with the
Middle fork, which drains 66 square miles, and below the junction, about 13 miles from Greenville, there is one
grist-mill, with a fall of 9 feet over a rock shoal. A mile below is a shoal not used, with 12 feet fall ; and there are
doubtless numerous other places where power could be obtained. On the Middle fork itself there is one grist-mill,
16 miles from Greenville, with a fall of 18 feet, which could probably be increased by raising the dam. It is said
to be an excellent small power. The dam is 5 feet high, 200 feet long, and the head-race is of the same length. The
mill is not in use at present, and the dam is out of repair. This site is situated about a mile above the junction of
the two forks.

The South fork has a very rapid fall, and numerous shoals which might be utilized, but with small volume of
water and inaccessible locations. All the headwaters abound in cataracts and precipitous falls, many of several
hundred feet almost vertical. The drainage area of this fork is 78 square miles or thereabout.

Finally, the large amount of space which it has been necessary to devote to the Santee river and its tributaries
shows that the drainage-basin abounds in the finest kind of water-powers. It would be difficult to select another
stream of equal drainage area which can offer so large a number of excellent powers, from the smallest to the
largest. From the great falls of the Catawba, with a fall of 173 feet, to the numberless hue small powers on the
smaller streams in western South Carolina, the range is large, and offers powers of all scales of magnitude; and as
the manufacturing interest in the South develops, there is no doubt that many of the fine powers now lying idle will
be turned to account. Hand in hand with this development will go the construction of railroads, until the southern
streams become, like many of the northern ones, a succession 1 of mill-ponds, with all kinds of manufactures on
their banks, and the country becomes threaded with a network of railroads and studded with factory villages.

782

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

Table of utilized power on the Santee river and tributaries.

123

Name of stream.

Santee

Tributaries below forks.
"Wateree (Catawba)

Do...

Tributaries to

• Do

South fork Catawba. . . .

Do .

A*' Do

I*? too

Do t

Tributaries to

?l . Do

P> Do

Do...

Tributary to what.

Atlantic

Santee

....do

...do

"Wateree

...do

Catawba

...do

... do

...do

...do ..:

...do

...do ....

...do

.-•-.do

...do

South fork Catawba.

...do

'...do

...do

.."..do

...do

....do

Catawba

....do

...do

....do

...do

State.

South Carolina. .

North Carolina..

do ."

South Carolina. .

North Carolina.
do

.do .
.do
.do .
.do
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do.
.do
.do .
.do .
.do
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
-do .
.do
.do
.do .
.do .
.do

County.

Kershaw

Chester

Lancaster

York

Mecklenburg .

Gaston

...do

Iredell

...do

Catawba

...do

Alexander

Caldwell

...do

.do ..

Burke

McDowell —

Sumter

.."..do

Kershaw

...do

Fairfield ,

Chester

...do

Lancaster

York

...do

Mecklenburg.

...do

Gaston

...do

Lincoln

...do

Catawba

...do

Gaston

...do

Lincoln

...do

Catawba

...do

Gaston

...do

Lincoln

...do

Catawba

.do

...do

Kind of mill.

Flour and grist

...do

....do

...do

Saw

Cotton factory

Flour and grist

Saw

Flour and grist

Cotton factory

Flour and grist

...do

Saw

Carriage and wagon factory.

Saw

Flour and grist

...do

Saw

Flour and grist

Saw

Flour and grist

...do

Saw '. .

Cotton factory

Flour and grist

...do

Saw

Cotton-gin

Flour and grist

Saw

Cotton factory

Flour and grist

Saw

Paper

Chair factory

Flour and grist

Cotton factory

Flour and grist

Saw

Flour and grist

Saw

Flour and grist

Saw

Cotton-gin

Leather works

Milhvrighting

Flour and grist

Woolen

Iron casting, etc

Blomaries and forges

Cotton factory

Flour and grist

Saw

Cotton-gin

Flour and grist

Saw

Blomaries and forges.
"Woolen

Flour and grist

Saw

Blomaries and forges.
Miscellaneous

Number of mills.

Total fall used.

Total horse -power
used, net.

Feet.

0.0

7.0

18.0

4.0

30.0

11.0

19.0

9.0

22.0

195

15.0

32.0

6.0

12.5

3.0

9.0

21.0

9.0

39.0

23.0

45+

13.0

89+

170

29.0

33.0

116+

172

18.0

39.5

40+

189.5

304

06.

180

10.0

194.0

206

114.0

64.0

425

61.0

17.0

21.0

270

8.0

10.

6.5

52.0

30.0

128.0

122

68.0

100

131.5

113

32.0

48.0

52.0

18.0

60.0

8.0

10.0

8.0

40.0

28.0

20.0

71.5

36.0

13.0

125.0

110

34.0

12.0

45.0

124

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

Table of utilised poicer on the Santee river and tributaries — Continued.

Name of stream.

Tributaries to .

Congaree

Tributaries of.

Broad river

Enoree river...

Tributaries of .

Tiger river

Tributaries of .

Pacolett river. .

Tributaries of.

Tributary to what.

Catawba.
...do ....
...do ....
...do ....
...do ....
...do ....
...do ....
...do ....
...do ....
...do ....
...do ....
Santee —
...do ....
Congaree.
...do ....

...do

...do ....

...do

Broad

...do

. . .do

...do

...do ....

...do

Enoree . . .

...do

Broad

...do

Tiger

...do

...do ....

...do

...do ....

Broad

...do ....
...do ....
...do ....
....do ....
....do ....
Pacolett .
...do ....
....do ....
....do ....
....do. ...
....do ....
....do ....

State.

North Carolina .

do - i

County.

Alexander.

...do

... do

Caldwell. . .

...do

.do j Burke .

do I do .

.do do .

South Carolina.
do

North Carolina.

do 4.

South Carolina..

McDowell

....do

Bichland

....do

...%a

....do

Lexington

...do

....do

Fairfield

Chester

Union

Cleaveland

Butherford

....do

Newberry

Union

Spartanburgh .

Laurens

...do

do Greenville .

.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do .
.do
.do .
..do
.do
..do
..do
..do

...do

. . do

Newberry

Laurens

Greenville

...do

Spartanburgh.

...do

Union

...do

Greenville

...do

Union

....do

Spartanburgh.
....do

...do

....do

...do

....do

Greenville

Kind of mill.

Flour and grist .

Saw

Cotton factory . . .
Flour and grist .

Saw

"Woolen

Flour and grist..

Saw

"Woolen

Flour and grist..

"Woolen

Flour and grist .

"Water- works

Flour and grist..

Saw

Flour and grist..

Saw

Cotton-gin

Cotton factory. . .
Flour and grist..

Saw

Flour and grist..

...do

..do

...do

Saw

Flour and grist. .

...do

Saw

Cotton-gin

Saw

Flour and grist .
Cotton factory . .

Woolen

Flour and grist .

...do

Cotton-gin

Cotton factory. .
Flour and grist .

Saw

Cotton-gin

...do

Flour and grist .

Saw

Cotton factory . .
Flour and grist .

Saw

Flour and grist .

...do

Flour and grist .

Saw

Flour and grist .

Saw

Cotton factory *.

"Woolen

Flour and grist .

Saw

Cotton-gin

Leather

Cotton factory . .

"Woolen

Flour and grist .

Number of mills.

Total fall used.

Total horse-power
used, net.

Feet.

115.0

153

58.0

12.

250.0

157

104.0

155

6.0

213+

255

60 +

133.0

16+

21.0

12.0

77.0

32.0

. 35

41.0

52.0

4.0

12.0

23.0

10.0

15.0

8.0

25.0

16.0

38.0

20.

4.5

3.0

40.0

78.0

123

25.0

21.0

20.0

79.0

18.0

15.0

9.0

63.1

• 7

122,0

106.0

48.

80.0

9.0

69.0

70.0

294.0

198

105.

17.0

58.0

6.0

25.0

95.0

16.0

4.0

' 10.0

18,0

11.0

' % *

136.0

165

133.0

145

75.0

18.0

280

20+

33.0

1 Being built.

734

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.
Table of utilized power on the Santee river and tributaries— Continued.

125

Name of stream.

Tributary to what.

State.

County.

Kind of mill.

Other tributaries of

Tributaries of ,

Do f.

Saluda

Do :

Reedy river

Do ,

Beedy and tributaries

Tributaries of

Broad

...do

.. do

...do

Congaree .

...do

...do .....

...do

Saluda . . .

...do

Ktedy

...do

Saluda

...do

...do ....

...do

... do

...do

...do*...

...do

...do ....

....do

... do

....do ....

South Carolina . .

North Carolina

do •-,

South Carolina.

.....do

, do

.....do

Lexington .
Newberry ..

Union

Fairfield....

...do

Chester

York

...do

Cleaveland.
... do .......

...do

Polk

...do

Rutherford
...do

..do .
..do*.

...do

McDowell .
< 'Lexington .

..do

Greenville .

...do

Edgefield ..
Abbeville. .

...do

Anderson .

...do

Pickens

...do

Laurens ...

...do

Greenville .

...do

Laurens ...

...do

Lexington .

...do

Newberry .

...do

Laurens . . .
Greenville .
Edgefield . .
Abbeville. .
Anderson. .

...do

Pickens

...do

Flour and grist .

...do

Saw

Flour and grist .

...do

Saw

Flour and grist .

Saw

Cotton-gin

Paper ,

Cotton factory . .
Flour and grist .

Saw

Flour and grist .

Saw

Woolen

Leather

Cotton-gin

Flour and grist .

...do

Cotton factory . .
Flour and grist .
Cotton factory. .
Flour and grist .

...do

Saw : . .

Flour and grist .

Saw

Flour and grist .

Cotton-gin

Flour and grist .

Saw

Cotton factory . .
Wagon factory .

Box factory

Blacksmithing. .

Paper

Flour and grist .
Cotton factory . .

Woolen

Saw

Cotton-gin

Leather

Saw

Cotton-gin

Flour and grist .

Saw

Woolen

Flour and grist .

Saw

Brick and tile.. .
Flour and grist .

Saw

Cotton-gin

Flour and grist .

....do

...do

Saw

Flour and grist .

Saw

Cotton-gin

Woolen

2
1
5
2
1
3
14
3

16
10
1
1
2
1
1

18
4

1
1
1
4

5
1
4
1
3
5
1
2
1
1
1
7
2
3
1
1
1
1

20
1
1
4
3
1
8
5
3
2
1
6
4
1
8
1
4
3
6
5
2
4
2

11
5

10
2

1012 W P— VOL 16 50

785

126

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

VIII.— THE EDISTO RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES.

THE EDISTO EIVEE.

The streams flowing into the Atlantic between the Santee and the Savannah are, in general, valueless as sources
of water-power, only one of them, the Edisto river, being worthy of mention. They rise for the most part below
the fall -line, flow through a low and swampy country, and are entirely without power, except on some of their small
upper branches, which belong to the class of sand-hill streams. The Edisto river, however, rises farther inland
than the others (both of its forks having their sources in Edgefield county, above the fall-line), and some of its
branches are worthy of mention. Although these streams cross the fall-line, there are no falls of importance on
them so far as I could learn, or, if there are, they occur where the streams are very small. The greater part of the
course of the Edisto lies in a swampy country, and has no water-power; but on the north fork and its tributaries,
and especially on the south fork and one of its branches (Shaw's creek), there is considerable available power.
Shaw's creek belongs to the class of sand-hill streams, and drains an area of about 119 square miles, uniting with
Eocky creek, which drains an area of 195 square miles, to form the south fork of the Edisto. My information
regarding these streams is necessarily very meager. They are utilized to some extent by saw- and grist-mills, and
could doubtless be made to afford considerable power, their flow being probably from one-half to one cubic foot per
second per square mile, with facilities, generally, for storing the water during the night. Shaw's creek has been
used in half a dozen places, and it has been considered a better and larger stream than Horse creek, described
further on. It is said to be even more constant than Horse creek, but its fall is probably less.

These streams are no doubt worthy of attention as regards power, although I can give no information regarding
particular sites.

Table of power utilized on the Edisto river and tributaries.

Stream.

Tributary to what.

State.

County.

Kind of mill.

Tributary to.

Edisto .
. . . .do . .

...do ..
... do ..

...do ..
....do ..

...do ..

...do ..
....do .

...do .
....do ..

South Carolina.

..do

Barnwell

...do

. . do

Orangeburgh

....do

Aiken

...do

....do

Edgefield ....
Lexington . . .
...do

Saw

Elour and grist

Cotton-gin

Flour and grist

Saw

Cotton-gin

Elour and grist

Stone and earthen ware.

Saw

Cotton-gin

Elour and grist

Saw

1
17

IX. — THE SAVANNAH RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES.

THE SAVANNAH EIYEE.

The Savannah river, which constitutes for its entire length the boundary-line between the states of South Carolina
and Georgia, is formed by the union of the Tugaloo and the Seneca rivers, both of which streams rise in the Blue
Eidge, in the southern part of North Carolina, uniting on the line between Anderson county, South Carolina, and
Hart county, Georgia. The Savannah pursues a nearly straight course to the ocean in a southeasterly direction,
its length being about 180 miles in a straight line, and about 355 miles by the course of the river. The upper part
of the stream is more nearly straight than the lower, the distance between Augusta and the head of the river being
about 85 miles in a straight line and 107. J by the river. The stream crosses the fall-line at Augusta, which is the
only important town on the river, and the head of steamboat navigation.

786

•

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

127

As will be seen from the map, the drainage-basin of the river is long and narrow, ^[ts total area is between
ten and eleven thousand square miles, the maps differing to such a degree that it is impossible to determine it
accurately. That part above the fall-line, or the head of the Augusta canal, measures about 6,850 square miles-
Below that point the only water-power in the basin is on some tributary creeks, some of which are true sand-hill
streams. Above Augusta there is considerable power on the river itself and on its principal tributaries, viz :
Broad, Little, and Eocky rivers (the last two from South Carolina), which drain respectively 1,500, 530, and 240
square miles, as well as on the Tugaloo and Seneca, which drain respectively 870 and 908 square miles. Of the 107£
miles between Augusta and the head of the river 28J miles are occupied by shoals. The general character of the
drainage-basin is the same as that of the Santee, Congaree, and Broad rivers. The rainfall is about 50 inches,
distributed as follows: spring, 13; summer, 13; autumn, 10; winter, 14. It varies from 44 inches and less below
Augusta to 56 inches and over in the mountains. The table on page 131 gives better data regarding the variation
in different parts of the basin. The stream is subject to heavy freshets, due to the melting of snows in the mountains
and to heavy falls of rain. The average rise in freshets is about 16 feet, but sometimes this is greatly exceeded, in
August, 1852, the stream rose 44 feet in 48 hours at Petersburg (about 59 miles above Augusta), and in 1875 it rose
at the same place 38' feet in 36 hours. At Augusta it has been known to riseabout 40 feet, inundating the streets
to a depth of 4 feet or more. Freshets occur most frequently during May and August. They subside much less
rapidly than they rise. Below Augusta the rise is smaller as the ocean is approached, being 18 feet at a point 133
miles lower down, and 5 feet at a point 15 miles above Savannah.

The bed of the stream above the fall-line, like that of the other streams we have described, is rock, sometimes
overlaid with clay, gravel, and sand. The fall of the stream is shown by the following table:

Table of declivity of the Savannah river.

Place.

Mouth

Steel creek. . .
Hay nes' cut. .

Silver bluff

Augusta

Andersonville

Distance from
mouth.

Miles.

0.0
170.0
203.0
230.0
248.0
355.5

Elevation
above tide.

Feet.

0.0
68.6
78.9
108.0
130.4
400.0

I |
Distance be- Fall between Fall between

tween points.

Miles.

170.0
33.0
27.0
18.0

107.5

points.

Feet.

68.6
10.3
29.1
22.4
270.0

points.

Feet per mile.

■ - - - 0.40

- - - - 0.31

- - - - 1. 08

- - - - 1.24

■ - - - 2. 51

No gaugings of the stream of any value could be obtained.

The principal productions of the drainage-basin are corn and cotton, with some tobacco.

The country is well

timbered, and there are several gold and iron mines near the river. The map will show that the stream is not very
accessible, the nearest railroad points above Augusta being Washington, Elberton, Hartwell, and Anderson, their
distances from the river varying from 6 to 25 miles. The Savannah Valley railroad, now being constructed, will
run from Augusta up the river for 15 miles on the Georgia side, then, crossing and running within 8 miles of the
stream for 25 miles in South Carolina, to Greenwood, on the Greenville and Columbia railroad.

The»Savannah river has been examined by United States engineers under the direction of General Q. A.
Gillmore, whose report is to be found in the Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers for 1879, page 747, and from
which most of the following information regarding the shoals on the river has been obtained. A reconnoisance of
the river above Augusta was also made in 1874 by W. W. Thomas, civil engineer, for the city of Augusta.

Water-powers. — The first power met with in ascending the stream is at Augusta, Georgia, at which city we find
one of the largest and most important utilized powers in the South, supplied from a canal 7 miles long, at the head
of which is a dam entirely across the river. Before giving its technical features, a few points regarding the history
of the development of this power will be interesting. The canal was commenced in 1845 and completed in 1847,
under the direction of the board of commissioners appointed by the city " for the purpose of constructing a canal
from a point on the Savannah river about seven miles above to the city of Augusta for manufacturing
purposes, and for the better securing of an abundant supply of water to the city". Its original dimensions were as
follows: width at surface, 40 feet; at bottom, 20 feet; depth, 5 feet. It was soon found, however, that these
dimensions were too small to supply the demand for power and for water-supply, and the banks were raised,
increasing the depth to 7 feet, but still without increasing the capacity to a sufficient extent. In 1872 it was decided
to enlarge the dimensions very materially, and the work was commenced in March of that year, and completed about
the middle of the year 1875. An embankment was constructed on the river side, but on the land side the water
was not confined, except in places where cutting was necessary, but was allowed to flow back, cutting a contour
line from the surface of the ground, and forming a number of ponds at points where valleys run down to the river,

787

128

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

having a total area of 27i§ acres, exclusive of what may be considered the canal proper. The total area of ponds
and canal is about 400 acres. The dimensions of the latter are: length, 7 miles; surface width, 150 feet; bottom
width, 100 feet ; depth, 11 feet ; area of cross-section, 1,108 square feet. The bottom is graded to a fall of about half
a foot per mile, giving, if the surface of the water has the same inclination, a velocity of about 2.7 feet per second,
or a discharge of about 3,800 cubic feet per second. The dam at the head of the canal, which is located in a very
favorable place, is shown in the accompanying illustration. It is 1,720 feet long, 10.03 feet high on the average,

DAM AKD BULKHEAD OF AUGUSTA WATER-POWER.

varying from 6 to 15 feet, and is built of solid stone, in cement, on a foundation of solid rock. It extends diagonally
up stream for 1,000 feet from the bulkhead, and then 720 feet straight across, and is provided with four waste- weirs,
three of them 20 feet wide and the other 15 feet, which may be closed by needles. In section it is a trapezium, its
face sloping at an angle of 45°, its back one-half horizontal to one vertical, and its top at an angle of 15° backward
and downward. The horizontal width of its top is feet. At one end are the locks and bulkhead, all built in the
most substantial manner of granite, laid in hydraulic cement, the stone having been all obtained within a mde of the
place. The cost of the dam, which was completed in 1870, was about $87,000, and that of the remaining works at
the head of the canal was $132,000, making a total of $219,000. The pond extends for about 1J or 2 miles, with an
average width of 1,500 feet, interspersed with islands and rocks. The dam has never been injured by freshets or
ice, and is built in such a solid way that there is no danger of its ever being disturbed — the water having stood,
in one instance, 9 feet above its crest.

The fall at Augusta between the level of the canal and low water in the river is in the neighborhood of 50 feet,
but the fluctuations in the river render it impossible to utilize this fall economically. Below the main canal are two
other levels, aggregating about 2 miles in length, the second and third levels being, respectively, 18 and 33 feet
below the first or main canal. Power is used from all three levels, the table on the following page showing in what
way and to what extent. The mills can generally be run at full capacity all the time, those on the second level being
troubled sometimes, but not often, with backwater from the river. The Summerville mills have worked under 16
feet of backwater. '

The power at Augusta is owned entirely by the city, water being leased to the* different mills at the rate of
$5.50 per horse-power. The method of determining the amount of power used is optional with the city engineer,
who can actually gauge the water consumed when the machinery is in full operation, or, if he chooses, judge from
the size of wheel, without measurement. All the works connected with the canal were built by the city, under
Mayor Charles Estes, the moving spirit of the enterprise, the total cost, including 400 acres of land, amounting
788

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

129

to $822,000. This land includes fine building-sites, as well as space for operatives' houses, the available fall between
the canal and the river varying between 33 and 40 feet. The accompanying map will show the location of these
lands.

The drainage area of the Savannah river above the head of the Augusta canal is about 6,830 square miles,
and the rainfall about 50 or 52 inches, distributed as follows: spring, 14; summer, 13; autumn, 10; winter, 15. I
have therefore estimated the power as follows :

Table of power at Augusta, Georgia.

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Minimum

Minimum low season . . .
Maximum, with storage
Low season, dry years . .

Drainage
area.

Sq. miles .

Fall.

Feet

6, 830 1 *33 to 40+

Flow per
second.

Horso-power available, gross.

1 footfall.

33 feet fall.

40 feet fall.

50 feet fall.

193.2

6,375

7,728

9,660

238.7

7,877

9, 548

11, 935

681.8

22, 500

27, 272

34, 090

272.7

9,000

10, 908

13, 635

* See description.

The existing canal is of sufficient capacity to carry the entire flow of the stream in dry seasons. The storage
room offered by the canal and ponds would be sufficient to allow of the power used during 12 hours being increased
to some extent above that afforded by the stream in the low season of dry years, but not to any great extent. The
utilization of the maximum power could only be effected at great cost.

The power just described is one of the finest in the South. The advantages of transportation are of the best,
building-stone of the best quality can be had with ease, the locality is healthy, and large amounts of power can be
rented from the city on favorable terms. These advantages are being rapidly improved. The Sibley mills, now
being built, will use 1,000 horse-power, and the company expect to double their capacity within a short time, and
eventually to triple it. As the advantages become more widely known the surplus power here available must be
rapidly utilized.

Table of power utilized at Augusta, Georgia.

I. — WATER TAKEN ERQM MAIN CANAL (FIRST LEVEL) AND DISCHARGED TO RIVER.
[The powers given are those to which the different mills are entitled. The figures differ from those in the statistics of the special agent on cotton-mills.]

Name and kind of milL

Fall.

Horse-power.

Remarks.

Feet.
32.00

38.00

170. 00
1, 000. 00

Hercules wheel. Fall of 11 feet to tail-
race at low water. Highest mill on
the canal, 2 miles above the basin, or
lower end of main canal.

Now building. 100 looms and 3,000
spindles. Expect to double capacity
soon.

LL— WATER TAKEN FROM FIRST LEVEL AND DISCHARGED TO SECOND.

1. Enterprise Manufacturing Company, cotton

2. Augusta flour-mills

3. Augusta cotton factory '.

16.44
13. 00

15. 25

395. 00
200. 00

1, 200. 00

John M. Clark's Sons. Have lately in-
creased power above that given.
850 horse-power actually used.

m.— WATER TAKEN FROM SECOND LEVEL AND DISCHARGED TO THIRD, OR TO RIVER.

12.07

54. 50

12.30

91. 00

John M. Clark's Sons.

12.30

25.00

12. 20

61.88

11. 50

56. 00

11. 00

152. 00

George T. Jackson & Co.

11.00

13.00

Pendleton <fe Bro.

11. 00

45.00

9. Arctic Ice Company

11.00

62.26

10. Crescent flour-mill

10.63

125. 00

L. F. & L. J. Miller.

The next power above Augusta is at Blue Jacket shoal, where the fall is 10 feet in 200 yards. Then comes Long
shoal, with a fall of 35 feet in 5 miles. The average width of the river is 600 yards. The head of the shoal is

789

130

% WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

about 5 miles below the mouth of Little river, South Carolina. Then follow a number of smaller shoals, many of
which may offer good sites for power, to determine which a survey would be necessary. The most important shoal,
however, is Trotter's shoal, which is 7 miles long, with a total fall of 74.88 feet. The head of the shoal is at the
mouth of Kocky river, South Carolina, and the foot 5 miles above the mouth of Broad river, Georgia. This
shoal probably offers the finest power on the river above Augusta, and is now almost entirely unutilized, being
only used for a couple of small grist-mills. The river descends over a series of ledges of solid rock, and is, on the
average, 800 yards wide. The banks are said to offer no difficulties as regards the construction of canals or
buildings. The river rarely rises so much as 10 feet during freshets, and there is of co'urse no trouble with ice-
Fine building-materials — granite, timber, clay for brick, and soapstone — abound in the neighborhood, and iron and
gold are said to have been found close by the river. The surrounding country is well adapted for the cultivation of
corn and cotton, the climate is healthy, and although the site is at present rather inaccessible, being aboutIS miles
distant from Elberton and Abbeville, the nearest railroad points, yet the proposed Savannah Valley railroad will
pass close by the shoals on the South Carolina side, while the Hartwell and Augusta railroad, now talked of, will,
if built, pass close to them on the Georgia side.* As regards water communication, it may be mentioned that
steamboat navigation can probably be opened up to the foot of the shoals, the estimated cost of securing a ckannM
3 feet deep and 90 feet wide being $124,000,t while the cost of improvement for a pole-boat channel 3 by 30 feet
was estimated at $45,000. The sum of $16,000 has been appropriated to the work.

I am indebted for much valuable and detailed information concerning these shoals to Colonel James Edward
Calhoun. The power available has been estimated as in the following table:

Estimate of power at Trotter's shoals.

State of flow.

Drainage
area.

Fall.

Rainfall.

Flow per
second.

Horse power available,
gross.

Spring.

Summer.

Autumn. I

Winter.

Tear.

Sg. miles.

Feet.

In.

Cubic feet.

1 footfall.

75 feet fall.

r 670

76.1

5,700

950

108.0

8, 100

1 2, 664

74.88

i 2, 550

290.0

21, 750

( 1, 075

122.2

9,165^

Although all of the other falls on the Savannah were ascertained by measurement with an aneroid barometer,
the fall of Trotter's shoal was measured more accurately with a leveling-instrument. I did not visit this shoal r
and all my information is therefore derived from reports and correspondence. It is proper to say, however, that
every one whom I questioned regarding it said it afforded one of the finest powers they had ever seen. It is
therefore certainly worthy of attention.

The remaining shoals on the river, with estimates of the power available, will be found in the table. Eegarding
them I have meager information. Cherokee shoal is 5 miles below the mouth of Van's creek, Georgia ; Gregg's
shoal is just above the mouth of Pickens' creek, Georgia, and just at the line between Anderson and Abbeville
counties, South Carolina ; Middleton's shoal is just below the mouth of Little G en erostee creek, South Carolina; and
McDaniell's shoal is 2 miles above Cedar creek, Georgia. Some of these shoals, and some of the smaller falls
between them, have been used at different times for small grist- and saw-mills, but there is no other manufacturing
of any kiud on the river above Augusta except at one small woolen-mill. To determine the availability of these
shoals personal examination would be necessary. It is improbable that much power will be used on the river for
some time, for the great width of the stream renders dams expensive, and except at places where considerable fall
can be secured, as at Trotter's shoal, it would perhaps hardly pay to utilize power very extensively, although small
mills with wing-dams could be located at many places. In Anderson county the banks of the river are said to be
quite bluffy, so that canaling would be difficult and costly; but below that county the country is said to be more
open, and canals to be practicable. It was stated by persons acquainted with the river that Gregg's and Middleton's
shoals would be hard to utilize on account of the high banks, although both have been used to a small extent for
saw-mills; but that Cherokee shoal, on the contrary, could be easily used, and the whole fall rendered available.
There is now a mill at these shoals with a wing-dam 5 feet high, a canal a mile long, and a fall at the mill of 16
feet.

The table on the following page gives the power utilized on the river. The only dam across the stream is the
one at Augusta.

* Information from Colonel James Edward Calhoun.

790

t Annual Report of Chief of Engineers, 1879, p. 749.

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

Summary of power on the Savannah river.

131

Place.

Augusta

Blue Jacket shoal.

Long shoal

Trotter's shoal

Cherokee shoal . . .
Bowman's ledge . .

Gregg's shoal

Middleton's shoal.

Fen-ill's ledge

McDaniell's shoal.

Miles.
0. 00
19.00
30 ±
64.00
75.50
83. 00
85.50
88. 50
89.75
95.50

\Sq. miles.
6, 830
5,800±
5, 135
2,664
2, 212

2, 100
2, 078

1, 900

Kainfall.

w w

In. In. i In.
14 j 13 j 10
14 13 10

13 I 10

14 I 10
14 j 10
14 10
14 I 10
14 10
14 10
14 ! 10

In. 1 In.
15 I 52
15 i 52
15 5*2

Fall.

Feet.
33-40
10
35
75
9
3
14
18
3
30

7 miles.
600 feet
5 miles -
7 miles .
0.5mile.
120-feet
1 mile . .
1 mile. .
360 feet
5 miles .

Horse-power available,
gross.*

a 1

B £
5

6,375
1,650 I
5,100 !
5,700 i
560 I

7,877
2, 050
6, 350
8, 100
800

825
1, 060

1,150
1,500

1,600 1 2,275

- c

2 B
a o

22, 500
5,800
18, 000
21, 750
2, 100

3, 200

4, 000

9, 000
2, 350
7,250
9,165
900

1, 325
1,700

6, 100

2, 600

Utilized.

3, 650

Feet.
38

Remarks.

See description.

Only power utilized is
for small grist- or
saw-mills.

TUGAXOO RIVER (see beyond).

Hat toc'« shoal

110. 00
113. 50

845
775

15
15

10
10

16
16

56
56

39
17

1J mile.
1 mile...

936

375

1, 131
450

4, 095
1, 650

1,287
520

1 No power utilized on
| the river.

SENECA RIVER (see beyond).

113.00

740

2 miles . .

1,290

1, 700

5,620

1,950

No power utilized on
the river.

1 See pages 18 to 21.

TRIBUTARIES OF THE SAVANNAH RIVER.

The first considerable tributary of the Savannah river is Briar creek, which rises in Warren county, Georgia, and
pursues a southeasterly course through a distance of about 85 miles in a straight line, draining an area of 830
square miles, and entering the Savannah river in Screven county. It crosses the fall-line near its source, but with
no great fall at that point, and its water-power is of little consequence. Some of its tributaries may be classed
as sand-hill streams, and afford small powers.

Lower Three runs and Upper Three runs, from Barnwell and Aiken counties, South Carolina, are two sand-hill
streams, which could be made to afford considerable power, although at present only a small amount is utilized.
Lower Three runs drains an area of 140 square miles, and is some 25 miles long, while Upper Three runs drains 105
square miles, and is over 30 miles long. Both have gradual declivities, beds of sand and clay, and considerable
swamp-land along their courses. Lower Three runs has a few corn- and saw-mills in operation, and several old
mill-sites not in use. It has a gradual fall of 12 or 15 feet per mile in its upper parts, according to Mr. James E.
Crossland, civil engineer and surveyor, of Aiken, South Carolina, and it offers good facilities for storage. If we take
its flow at from one-half to one cubic foot per second per square mile (see page 85), it will be found that the stream
will afford at its mouth 8 to 10 horse-power per foot. Gaugings only can determine whether this estimate is
correct. At the mouth of the stream, however, there are no sites for power. Upper Three runs, the larger stream
of the two, is also a better stream. It has not so much swamp-land, has better banks, and has a greater fall,
amounting to from 18 to 20 feet per mile in places, according to Mr. Crossland.* It is crossed at its mouth,
near Ellenton, by the Port Boyal and Augusta railroad, and near its headwaters by the South Carolina railroad.
Its width varies from 120 feet at its mouth, and 100 feet a few miles above, to 75 feet at a distance of 15 miles above.
The first power is at Newman's, just above the railroad bridge, where there was forinerty a mill having a fall of 7
feet. The dam is still there, and is of dirt, and the site is said to be a very good one. A few miles above is a second
good power, at Rouse's bridge, not now used. According to Mr. Crossland, there are now in operation on the stream
and tributaries twelve grist- and saw-mills, and one cotton-yarn. mill running the Clement-attachment, and also six
sites formerly used, but now idle. According to the supposition above made regarding the flow of the stream, it
would afford at its mouth from 9 to 18 horse-power per foot fall.

The tributaries to the Savannah from Richmond county, Georgia, afford some power, and some of them are
sand-hill streams, but none are of much importance. There are also in this county some sand hill tributaries to
Briar's creek which afford good small powers, with large ponds, allowing of concentration of power during working

I am indebted to Mr. Crossland for considerable information regarding these streams and for a map of Upper Three runs.

791

132

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

hours, the principal one of these streams being Sandy run. Of the streams flowing directly into the Savannah
the principal are McBean's creek and Spirit creek, the former draining 92 square miles. They are used by grist- and
saw-mills, with ponds so large that there is no waste except by leakage; and there have been a few cotton factories
*"in the vicinity. There are sites on almost all of these streams, but the powers are too small to be specified
in detail.

As regards power utilized, one of the most important tributaries to the Savannah river is Horse creek, a small
stream about 20 miles in length, measured in a straight line, and draining about 143 square miles. It enters the
Savannah from Aiken county, South Carolina, a few miles below Augusta, and is one of the most important
manufacturing streams of South Carolina. It is a true sand-hill stream, and in addition it crosses the fall-line, and
has a rapid fall, offering excellent advantages for power. The bed is rock in places, and in Others clay and grit, and
sometimes sand. The banks are good, and also the facilities for storage, as will be seen from what follows. The stream
was early utilized for power, and at present all the good sites are occupied (although one is lying idle), so that it only
remains to describe the powers in use : In ascending the stream the first power is at the Bath paper-mills, now not
in use, situated 6 miles from the mouth, a mile above the head of boat navigation, and above the mouth of Little
Horse creek, the principal tributary of Horse creek, and which drains about 36 square miles. The dam is of earth,
900 feet long and 20 feet high ; the pond covers 150 acres to an average depth of 10 or 12 feet; and the head and
fall was 38 feet. The dam was built in 1854, and was washed out in 1871 by the breaking of the next dam above
(Langley), the damage done amounting to $33,000, the rebuilding of the dam having cost that sum. It was again
washed out in 1877, and has not yet been rebuilt. The damages to dam and mill are estimated at $50,000. The
power used is stated at 500 to 600 horse-power, there being scarcely ever waste of water. The drainage area
above being about 100 square miles, I would estimate the available power due to the natural flow of the stream
at from 6 to 12 horse-power per foot fall. It is possible, however, that this site is below the mouth of Little Horse
creek, in which case the power would be about one-third greater.

Two miles above Bath is the Langley cotton-mill. The dam is of earth and crib-work, 1,000 feet long and 24 feet
high, built in 1870 at a cost of $15,000, and ponding the water over 700 acres to an average depth of 10 feet. The
head-race is 300 feet long, the fall 21 feet, and the power used is stated at 500 horse-power, which can be obtained
at all times, no steam-power being used, and there being no waste at night in dry weather. I would estimate the
power at about the same as for Bath, which would give from 275 to 550 horse-power gross during 11 hours.*

Three miles, above Langley, at the town of Granite ville, is the factory of the Graniteville Manufacturing Company,
the most important mill on the stream. The dam, which is a continuation of the canal bank, is principally of earth,
and extends across Horse creek and one of its tributaries (Bridge creek) just above their junction, the two ponds
being connected by a canal about 500 feet long. The dam across Bridge creek is of earth, about 500 feet long and
10 to 20 feet high, and is 10 feet wide on top and 30 or 40 feet at the bottom. It carries the railroad across the creek.
The dam across Horse creek is 700 to 800 feet long, and is of earth, with the exception of a rock dam in the center,
about 60 by 20 feet, founded on solid rock. There is also a waste-weir about 100 feet long, and the height of both
waste-weir and dam can be raised by flash-boards. These dams were built in 1848 and 1867, the rock dam costing
$15,000, and the earth dam $35,000. The total pond area is about 100 acres — 75 on Horse creek, and 25 on Bridge
creek. The canal is half a mile long, 45 to 60 feet wide, and 10 feet deep. The fall used is 43 feet, and the power
600 horse-power, which can be obtained for 300 days in the year by drawing down the water in the pond at night
(at all seasons generally), the factory being run during 12 hours. No steam-power is used. The mill is sometimes
obliged to stop in dry weather, generally for from 5 to 8 days per year, but in 1879 it was stopped for 17£ days.
The dam has been twice carried away, but only once in the last twenty-two years, in 1867, when a heavy rain caused
the breaking of 2 dams above. The drainage area above Graniteville being about 81 square miles, if we assume the
net power available in dry seasons at 300 horse-power, or the gross power at 400 horse-power, with storage, or 200
horse-power with the' natural flow of the stream, we shall find the discharge to be oue-half cubic foot per second
per square mile. The ordinary power being 600 horse-power net, with storage during the night, or 400 gross due to
the natural flow, the corresponding flow is one cubic foot per second per square mile. The flow may be taken to vary
between these limits.

Two railroads — the Charlotte, Columbia, and Augusta railroad, and the South Carolina railroad — pass through
the town of Graniteville.

The next power above Graniteville is the Vancluse factory of the Graniteville Manufacturing Company, 3 miles
above. As in the case of Graniteville, there are two ponds, one formed by a dam across Horse creek, and covering
100 acres, and the other formed by the railroad embankment across Good Spring, and covering 42 acres, the two
being connected by a conduit 4£ feet square and 450 feet long, 16 feet below the level of the ponds, and built at a
cost of $2,500. The dam across Horse creek is of rock, 300 feet long and 28 feet high, the length of overfall being
60 feet, and was built in 1877 at a cost of $30,000. An iron tube 6£ feet in diameter and 350 feet long, which
cost $7,000, conveys the water to the wheels, where the fall is 51 feet. The power used is 300 horse-power, which

* Power stated at 300 horse-power in statistics of special agent on cotton-mills.

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

133

can be obtained at all times by drawing down the water in the pond at night. The drainage area being about 56
square miles, the flow is calculated at about 0.6 cubic foot per second per square mile. It probably varies between
one-half and one cubic foot.

Above Vancluse there are only a few small grist- and saw-mills on the stream, and none of importance.

Horse creek offers a good example of the large amount of power which can be obtained at small expense from
a comparatively insignificant stream if it is only properly developed, and it is the best example of a sand-hill stream
in South Carolina. Crossing the fall-line, however, near Graniteville, it offers better facilities for dams, and has
more fall than most sand-hill streams, and is therefore peculiarly favorable for power. The rock bed which is found
at Graniteville extends only a short distance below, but is found above for some distance. Below the Graniteville
dam the bed of the stream is only about 15 feet wide, and it seems wonderful that such a seemingly small stream
can afford so much power. As before mentioned, there are no other sites worth mentioning on the stream, and
there are said to be few sites for reservoirs.

Some of the small tributaries of Horse creek afford good small powers. Little Horse creek has one site about
3 miles from Graniteville, where there used to be a saw-mill; but the power is not large, and I have no data
regarding it.

The next tributary to the Savannah worth mentioning is Big Stevens creek, from Edgefield county, South
Carolina, but I was unable to obtain information regarding its power. It is formed by the confluence of several
smaller streams which have their sources in Abbeville and Edgefield counties, and the total area which it drains
comprises about 650 square miles. From all I could learn, its water-power is not of much importance, and it is
stated on good authority that on a great part of its drainage-basin the prevailing rock is a clay-slate, which sheds
the water very rapidly, so that the flow of the stream is very variable, like that of some streams in North Carolina
to which we have referred. Nevertheless, at its mouth the flow ought to be at least 75 cubic feet per second in very
dry seasons, and perhaps 90 to 100 cubic feet in ordinary years in the low season. There are some mills on the
stream and its tributaries, but they are of no importance.

The next tributary is Little river, from Georgia, which rises in Greene and Oglethorpe counties, flows in a
general easterly direction, forming the boundary-line between Wilkes and Lincoln counties on its left, and Taliaferro,
Warren, McDuffie, and Columbia counties on its right, joining the Savannah about 24£ miles above Augusta. Its
length, in a straight line, is about 55 miles, and its drainage area about 695 square miles. It is 150 feet.wide at its
mouth. Its water-power, however, is not of much value. Flowing, as it does, at a small angle with the strike of the
rock strata, its fall is not very great, and there are no precipitous descents. Its bed is sand, clay, and gravel, to a
greater extent than that of the Savannah, and its banks are tolerably low. There is some trouble in securing good
locations and foundations for dams. The power of the stream is used for only grist- and saw-mills, as will be seen
from the table on page 141 ; and although there are several places where there are shoals with falls of a few feet,
some of which have heretofore been utilized, yet there are no very good sites on the stream. The flow of the
stream is so variable, and its water-power so small, that estimates of its flow are not necessary.

Little river, South Carolina, is the next stream worth mentioning. It takes its rise in the eastern corner of
Anderson county, and flows in a southerly direction, most of its course lying in Abbeville county, entering the
Savannah almost on the boundary-line between that county and Edgefield. Its length in a straight line is about
45 miles, and it drains about 530 square miles, receiving as its principal tributary Long Cane creek, from the east or
north, which drains an area of about 183 square miles. It is bordered with many fine bottom-lands, which are often
overflowed, and the banks, as a rule, are not very high. Its fall is moderate, perhaps about as large as that of the
Savannah, or rather greater. Its elevation at the crossing of the Savannah Valley railroad, 3 miles above the
Edgefield county-line, is 222 feet ; and that of Long Cane creek, at the crossing of the Greenville and Columbia
railroad (see map), is 481 feet. It is used for grist- and saw-mills, and has several sites not used, offering good
powers. Below the mouth of Long Cane creek there is only one mill, a grist- and saw-mill (and a Clement-
attachment cotton factory in course of erection), situated about a mile from the mouth of the river. Above the
mouth of Long Cane creek the next power is an unutilized site known as Martin's shoal, 19 miles from Abbeville, and
8 miles above the first mill. The fall is said to amount to 15 feet in 1,500. The bed is rock, and the banks high and
precipitous. I am not able to say whether this power is easily available. Above come two grist-mills, with falls of
7 and 14 feet, and then a second site, not used, known as the Trimble shoals, 13 or 14 miles from Abbeville. The
shoal is half a mile long, but the fall is not known, although it is said to be considerable. The bed is very rocky,
and cau be crossed at low-water, by jumping from rock to rock, without wetting one's feet. The banks are said to
be very steep, and the construction of a canal would present difficulty. Above this point are only a few small
grist- and saw-mills. Long Cane creek, which enters Little river about 5 or 6 miles from its mouth, has more bottom-
land than the latter, and probably not so much fall. It is utilized for grist- and saw-mills, and has a few shoals not
used, but none of much importance.

The rainfall on the drainage-basin of Little river is about 50 inches — 14 in spring, 13 in summer, 9 in autumn,
and 14 in winter. I would therefore estimate its flow and that of Long Cane creek as in the table on page 134.

793

134 WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

Estimate of flow and power of Little river, South Carolina.

Stream and place.

Drainage area.

Rainfall.

Flow per second.

Horse power available, gross.*

Spring.

li
O

Autumn.

Tear.

Minimum.

Minimum
low season.

Maximum,
with storage.

Low season,
dry years.

Minimum.

Minimum
low season.

Maximum,
with storage.

Low season, 1
dry years, j

Sq. m.

In.

Ou. ft.

Cu. ft.

1ft. fall.

1 ft. fall.

1ft. fall.

531

10.6

450

123

9.0

12,0

14.0

Little river above mouth of Long Cane

320

282

5.0

6.5

7.5

183

158

2.5

3.2

3.6

* See pages 18 to 21.

The next important tributary to the Savannah is Broad river, from Georgia, the largest affluent of the stream.
Its headwaters are in Banks and Habersham counties, whence it flows southeast through Franklin and Madison
counties, and between Elbert county on its left and Madison and Oglethorpe counties on its right, where it turns to
the left and flows nearly east between Elbert county on its left, and Oglethorpe, Wilkes, and Lincoln counties on its
right, joining the Savannah on the line between Elbert and Lincoln counties, and at a point about 59 miles above
Augusta. Its length along its general course is about 78 miles, and it drains a total area of 1,500 square miles.
It is navigable for pole-boats for a distance of '5 miles from its mouth, its width in that distance being about
300 feet. It receives as its principal tributaries the South fork, which enters between Madison and Oglethorpe
counties and drains 275 square miles; the Hudson river, which enters in Franklin county and drains 213 square
miles; and the Middle fork, which also enters in Franklin county, draining 192 square miles, all three entering from
the west or south. The North fork, or main stream, drains an area of 167 square miles above its junction with the
Middle fork.

The general character of the drainage-basin is somewhat similar to that of the lower Saluda. The country
is rolling, but not rough, except in the extreme upper parts, where it is broken. The soil is, as usual, clay and loam.
The flow of the stream is said to be quite variable, and the freshets heavy, overflowing large areas of low ground.
The declivity is. broken by shoals in various places, but they are generally not of very much importance; only in
one case is a very large power produced. Regarding these shoals I was able to obtain very little information, but
it is probable that none of them are worth much for power except the single one referred to. The following brief
notes comprise all the information I could obtain:

Smith's shoal, about 2 or 3 miles from the mouth of the stream, is not used, the fall being stated to amount to as
much as G to 10 feet in half a mile, capable of being increased by a dam, with good banks and bed.

Anthony's shoals, about 5 or G miles from the mouth, is the finest shoal on the river, and the only one of
importance. I was prevented by the inclemency of the weather from visiting this site, so that the following notes
are from hearsay. The shoal is situated just above the lower corner of Wilkes county, about 16 miles from
Elberton and 20 miles from Washington, the nearest railroad points. It should be mentioned, however, that a road
is projected between Augusta and Elberton which will pass close by the shoal, rendering it easily accessible. The
fall of the shoal was variously stated at from 25 to 75 feet in a distance of one and a quarter miles. I am inclined to
believe that it is in the neighborhood of 40 feet. The descent is continuous for the entire distance over a bed of rock, the
channel of the stream being interspersed with islands, and the width varying from about 750 feet at the head to
1,200 feet near the middle and 600 at the foot of the shoal. The rise in freshets is probably small. The banks are
favorable on the north side, where it is said that the whole fall could be utilized by a canal. On the south side
they are very bluffy on the lower half of the shoal, and the whole fall could not be utilized. The location for mills
is safe, and not liable to overflow in high water. Power has been used ou the north side for a cotton factory — the
Hopewell factory — which was burned some time ago, and on the south side for two grist-mills, only one of which is
now in use. At the head of the shoal is a dam of wood and stone, 18 inches high and 500 feet long, entirely across
the river, and from it a race 1,200 feet long leads to the grist-mill on the right bank, where the fall is 12 feet.
Above the tail-race of this mill a wing-dam of wood and stone, 18 inches high and 160 feet long, extends from the
left (north) bank across to an island, and from it a race about a quarter of a mile long leads to the old cotton factory,
where the fall is 18 or 20 feet. The fall continues for three-quarters of a mile below the factory, and in this distance
there was once a mill on the right bank, not now used. The exact fall below the factory is not known.

The drainage area above this site is about 1,467 square miles, and the rainfall about 55 inches — 15 in spring,
14 in summer, 10 in autumn, and 16 in winter. It is greatest in the upper part of the basin. Having no record
of gaugings of the river, I have estimated the power as on page 135.

794

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

Table of power at Anthony's shoals, Broad river, Georgia.

135

State of flow (seepages 18 to 21).

Minim um

Minimum low season . . .
Maximum, with storage
Low season, dry years. .

* See description ; probably not less than 40 feet.

The topography of the drainage-basin is such that it would probably be very expensive to secure the maximum
with storage. I am unable to state whether a large pond could be secured or not.

This power was stated by every one who had seen it, and with whom I communicated on the subject, to be one
of the finest in the vicinity, and easily controlled. The above estimates show that the power is very large. The
facilities for transportation are at present poor, but if the projected railroad is built there will be no difficulty on
this score. Good building material can be obtained near at hand. I am indebted for much information regarding
the site to Mr. John Thompson.*

At Baker's ferry, 4 to 5 miles above Anthony's shoals, there is said to be a natural fall of 3 feet in GOO, not used;
and 4 or 5 miles farther up there is a mill in Oglethorpe county, near the edge of Wilkes, with a fall of 3 or 4 feet.
Above that there is no power below the mouth of the South fork, which enters some 20 miles above Anthony's
shoals; and even above the mouth of the South fork, although there are a few small shoals, there are no powers
of importance. Mention was made of Dedwiler's shoal, Thicket's Ferry shoal, Moore's old mill, King's Ferry shoal,
Murray's shoal, and of a shoal near Franklin springs, none of them used or of any consequence. The water-power
of the Broad river, with the exception of that at Anthony's shoal, seems to be of little value.

The South fork, or South Broad, has a few powers worth mentioning. A mile or two above its mouth is
Eberhart's mill, at Pogg's shoal, where the fall is considerable. The stream flows over a ledge of rock, and the total
fall is said to amount to 80 feet in a distance of a mile. The banks are high, but not bluffy. A log at the head of
this shoal turns the water into a race 100 feet long, which conveys it to a grist-mill, where the fall used is between
20 and 30 feet. This shoal is a good one, but the power is small. Four miles above is a similar shoal, a quarter of
a mile long, with a fall of some 25 or 30 feet, used by Watson's grist-mill. There are other precipitous falls on small
streams in the neighborhood. Hudson river is said to have no power except near its headwaters. Middle Broad
river has no mills. Near its mouth the country is said to be very broken, and it is probable that the stream is shoaly
for several miles above its junction with the North Broad. Above that the stream has a good deal of bottom-land
and low banks along its course, subject to frequent overflow. The North Broad has several mills, but no great falls,
the power at the mills being in all cases obtained with high dams. This fork, like the previous one, has generally
low banks and large areas of bottom-land overflowed in times of high water. As regards the flow of these streams
detailed estimates are not necessary. I would judge that the three forks and the Hudson might be depended upon
at their mouths for at least 0.18 to 0.22 cubic foot per second per square mile during the low season of very dry
years and 0.26 to 0.32 during the low season of ordinary years. The drainage areas having been previously given,
the power can be easily calculated.

The next tributary of the Savannah is Rocky river, which rises in Anderson county, South Carolina, and flows
nearly south, entering the Savannah in Abbeville, just at the head of Trotter's shoals. Its length in a straight
line is about 40 miles, and its drainage area 241 square miles. It passes withiA a few miles of Anderson Court-house,
and its elevation, where it is crossed by the Greenville and Columbia railroad, about 2 miles east of that place, is
669 feet above tide, while at the crossing of the Savannah Valley railroad, 3 miles below Lowndesville, it is 356 feet.
The general character of its drainage-basin is similar to that of Little river, South Carolina, but there are fewer
bottoms than on the latter stream, the banks are higher, and the rises more sudden. The stream offers considerable
power, but is used only for grist- and saw-mills. The flow is quite variable — more so than that of Little river. The
first power on the stream is at the mouth ; but from all I could learn the fall is small and the power of little value,
although formerly there was a mill there. The stream at this place is about 90 feet wide. The next power above is
a grist-mill, with 12 feet fall, 3 miles from the mouth of the stream. Above it are four more mills in Abbeville county,
one of which (Burdett's), 5 miles northeast of Lowndesville, is situated on a fine shoal, the fall being stated at 47£
feet in 1,500. The mill uses 31 feet and a small amount of power. There are no important sites not used in
Abbeville county. In Anderson county there are three grist-mills with small falls. They are troubled sometimes
for want of water, but the dams are not tight. There are also two sites not used in this county : the lowest one,
not far from the county-line, known as Lee's shoal, with a natural fall of 10 feet in a short distance, capable of

* In a letter of recent date Mr. Thompson writes that he has measured the fall with a spirit-level and finds it to he over 70 feet.

795

Drainage
area.

Sq. miles.

1, 467

Fall.*

Flow per
second.

Cubic feet.
370
528
1,450
600

Horse-power available,
gross.

1 foot fall.
42
60
165
68

40 feet fall.
1,680*

2,400
6,600
2, 720>

136

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

being increased, to 15 ; and the upper one, known as High shoals, 6 miles above the first, a mile above the mouth of
Broadaway creek and 5 miles from Anderson Court-house, with 38 feet fall in 200 yards, not capable of being
increased. #

The remaining tributaries of the Savannah below the junction of the Seneca and Tugaloo are not of much
importance. Beaverdam creek, from Elbert county, Georgia, which enters nearly opposite the Bocky river, is well
utilized by grist-mills, -there being no fewer than nine mills on it, although its length is only about 30 miles in a
straight line, and its drainage area 185 square miles. The mills have falls of from 12 to 20 feet. At Gray's mill,
the second as the stream is ascended, although only about 10 feet fall is used, the total fall of the shoal is stated to
be nearly 25 feet in a distance of a mile. At Flat shoals, some 25 miles from the mouth of the stream, there is a
fall of about 18 feet, not used, and at several other places there is unutilized power. Near its mouth the stream will
run 2 pair of stones all the year with a fall of 10 feet and a good motor. The other tributaries to the Savannah —
Coldwater and Cedar creeks, from Georgia, and Little and Big Generostee creeks, from South Carolina — all have
shoals and afford small powers. The last-named drains about 75 square miles, and has two shoals, known as Hard-
Scrabble and Hamilton shoals, the former only a quarter of a mile from the mouth, with an available fall of 16
feet at the mill and considerable fall above and below not utilized. •

THE TUGALOO E1VEE.

This stream, one of the two headwaters of the Savannah, is formed on the line between Georgia and South Carolina
by the union of the Tallulah and Chatuga rivers, the former of which rises in Eabun county, Georgia, and Macon
county, North Carolina, and flows in a general southeasterly direction through Eabun county, draining an area of
155 square miles, and the latter of which rises in Jackson county, North Carolina, and flows in a southwesterly
direction, forming the boundary -line between Georgia and South Carolina, and draining an area of about 294 square
miles. The Tugaloo flows in a southeasterly direction between the two states, its length being about 35 miles in a
straight line and 49 by the course of the stream, and its total drainage area at its mouth being 870 square miles,
or 421 square miles exclusive of the Chatuga and the Tallulah. . Its principal tributaries are : from South Carolina,
Big Beaverdam, Choestoe, and Chauga creeks, the last draining 71 square miles; and from Georgia, Shoal, Toccoa,
and Panther creeks, all small streams.

The drainage-basin of the Tugaloo river proper has no peculiarities that have not been already referred to in
describing the middle and western divisions of the southern Atlantic water-shed in the introduction. There is
some limestone in the upper part of the basin. The river flows over a rocky bed, broken in places by shoals, but
by none of importance except in the last 8 miles of its course. Its declivity is gradual, and its water-power not of
much value. It is bordered by considerable tracts of fertile bottom-land, sometimes overflowed, although the
freshets were not stated to be very violent. The elevation of the stream at the crossing of the Atlanta and
Charlotte Air-line railroad, about 36 J miles from its mouth, is about 638 feet, while that of its mouth is 400 feet;
so that the fall is 238 feet in 36^ miles, or at the rate of 6J feet per mile. The rainfall in the whole drainage-basin
is about 56 inches — 15 in spring, 15 in summer, 10 in autumn, and 16 in winter. There are no records of gaugings.
The stream is not very accessible, as will be seen from the map, the nearest railroad point to the mouth being
Hartwell, 5 miles distant, while the Atlanta and Charlotte Air-line railroad crosses the river almost at right
angles.

There is not a mill on the stream, and there are only a few places suitable for power. The first site is Hatton's
shoal, one and a half miles long, with a fall of 39 feet, as ascertained by the barometer.* The foot of this shoal is
about 2£ miles above the mouth of the stream, and its head is just below the mouth of Beaverdam creek. The
width of the stream at the foot is 150 feet, but in the course of a quarter of a mile it widens to 1,400 feet, and the
water is very shallow. At one point there is a perpendicular fall of 2 feet, but the fall is, with this exception,
quite gradual. The country is quite broken from the mouth of the river up to above the shoal, and at the shoal
itself the banks are quite high, especially on the South Carolina side, so that a canal could be built only with great
difficulty on this side. The Georgia side is more favorable, and could probably be canaled ; but I had no opportunity
to examine the site thoroughly. There was once a mill near the foot of the shoal on the Georgia side with a
wing-dam and a fall of 5 or 6 feet, the banks being tolerably low on that side for half a mile or so. The drainage
area above the shoal being about 845 square miles, I have estimated the power as in the table, p. 137. It must be
remarked, however, that the fall, as determined by the barometer, is so liable to error, that little dependence is to
be placed on the result; and it was thought by persons acquainted with the river that the fall does not amount to
39 feet.

* Annual Report of Chief of Engineers, 1879, p. 754.

796

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

Table of power on Hattoti's shoals, Tugaloo river.

137

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Drainage
area.

FalL

Flow per
second.

Horse-power available,
gross.

Sq. miles. Feet.

Minimum .

Minimum low season . . .
Maximum, with storage.
Low season, dry years...

845

*39

1 foot fall.
24
29
105

39 feet fall.

936
1,131
4, 095
1, 287

* As determined by barometer.

The next shoal is Guest's, the fall being stated at 17 feet in a mile, as found by the barometer. This shoal was
stated to be of little value for water-power. In the table on page 131 is an estimate of the power, assuming the
fall at 17 feet.

As the mountains are approached the fall of the stream becomes more rapid, and for a mile and a half below
the junction of the Ohatuga and the Tallulah the fall is at the rate of 30 feet to the mile.* The country is rough here,
the banks abrupt, and the site inaccessible. Its value for manufacturing is probably small.

The width of the Tugaloo is 310 yards at its mouth, 50 yards above Guest's shoal, 40 yards at the crossing of
the Atlanta and Charlotte Air-line railroad, and 150 yards at the junction of the Chatuga and the Tallulah.

There is some power on a few of the tributaries of the Tugaloo, although it is not extensive. Little Beaverdain
creek, which enters at the mouth from South Carolina, has one power at its month, where there used to be a yarn-
mill, using the Clement attachment, but the }Dower is now used for a saw- and grist-mill. The fall used is 20 feet,
but it could be increased to 25 or 30 feet by raising the dam. The power, however, is very small, not over 25 to 30
horse-power in a low season. Big Beaverdam creek, which enters at the head of Hatton's shoals, has a large fall
near the mouth, said to be 65 feet or more in a mile, and at one place almost 30 feet in one pitch. This stream,
however, is also small, and in dry weather will give probably not over one horse-power per foot fall. Shoal creek r
Georgia, enters 10 miles above Guest's shoal, and has several shoals and mills, including one cotton-mill, a mile or
so from the mouth, using 26 feet fall and 15 or 20 horse-power. The falls on the creek are large, Parker's grist-
mill having a fall of 16 feet, and his wool-carding mill a fall of 20 feet. Choestoe creek, from South Carolina, is a
similar stream, but its water-power is not so extensive. Chauga creek, from South Carolina, is a more considerable
stream, and enters 2£ miles below the railroad crossing. It drains about 71 square miles, according to the map
used, which, however, is inaccurate. The stream has little bottom-land, and is subject to heavy freshets, which
sometimes rise very suddenly. The first power on it is Gilmer's mill, half a mile above the railroad and one
and a half miles from Fort Madison, with a fall of about 12 feet. Farther up. are other sites, and near its head is
a fall of 60 feet in one-fourth of a mile. On its upper waters are a number of precipitous descents, but of no
value for water-power. One little tributary to the Tugaloo above the Chauga has a perpendicular fall of 60 feet
near its mouth; and on Toccoa creek, a very small stream, draining 25 or 30 square miles, are the famous Toccoa
falls, where the stream falls 183 feet perpendicularly. The place is much frequented by tourists, but the water-
power is of no practical value.

The Chatuga river is a mountain stream, with considerable fall, and no doubt numerous sites for power,
but nothing could be learned of any particular ones. Its flow is subject to great fluctuations, and its inaccessibility
renders its water-power of small value. It is 150 yards wide at its mouth, with very precipitous banks, and the
surrounding hills are from 800 to 1,000 feet high.

The Tallulah river is similar in character to the Chatuga. The Tallulah falls, about 15 miles from Toccoa city,
on the railroad, and 10 miles above the mouth of the stream, is a noted place of resort, and one of the wildest and
most picturesque spots in the state. The stream flows through a narrow gorge, with very high banks, and descends
in a series of pitches (four of which have perpendicular heights of from 50 to 80 feet), falling, it is said, 500 or 600
feet in a mile. Its width varies from 15 to 100 feet. At the head and the foot of the falls the banks are of ordinary
height, but in the intermediate distance they are from 200 to 800 feet high, rising almost perpendicularly from the bed
of the stream, and rendering the utilization of the water-power quite impracticable. There are, in fact, only two or
three places where it is at all possible to descend to the bed of the stream, and these are the beds of small rivulets
emptying into the river, t The drainage area above these falls is about 147 square miles, so that I would
estimate the flow in the low season of ordinary years at about 44 cubic feet per second, corresponding to 5 horse-
power per foot fall. The theoretically available power is therefore large, but practically the power is of no value.
The romantic beauty and wildness of this place is said to be beyond description, and its praises are sounded by all
who have visited it.

Before leaving the Tugaloo river, it is to be mentioned that its headwaters are not far distant from those of
the Hiawassee, a navigable branch of the Tennessee, and that it is proposed to open a line of water communication
between the Atlantic coast and the West by connecting the two streams by a canal.

* Annual Report of Chief of Engineers, 1879, p. 755.
t White's statistics of the state of Georgia, 1849.

797

138

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

THE SENECA RIVER.

This river, with the Tugaloo, makes up the Savannah, and, like so many streams in this part of the country,
is formed by the junction of two smaller streams — the Keowee river and Twelve-Mile creek (or river) — which unite on
the line between Oconee and Pickens counties, South Carolina. The Keowee has its headwaters in the mountains
of Jackson county, North Carolina, and pursues a southerly course between the two counties above mentioned,
draining an area of about 405 square miles, while Twelve-Mile creek rises in the northern part of Pickens
county, and flows a little west of south, draining about 118 square miles. From the junction of these two the
Seneca flows in a general southerly direction, its length being nearly 20 miles in a straight line, and the total area
drained being 908 square miles, or 385 square miles exclusive of the basins of the two headwaters. It receives as its
principal tributaries: from the east, Deep creek, formed by the union of Twenty-three Mile and Twenty-six Mile creeks,
and draining 150 square miles, and Eighteen-Mile creek, draining 49 square miles ; and from the west, Conneross creek,
draining about 93 square miles. The character of the drainage-basin is similar to that of the Tugaloo, except that
there are perhaps more bottom-lands, the banks being generally rather low. It is said not to rise so suddenly or
so high as the Tugaloo ; and, like that stream, it has not a single mill. The stream is crossed nearly at right-
angles just below the junction of its headwaters by the Atlanta and Charlotte Air-line railroad, and several miles
below by the Blue Ridge railroad. The fall of the stream averages between 7.3 and 8.75 feet per mile, if its length
is assumed at 25 or 30 miles. Its elevation at its head is 619 feet, and at its mouth 400. The rainfall is the same
as in the basin of the Tugaloo.

There are several small shoals on the stream, but only one of importance. There is a small shoal at the
nioutb, with a fall of 3 or 4 feet, capable of being increased, and another similar one at Earle's bridge, 4£ miles
above; but the principal one is Portman's shoal, 5 miles from the mouth, just below the mouth of Eighteen-Mile
creek, and just above the mouth of Deep creek, and of which the shoal at Earle's bridge is simply a continuation.
This shoal is the most important one in the vicinity, and is now entirely unimproved, although some years ago a
small amount of power was used for iron works. There is said to be an abundance of high-grade iron ore in the
vicinity, but a great scarcity of fuel, and no lime within ten miles. For my information regarding these shoals I
am indebted to Major T. B. Lee, civil and hydraulic engineer, of Anderson, who owns the shoals, or a part of them.
The total fall is about 60 feet in a distance of 2 miles, but there is no prominent fall, except at the lower end, where
there is in one place a natural fall of 9 feet in a short distance. A dam 6 feet high and a race of 500 yards long would
give a fall of 20 feet with a favorable building location, and a dam 10 feet high, with a race of 800 yards long, would
afford a fall of 30 feet. The dam would be about 600 feet long, and there is in the immediate vicinity an abundance
of material for building. The bed of the stream is rock and gravel, and the banks favorable for canals and for
building, except in a few places, where the banks are bluffy. This shoal is 10 miles from Anderson and 6 miles
from the Blue Ridge railroad. A new railroad is said to be projected, which will pass less than a mile from the place.

The drainage area above being about 740 square miles, I have estimated the power as in the following table:

Table of flow and power at Portman's shoals.

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Minimum

Minimum low season . .
Maximum, with storage
Low season, dry years .

Drainage
area.

Sq. miles.

740

Fall.

Feet.

Horse-power available, gross.

It must be especially mentioned here that Major Lee, who is an engineer of eminence and of long experience,
and well acquainted with the country, writes that " 1,000 cubic feet of water per second all the year round — two-
thirds of the year double this flow— is to be had ". I do not, however, understand this result to be based on a
continued series of gaugings, but I have thought best to call attention to it, and to the differences between this and
the estimates in the table above. I have in many places sufficiently emphasized the fact that the latter must be
liable to many errors ; and I must further state here that just in this part of the state of South Carolina I have
discovered a number of errors in the map I have used. I can scarcely think, however, that the measurement of
the drainage area is in error by more than 10 per cent., and even if my estimates are increased by that fraction they
Avill still be very much less than Major Lee's. As for my method of making the calculation, I have already said
enough in the introduction, and on pages 107 and 108. Major Lee states that there are facilities on the upper
Seneca, as well as on the Saluda, for the construction of storage-reservoirs. It is therefore possible that the
maximum power, with storage, might be rendered practically available, and it might even be possible to concentrate

798

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

139

the power to some extent into working Lours. This power, situated in a fine cotton-growing country (Anderson
county produced last year 40,000 bales, according to Major Lee), having a healthy and salubrious climate, is worthy
the attention of capitalists.

Above Portman's shoals there are a few small shoals on the Seneca, but none of value. Hen shoal,
sometimes spoken of, has, according to Major Lee, only a fall of a few feet. It is just above the month of the
Conneross, 6 miles from Pendleton and 11 miles from Seneca.

Estimates of the total theoretical power of the Seneca, and other streams tributary to the Savannah, are not
given, because they would have no value, on account of such a small proportion of that power being practically
available.

TRIBUTARIES OF THE SENECA RIVER.

The power of the tributaries of the Seneca is of more importance than that of the main stream if Portman's
shoals are not considered. The first tributary is Deep creek, which enters just below the shoal just named, draining
150 square miles, and formed by the union of Twenty-three Mile and Twenty-six Mile creeks. It is a deep and sluggish
stream, with no power whatever. Twenty-six Mile creek is a small stream, entirely in Anderson county, and drains
some 50 square miles. Above Centreville it is very fiat, with small fall and low banks. The bed is sand, mud, and
gravel, the banks clay, and the course of the stream tortuous. At and near Centreville, which is 2 miles from its
mouth (junction with Twenty-three Mile creek), the stream falls quite suddenly, and for the rest of its course flows
considerably below the general level of the surrounding country. There are two grist-mills on the stream above
Centreville, and one at that place using a fall of 14 feet ; but the available fall is said to amount to 26 feet, which
could be utilized by building a dam higher up. The place is favorable for building, and the power is a good one,
though small. The tributaries near Centreville have large falls near their mouths; for example, on Emery creek
there is a fall of 60 feet, and on Hurricane creek a similar one. Twenty-three Mile creek is considerably larger
than the last, draining 87 square miles or thereabout. It has its sources in Pickens and Anderson counties. The
upper part is flat, like the stream last described, and its general character is the same; while on the lower part
there are several powers. Descending the stream, the first power is at Pendleton cotton factory, where the fall is 25
to 30 feet. I have received no information regarding the power, but it probably does not exceed 60 horse-power.*
Below it is Burns' shoal, not used, where a dam 15 or 20 feet high could be built without interfering with the factory
above, and that amount of fall utilized. Below is a grist-mill, with a fall of 6 feet, although 14 could be got, with a
good building-place. The country is high and rocky on each side. The lowest power on the stream is a mill about
three-fourths of a mile from its mouth, where there is a natural fall in the stream of 35 feet or more in 300 yards,
but not a very favorable place to build, and difficult of access. The stream is very rapid, and shut in by hills on
both sides. This fall corresponds to Portman's shoal on the Seneca, and is probably caused by the same ledge of
rocks.

The next tributary is Eighteen-Mile creek, which enters the Seneca just above Portman's shoal. It drains about
50 square miles, corresponds in general character with the two streams last described, and has no power except
near its mouth, where there is a mill with a fall of 12 feet, and nearly twice as much available. It is not a note-
worthy site.

Conneross creek, from the west, is the next tributary. It is about 22 miles long in a straight line, and drains
an area of about 93 square miles, all in Oconee county, except a few square miles near the mouth. Its drainage-basin
is long and narrow, and its fall rapid. Its bed is rock, its banks generally good, and it is in all respects a better stream
for water-power than the tributaries thus far named, except that it may be subject to heavier freshets. The lowest
shoal on the stream is owned by Mr. J. B. Sitton, of Pendleton, and is 5 or 6 miles from the mouth. It is utilized
by a grist- and saw-mill, using 18J feet fall, with a dam 30 inches high and a race 80 feet long. The total available fall
is stated at 31 feet, over a solid rock ledge — there being two falls, the lower one only being used, and the upper one
being only 250 or 300 feet above. The stream is about 70 feet wide, and the banks favorable. This shoal is
favorably located, and is 5 miles from Seneca, on the Atlanta and Charlotte Air-line railroad.

A mile and a half above is another large shoal, known as Swepson's or High shoals, also 5 miles from Seneca.
It was formerly known as Anderson's mill-site. The fall is very large, amounting, it is said, to 50 feet or more in
a few hundred yards. It is said, however, to be difficult to utilize, on account of the high bluffs on each side.
A large reservoir could be formed above the shoals, but not without overflowing much good land. Above this there
are no large falls, except far up the stream, where there is in one place a fall of 26 feet, and probably there are others.
Major Lee states that Conneross creek is a remarkably constant stream, varying very little in flow from season to
season. Estimates of power are omitted as unnecessary. If desired, they may be arrived at by comparing with
those given for some of the following streams.

Twelve-Mile creek, one of those streams which unite to form the Seneca, is comprised entirely in Pickens county,
and is formed by the union of three forks. As already mentioned, it drains an area of 118 square miles. Its basin
is mountainous in the upper part, and the three forks have large falls, but are very small streams. After leaving the

* Power stated at 40 laor&e-power in statistics of cotton-mills.

799

140

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

mountains, the stream flows through a level country and resembles Eighteen-Mile, Twenty -three Mile, and Twenty-
six Mile creeks, only in this case the country is not quite so flat as in the others, and the banks are generally higher
and not so subject to overflow. The stream is subject to heavy freshets and to more sudden fluctuations than the
others; its bed and banks are rockier, and its fall greater. Toward the mouth of the stream the fall is rapid, and
there are several powers worth mentioning. The first one met with in ascending the stream is Winn's, not improved,
about 2 or 3 miles from Central, on the Atlanta and Charlotte Air line railroad. This shoal has a length of about
one and a quarter to one and a half miles, with an almost continuous fall. In the lower half mile the fall is not less
than 25 feet, as ascertained with a pocket-level, and it is said to continue at the same rate to the head. The shoal
is, however, confined between steep banks, which would present difficulty in canaling, although a canal would be
practicable on the left bank. There is building room at the foot of the shoal. I was unable to examine it from
head to foot, but I think that a large fall could be obtained here, although it might be best to obtain it by a dam
near the foot and with a short canal. The left bank is low for 100 feet from the river, but this part is liable to
overflow to some extent, and further back the bank is exceedingly steep. The river is about 125 feet wide, and the
bottom is favorable for dams ; so that I think there would be no difficulty in developing the power. At the head of
the shoal there is an abrupt fall of 10 feet, known as Clayton's shoals, used by Eobertson's saw- and grist-mill,
about three miles from Central. The dam is only 1£ feet high and 175 feet long, diagonally across the stream, and
the banks are favorable and safe. The fall continues for one-eighth mile above the dam, which could be made 10
feet high, and a fall of 20 feet used, if desired. The fall occurs over a ledge of gneiss-rock, and the power is an
excellent one, though small. It should be mentioned that about three-fourths of a mile or so below is a place
known as the "narrows", where the stream rushes swiftly between steep banks, and is very narrow.
I subjoin an estimate of the power at this place, based on analogy, as an approximation :

Table of flow and power of Twelve-Mile ereeJc.

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Drainage
area.

Fall.

Flow per
second.

Horse-power,
gross.

%■

Remarks.

Sq. miles.
| 118

Feet.
(*)

Cubic feet.

1 1

135

I 24

1 foot fall.

1. 70
2.40

15.40

2. 75

Drainage area given is that of
\ the stream at its mouth — too
1 large for the shoal just de-
J scribed.

* Probahly in all not less than 50 to 60. .

If the stream is fed extensively by springs, its flow will be larger in dry seasons. In ordinary years it would
afford in the low season, according to the above estimate, 3£ horse-power per foot, and two or three times as much
for nine months of the year. It may be remarked that the flow of Conneross creek would probably not differ much
from that of the one under consideration.

Half a mile above Eobertson's mill there is a small shoal with a fall of about 5 feet, and then the stream is
sluggish for over a mile, when we come to a second shoal, extending for a quarter of a mile or more, at the head of
which is Hunter's mill, with a dam 5 or 6 feet high and a fall of 11 feet, and no race. Above this there are no
shoals for 8 miles, where the stream is so small that it is not necessary to particularize further. The estimates
given above are, I think, rather too small, and it would seem as though the streams in this vicinity were subject to
smaller variations in volume than would be expected. I have already referred to the constant flow of Conneross
creek, and it is probable that this stream is similar in that respect. I was told at Hunter's mill that they could run
four pair of stones all the time. Data, however, are entirely wanting for an accurate estimate.

The Keowee river, which, with Twelve-Mile creek, forms the Seneca, has its sources among the mountains, and
is formed by the union of the Toxaway and the Big Estatoe creeks in the northern part of Pickens and Oconee
counties. It flows south, and drains a total area of 405 square miles. The upper part of the basin abounds in
precipitous falls and cataracts of great beauty, although valueless for water-power. The Whitewater creek is so
named on account of its numerous cascades ; and at one place there is a fall of 000 feet in 300 yards,* with numerous
smaller falls. On another stream in the vicinity there is a fall greater in height than that of Niagara in one pitch.*
Another small branch of the Keowee has two falls of nearly 50 feet, each close together, and 200 yards below a
fall of 80 feet. Another has a perpendicular fall of 130 feet. The Keowee itself— whose name is said to mean
clear water — is a beautiful stream, flowing with a gradual fall over a rock bed, and draining a very picturesque
valley. It is entirely unutilized for power, and I was unable to learn of any particular sites, although there must
be some. Among its tributaries, many of which are utilized to some extent, the principal one is Little river, a
stream rising in the northern part of Oconee county, only a few miles from the Chatuga river, and flowing a little
east of south for a distance of 18 or 20 miles, draining about 140 square miles. It is a good stream for power, and
has several falls and mills in various places. The rainfall on all this upper part of South Carolina is about the same

* Mills : Statistics of South Carolina.

800

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

141

as on the drainage-basin of the Tugaloo, viz, 56 inches — 15 in spriug and summer, 10 in autumu, and 16 in winter.
I would therefore estimate the flow of the Little river at its mouth about as follows :

Table of flow and power of Little river.

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21) .

Minimum

Minimum low season —
Maximum, with storage
Low season, dry years. .

Drainage
area.

Sq. miles

The first power on the stream is Seaburn's shoal, a mile from the railroad and the mouth of the stream, and
three or four miles from Seneca. It was formerly used by a saw-mill, but is now unimproved. The fall is 13£ feet,
which could be used with a canal 800 feet long, very easy to cut. The proper location for a mill is on the left bank,
at the foot of the shoal, the right bank being steep. Just above this shoal Cain creek, the principal tributary of Little
river, enters. Less than a mile above is a second unutilized shoal, but I am uuable to state the fall. The uext
power is High shoals, a beautiful shoal, where the river falls over a ledge of solid gneiss-rock, descending 24 feet
almost perpendicularly, with rapids above for some distance, and a total fall of about 35 feet. The banks are high,
but very favorable for building, and the power is in all respects an excellent one. It is used by a tannery on the
left bank, utilizing a fall of 14 feet and 15 to 16 horse-power, with a flume 500 feet long and 2 feet square, and an
overshot- wheel, and on the right bank by a saw- and grist-mill and cotton-gin, using 10 horse-power and 24 feet fall.
The dam is of wood, 2 to 3 feet high, and 125 to 150 feet long, extending in a broken line entirely across the stream.
Just above this is a fall of 6 feet in 500, and a 3-foot dam at the upper end of this last shoal, it is said, would back up
the water a mile or over. The power is 9 miles from Seneca, 10 miles from Walhalla, and is owned by Sligh &
Woodin, High Falls post-office. The drainage area above this shoal being not over 60 or 70 square miles, I should
estimate the power in the low-season of dry and ordinary years at 1.2 horse-power and L} horse-power per foot fall
respectively, and three times as much during nine months. But as my measurements of drainage areas, especially
of so small ones, are liable to considerable error, these figures are not very valuable. Above these falls there are
several others, one with 14 feet fall, used by a tannery ; two others, 150 yards apart, with falls of 20 and 16 feet
respectively, and another right at the foot of the mountains with a fall of 50 or 60 feet.

Cain creek, the principal tributary of Little river, drains 50 or 60 square miles, and has one shoal, not used, with
40 feet fall — the Schroeder shoal. .

Table of utilized power on the Savannah river.

Name of stream.

Savannah

Tributaries of

Little river

Other tributaries to

Tributary to what.

Atlantic ocean .

Savannah

......do

State.

Georgia

South Carolina.

Georgia

.....do

County.

Kichmcnd.
Abbeville.

. . .do

Anderson .

Lincoln

Elbert

Effingham.

Bmke

Richmond.

...do

. . do

...do

-do Lincoln.

1012 w P— VOL 16-

-51

do .......

* See Augusta.

...do

McDuffie.
Wilkes....
Warren . . .

Greene

Columbia.

...do

McDuffie..

...do

Warren . . .
...do

Kind of mill.

Miscellaneous* .
Flour and grist.

Saw

Woolen

Flour and grist.

... do

Saw

Flour and grist.

....do

Saw

Cotton factory. .

Woolen

Saw ,

Flour and grist.

...do

... do

...do

Saw and grist . .
Flour and grist.

Saw

...do

Flour and grist.

....do

Saw

Feet.

12.0
8.0
12.0
14.5
19.0
0.0
72.0
125.0
100.0
9.0
9.0
24
30.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
14.0
69.0
10.0

3, 050

8
8
20
32
115
20
96
190
209
50
45
45
00
60
8
30
15
91
25

127.0
20.0
12.0

801

152
15
12

142

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

Table of utilized power on the Savannah river — Continued.

Name of stream.

Broad river and tributaries.
Do

Other tributaries of

Do 7. ......

Tributaries of

" Do

Horse creek

Little river

Do_

Rocky river

Other tributaries of

Do :..

Do •.

Do ,

Tributary to what.

Savannah .

do .-.

do ...

do . . .

.....'.do ...

do ...

do . . .

do ...

Savannah.

do ...

......do ...

do ...

do . . .

do ...

do . . .

do ...

Seneca. . .-.

do ...

Tugaloo . . .

do ...

State.

County.

Georgia Oglethorpe.

do Madison

do 1 do

do Elbert

do Franklin . .

do do

do j do

do Banks

do ! do

do ! "Wilkes

do Elbert ....

Kind of mill.

Tugaloo ■ do

.do
do
.do

....do
Hart .
...do
...do
...do
... do
..do
...do

do Habersham .

do do

do j Rabun

South Carolina Aiken

do | . . . do

do .• I do

do ....... do

do I Abbeville. . .

do do

do I do

do ! do

do Anderson . .

do ' Barnwell . . .

do I do

do I Aiken

do I do

do do

do ; do

do ! Edgefield...

.do do

.do Abbeville.

.do do

.do Anderson.

do j do

.do — do —

.do I do

.do j do

.do do

do \ Oconee

do Anderson .

.do do

.do — do ... .

.do | Oconee

.do

Seneca do

.do .

.do

do
.do

do
do
.do
.do
do
do

.do j Pickens.

.do do ...

Flour and grist

...do

Saw

Flour and grist.

...do

Saw

Cotton-gin

Saw

Flour and grist

. do

...do

Saw....

Flour and grist .

Saw.

Cotton-gin

Saw.

Flour and grist-
Cotton factory. .
Wool-carding . . .
Flour and grist

Leather

Saw

Woolen

Saw

Paper

Cotton factory. .
Flour and grist.

Stoneware.

Flour snd grist.

Saw

Flour and grist.
....do ............

Saw

Flour and grist.

....do

Saw

Cotton-gin

...do

Saw

Cotton yarn

Flour and grist .

...do

Saw

...do

Flour and grist.

...do

Saw

...do

Flour and grist .

Cotton-gin

Cotton factory . .

Woolen

Cotton-gin

Flour and grist.

Saw

Flour and grist .

Saw

Cotton factory . .

Saw

Leather

Wheelwright...
Flour and grist .

....do

Saw

Cotton-gin

S 6

Feet

1!>5.

175

145.

281

5 '

61.0

44.0

163

.4,

56.

83.

18.

169.

279

85.

73.

134

14.

194

156

14.

99.

30.

26.

20.

47.

46.

.'8

14.0

38.0

500?

115.0

1. 200

24.

33.0

37.

62.0

69'

54.0

8.0

36.0

43.

23.0

63.0

122

144.0

2!)«

465

19.0

16.0

210.0

267

195.0

149

124.0

56.

175.0

135-

26.0

40?-

. 2

18.

94.0

72-

87.0

106.

22.0

35-

155.0

80'

25.

21. 5

48.0

54.0

1G,

287.0

226

277.0

211

81.0

163.

130-

802

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

143

X. — THE OGEECHEE RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES.

THE OGEECHEE KIVER.

This stream, which is the next one south of the Savannah that lias any water-power worth mentioning, rises
in Greene county, Georgia, and flows southeast through Taliaferro; then between Warren and Glascock on its left,
and Hancock and Washington on its right; thence through Jefferson, finally forming the boundary-line between
Burke, Screveu, Effingham, and Chatham on its left, and Emanuel, Bulloch, and Bryan on its right, and emptying into
the Atlantic about 16 miles below the mouth of the Savannah. Its length in a straight line is about 160 or 170
miles, and it drains a total area of 4,720 square miles. Of this drainage area, however, by far the greater part lies
below the fall-line, and offers no water-power, except here and there on a sand-hill stream. The river crosses the
fall-line between Hancock and Glascock counties, and below that point the general character of the drainage basin
corresponds so closely to that of the Savannah below Augusta, of the Santee, or of the Pee Dee below Cheraw, that it
need not be described. Above the fall-line the river flows through a rolling and hilly country, the bed being rock,
overlaid between the shoals by sand, gravel, and clay. The bottoms are said to be narrow. The elevation of the
stream at the crossing of the Macon and Augusta railroad, at Mayfield, about 8 miles above the fall-line, is 270 feet,
so that the fall from that point to the mouth will average about 1.6 feet per mile. The fall below the fall-line will
probably not average 1 foot per mile, and the stream could probably be made navigable for some distance. It is
said that boats used to ascend the river as far as Georgetown, 4 miles below the fall-line. At present the stream
is navigable for a distance of 25 miles from its mouth for boats drawing 16 feet, and for a distance of 35 miles from
its mouth for boats drawing 5 feet. The average annual rainfall on the drainage-basin above the fall-line is 49
or 50 inches, of which 11 fall in spring, 14 in summer, 10 in autumn, and 14 in winter.

The first power on the stream is at the fall-line, known as the Shoals of Ogeechee. They are situated 8£ miles
from Mayfield, which is the nearest railroad point, and are above the mouth of the Little Ogeechee. The power is
* utilized by a grist- and saw-mill, with a wooden-frame dam about 225 feet long and 8 or 9 feet high, backing the
water 1£ miles, with an average width of 150 feet. The race is 300 feet long, the fall utilized 18 feet, and the power
perhaps 30 to 40 horse-power, which can only be obtained ten months of the year on account of leakage. The
shoal is of solid rock, and the total available fall is 21 or 22 feet at low water. The drainage area above the shoal
being about 290 square miles, I have estimated the power as follows:

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Minim am

Minimum low season . . .
Maximum, with storage
Low season, dry years. .

Drainage
area.

Fall.

Flow per
second.

Horse-power available, gross.

Sq. miles.

Feet,

Cubic feet.

1 foot fall

18 feet 'fall.

21 feet fall.

i 25

2.8

{

4.0

^ 290

1 • 250

28.4

511

596

I 40

4.5

Four miles above is D. A. Jewell's cotton factory, 4£ miles from Mayfield. The dam is a wooden-frame dam.
composed of triangular frames set up and down the stream, tied together and planked over on the sloping
up-stream side, and is 280 feet long and 15 feet high, 50 feet at one end being of stone. It backs the water a mile,
with an average width of 150 feet, and the fall at the factory, which has no head-race of any length, is 16 feet.
The power utilized is 150 horse-power, which can only be obtained eight months of the year, the average during
the remaining four months being two-thirds or three-fourths, and the water gets so low at times that the wheels are
stopped. During the low season, steam-power is put on to the extent of 125 horse-power. The mill is run about
12 hours in summer out of the 24, and there is no waste at night; and, in fact, the pond does not fill up in one
night. I have estimated the power at this place as follows :

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

area. .

Flow per
second.

Horse-power available,
gross.

Sq. miles. \ Feet.

Oubicfeet.

1 25
1 189
I 30

1 footfall.
1.9
2.8
21.5
3.4

16 feet fall.

30
45

1 j

\ 215 [ 16

340
54

The stream is said to be very variable in its flow, and to get very low in summer. Its absolute minimum is
probably below that given above. Mr. Jewell states that he stopped eight days once, and during that entire time
his pond only rose a few inches. According to the above estimate, during nine months of an ordinary year about
180 horse-power gross would be obtained, or about 130 horse-power net, which is perhaps a little too high.

803

14-4

W ATE R - PO WE R OE THE UNITED STATES.

Above the factory are several small grist- and saw-mills, most of which have to stop in summer. There are no
Bites not used.

The tributaries of the stream are of no consequence. On Little Ogeechee there are two sites, both used at one
time, but now abandoned. The stream is small, draining only 55 square miles.

Table of power utilized on the Ogeechee river.

Name of stream.

Ogeechee river

Tributaries of -

Do........

Tributary to what.

Atlantic . .

...do

Ogeechee.

....do

...do

... do

...do

State.

County.

Georgia j Warren

do I Hancock

do | . .. do

do , Warren

do Taliaferro . . .

do : Liberty

— do do

— do j Bulloch

do i do

do Screven

do I do

do Burke

do Jefferson . . -

. . . do i Washington

. . .do i Glascock

do do

do Hancock

do Warren

Kind of mill.

Flour and grist .

. . do

Woolen

Cotton factory..
Flour and grist .

...do

Saw

Flour and grist .

Saw

Flour and grist .

Saw

Flour and grist .

. ...do

...do

. . do

Saw

Flour and grist
...do

Fall used.

Horse-power
used, net.

Feet.

150

17.5

75+

117

189

XL—THE ALTAMAHA RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES.

THE ALTAMAHA RIVER.

This river, with all its tributaries, lies entirely within the state of Georgia, and is the most southerly stream
flowing into the Atlantic whose water-power is worthy of special mention. It. is formed by the union of the
Oconee and the Ocmulgee rivers, on the line between Montgomery and Appling counties, whence it pursues a south-
easterly course, forming the boundary-line between Tattnall, Liberty, and Mcintosh counties on its left, and Appling,
Wayne, and Glynn on its right, emptying into the Atlantic ocean, through Altamaha sound, just below the town of
Darien. Its length is about 75 miles in a straight line and 155 by the river, and its total drainage area comprises
about 14,400 square miles, of which the Ocmulgee drains 6,000, the Oconee 5,400, and the Altamaha proper 3,000.
Its principal tributary is the Great Ohoopee, from the north, draining about 1,400 square miles. The Altamaha is
navigable for its entire length for boats drawing 5 feet of water, its fall being very slight. There are no important
towns on the river. The mean rise and fall of the tides in Altamaha sound is 7 feet, and the tidal wave is felt for
30 miles or so above Darien.

The Oconee and the Ocmulgee rivers will be fully considered below. As regards the Altamaha, its drainage
area lying entirely below the fall-line, it offers no power whatever, and the power on its tributaries is not worth
mentioning. Some of them are sand-hill streams, but none offer large powers. Near the coast, and along the rivers,
are extensive cypress swamps, and further inland there are large pine forests. Timber, turpentine, rice, cotton,
fruits, and vegetables are the principal productions. The stream resembles the lower Savannah, the Santee, or
the lower Pee Dee.

THE OCONEE RIVER.

1 pass to the consideration of the Oconee and the Ocmulgee rivers, the only ones regarding whose water-power
anything is to be said. The Oconee has its headwaters in Hall county, but the stream proper is formed by the
union of its two forks, the North and the Middle, which unite just below the town of Athens, on the line between
Clarke and Oconee counties, whence the stream pursues a course a little east of south for a distance of about 140
or 150 miles in a straight line, draining a total area of 5,400 square miles. It forms the boundary-line between
Clarke, Oglethorpe, Greene, and Hancock counties on its left, and Oconee, Morgan, and Putnam comities on its
right, flows through Baldwin, and between Wilkinson on its right and Washington and Johnson on its left, and
finally through Laurens and Montgomery, to join the Ocmulgee. The only town of importance on the stream is
M illedgeville, near which place it crosses the fall-line. The drainage area above this point being about 2,973 square
miles, it will be seen that nearly half of the total area drained by the river offers no water-power of importance.
804

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

145

There is a navigable depth of 5 feet up to the Central railroad bridge, 135 miles from the mouth of the stream.
In White's Statistics of Georgia it is stated that a boat GO feet long once ascended to Barnett's shoals, 8 miles
below Athens, but that no produce had ever been carried above Milledgeville. An examination of the river up to
that town was made in 1874 under the direction of General Gillmore, whose report may be found in the Annual
Report of the Chief of Engineers, 1875, Appendix U, and in which improvements by the general government wore
not recommended, as almost all the transport on the river is that of timber.

The accompanying map will show the form and dimensions of the drainage-basin of the Oconee, and of its
principal tributaries. The rainfall on the basin above the fall-line averages about 48 or 49 inches— 12 in spring, 13
in summer, 10 in autumn, and 14 in winter. The table on page 147 gives more detailed information on this subject.
Some idea of the declivity of the stream may be obtained from the following table :

Table of declivity of the Oconee river.

Place.

Distance from 1

Elevation above

Distance be-

Fall between

mouth.

tide,

tween points. .

points.

Miles.

Feet.

Miles.

Feet.

Feet per mile.

—155

\ - - - 290

- - - - 201

135+

201

\ ■ ' • - 60

.... 20

- - - - 0.33

195 ±

221 ±

j - - - 60±

. - - - 87

- --- 1.45

Crossing of Georgia railroad ( Augusta to A tlanta)t

255 ±

308

| - - - 40±

... - 269

Crossing of Nortb-Eastern railroad (2 miles north of Athens, north fork of Oconee) J . .

295 ±

577

| - - - 45

- - - - 628

- - - - 14. 00

Second crossing North-Eastern railroad, 2 miles south of LulaJ

340

1, 205

* For this elevation, and others on the same road, I am indebted to Mr. William Rogers general superintendent.
1 For these elevations I have to thank Major Wilkins, Engineer of the road.

J These figures were furnished by Captain J. C Turner, chief engineer of the road, at the request of the general superintendent, Mr. Lyman Wells.

The declivities given in the preceding table are of very small value because of the inaccuracy in the distances,
which could only be roughly estimated.

No gaugings of the Oconee are on record. The flow is said to be quite variable, and there seems to be no doubt
that it fluctuates to a greater extent than in the case of some streams which have been discussed on account of
the smaller rainfall in the warm season. The freshets are violent and very sudden. The sources of the river
being east of the mountains, and the soil clay or loam, the water is shed quite rapidly, and rises sometimes 8 or
10 feet in a few hours, overflowing its banks in many places, and flooding large areas of bottom-land. The map
will show how accessible the river is in its various parts.

A detailed description of the water powers of the stream will now be given.

Below Milledgeville the stream is very tortuous, distances by river being usually reckoned at three times those
by land. The bed is generally of sand, the banks of clay, and the principal obstructions to navigation are snags and
fallen trees. Near Milledgeville occurs the first fall, there being a series of shoals there extendiug over a distance
of 5 or 6 miles, where the stream crosses the fall-Hue. A survey of these shoals was made several years ago by Colonel
B. W. Frobell, of Atlanta, who found the fall between the- mouth of Fishing creek, which empties into the river from
the right just at Milledgeville, and the head of a shoal known as Carter's, to be 34.2 feet. The development
of this power by leadimg a canal from the head of Carter's shoals down to the city, rendering available a fall of
between 30 and 40 feet, has been often proposed, but nothing has yet been done toward carrying out this scheme.
At present Carter's shoal is used for a cotton-gin, and formerly there used to be a grist- and saw-mill there ; and just
opposite Milledgeville there is a grist-mill with a wooden wing-dam extending across to-an island, and using a fall
of 5 feet. The topography of the country between Carter's shoal and the city is said to be such that a canal would
be practicable, although there are bluffs in places. I have estimated the flow and power as follows :

Table of floic and power at Milledgeville.

State of flow (aee pages 18 to 21).

Drainage
area.

Fall.

Flow per
second.

Horse-power available,
gross.

Sq. miles.

> 2,973

Feet.

Cubicfeet.
/ 500
650
] 2, 600
I 740

1 foot fall.
56.8
73.8
295.5
84.1

: ii feet fall.

1,930
2, 500
10, 000
?, 860

Passing over one shoal, where there is said to be a fall of 3 or 4 feet, the next power is at Fraley's mill, 7 miles
above Milledgeville, where there is an abrupt fall of 5 feet in 200, and about 8 feet in one-fourth of a mile, known

805

146

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

as Cedar shoal. A fall of 5 feet is used by a mill on the left bank, with a wing-dam, mostly of rough rock, extending
about one-third across the stream. The available fall is probably 6 or 8 feet. The mill is stopped often on account
of high water.

At Satchel's shoal, 15 miles above Milledgeville, and above the mouth of Little river, which enters from the
west, there was formerly a grist-mill, not now in operation, but the fall is said to be only 4 or 5 feet. The river is
narrow, with bluffs on each side, and the dam extends entirely across.

Graybill's old mill, not in use now, is said to have a fall of 4 or 5 feet.

Lawrence's grist-mill has a dam across to an island and no race. The dam is said to be G feet high, and the fall
used 6 or 7 feet.

Riley's shoal is said to have a fall of 7 or 8 feet, but it is not improved.

One mile above is the site of the old Long shoal factory, or the mill of the Atwood Manufacturing Company,
situated some 20 or 22 miles from Eatonton, which is the nearest railroad point. The fall is about 12 feet in one-
fourth of a mile, as ascertained with a pocket-level, but it could probably be increased by a dam to 15 or 20 feet, as
the banks are said to be quite steep for 2 miles above. The banks at the shoal are favorable for building. The old
factory was located on the left bank, with a wing-dam extending for 500 yards or so up the river, the fall used
being about 8 feet. This factory has not been used since the war, and at present the only power used is for a grist-
mill on the right bank, with a dam only 50 feet long and 7 or 8 feet high, across to an island not subject to overflow,
at the head of which is a little wing-dam to turn the water between the island and the shore. The location is safe
on either side of the river, and considerable power could, no doubt, be developed at this place. The following table
gives my estimate :

Table of flow and poicer at Long shoal.

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Drainage
area.

Fall.

Flow per
second.

Horse-power available,
gross.

Minimum

•Minimum low season . . .
Maximum, with storage
Low season, dry years . .

Sq. miles.

2, 122

Feet.

12 ^

Cubic feet,
f 360
460
1,860

DJ0

Ifootfall. 3i feet fall.

40.9

52.2
211.3
60.0

490
625
2,535
720

Reid's mill-site, 6 or 7 miles above this shoal, is not now in use, the dam having been washed out fifteen or
twenty years ago, and there being nothing there now. The dam extended entirely across, aud a fall of 6 feet was
used, but there was often difficulty with high water.

Passing a shoal where there is only a small fall, said to be 2 feet or so, capable of being increased to 5 feet, the
next power is at Park's old mill, now used as a grist-mill, with four pair of stones, and a fall of 8 feet. The dam is of
wood and stone, 350 feet by 8, ponding the water for 2 or 3 miles, with an average width of 300 feet, but without
throwing the river out of its banks. The mill is troubled occasionally in times of high water, but there is never
trouble from lack of water. It is 2 miles below the crossing of the Georgia railroad.

Just above the railroad the Oconee receives a large tributary, the Appalachee, from the west. Three miles
above, at Willis' ferry, there is said to be a small shoal, but of no consequence, the next power worth mentioning
being Scull shoal, 14 miles northwest of Greensborough, 8 miles from Maxey's, the nearest railroad point (on the
Athens branch of the Georgia railroad), 12 miles from Madison, and about 15 miles above the railroad bridge. It
is used by the cotton factory and grist-mill of the Powell Manufacturing Company. The dam is of wood and stone,
300 feet long and 10 feet high, and was built about the year 1860, having never been carried away. It ponds the
water for about 2 miles, with an average width of 200 feet. From it a race 300 or 400 feet long leads to the factory,
where the fall is 10 feet. The mill runs 3,200 spindles, and is never troubled with scarcity of water : but it is obliged
to stop entirely during one or two months on account of backwater. No steam-power is used.

The next shoal, and the last of importance on this stream, is Barnett's or Veal's, 8 miles below Athens, and the
finest shoal on the river. It is popularly supposed that the fall amounts to 60 feet within a distance of three-fourths
of a mile. I visited the place, and, although unable to make any accurate observations, some rough measurements
with a pocket-level rather inclined me to believe that this figure is too high, and that 45 or 50 feet would be nearer
the truth. Not all of this fall, however, is easily available, on account of the character of the banks, which are
steep on both sides on the lower half of the shoal. At the head a fall of 25 feet could be easily rendered available,
with room for buildings on the left bank. The bed of the stream is rock, and at the head a natural dam extends
entirely across, diagonally down stream from the left bank to the right, and, therefore, not just favorable for turning
the water to the left bank. Over this ledge occurs the most rapid fall, amounting to 25 feet in about 300 yards.
The rest of the fall would be very difficult to utilize fully by caualing, though it probably could in some way be
developed if necessary. The river is about 180 feet wide above the shoal, and very deep, and the banks are low
and sandy. In a heavy freshet the river rises here 6 or 7 feet, while three-fourths of a mile above it rises 17 feet,

and on the shoal itself scarcelv ever over 3 or 4 feet. This shoal is at present unutilized, although it has been

806

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

147

proposed to establish a cotton factory there. It is one of the finest sites in this part of the state. Fine building-
stone is found in the immediate vicinity, the climate is healthy, and it is said that a branch road could, without
much difficulty, be run from the Georgia railroad. The following table will give an idea of the available power :

Table of flow and power at BarnetVs shoals.

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Minimum

Minimum low season ...
Maximum, with storage .
Low season, dry years . .

Drainage
area.

Fall. *

Flow per
second.

Horse-power available, gross.

Sg. miles.
I

I 860

Cubicfeet.
r 137
180
j 900
I 206

1 foot fall.
15. 6
20.5
102. 3
23.4

25 feet fall.
390
510
2,560
585

\5feetfall.

700
920
4, COO
1,050

* Twenty-five feet, easily available ; total. 45 feet or more.

From what has been said, it will be seen that the Oconee does not offer a remarkable amount of power, but, on
the contrary, that it has few powers of much importance, and none to compare with the great powers on the
Catawba, Broad, and Yadkin rivers. The following table gives a summary of power, in which it has not been
thought desirable, on account of uncertainty of the data, and the fact that the estimate is of no practical jalue, to
insert estimates of the total theoretical power.

It may be mentioned that in January, 1827, the Oconee was frozen over near Milledgeville, and the Savannah
at Augusta — a circumstance never before known. In February, 1835, the thermometer fell to 3° below zero in
Eatonton, and to 8° below zero in Milledgeville.*

Summary of power on the Oconee river.

Place

Milledgeville

Shoal

Fraley's mill

Satcher's shoal. ..
Gray bill's mill. .
Lawrence's mill

Riley's shoal

Long shoal

Hill's shoal

Reid's shoal

Park's mill

Scull shoal

Barnett's shoal ..

! he

i as

g H

.2
P

Sq. ms.
2, 950

2. 900 ±

2, 122

1,635
1, 000
860

Rainfall.

In. In.

13 9

13 ; 9

13 j 9

13 9

13 j 9

13 9

13 j 9
14
15
15

In.
48
48
48
48
48
48
I 48
; 48
48

I 48
49

Fall.

Feet.
34.0
4.0
8.0
5.0
4.0
6.0
7-8 (?)

12+
Small
6.0
8.0
10.0
45±

5-6 miles .

1,200 feet

1, 300 feet

J mile .

Horse-power available, gross.*

a g

5 a

a %

1, 930 j 2, 500 ! 10, 000 : 2,

450

490

580 i 2,320

660

625 2, 535

720

240
180
700

310
240
920

1,400 ; 350
1,140 j 275
4, 600 | 1, 050

Utilized.

<50

80 d

Feet.
6.0
0.0
5.0
0.0
0.

6-7
0.
0.0
0.0
0.0
8.0
10.0
0.0

°3

<17

<15

30 ±
60 ±

Remarks.

Mill at dam.
Dam 10 feet

LITTLE RIVER.

0.75

690

2. 00

675 ±

Humber's mill

3.00

600 ±

15. 00

250

Small

9.0

6-8

10.

13.5

8.0

18.0

600 feet.

25
25

0.0
0.0
9.0
6-8.0
13.5
8.0
0.0

'See pages 18 to 21.

TRIBUTARIES OF THE OCONEE RIVER.

Below Milledgeville the tributaries are not of very much importance, except a few which may be classed as sand-
hill streams, but regarding which I could obtain no information, as none of them are utilized to any great
extent. Power could no doubt be developed on many of them, and perhaps large powers on some of them, but no

Sherwood : Gazetteer of Georgia, I860.

807

148

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

special kites could be specified. Of these tributaries Palmetto creek drains 375 square miles, Big Sandy creek
284, Commissioner's creek 196, and Buffalo creek 286. In the table of utilized power will be found a statement of
the power used en these tributaries.

The first tributary worthy of special mention is Little river, which rises in Walton and Newton counties, flows
southeast through Morgan and Putnam counties, passing within 3 miles of the town of Eatonton, and joining the
Oconee between Putnam and Baldwin, about 8 or 10 miles above Milledgeville, and above Fraley's mill. Its length
in a straight line is about 40 or 45 miles, but 60 or more by the course of the stream, and its drainage area is about
690 square miles. It has two tributaries worth naming, viz, Cedar and Murder creeks, both entering from the west.
The stream is said to be " remarkable for its rapid current",* and it offers a number of good sites for small powers.
Proceeding up the river, the first shoal met with is about three-fourths of a mile from the mouth, known as Gage's
shoal, not improved, and with an unknown fall. A mile and a quarter further up is Moultrie's shoal, also unimproved.
Both of these shoals are subject to backwater from the Oconee river, and their falls are stated to be small. They
are probably not of much value for manufacturing. The next power is at Humber's mill, 3 miles from the mouth,
with no important tributaries below it. The dam is of wood, 130 feet long and 9 feet iigh, and the fall used is 9
feet, with 28 horse-power, which can be obtained all the time. The fall could be increased to 11 feet, and the
available power in the low season of ordinary years with this fall would probably be at least 100 horse power. I
would, by analogy, estimate it at a considerably larger figure, but as Colonel Humber, who is well acquainted with
the stream, writes that 60 horse-power would be available with a fall of 11 feet, it must be that for some reason
the flow of the stream is quite variable indeed, or else that the drainage area is much smaller than I measured it
from the map. For this reason I do not venture to give estimates for the stream. The rainfall on the drainage-
basin is, it is true, considerably smaller than on most streams thus far considered, being only about 44 inches,
distributed unfavorably, too, for rendering the flow uniform, viz : spring, 10; summer, 12; autumn, 9; winter, 13
to 14; hence, without further data, I would have assumed the flow in the low season of ordinary years at about 0.18
cubic feet per second per square mile, or 108 cubic feet per second for 600 square miles, which would give a power
of 12.3 horse-power per foot fall.

The next power above Humber's is at Pierson's mill, but the fall is only 6 or 8 feet, with a dam of the same
height. Then follows a second mill, with a fall of 13J feet and 25 horse-power utilized, and then a shoal, part of
which was at one time used by the old Eatonton factory. This shoal, which is the first of importance on the river, is
3 miles from Eatonton, and about 15 miles from the mouth of the stream. The fall is about 25 feet in a distance of
about 300 yards, over a bed of solid rock, with banks not subject to overflow, and offering good facilities for the
construction of canals and buildings. At the lower end of this shoal there is a grist-mill, using a fall of 8 feet, with a
wooden dam 200 feet long and 4 feet high, backing the water about 100 yards. This mill has four pair of stones, but
two of them cannot be run in summer ; the dam, however, is leaky, and the wheel very poor. At the head of the pond,
on the right bank, the old factory was located, using a fall of 15 or 18 feet, with a race about 200 yards long, and a
dam not over 4 or 5 feet in height at the head of the shoal. From measurements with a pocket-level, I think that 18
feet could easily be utilized. The bed of the stream at the head of the shoal is exceedingly favorable for the
construction of a dam, but a high one could probably not be built without overflowing considerable good land.
The factory was burned in 1864, since which time the power has not been utilized. The drainage area above is
about 250 square miles, and I should think that a power of at least 75 horse-power could be utilized with 18 feet
fall in the low season of ordinary years ; but, as before mentioned, there may be circumstances rendering the flow
of this stream very variable.

Above this site there are a few grist-mills on the stream which it is not necessary to specify. On some of the
tributaries to the stream there are also mills, and on Murder creek, about 3 miles from its mouth, it is said that a
fall of 18 feet could be utilized with a dam 6 feet high and a race 200 yards long.

The next tributary worth naming is the Appalachee river, which has its sources in Gwinnett county, whence it
flows southeast, and joins the Oconee just above the railroad bridge. Its length in a straight line is about 54
miles ; by the river, 80 miles or over. It drains an area of about 506 square miles, receiving as its principal tributary
Hardlabor creek, from the west, which drains about 173 square miles. Data regarding its flow or fall could not be
obtained. The rainfall on the basin is about 47 inches — 11 in spring, 13 in summer, 9 in autumn, and 14 in winter.
The stream is quite inaccessible, as the map will show. The following are the powers in their order as the river is
ascended :

About a mile and a half above the railroad there is said to be a small shoal, not used, and probably of no value.
Four miles further up is Reid's mill, not now used, the available fall being stated at 7 or 8 feet, and perhaps more.
The mill was burned during the war, but the greater part of the dam, which was of rock, and 4 or 5 feet high, is
still there, though out of repair. This site is 4 miles below the mouth of Hardlabor creek, and 2 miles from
Buckhead, the nearest railroad depot. It is owned by Mr. W. H. McWhorter. Estimates of the flow are liable to
considerable uncertainty, as remarked in the case of Little river, but I would estimate the flow and power at this
place as in the table on page 149.

808

* White : Statistics of Georgia, 1849.

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

Flow and power at Heidi s mill, Appalachee river.

149

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Minimum

Minimum low season

Maximum, with storage .' I

Low season, dry years

Drainage
area.

Fall.

Flow per
second.

Horse-power avail-
able, gross.

Sq. miles.

Feet.

Oubicfeet.

1 foot fall.

8 feet fall.

(• 60

6.8

| 500

I 66

7.5

| 525

60.0

480

I T6

8.6

Ten miles up the river, and above the mouth of Hardlabor creek, is Furiow's grist-mill, where a fall of 8 feet
and 30 horse-power are used. The dam is of wood, 300 feet long, 5 feet high, and backs the water 300 yards. The
head-race is 150 feet long. The drainage area above is about 310 square miles, and I would therefore estimate the
power as follows :

Flow and power at Furlovfs mill and shoal.

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Drainage
area.

Fall.*

Flow per
second

Horse-power available, gross.

Remarks.

Sq. miles.
J 310

Cubicfeet.

f ^
41

] 325
1 47

1 footfall.
4.2
4.7
37.0
5.4

8 feet fall.
34
38
296
43

ISfeetfall.
76
85
666
97

Fall of shoal from in-
> formation from Mr.
Fnrlow.

Minimum low season

* Eight feet at mill ; 18 feet at shoal Above mill.

The shoal referred to in the above table is one-quarter of a mile above the mill, and is a better site than the
one where the mill is located. The fall is said to be about 14 feet in 250 yards, and a dam 4 feet high could
probably be built, giving a total available fall of 18 feet. The bed is rock, and the banks steep and rocky at the
upper end of the shoal. It is to be remarked that the Appalachee exhibits the same phenomenon — of filling up
with sand^-that has already been referred to at length in the case of the tributaries of the Broad river in South
Carolina. At Furlow's mill the fall was formerly 12 feet, but is now reduced to 8. The shoal just referred to has
never been used. It is owned by C. M. Furlow, of Madison.

The next power is 5 or 6 miles above, at Price's mill, a grist- and saw-mill, using a fall of 16 feet and 25 horse-
power, the dam being 4£ feet high, and the race 225 feet long. The owner states that by carrying the race 100 feet
farther down the stream a fall of 20 feet would be obtained, and by going farther still even more could be used, the
shoal being half a mile long. This shoal is, no doubt, a fine one, and in the table below I have estimated the power
as nearly as possible :

Table of power at Price's mill.

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Drainage
area.

Fall.

Flow per
second.

Horse-power available,
gross.

Sq. miles.
l 300+

Feet.
16

Oubicfeet.
, 36
40

\ 3ffi
I 46

1 foot fall.
4.1
4.5
36.0
5.2

16 feet fall.
65
72

575
83

The next power is 4 miles above Price's, at High shoals, situated 14 miles from Athens and 16 from Madison.
The stream is said to fall about 55 feet in 300 or 400 yards, but the principal part of the fall occurs in the lower
half of this distance. The fall is utilized by the cotton factory of the New High Shoals Manufacturing Company,
and by a grist-mill and a cotton-gin. The bed of the stream is solid rock, the banks high and difficult to canal,
and the width of the stream 200 to 400 feet. The cotton-factory dam is located about the middle of the shoal, and
is of wood, straight across the stream, 400 feet long and 5 or 6 feet high, built in 1873 at a cost of $500, and backing
the water only one or two hundred yards. The race is 200 feet long, the fall 20 feet, and the power 100 horse-
power, which can be secured during 11£ mouths as a rule, and 75 horse-power for the remaining time, there being
no waste in summer while running.* Just above the pond is a fall of 4 or 5 feet, used for running a gin, while just
below the factory is a grist-mill with no dam, a wooden flume about 120 feet long and a fall of 20 feet running 4
pair of stones. Below this mill there is a fall, not used, of 6 or 8 feet.

The drainage area above this shoal is about 300 square miles. I have based my estimates of power for the
river principally qn the above data regarding the factory as furnished by Dr. Powell, the president of the company.
Although not of so much interest here, I subjoin a table. Taking 75 horse-power net as the power, with a fall of 20

* The power is stated in the statistics of cotton-mills at 179 horse-power.

809

150

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

feet during the low season of dry years, or assuming the efficiency of the motor to be 75 per cent, and the gross
power 100 horse-power, the power per foot fall is 5 horse-power. On this the following estimates are based :

Table of power at High shoals.

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Drainage
area.

Fall.

Flow per
second.

Horse power available, gross.

Sq. miles.

Feet.

Cubic feet.

1 foot fall.

Wfeetfall.

55feetfaU.

r 36

4.1

225

S 300

55 ±

4.5

250

315

36.0

720

1,980

I 46

5.2

100

228

Above this shoal comes a site not utilized, said to have a fall of 15 or 20 feet ; but no information could be
obtained regarding it.

Five miles above High shoals is Snow's grist-mill, with a fall of 10 or 12 feet and a dam of about the same
height; and further up the stream are other small grist-mills, but they are not worthy of special mention.

The Appalachee has one tributary worth naming, viz, Hardlabor creek, from the west, which drains 173 square
miles. It is, however, not a good stream for water-power, and has only one site worth mentioning, about 3 miles
from its mouth, and just above where Sandy creek joins it. This site was formerly used, and the available fall is
.stated at 10 feet ; but the power is small, and the fall subject to being diminished by backwater from the
Appalachee. The stream is sluggish and without power above this. Sandy creek, a tributary of Hardlabor creek,
drains about 72 square miles, and is said to have a shoal about 2 miles long, on which there were formerly 1 mills,
but now only 1 remains. This shoal is about 8 miles from Madison.

The Oconee river is formed by the union of the North and Middle forks a few miles below the town of Athens.
It remains to describe these two streams. The North fork rises in Hall county, and flows through Jackson and
Clarke counties, its length in a straight line being about 43 miles, and its drainage area 433 square miles. It flows
directly by the town of Athens, the most important place in the vicinity. The table of declivity on page 145 will show
that the stream has quite a rapid fall. There are, however, few mills on it, and few sites were brought to my notice.
It is probable that the greater part of the fall occurs in the upper parts, before the stream is large enough to be of
much value for power.

The first shoal is sometimes known as Smith's, and is less than a mile above the junction of the two forks; but
according to all accounts the fall is small and the power not valuable.

The next power is at the factory of the Georgia Manufacturing Company, where the fall is 20 feet in a distance
of one and a half miles or thereabout. The dam is of wood and stone, but built in a rather peculiar way. A stone
dam of triangular or trapezoidal section is first carried entirely across the stream, and on top a wooden sill is laid ;
while at the bottom and on the up stream side a second sill (mud-sill) is also laid, both extending from bank to
bank. On these two sills the planking is laid, sloping thus upward and down stream and projecting down stream
beyond the almost vertical face of the stone dam. This dam of the Georgia factory is 300 feet long and 10 feet
high, and was built in 1840. The foundation is solid rock, and the pond is about a mile long and 150 feet wide. A
race, 600 yards long, leads to the factory, where the fall is 20 feet, using 150 horse-power, which can be obtained at
all times, but with no waste during working hours in the dry season. These data give a net capacity of 7£ horse-
power per foot, or, say, 10 horse-power gross per foot, during the low season of ordinary, or, perhaps, dry years,
corresponding to 0.20 cubic feet per second per square mile of drainage area. I have taken this as referring to dry.
years, because it is to be expected that the flow of this stream is more regular than that of the other tributaries
of the Oconee thus far considered, since the rainfall is both larger and more favorably distributed, being as follows :
spring, 15; summer, 15; autumn, 10; winter, 16; year, 56. The following table, therefore, gives my estimate of
flow and power here :

Table of power at Georgia factory, on the North Oconee river.

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Drainage
area.

Fall.

Flow per
second.

Horse-power available,
gross.

Sq. miles.
433

Feet.
20

Cubic feet.

f 70
85

j 475
I 100

1 foot fall.
8.0
9.7
54.0
11.4

20 feet fafl.

100
104
1,080
228

This factory is a mile above the junction of the two forks.

Above this power comes a small shoal, where it is said that a fall of 6 feet could be obtained, known as the
Lumpkin shoal, but it is probably not of much consequence.
810

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

151

The next important power is tUe Athens cotton factory, at Athens, about 4 or 5 miles above the junction of the
two forks. The dam is constructed like that at the Georgia factory, and is 300 feet. long and 10 feet high. It was
built in!847, and would perhaps cost $5,000. The foundation is solid rock. The race is only a few feet in length and
the fall 12 feet, and 180 horse-power is used. Opposite the factory, on the east bank, is a grist-mill, with a
race about 330 feet long and a fall of 13 feet, with 60 horse-power. The total power used is therefore 240 horse-
power; but this cannot be obtained all the time, and the grist-mill is sometimes stopped in dry weather to allow the
factory to use all the power. Still, I was informed that the factory could not be ran at full capacity more than about

10 mouths of the year, the power during the rest of the time being considerably less, even by drawing down the
water at night in the pond (which is 3 miles long and luO to 150 feet wide) to a certain extent, the factory being run

11 hours a day. These data give the power in the low season at somewhere in the neighborhood of 8 or 10 horse-
power per foot fall gross, and as the data from the Georgia factory are the more reliable, on account of the fact
that in this case it is impossible to say to what extent the water is drawn down in the pond, I take the figures used
in the previous table, which give for 12 feet fall powers of, respectively, 96, 116, 650, and 137 horse-power for the
natural flow of the stream, and in ordinary years, of course, about 170 horse-power. The dam of this factory was
partially washed away by a freshet in the spring of 1881.

There is no power on the stream for 12 or 13 miles above the Athens factory, the next power being at Burn's
mill, now Hood's mill, where the fall is 10 feet, with a dam 9 feet high, the power not being of much importance.

The next shoal is Hurricane shoal, in Jackson county, 16 or 17 miles above Athens, where the fall is 26 feet*
in a short distance, and the location is said to be safe. The power, if used at all, is only used to run a small grist-
mill, with a few pair of stones. As nearly as I could locate the place, the draiuage area above it is about 230 square
miles, the rainfall being the same as already given. I would therefore estimate the power about as follows :

Table of power at Hurricane shoal.

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Minimum

Minimum low season . . .
Maximum, with storage
Low season, dry years . .

Drainage
area.

Fall.

Flow per
second.

Horse-power available,
gross.

Sq. miles.

Feet.

Cubic feet.

1 foot fall.

2G feet fall.

r . 36

4.1

107

{ 230

1 45

5.1

133

257

29.2

759

l 52

5.9

153

This site is conveniently located about 3 miles from the North-Easterii railroad, and is said to be a very good
power.

Above this there are other shoals, some of them utilized to run small grist-mills; but regarding them I have no
data, and as the stream is small it is needless to specify them. This part of the state has a healthy and salubrious
climate, and offers many inducements to manufacturers. Its water-powers will doubtless be developed before long.

The Middle Oconee, or Middle fork, takes its rise in Hall county, and, like the North fork, flows through Jackson
and Clarke counties, to join the latter stream. Its length in a straight line is about 40 miles, and it drains a total
area of 407 square miles, receiving as its principal tributaries Mulberry fork, draining 97 square miles, and Barber's
creek, draining 74 square miles. The fall of the stream I am unable to state, but it probably does not differ much
from that of the North fork, which it resembles in all respects. If anything, the latter is more rapid, the Middle
Oconee being said to have many low, flat, and rich bottom-lands along its banks, and to be rather sluggish in many
places.

The first shoal on the stream is known as the Simalton shoal, and is a mile or so from the mouth, but the fall is
small, and of no value for manufacturing.

The next is the Princeton factory (cotton), 2 miles from the mouth and 3 miles from Athens, which is the nearest
railroad point. The dam is similar to those already described on the North fork, and is 320 feet long, 9 feet high,
and was rebuilt in 1880 at a cost of about $5,000, having been constructed originally about 40 years ago. The
foundation and abutments are of rock, and the pond is 2 miles long, with an average width of 150 feet. The length
of the head-race is 300 yards, and it is 20 feet wide and 2 to 3 feet deep. The fall at the factory is 20 feet, and 100
horse-power is used, and can be obtained all the time, with a waste of water at all seasons. The wheels are stopped
by high water several days in the year, and sometimes two weeks or more in all. The freshets on the stream are quite
severe, aud in 1880 there were several very large ones — the largest since the "Harrison freshet" of May, 1840. In
April, 1880, the water rose 27 feet at the factory, and was 7 feet over the dam, overflowing the canal, and causing a
stoppage of work for six days. In 1879 the head-gates and canal banks were washed out during a freshet, and the
factory was stopped for one month. I have estimated the power at this site as in the table on page 152.

# Janes: Handbook of Georgia.

811

152 WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

Table of power at Princeton factory.

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Drainage
area.

Fall.

1* tow per
second.

Hors6-power a/vailEible
gross.

Remarks.

Minim am low season

Sq. miles.

[ 330
J

Feet.

Cubic feet,
r 52
66
363

{ 77

! |

1 foot /all. 20 feet fall.
6.0 120
7.5 150
41. 2 j 825
8.7 | 175

[ Low season of ordinary years, 215 horse-power.

The next power is Jennings' grist-mill, 3 miles above, where the fall is 8i feet, with a dam 4 feet high. The
power utilized is very small. That available may be calculated by comparing with the above table for the factory,
the quantity of water being about the same at both places.

McElroy's mill is the next power, 1£ miles above, and 4 miles from Athens. The fall is 13 feet, with a dam
feet high and a race 300 feet long. The mill runs 3 pair of stones, and can be run all the year. The power
available can be approximated to as above, there being no tributaries of importance between this place and the
factory.

The next power is at Tallassee falls, 8 or 9 miles from Athens, and about 4 miles above McElroy's mill. This
shoal is 1,200 yards long, and the total fall is stated to be 51 feet.* Part of this fall was at one time used by a
cotton factory, but now only by a grist-mill, located at about the center of the shoal, with a wing-dam, a race 300
yards long, and a fall of 14 feet. The whole fall of the shoal could without difficulty be utilized, but in two parts —
the upper part being used on the left bank, and the lower on the right. There was formerly a saw-mill on the
right bank near the foot of the shoal. The bed of the stream is rock, gravel, and bowlders, and its width is from
150 to 200 feet. The folio whig table shows my estimate of the power :

Table of flow and power at Tallassee falls.

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Minimum

Minimum low season . . .
Maximum, with storage
Low season, dry years . .

Drainage
area.

Sg. miles.

307

Pall.

Feet.

Flow per
second.

Horse-power available,
gross.

Oubie feet. 1 foot fall.
( 50 5. 7

61
340
70

7.0
38.6
8.0

51 feetfaU.

290
360
1, 978
4W

Above this shoal there are said to be no large powers on the stream, although there are some sites where
grist-mills might be located, and some mills in operation.

Of the tributaries to the Middle Oconee, the first is Barber's creek, which enters below the Princeton factory
from the west, draining 74 square miles.

Half a mile from its mouth is the Pioneer paper-mill, using a fall of 20 feet and 120 horse-power, which can be
obtained during nine months, while for the rest of the year only GO horse- power can be obtained. Steam-power to
the extent of 30 horse-power is used all the time, and 80 horse-power during three months. Three miles from the
mouth is an unutilized power known as Epps' shoal, the fall being stated at 24 feet in 60 yards, all available. Four
miles above is a third site, not used at present, the fall being stated at 20 feet in 300 yards.

Mulberry fork, which enters the Middle Oconee above Tallassee falls, drains 97 square miles, and has some
shoals, used and idle, on the main stream and tributaries, many of which might doubtless be utilized with
advantage, affording good powers, though small,

THE OCMULGEE RIVER.

This stream has its sources in Fulton, De Kalb, and Gwinnett counties, but the stream proper is formed by the
union of the South and the Yellow rivers between Butts and Newton counties, whence it flows in a general direction
rather east of south to join the Oconee, passing by the city of Macon, the towu of Hawkinsville, and a few other
small towns. It crosses the fall-line at Macon, which is the head of navigation, and below which there is no power.
At present the stream is navigable as far as Hawddusville, 200 miles, for boats drawing 5 feet. Regarding the length
of the river I have no data, but the distance from Macon to the sea is generally called about 500 miles, t It drains
a total area of 6,000 square miles, of which about 2,250 are above Macon, so that the water-power district is not
quite so large as in the case of the Oconee. The character of the stream, of its flow, of the drainage-basin, and

812

* By Mr. J. W. Bromby, of Athens, who measured it.
t Annual Report Chief of Engineers, 1874, p. 516.

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

153

of the rainfall, is about the same as in the case of the Oconee. The declivity is probably also about the same,
though I have few data regarding it. The elevation of the river at Macon is probably about 275 feet, and, according
to the report on the canal route to connect the Ocmulgee and Tennessee [Annual Report Chief of 'Engineers,
1872, p. 531), it seems that the fall between this point and the head of the river is 270 feet, but I am not able to
state with any accuracy the distance between the two places.

I proceed to describe the river as a source of water-power more in detail.

The first power is near Macon, where the stream crosses the fall-line, and where, like the Oconee and the
Savannah, it forms a long shoal, several miles in length. It has at various times been proposed to construct a
canal from a point on the river 10 miles above the city down to a small stream called Vineville branch, which enters
the Ocmulgee half a mile above the city limits, and to utilize the water-power for manufacturing, at the same time
supplying the city with water; and it is said that the available fall at Vineville branch would be 42 feet or thereabout.
The project was started in 1871, and the Macon Canal and Manufacturing Company was organized; but as yet
nothing has been done. It is said, on good authority, that the scheme is perfectly practicable, but opinions differ
as to the difficulties involved. The difficulty in bringing the canal down to the city lies in the fact that between
the latter and Vineville branch is a ridge which would be difficult to cut through, and a cemetery which could
probably not be crossed. It is asserted by some that the canal could be built for $250,000, and that little blasting
would be required,* the length of the canal being miles. It was proposed to build a dam 5 feet in height at its
head, where the bed of the stream is solid rock, there being a very favorable site for its location. Along the line
of the canal there are said to be fine clay deposits, and near its head an abundance of very fine granite. The shoals
on the river below the proposed head of the canal are known as Healy's, Wicked, Wimbush's, and Cemetery. At the
former, which is 7 miles above Macon in a straight line, it is said that there is a fall of nearly 10 feet in 300 yards;
and at Wicked shoals it is said that, the fall is 8 feet in a mile, while the Cemetery shoal, which is below the mouth
of Vineville branch, has only a small fall.

The project of utilizing this power is not now spoken of much, and I was unable to see the original reports and
estimates, which have been lost. The only report that I could find is one by F. P. Holcomb, engineer, published
some years ago in one of the Macon daily papers. It is there stated that the fall from the head of Healy's shoals
to Macon, a distance of 7.6 miles by the canal, is 31 feet; adding 7 feet for a dam, and subtracting 4 feet for friction,
the available fall is 34 feet. By going further up stream with the canal, this may be increased to 40 feet or
thereabout.

The drainage area above Macon is about 2,250 square miles, and I have estimated the power in the table below.
The flow of the stream is said to be quite variable, indeed — a characteristic we have noticed in the case of the
Oconee. The freshets are very, heavy, and the stream rises sometimes 22 feet at Macon. There have been no
continued gaugings of the river, but it is stated that the flow at average low water is about 1,100 cubic feet per
second. The fact that in Holcomb's report, above referred to, the ordinary low-water flow is given at 481 cubic feet
per second will show the unreliability of a single measurement. It is said that in 1839 the flow was at its minimum,
and was 360 cubic feet per second.

Table of power at Macon canal (projected).

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Drainage
area.

Fall.

Flow per
second.

Horse-pewer available,
gross.

Sq. miles.

Feet.

Cubic feet,
f 360
475

1 2, 150
1 540

1 foot fall.
41.0

54.0
244. 3
61.3

iOfeet fall.
1,640
2, 16!)
9, 770
2, 450

j- 2,250 | 40±
J

It is to be remarked here that the above estimates have been made entirely independent of the measurements
referred to above, and the agreement is surprising. The minimum is found by taking the discharge at 0.1.6 cubic
foot per second per square mile, the same figure that was assumed for the Oconee above Milledgeville, and arrived
at by a careful consideration of all the circumstances.

The economical location of Macon is very favorable, and the map will show that a number of railroads diverge
from the city. The Ocmulgee is navigable (or can be made so) up to the place for boats carrying 1,000 bales of
cotton. The navigation is unobstructed as far as Brunswick, but above that point it is obstructed by two bridges.

The river has been examined above Macon by Colonel B. W. Frobel, under the direction of -Major King, of the
United States engineer corps, and his report is to be found in the Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers, 1876,
Appendix 1', \). 20. From this report most of the following information has been condensed. All the shoals
specified in the report will be found mentioned in the table on page 154; but regarding many of them I have no
information in addition to what is there given.

Holt's shoal, iu the upper part of Bibb county, is not utilized. The stream is about 325 feet wide.

"Butler: Historical Record of Macon and Central Georgia, p. '292.

813

154

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

At Johnston's shoal the river is divided by three small islands, and the total width of the stream above the shoal ia
450 feet, and below it 350. Harris' shoal is in Monroe and Jones counties, as are all the following shoals up to Head's
shoal, which is just at the upper corner of Jones. The most important in this distance is Glover's Mill shoal, or
Long shoal, which is used on both sides of the river, and is 4 or 5 miles below the upper corner of Monroe county,
and about 10 miles from Forsyth. It is said that the entire fall is available, with good facilities for canals and
buildings. The next shoal is Seven Islands shoal, in Butts and Jasper counties, and about 20 or 25 miles from
Forsyth. There was at one time a cotton factory at this place, but now there is only a grist- and saw-mill. The width
of the streain^it the head of the shoal is 350 feet, but it rapidly expands, and is 500 feet wide near the foot. It is-
said that the entire fall is available, and the site is called one of the best on the river. Beach's shoal is the next one
which is utilized, there being a grist-mill on the left bank, with a canal nearly the whole length of the shoal, and a
dam acioss a narrow arm of the river over to an island. The width of the stream at the head of the shoal is about
400 feet. The most important shoal above*Maeon, however, is Lloyd's, the total fall being over 39 feet in less than
2 miles, the principal part of which occurs at the head, in a distance of 2,000 feet, but the whole of which is
probably available. The bottom is solid rock, and the banks generally high, except that on the left bank there is
a bottom near the foot of the shoal. At Cap's shoal the river is divided by islands into three channels, the width
just above the shoal being 350 feet. Just above Harvey's shoal the Alcovee river enters from the north. At Lemon
shoal, the next one above, a natural rock dam extends almost entirely across the river, leaving an opening of about
50 feet, called Bull sluice. The last shoal on the river, Barnes', is just at the junction of the South and the Yellow
rivers, and is utilized for a grist-mill. The head of the shoal is on both streams, and just at the junction of the
two is a rock ledge, crossing both, and forming an almost perfect dam, with deep water above it. The width of the
South river is about 325 feet ; that of the Yellow river about 275 feet ; and that of the Ocmulgee about 500 feet.

Xot having visited any of the shoals on the river, I am unable to give detailed information regarding the
practicability of utilizing them. It is evident, however, that the stream presents a large amount of theoretically
available power and several fine sites almost entirely unimproved. Estimates of the power are in the following
table.

The chief difficulty in the way of the utilization to a large extent of the water-power of the Ocmulgee is the
inaccessibility of the stream. A new railroad, however, is now in course of construction from Macon to Atlanta,
which will, I believe, follow the river quite closely, and thus remove this difficulty.

Summary of power on the Ocnmlgee river.

Locality.

Macon canal, projected

Bibb county :

Holt's shoal . -

Holman's shoal

Monroe and Jones counties :

Johnston's shoal

Harris' shoal

Bowman's shoal*

Taylor's shoal

Rum Creek shoal

Dame's shoal

Falling Creek shoal

Clark's shoal

Jarrell's shoal

Mitchell's shoal

Glover's Mill shoal

Head's shoal

Butts and Jasper counties :

island shoal

Seveu Islands shoal

Lamar's shoal

Roach's shoal

Pitman's shoal

Lloyd's shoal

Cap's shoal

Leveret t's shoal

Harvey's shoal

Lemon's shoal

Barne6' shoal ,

Miles

Sq. miles.
2,250

2, 235
2, 200+

2, 200 +
2, 200 +
2, 200+
2, 200
2, 000+
2, 000
2, 000
2, 000-
2, 000
2, 000
1, 974
1,640

1,600
1, 512
1,500±
1,450±
1, 450
1, 350 ±
1, 350 ±
1, 350 ±
1,340
1, 020
1, 017

Rainfall.

•uoin:

In.

Fall.

Feet.
40 ±

3. 714
1. 294

5. 125
2. 312

10 miles. . .

400 feet..
1,400 feet..

1,640

150

1,500 feet.
3,000 feet.

5. 732
Small
3. 644
1. 566
Small
..do .
. do.
17. 916

2,100 feet.

400 feet..
3,200 feet

1,600 feet.

19. 515
3. 953
7. 500
I 3. 510
39. 627
5. 580

4. 000
2. 600
11. 645

1,600 feet.
1,300 feet.
3,900 feet.
1,800 feet.
9,500 feet.
400 feet

600 feet.
700 feet.
500 feet.

Horse power available, gross.*

'200

2, 160 9, 770

900

270

230 300

1,200

1, 360

N
13

02 t>?

2, 450

230

310

350

130 I 175 790 200

650 I 850

530
110
200
90
975
140

100
50
210

700
140
200
120
1, 280
180

130
70
280

3,870 i 980

3, 350
680

1,240
580

6, 100

620
325
1,350

800
160
300
140
1, 460
210

150
80
325

Utilized.

I Feet.

50±| 12±

<50 20?

E 1 ^

Remarks.

I Width,
Width,

Width,

Width,
Width,

11 ±

13 ±

325 feet.
400 feet.

350-400 feet.
500 feot.

400-600 feet.
400 feet.

Width, 400 feet.

Width, 500 feet

Width,
Width,

400 feet.
300-450 foet

814

*Soo pages 18 to 21.

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

155

TRIBUTARIES OP THE OCMULGEE RIVER.

Some of the tributaries below Macon are sand-hill streams, but none have large powers utilized, although such
might perhaps be developed in places. On Mossy creek, a small stream flowing into Indian creek, which joins the
Ocmulgee about 10 miles above Hawkiusville and drains a total area of 300 square miles, there is a cotton factory,
with a fall of 12 feet and 60 horse-power, the dam being 10 feet high and the race 50 feet long.* This stream is
said to be quite constant in flow, and drains about 116 square miles ; and it seems probable that more power could be
obtained on it. If its flow and its general character resembles that of the other sand-hill streams which we have
considered, it would afford considerable power. I have no information of the streams below this. The largest
tributary is probably the Little Ocmulgee, which drains a total area of 776 square miles, but it is so far below the
fall-line that it is not probable that it affords much power.

Echaconnee creek, which joins the Ocmulgee from the west about 15 miles below Macon, is a considerable stream,
draining 272 square miles. Its power, however, was not spoken of as remarkable, and it is utilized only by small
grist- and saw-mills. It is probable that it partakes to some extent of the character of a sand-hill stream, and that
its flow does not vary so much as that of the streams above the fall-line; but as I was not able to learn much
regarding the stream I submit no estimates.

Tobesoffkee creek is a stream similar to the one last mentioned, rising in Monroe county, and flowing through
Monroe and Bibb into the Ocmulgee, about 10 miles below Macon. It has a few small grist-mills, but no large
powers were heard of. Its drainage area is 260 square miles.

The next tributary worth naming is the Towaliga river, which takes its rise in the western part of Henry
county, and flows southeast, forming the boundary-line between Henry and Spalding, and then flowing through
Butts and Monroe, joining the Ocmulgee just opposite the upper corner of Jones, after draining a total area of
about 320~square miles as nearly as I could measure it, its length being about 33 miles in a straight line. Its total
length is stated at 70 miles.t It is said to be quite a rapid stream, with not much bottom-land, except in its lower
part. It has the following shoals:

Willis' shoal, 3 miles from the mouth, not used, though formerly there was a grist-mill there. The available
fall is stated at 10 feet, with a dam.

High falls, about 15 miles from the mouth of the stream, 7 miles from Indian spring, 9 miles from Milner, the
nearest railroad point, and 14 miles from Forsyth, is the best water-power on the stream or in the vicinity. The
stream falls here 81£ feet in a distance of between 300 and 400 yards, but of this fall 49 feet is in one perpendicular
pitch.! The power is used as follows:

At the head of the shoal is a*wooden dam, 400 feet by 10, straight across the stream, with a race on each bank,
one leading to a grist-mill, and the other to a saw-mill, the fall used being 13 feet. About 500 feet below the first
dam is a second one, 200 feet by 3, its crest being 10 feet higher than the top of the high fall, 300 feet below.
From this dam there is a race on each side, one leading to a cotton-gin, and the other to a gin and a wool-carding
machine. The high fall is 49 feet perpendicular, and 200 feet below it is another shoal with about 10 feet fall, not
used, followed for some distance by smaller shoals. The bed of the stream is solid rock, and the banks such that
the entire fall of 71 or 72 feet is available. The drainage area above this place was measured and found to be
about 200 square miles. I have therefore estimated the power as in the table below. Mr. Boardman states the flow
at extreme low water at 162 cubic feet per second, but if my measurement of the drainage area is correct within a
reasonable amount the flow must either be very much smaller than this or there must be some very exceptional
features in the drainage-basin. The table below is estimated on analogy, and such features, if they exist, would
modify the figures given. I have used nearly the same proportions in calculating this table that I used in the case
of the Appalachee river.

Table of power at High falls, Towaliga river.

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Drainage
area.

Fall.*

Flow per
second.

Horse-power available, gross.

Sq. miles.

Feet,

Cubic feet.

1 foot fall.

49 feet faU.

71 feet fall.

r 26

3.0

14T

213

3.5

172

248

j 200

211

24.0

1,176

1, 704

I 35

4.0

106

284

* Total, 82 feet; perpendicular, 49 feet; total in shoal proper, 71 feet.

The rainfall on the basin of the Towaliga is about as follows : spring, 10; summer, 12; autumn, 10; winter, 14.
The site above described is worthy the attention of those seeking a location.

* Power stated in statistics of cotton-mills at 120 horse-power,
t White : Statistics of Georgia.

i All of my information regarding this power is due to Mr. Arthur Boardman, of Macon, who has surveyed the power.

815

156

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

Flat shoal, 4£ miles above High shoal, is about 250 yards long, and the fall is said to be 10 or 12 feet. It is
not improved, but is probably available. One mile above it is a second shoal, with a small fall, and 1 or 2 miles
further up is auother, but neither are probably of value. A short distance above, and about 10£ miles east of
Griffin, in Spalding county, is Heflin's shoal, about half a mile in length, with a rock bottom, and banks 8 or 10 feet
high, the fall being stated at 12 to 15 feet, with a dam 4 feet high ; and it is said that a much higher dam comld be
constructed. Above are several small powers, but they are not worthy of special mention.

Little Towaliga creek, which drains about 55 square miles, and enters the main stream a frw miles below High
shoal, has 2 mills using a small amount of power, one of them with a fall of 27 feet.

The next tributary of the Ocmulgee worthy of mention is the Alcovee river, which enters from the left only
about a mile below the junction of the South and the Yellow rivers. It takes its rise in Gwinnett county, pursues a
course nearly south through Walton and Newton counties, entering the Ocmulgee on the line between Newton and
Jasper, its length in a straight line being about 45 miles, and its drainage area about 320 square miles. In its
upper part it is not favorable for power, being flat, and with no falls; and it is only below the Georgia railroad
that there is any power worth mentioning. Its elevation at the crossing of the Georgia railroad is about 550 feet.
The following are the powers on the stream as it is ascended :

Newton Factory shoal, or High shoal, about 5 or 6 miles from the mouth, and 11 or 12 miles from Covington,
the nearest railroad point, is about half a mile in length, and the fall was variously stated at from 50 to 70 feet, the
former of which 1 believe to be the more nearly correct, though I did not visit the place. At the upper part of the
shoal is the Newton factory (W. E. Phillips, Atlanta), but the dam was washed out in the freshet of May, 1881. It
was 200 feet by 6, affording a fall of 12 feet at the cotton-, saw-, and grist-mills, with a race of 25 feet. The lower
part of the fall is used by the cotton factory of H. & T. M. White, with a dam of loose rock 50 or 60 feet long and
3 or 4 feet high, reaching only part way across the stream. A head-race of 60 feet gives a fall of 6 feet, and the
power used is 20 horse-power. Above the factory is a grist-mill, with a small power. The total fall at this place is
said to be available, and it is no doubt a fine power. The rainfall on all the drainage-basins of the Alcovee, South,
and Yellow rivers may be given here once for all. It is : spring, 12 ; summer, 13 ; autumn, 10 ; winter, 13 ; year, 48.
I have therefore estimated the power at the shoal above described as in the following table :

Table of power at Newton factory or High shoal, on the Alcovee river.

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Drainage
area.

Fall.*

Flow per
second.

Horse-power available,
gross.

iq. milei.
• 266±

Feet.

Oubicfeet.

r 37
48

264
55

1 foot fall.
4.2
5.4
30.0
6.2

50 feet faU.

210
275
1,500
315

* Probably 59 feet or over.

The next shoal is at Henderson's mill, 6 miles south of Covington, where the fall is 9 feet, with a dam 5 feet
high and 180 feet long, which backs the water 4 miles. Above this the stream is sluggish, and there is said to be
only one shoal, known as Hinton's, with a fall of 5 feet over a ledge of rock.

The principal tributary of Alcovee river is Bear creek, which enters from the left below High shoal, draining
about 31 square miles.

The Yellow river, one of the two streams which form the Ocmulgee, takes its rise in Gwinnett county, and
pursues a course a little east of south, cutting off a corner of DeKalb, and passing through Rockdale and Newton
counties, draining a total area of about 422 square miles, its length being about 45 miles in a straight line. It passes
within 3 miles of the towns of Conyers and Covington. It is a better stream for water-power than the Alcovee,
and is said to be a bolder stream, with more rapid fall and less low ground. It is "very tortuous, presenting many
abrupt turns, with high, sharp spurs jutting in and frequent rock cliffs, particularly for from 10 to 15 miles in the
vicinity of Stone mountain".* The finest quality of granite is found in this vicinity in inexhaustible quantities.

The shoals will now be described in their order:

The first is Indian Fishery shoal, where the fall is 12.2 feet in 400. At the head of the shoal a natural rock-
dam extends entirely across the river, with deep water above it. A fall of 11 feet is used by a grist-mill on the
right bank, which is the most favorable side for building, the left bank being steep. The width of the stream is
about 320 feet. The table on page 157 gives estimates of the power.

fi "Annual Report Chief ef Engineers, 1872, p. 530.

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.
Table of power at Indian Fishery shoal, Yellow river.

157

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Drainage
area.

Fall.

Flow per
second.

Horse-power available,
gross.

Sq. miles. Feet.

Minimum 1

Minimum low season ! !

| v 409 p 077

Maximum, with storage I " !

Low season, dry years : ;!

1 foot fall.
6.7
8.6
47.7
9.9

12.3/eet fall.

82
106
587
122

Allen's shoal has a fall of 1.8 feet in 400, not, used, and, unless a dam of considerable height could be built, of
course useless. There was once, however, a mill here. The width of the stream at the head of the shoal is about
200 feet.

Lee's shoal, not improved, has a fall of 3.9 feet in 1,400. The width of the stream is about 275 feet at the
head of the shoal, and the bed is exposed rock, for 400 feet, when the stream bends abruptly to the right. The
power is probably available. The drainage area of the stream being but little smaller than at its mouth, the
available power can be calculated from the preceding table.

Webb's shoal and Flat shoal are two shoals with small falls, and are of no value.

Dried Indian shoal, not improved, has a fall of 7.2 feet in 1,500, all of which is probably available, and could
perhaps be increased by a dam. The width of the stream at the head is about 200 feet, and the bed is rock. Dried
Indian creek enters below the head of the shoal. The following table gives an estimate of the power :

Table ofpoicer at Dried Indian shoal, Yelloic river.

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Minimum

Minimum low season ...
Maximum, with storage
Low season, dry years. .

Drainage
area.

Sq. m ilea.

400

FaU.

Flow per
second.

Horse-power available,
gross.

Feet.

Cubicfeet.

1 foot fall.

7.2/eef fall.

f 56

6.4

1 72

8.2

7. 241

i 400

45.4

327

[ 84

9.3

Cedar shoal is the next above, and is the most important one on the river, the fall being 02. 6 feet in 4,875, or
less than a mile. The stream is very variable in width, and the channel is interspersed with islands. At the
head of the shoal the width is 290 feet, and about 300 feet below is a dam, extending diagonally across, 327 feet long
and 4 feet high, of wood and stone, built in 1878 at a cost of $1,500. It is bolted to the rock, and has never been
injured by freshets. It backs the water for 3 miles with an average width of 300 feet or so. A race 300 feet long
leads to a cotton-yarn factory and a grist- and saw-mill on the right bank, the factory using a fall of 16 feet and 70 or
80 horse-power perhaps, and the grist- and saw-mill using a fall of 21 feet and about 50 horse-power. Full capacity
can always be obtained, with a waste of water at all times. Just below the mills is a large island. The banks on
the right are high and hilly near the factory and below, but not bluffy till near the foot of the island above referred
to, where they are very steep and rocky, and continue so to the foot of the shoal. The entire fall could not be
utilized on this bank. The left bank is not so steep or hilly, and power has been used on that side, a dam 700 feet
long having been built below the island, extending diagonally across the stream, and supplying power to mills below
by a race 700 feet long. No power is used here now, and the dam is almost entirely washed away. The power could
doubtless best be utilized in two parts, the upper part, as now used, on the right bank, and the lower part, with a
fall of 43 feet or so, on the left bank. The width of the stream below the shoal is 200 feet.

The following table contains estimates of the power:

Table of power at Cedar shoal, Yelloic river.

State of flow (see pages 18 to 31).

Drainage
area.

Fall.

Flow per
second.

Horse power available, gross.

Sq. miles.

Feet.

Cubicfeet.

1 footfall.

20feetfall.

62.664 feet fall.

' 53

6.0

120

376

Minimum low season

\ 376

7.7

154

482

Maximum, with storage

62. 664

■

376

42.7

854

2,676

8.8

176

551

This shoal is 3 or 4 miles above Indian Fishery shoal, and 3 miles from Covington, which is the nearest
railroad point. The factory above described is known as the Covington Mills (O. S. Porter).

1012 w P— vol 16- — 52 817

158

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

The next shoal above Cedar shoal is Crew's shoal, at the mouth of Turkey creek. The fall is not large,,
perhaps 4 feet or so. The power available can be obtained from the preceding table with sufficient accuracy.
Hendrick's and Meriwether's shoals follow, but are too small to be of special value. A fall of 6 feet could be
obtained by a dam.

The next shoal is 5 miles above, at the crossing of the Georgia railroad, and is known as Bridge shoal. The
fall is 4.3 feet in 1,000, but the principal part occurs in the first 500 feet. The power is unimproved, but formerly
there was a mill there, and the remains of the dam are still to be seen. The width of the stream at the head is
about 125 feet. The banks on the left are steep, the hills running close up to the river for the entire length of the
shoal; the right bank is 8 or 10 feet high, of rock and clay. The drainage area above this shoal is only a little
smaller than above Cedar shoal, so that the power available may be approximated by taking the power per foot
fall the same as there given. All the falls thus far given may be capable of being increased by building dams.

A short distance above the bridge is the mouth of Big Haynes creek, the principal tributary of the Yellow
river, and 2 miles above is Glenn's shoal, 5 miles from Conyers, with a fall of perhaps 12 feet or a little more. Four
miles further up is the Bockdale paper-mill, 2 miles from Conyers, situated on a fine shoal between a quarter and
a half mile in length, with a total fall of between 50 and 00 feet. The bed of the stream is rock, and the banks,
though not bluffy, are sufficiently high to allow of perfectly safe locations, without much difficulty in building
canals. At the head of the shoal is a dam 150 feet long and 10 feet high, built of crib-work in 1871 at a cost of
about $1,000. The foundation is solid rock. The pond is 2 miles long and 200 feet wide or thereabout. At the
dam, on the right bank, is a saw-mill, using a fall of 12 feet and 12 horse-power. A race 700 feet long leads on the same
side to the paper-mill, where the fall is 20 feet, the water being discharged, not to the river, but to a lower race
leading to a grist-mill, where the fall to the river is 13 feet. The paper-mill uses 60 horse-power, and the grist-mill
30. Below the tail-race of the grist-mill the fall is at best 15 feet in a quarter of a mile, all of which is available.
Full capacity can be obtained at these mills all the time as a rule, but with very little waste of water in dry weather
during running hours. The water is not drawn down in the pond during working hours. The following table
gives my estimate of power at this shoal. It has served as a guide in my calculations for other shoals on the river :

Table of power at Rockdale paper-mill, Yellow river.

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Drainage
area.

Fall.

Flow per
second.

Horse-power available.

Minimum

Minimum low season . . .
Maximum, with storage
Low season, dry years. -

Sq. miles.

222

About 50 feet.

Cubicfeet.
( 31

\ 40

1 222

I 46

1 foot fall.

50 feel fall.

3.5

175

4.5

225

25.2

1, 260

5.2

260

This table will serve to show the available power at Glenn's mill below, the drainage area being about the
same.

Six or seven miles above this shoal is Baker's mill, with a fall of 9 or 10 feet, and 2 pair of stones. Above it,,
but not worthy of special mention, are four other small grist-mills.

Big Haynes creek, already referred to as the principal tributary of Yellow river, drains about 85 square miles.
It has a number of good small powers not used, and is said to be less variable than most of the streams in the
neighborhood. It is said on good authority that it has more available powers than any stream of its size in the
vicinity, and that it is an excellent stream in all respects. One of its tributaries, Little Haynes creek, has a couple
of small mills, and below its mouth there is no power on the main stream, but above there are several shoals. The
lowest is Kennedy's, with a fall of 28 feet, all utilized, the dam being 2\ feet high, and the race 500 feet long.
The next is an unutilized power, with an available fall of about 20 feet within a distance of a quarter of a mile.
Then comes a grist-mill with 16 or 17 feet ; then a shoal not used, known as Indian shoal ; then a grist- and saw-mill
with 25 feet available and 19 feet used. Above are other and smaller powers.

It is evident from the foregoing that the Yellow river, with its tributaries, offers a large amount of very fiue
power. It is, in fact, one of the best streams in the vicinity, and it should not be long before more of its available
power is utilized.

South river, the other of the two streams which form the Ocmulgee, rises in Fulton county, not far from the
city of Atlanta, flows east into DeKalb county, and thence southeast, forming the boundary-line between Bockdale
and Newton counties on its left, and Henry and Butts on its right. Its length, in a straight line, is about 45 miles,
and its drainage area is 595 square miles, or greater than that of the Yellow or that of the Alcovee river. La
general character, rainfall, etc., it resembles them; and, like the former, it has a number of good shoals, affording
considerable power. For almost all my information regarding the water-powers on South river- 1 am indebted to
Mr. A. O. Brown, of Conyers, who is thoroughly acquainted with all the powers in the vicinity, and whose statements
are entitled to the utmost reliance.

816

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

159

The first is Pine Log shoal, not utilized, but the fall is small, and the power unimportant.

The next is Island shoal, 5 or 6 miles from the mouth and 15 miles from Covington. The fall is about 17 feet
in a quarter of a mile, all of which is available, and about 11 feet of which are used by a grist- and saw-mill, with a
dam 2\ feet high. The banks and the bed are said to be favorable. The following table gives an estimate of the
power, assuming the fall at 17 feet :

Table of power at Island shoal, South river.

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Drainage
area.

Fall.

Flow per
second.

Horse-power available,
gross.

iles. Feet.

"Mini-mum

Minimum low season . . .
Maximum, with storage
Low season, dry years . .

578

Cubic feet.
81
104
578

i ii9

1 foot fall. | 17 feet fall.

9.2 I 15&

11.8
63.7
13.5

200-
1,117
229

Three miles above is Snapping shoal, above the mouth of Snapping Shoal creek, and about 15 miles from
Conyers and Covington. The available fall is 16 feet or more in a quarter of a mile, of which 14 are used by a
grist- and saw -mill with a wing-dam.

Table of power at Snapping shoal.

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Drainage
area.

Fall.

Flow per
second.

Horse-power available,
gross.

Minimum -.

Minimum low season . . .
Maximum, with storage
Low season, dry years.

Sq. miles.

495

Feet. Cubic feet.

■ 69
89
495
102

16 +

1 foot fall.

7.8
10. 1
56.2
11.6

16 feet fall.

125
162
900
18&

Above it is a shoal known as the Pearsal old shoal, now not used, but with a fall said to amount to 10 or 12
feet in a short distance. It is above the mouth of Walnut creek, and the flow is probably about four-fifths of that
at Snapping shoal.

Eight miles above Snapping shoal is Peachstone shoal, above the mouth of Cotton river, a considerable stream,
which enters from the south or west. It is said that a fall of 15 feet is available in one-third of a mile, of which a
grist- and saw-mill and furniture shops use 10 feet.

Table of power at Peachstone shoal.

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Minimum

Minimum low season . .
Maximum, with storage
Low season, dry years. .

Drainage
area.

Sq. miles.

253 ±

Fall.

Feet.

15 ±

Flow per
second.

Horse-poweravailable,

lfoot fall.

15 feet fall.

4.0

5.2

28.7

430

6.0

Passing one small shoal not used, and of no value, the next power is 7 miles above Peachstone shoal, at McNite's
grist- and saw-mill. A fall of about 12 feet is used, and it is said that by raising the dam 20 feet could easily be
rendered available. This power is 7 miles from Conyers, and above the mouth of Honey creek.

Table of power at McNite's mill.

State of flow (see pages 18 to 21).

Drainage
area.

Fall.*

Flow per
second.

Horse-power available, gross.

Minimum .

Sq. miles.
200

Oubic feet.
26
34
200
39

1 foot fall.
3.0
3.9
22.7
4.4

12 feet fail.

36
46

272
53

20 feet fall.

60
78
454
88

Maximum, with storage

* Utilized, 12 feet ; available, 20 feet ± .

The next in order is the Powell shoal, which is not utilized. It is about half a mile long, with a gradual fall for
the whole distance.

819

160

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

The Albert shoal, 4 miles above McNite's, and unimproved, is said to have an available fall of over 18 feet.
The bed is rock, and the banks good.

Four miles above is Flat shoal, where is located the cotton factory of the Oglethorpe Manufacturing Company
(Eobert M. Clark, president). A wooden dam, 200 or 250 feet long and 4 feet high, bolted to the rock, extends
across the stream in the shape of a V, with the apex up stream. The race is 250 feet long, and on one side of the
river is the factory, with a fall of 23 feet, and on the other a cotton-gin, flour- and saw mill, with a fall of 16 feet ; and
there was formerly a se6ond factory on that side, but it was burned a short time ago. It is said that the total fall
available is 28 feet. The factory is a yarn-mill, with 3,000 spindles ; and the one which was burned had 6,000.
The flow of the stream here is considerably influenced by the fact tbat the city of Atlanta takes its water-supply
from a point further up, pumping the water up by steam. The exact amount thus taken from the stream, however,
I am unable to state. Nevertheless, Mr. Clark states that he could run all his mills, including the factory which
was burned, at full capacity for nine months of the year by running 12 hours a day and drawing down the water
in the pond at night. I submit no estimate of the power here for these reasons. The shoal is 16 miles from
Atlanta and 7 miles from Lithonia, the nearest railroad point. The drainage area above this place is about 170
square miles. The estimates given for the shoals below this are of course almost as much liable to error as those
for this one would be. As the stream is descended and becomes larger, they become less so.

There are no powers worth mentioning above this. The most important tributary of South river is Cotton river
or Cotton Indian creek, which rises in Clayton county and flows east, joining the South river in Henry county. It is
said to be a good stream in dry weather, and has several mills and sites. Its drainage area is about 125 square miles.

The South river, like the other streams in this region, is subject to heavy freshets. The year 1881 was
remarkable in this respect, there having been no fewer than five freshets in the spring within six weeks, one of
which was the heaviest in twenty years. Half of Mr. Clark's factory was carried away in the third one, with
machinery and all ; and the fourth one washed out his head-gates and races and part of the dam. On Cotton
river one dam was carried away four times, and in the fourth freshet the mill also was carried away.

As regards the facilities for the construction of storage-reservoirs on all these streams, it is only to be said that
topographically numerous suitable sites could be found, but the difficulty is, as in the case of southern streams
generally, that the lands which would be flowed are the finest farming lands to be had — the bottom-lands along
the streams.

Table of power utilized on the Altamaha river and tributaries.

"Name of stream.

Tributary to what.

State.

County.

Kind of mill.

.Tributaries to

Oconee

Little river :

Appalachee

Other tributaries of

Do.

Altamaha.
...do

...do

....do

...do

...do .....

Oconee

...do

....do

...do

....do

...do

....do

...do

....do

...do

....do

...do

....do

...do

....do

Georgia .
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...

Tattnall .
... do ....
Johnson .
Baldwin .
Putnam. .
Greene. .
...do ....

.do i Clarke .

..do
..do
..do
..do
..do
..do
..do
..do
..do
..do
..do
..do
..do
..do
..do
..do
..do
..do
..do
..-do
..do

Putnam

....do

Morgan

Newton

...do

Walton

Morgan

Walton

...do

Gwinnett

Laurens

...do

Johnson

Twiggs

•..do

Washington
Wilkinson ...

...do

Hancock

Jonbs

Flour and grist

Saw

Flour and grist

...do

....do

Cotton factory

Flour and grist

...do

....do

Saw

Flour and grist

...do

Cotton-gin

Flour and grist

...do

Cotton factory

Flour and grist

....do

Saw

Flour and grist

....do

Saw

Flour and grist

...do

Saw

Agricultural implem'ts

Flour and grist

....do

Feet.

• i.

2
2
"l

3
1
4
1

2
1
1

.-'$!
l

2
. 3

3
12

820

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

Table of utilized power on the Altamaha river and tributaries — Continued.

161

Name of stream.

Other tributaries of.

Tributary to what.

Oconee
...do ..
...do ..
... do ..
..do ..
.. do ...
...do ...
...do ..
...do ...
...do ..
...do ..
...do ..
do ..

State.

North Oconee do

Middle Oconee ' do

North and Middle Oconee and tribu
taries.

Do ...

Ocmulgee

Do do

Do \...- .do .

Do ....do

Do ...do

.do

do .
.do .
.do

do .
.do
.do
.do
.do

do
.do
.do

Georgia.
...do ...
.. do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
.. do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...

.do
do
.do .
do
.do .
.do
.do
.do
.do .
.do .
.do .
do

Altamaha | do .

.do
do
do
.do
.do

County.

Baldwin ...

Jasper

Putnam

...do

Morgan

Walton ....

Greene

...do

Oconee

Oglethorpe.

...do

Gwinnett . .

Clarke

...do

Tributaries of Ocmulgee ...do Wilcox

...do

... do

Gwinnett .

...do

Madison ..

Hall

...do

Jackson ..

...do

..do

...do

Monroe ...

Jones

Butts

...do

Jasper

Henrv

Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.

.do .

do
-do

do
.do
.do

do
.do

do
.do
.do

Towaliga do ,

AlcoTee

Do ....

Yellow river.

.do

.do .

.do

do
.do

do
.do
.do
.do
.do

.do do

do Dodge

do Pulaski ..

.do do

.do . . do

do ! Houston. .

.do do

.do j do

.do i Twiggs...

.do Crawford .

.do Bibb

.do ! do

.do do

.do ! Monroe . .

.do

.do :

.do

....do

...do

Henry

. . do

Newton. . .

...do

....do

Walton . . .
Gwinnett .

....do

Newton.. .

....do

... do

* Newton factory — not now in operation.

Kind of mill.

Flour and grist .

... do

...do

Saw

Flour and grist .

...do

.. do

Saw

Cotton-gin

Flour and grist .

...do

Saw

Woolen

Cotton factory . .

...do

Saw

Paper

Flour and grist .

...do

Saw

Flour and grist .

...do

Saw

..do

Flour and grist .

Cotton-gin

Leather.

Woolen

Flour and grist .

. . do

...do

Saw

Woolen

Flour and grist .

. . do

Saw

Flour and grist .

...do

AVoolen

Saw

. . . do

Flour and grist .
Cotton factory . .
Flour and grist .

...do

..do

Saw

Cotton-gin

. . do

Saw

Flour and grist .
Wool-carding. . .
Flour and grist

Saw

Cotton factory. .
Flour and grist .

Saw

Cotton *

Flour and grist .

...do

Wheelwrighting
Cotton factory. .

Paper

Flour and grist .

170

130

146

141

201

187

I 8

103

186

100

120

821

162

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

Table of power utilized on the Altamaha river and tributaries — Continued.

Name of stream.

Tributary to what.

State.

County.

Kind of mill.

Number of milla.

Total fall used.

Total horse-power
used.

Feet.

126

190

14.
14

157

148

119

9 6

A
O

*>2

1 9

1 Q1
101

128

1 08

1 r;o
loJ

Yellow river

South river

Other tributaries of.

Do...

Tributaries of

Do....

Ocmulgee.

...do

. . .do

...do

. . .do

...do

...do ......

...do

South

...do

Yellow

...do

....do

...do

....do

...do

....do

Alcovee...

....do

Georgia.
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ..
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do....
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ....
...do ...
...do ....
.. do ...
...do ...
...do ....
...do ....
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ....
...do ....
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
.. do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...
...do ...

Newton . . .
Rockdale .

....do

...do

....do

De Kalb . .

...do

Gwinnett .

...do

De Kalb . .

Henry

...do

... do

..do

Newton . . .

...do

Rockdale .

...do

De Kalb . .

...do

Fulton....

...do

Pike

Monroe . . .

...do

Henry

...do

Butts

Henry

...do

Clayton . . .
Rockdale .

...do

Newton . . .
De Kdb . .

...do

Newton. ..

....do

...do

Rockdale .

...do

"Walton . . .

...do

Gwinnett .

De Kalb . .

....do

"Walton ...

Gwinnett .

....do

Saw

Flour and grist

Saw

Cotton-gin

Furniture

Flour and grist

Cotton-gin

Flour and grist

Furniture

Saw

Cotton factory

Flour and glist

Agricultural implem'ts

Furniture

Saw

...do

Flour and grist

...do

Cotton-gin

Furniture

Flour and grist

Saw

Cotton-gin

Furniture

Saw

Flour and grist

Cotton-gin

Flour and grist

...do

Saw

Cotton-gin

Flour and grist

Saw

Flour and grist

. .»do

Saw

AVoolen

Flour and grist

...do

Saw

Cotton-gin

Leather

Flour and grist

...do

Saw

Cotton-gin

Paper

Leather

Cotton-gin

Flour and grist .

Cotton-gin

Flour and grist

Saw

. . . do

Flour and grist

....do

Saw

Cotton-gin

Furniture

Flour and grist

....do

Cotton-gin

Saw

822

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

163

XII. — THE STREAMS SOfjTH OF THE ALT AM AH A.

These streams offer so small an amount of power that they are not worthy of special mention. None of them
Teach above the fall-line, so that they have no falls of importance, the larger ones being generally sluggish and
navigable, and bordered by swamp-lands. Some of the smaller ones may be classed as sand-hill streams, and offer
-some power, which is utilized to a certain extent by saw- and grist-mills, and it may be that on some of them
moderately large powers could be developed. There are no powers in Florida which are worthy of special mention,
4ind the tables of power show that there is only a small amount of power used in the state. There is only one point
which it is interesting to notice in this connection, namely, the amount and distribution of the rainfall in the peninsula.
The average fall in spring is about 9 inches over the whole jieninsula, or not more than in the New England states ;
but in summer it is greater than in any other part of the Union, ranging from 18 to 26 inches. In autumn the fall
is still large, varying from 10 to 14 inches, while in winter there is only between 8 and 10 inches fall, or considerably
less than in some parts of New England. This distribution of the rainfall must have for its effect a very uniform
flow in the streams, and it does not seem improbable that they may even be lowest in winter, like some of the
western streams, instead of in summer and autumn, like the other streams on the Atlantic slope; but I have nc
data with which to test the truth of this supposition.

CONCLUDING REMARKS.

In glancing over the previous pages one cannot fail to be struck with the very large amount of power remaining
unutilized in the middle and western parts of the region we have been considering. That this power is very
large the numerical data which have been given leave no room to doubt; that a very large amount is practically
available is also evident ; but it will perhaps add to the clearness of these two facts if we devote a few lines here to
a brief recapitulation of the principal general results to which we have been led.

We have seen that, leaving out of consideration the eastern, or navigable, district, the topography of the
region is very favorable for power; that the rivers have steep declivities, and that they often have cataracts or #
rapids of considerable magnitude. If we compare the declivities of the southern streams with those of streams in
the middle states and in New England, we shall find, in fact, that the former are at least as great, and probably
greater, than the latter. We have seen that the elevation of the Atlantic plain at the foot of the mountains is
greater in the region we have considered than anywhere else along the Atlantic coast, and that the slope of that
plain does not vary correspondingly from north to south ; and we have found, as would be expected, that the
streams, in their course across this plain, from the mountains to the sea, develop an enormous amount of power.
And of this total power, much of which is necessarily unavailable, we have, nevertheless, found that a large amount
-can be developed and utilized if desired, on account of the ledges of rock across which the streams flow, and the
falls and rapids which they occasion. But, while the southern streams are confined entirely to the Atlantic slope
•of the mountains, taking their rise on the extreme eastern ridge of the system, many of the streams in the middle
states have their sources far to the west, nearly or quite on the other side of the system. Topographically, then,
the chief difference between the northern and the southern streams is the fact, that in the case of the former the
greater part of their drainage-basins is included in the western or mountainous district, and the smaller part in the
eastern or tide- water district ; while in the case of the latter the reverse is true, and the eastern district extends
far above the head of tide-water. There is one respect in which this difference in configuration acts unfavorably
•on the water -powers of the south, namely, as regards transportation, for not only does the large extent of the
eastern district render navigation of the rivers difficult, and transport by sea less easy than in the north, but
the railroads, in the water-power district, are not so constrained to follow the river valleys as in the case of the
northern streams, which often flow between parallel ranges of hills, so that the most convenient and economical
location for a road, and often the only practicable one, is along their banks. In the southern states, on the
contrary, we often find the railroad following the divides, instead of the water- courses, and the consequence is that
many of the finest water-powers are at present very inaccessible. But it is evident that the evil is of a kind which is
easily remedied, and which will be remedied as soon as the manufacturing interests of the region demand it. We
have seen that the beds of the streams are everywhere favorable for the construction of dams, and that the banks
^.re generally favorable for the construction of canals and buildings at the points where the water-powers occur.

As regards the flow of the streams, we have been altogether without data derived from actual measurement,
and have been obliged to draw our conclusions from a study of the circumstances influencing flow. We have seen
that the southern states are probably better wooded than the middle or New England states; that the soil is deep,
and q«ite pervious, although shedding sudden showers with considerable rapidity; and that the mountains are
wooded and covered with soil ; all of which circumstances act to render the flow of the streams constant. And the
topography is also favorable in this respect, for we shall see that in the case of the James and the Potomac rivers,

823

1(34

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

which drain a large extent of mountain region, consisting of parallel and narrow valleys between high hills,
such a configuration is favorable to the sudden discharge of rain-water, and that those two streams are therefore
probably much more variable in flow on this account than they would otherwise be. We have seen, further, that
the principal carriers of moisture in the district we have considered are the winds from the Gulf of Mexico and
from the Atlantic, but principally the former. In the summer these winds are deflected from their normal
northeasterly course by the tendency of the atmosphere to move toward the heated continent, and winds from the
south and southeast are more frequent than at any other season; and these winds, reaching the coast either
directly from the sea or after having passed over only a small extent of low land, deposit a considerable portion of
their moisture, the rainfall decreasing as we proceed inland, until what remains is condensed by the lofty mountains.
In the winter, on the contrary, the winds which bring the rain, being mostly from the southwest, deposit the
greater part of their moisture on the mountains and the high ground in the middle region, so that the rainfall is
small on the coast. Just here lies a most important difference between the rainfall in the south and that in the
middle and New England states, for while in the latter the rainfall in summer always exceeds that in winter, in the
middle and western parts of the former it is sometimes greatest in winter, and rarely greatest in summer. If we
exclude from consideration a few streams, like the James and the Potomac, whose flow is probably rendered
variable to a large extent by the topography of their drainage-basins, the conclusion seems justified that the flow
of the southern Atlantic streams is more variable than that of streams in the New England and the northern part
of the middle states; and this statement is further strengthened by the entire absence of lakes in the southern
states. In so far, then, the water-power of the south is inferior to that in the north ; but we have also seen that
the rainfall in the south is often very much greater than in the north, and it is therefore probable that these two
circumstances offset each other to some extent.

We have further seen that, as regards freshets, although some of the southern streams, like the Cape Fear
and the Eoanoke, are subject to very heavy ones, the southern streams, as a rule, do not compare unfavorably
with those in the north. In the great freshet of 1854 the Connecticut river rose 29 feet 10 inches at Hartford,
which would be an extraordinary rise for most of the southern streams. The trouble in the south as regards
freshets lies in the fact that on the large streams such large areas of bottom land are subject to overflow, a drawback
which is no doubt felt more than in the north, and which, combined with the large width of the streams, has
probably prevented the utilization of more than one power.

We have seen a great advantage of the water-power in the south to lie in the fact that the streams jiever freeze
over, and that there is scarcely any trouble with ice or ice freshets. We have come to the conclusion that the
disadvantages of the higher mean temperature have been exaggerated, and we have seen that it is in many respects,
a very favorable circumstance. As regards the increased evaporation, w r e could not form any definite ideas.

In view of these facts, then, may we not, from a purely technical poiut of view and without reference to-
manufacturing advantages, answer in the affirmative, and with emphasis, the question whether or no the advantages
for the utilization of water-power in the southern Atlantic states are fine? I think it must be acknowledged that
they are, in many respects, as good as could be desired ; and when we consider the advantages offered in those
states for particular manufactures, like that of cotton, it would seem that the time cannot be far distant when
these powers will be turned to account.

In closing this report, I must once more take occasion to caution the reader against supposing that the
estimates of power which have been given can pretend to exactness. Although four states of flow have been
distinguished, and the estimates may therefore present an appearance of accuracy and detail, this distinction has
been made merely with the object of conveying definite ideas, and of leaving no room for misunderstanding in
regard to what was meant, it being thought essential to accomplish this end, even at the risk of giving the
estimates an appearance of accuracy which they do not, and cannot, possess.

824

INDEX TO REPORT ON SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

GENERAL INDEX.

Page.

Altamaha river 144

power utilized on 160

Albert shoal, South river 160

Alcovee river, Georgia, power utilized on 161

Anthony's shoal, Broad river, Georgia 134

Appalachee river, Georgia, power utilized on 160

Ararat river, power utilized on 89

Area of Southern Atlantic water-shed 7

Area of woods in Southern Atlantic water-shed 10

Athens, Georgia, water-power at 151

Athens cotton factory 151

Atlantic plain, elevation of 22

Augusta, Georgia, water-power at 127

Bannister river, utilized power on 46

Barnett's shoal, Oconee river ' 146

Barometer 5

Bath paper-mills, Horse creek 132

Beau's shoal, Yadkin river 81

Black river, power utilized on 88

Blaekwater river, Virginia, into Chowan, power utilized on. 27

into Staunton, power utilized on. 47

Bluitt/s falls, Great Pee Dee river 79

Broad river, North Carolina and South Carolina, declivity of 105

navigation of 105

shoals and power on 108

power utilized on 124

Broad river, Georgia, power utilized ou 142

Buckhorn falls, Cape Fear river 58,59

Camden, South Carolina 91, 97

Camperdown mills, South Carolina 122

Cape Fear Navigation Company 56

Cape Fear river 55

improvement of 55

old dams on 57-60

declivity of 57

tributaries of 60

and tributaries, drainage areas of 76

summary of power on 60

utilized power ou 75

Catawba river 90

shoals and summary of power on 96

great falls of 92

declivity of 91

Page.

Catawba river, tributaries of 97

utilized power on 123

Congaree river, power at Columbia on 102

utilized power on 124

I Cedar shoal, Yellow river, Georgia 157

Cheraw, South Carolina 77

J Cherokee shoal on Broad river, South Carolina 107

Chowan river and tributaries, drainage areas of 26

power utilized on 27

Clifton factory, South Carolina 114

Climate 10

Cloudiness 15

Coast-line of Southern Atlantic States 10

Columbia, South Carolina, power at 102

table to explain estimates of

flow at 104

Croes, J. J. R 17,21

Dan river 32

improvement of 32

declivity of 33

tributaries of 39

summary of power on 34, 35, 37, 38

utilized power on 46

gauging of 34

shoals on 33, 38

Danbury, North Carolina 37

Danville, Virginia, power at 35

Darrach, Charles G 21

Deep river, North Carolina 69-76

navigation of 56

declivity of 69

tributaries of 74

summary of power on 74

utilized power on 75,76

dams on 60

Drainage areas, measurement of 6

Discharge of streams 16

effect of distribution of rainfall on 17

Dried Indian shoal, Yellow river, Georgia 157

Eastern dr^ision of Southern Atlantic water-shed 8

elevation of 8

Eatonton factory, Georgia 148

Edisto river, power utilized on 126

825—165

1G6

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

Page.

Edisto river, map of drainage area of 90

Elkin, North Carolina 87

Elevation of eastern division, Southern Atlantic water-shed 8

of middle division, Southern Atlantic water-shed 8

of fall-line 8

of Atlantic plain 22

Enfield, North Carolina, power on Fishing creek near 49

Eno river and tributaries, utilized power on 55

Enoree river, utilized power on 124

Fall-line 8

elevation of 8

Falling creek, Virginia, power utilized on 47

Falls of Neuse 52

Fayetteville, North Carolina 62

Flat river, North Carolina, power utilized on 55

Florida 7,163

Flow of streams 16

circumstances influencing 16, 17, 18

estimates of 18,24

effect of forests on : 18, 22

minimum 18, 21

minimum low season 18,21

maximum, with storage 17,19,21

low season, dry years 19,21

fluctuations of 17

table giving extremes of 20

table giving fluctuation of 21

effect of distribution of rainfall on 17

Fogs 15

Forests, effect on water-power 9, 18, 22

area of 10

Franklinsville, North Carolina 73

Freshets 15

Gaston, North Carolina 30

Geology 9

Georgia Manufacturing Comi>any 150

Graniteville, South Carolina 132

Grassy Island shoal, Great Pee Dee river, North Carolina. . . 79

Great Falls of the Catawba, South Carolina 92

Saluda, South Carolina 118

Green river 116

Greenville, South Carolina 122

Hairston's falls, South Yadkin river, North Carolina 86

Hatton's shoal, Tugaloo river 136

Haw river 63,76

declivity of 64

tributaries of 68

summary of power on 68

utilized power on 75

Herschel, Clemens 21

High falls, Towaliga river, Georgia 155

High shoals, Appalachee river, Georgia 150

south fork of the Catawba, North Carolina .. 99

Hitchcock's creek, utilized power on .%. 89

Horse creek, utilized power on 142

Hurricane shoal, Nortk Oconee river, Georgia 151

Ice freshets 15

Indian fishery shoal, Yellow river, Georgia 157

826

Page.

Island shoal, South river, Georgia 159

Jamestown, North Carolina 73

Jewell's mills, Ogeechee river, Georgia 143

Kerr, Prof. W. C 5

Landsford, South Carolina, power at, on Catawba 94

Langley cotton factory, South Carolina 132

Laurel, North Carolina, power on Swift creek 50

Leaksville, North Carolina, power on Smith's river at 40

Little river, North Carolina, into Neuse, power utilized on . . 55
North Carolina (headwater of Neuse), power

utilized on ^>5

North Carolina, into Yadkin, power utilized on. 89
South Carolina, into Savannah, power utilized

on 142

Georgia, into Savannah, power utilized on 141

Georgia, into Oconee, power utilized on 160

Little Pee Dee river and tributaries, power utilized on 88

Lockhart's shoal, Broad river, South Carolina 106

Lockville, North Carolina, power at 70

Long shoal, Oconee river, Georgia 146

Lowell, North Carolina 54

Lynch's river, South Carolina, power utilized on 88

Macon, Georgia, water-power at 153

Madison, North Carolina 42

Maine, water-power of 23

Mayo river, North Carolina, power utilized on 46

Manchester, North Carolina, water-power at 62

Meherrin river, power utilized on 27

Middle division of Southern Atlantic water-shed 8

elevation of. 8

Middle Oconee river, power utilized on 161

Milburny, North Carolina, power on Neuse at 52

Milledgeville, North Carolina, power on Yadkin air 81

Georgia, power on Oconee at 145

Mountain shoal on Enoree, South Carolina 109

Mountain Islaud shoal on Catawba, North Carolina 95

Mount Airy, North Carolina 87

Murphy's shoal, South Carolina 112

Neuse river, drainage areas 51

summary of power on 53

tributaries of 53

power utilized on 55

Newton factory, Georgia 156

Ninety-nine Island shoal on Broad river, South Carolina... 107

North fork Oconee river, power utilized on 161

Nottaway river, power utilized on 27

great falls on 26

Ocmulgee river, shoals on 154

survey of 153

tributaries of 155

power utilized on 161

Oconee river, declivity of 145

tributaries of 147

shoals and power on 147

power utilized on 160

Ogeechee river, power utilized on 144

Oglethorpe Manufacturing Company 160

Otter river, power utilized on • 47

SOUTHERN

Page.

Pacolett river, power utilized on 124

Patterson, North Carolina 82

Peachstone shoal, South river, Georgia 159

Pee Dee river (Great), navigation of 77

declivity of 78

power utilized on 88

Penny shoal on Middle Tiger river, South Carolina.. 112

Piedmont Manufacturing Company 119

Pig river, power utilized on 47

Pocket-level 5

Porf man's shoal, Seneca river, South Carolina 138

Princeton factory, Middle Oconee river, Georgia 151

Pugh's falls, Eoanoke river 31

Eainfall 13

fluctuation of annual ? 14

distribution of 14, 15

effect of forests on 18

Beedy river, shoals and power on 121

power utilized on 125

Roanoke river, declivity of .„ 29

tributaries of 31

power utilized on 46

Eoanoke Navigation Company 28,29,32

Rockdale paper-mill, Yellow river, Georgia 158

Eockingham, North Carolina 84

Eocky Mount, North Carolina, power at 48

Eocky river, North Carolina, power utilized on 89

South Carolina, power utilized on 142

Saluda river, declivity of 116

great falls of 118

shoals on 120

tributaries of 120

utilized power on 125

Saluda Manufacturing Company 116

Sand-hill streams, description of 61

flow of 62, 84, 85, 97, 104, 131

Santee river, drainage areas 90

utilized power on 123

Savannah river 126

declivity of 127

tributaries of 131

shoals and power of 131

utilized power on 141

Scull shoal, Oconee river, Georgia 146

Seneca river, power utilized on 138

Shoals of Ogeechee 143

Smiley's falls, Cape Fear river, North Carolina 57

Smithfield, North Carolina 52

Smith's river, power utilized on 46

Snapping shoal, South river, Georgia 159

Snow 15

Soils 9

Southern Atlantic water-shed, area included in 7

South river, North Carolina, into Cape Fear, power util-
ized on 75

HO WATER-SHED. 167

Page.

South river, Georgia, shoals on 159

power utilized on 162

South fork of Catawba, declivity of 98

shoals and power on 100

power utilized on 123

South Yadkin river, power utilized on 89

Spring shoal, south fork of Catawba 98

Staunton river, declivity of 43

survey of 42

shoals on 44

tributaries of 44

and tributaries of, estimated flow and

power 45, 46

Stowesville, North Carolina 98

Storage, facilities for 22

Streams, flow of 10-21

south of the Altamaha 163

Tallassee falls, Middle Oconee river, Georgia 152

Tallulah falls, Georgia 137

Tar river, summary of power on 49

tributaries of 50

utilized power on 50, 51

Temperature, effects of 23

of hottest and -coldest months 23

extremes of 12

of warmest day 13

mean annual and season 10, 11, 12

Tidal water-power • 21

Tiger river, power utilized on 124

Toccoa falls, Georgia 137

Topography 7

Towaliga river, power utilized on 161

Trotter's shoal, Savannah river 130

Trough shoal, Pacolett river, South Carolina 113

Tugaloo river, power utilized on 136

Turnersburg, North Carolina 86

Van Patten's shoal, Enoree river, South Carolina 110

Vancluse factory, Horse creek, South Carolina 132

Wages lower in South than in North 23

Ward's fork (Little Eoanoke), power utilized on 47

Wateree river, declivity of 91

navigation of 90

canal near Camden 91

Weldon, North Carolina, water-power at 29

power available at 30

Wells, water-power of Maine 23

Western division of southern Atlantic water-shed 9

Winds 10

Yadkin river, declivity of 78

tributaries of 83

summary of power on 82, 83

drainage areas 87,88

power utilized on 88

narrows of 79

Yellow river, shoals on 157,158

827

INDEX OF W ATEE-COUR8ES.

• Page.

Abbott's creek, North Carolina 88

Alamance creek, North Carolina 69, 76

Alcovee river, Georgia 156

Altamaha river, Georgia 144

Appalachee river, Georgia 148

Ararat river, North Carolina . ..' 87, 88

Barber's creek, Georgia 152

Bannister river, Virginia 39

Bear creek, North Carolina 87

Beaver creek, North Carolina 62

Beaverdam creek, Georgia 136

Big Beaverdam creek, South Carolina 137

Big Estatoe creek, South Carolina 140

Big Generostee creek, South Carolina 136

Big Haynes creek, Georgia 158

Big Pine Tree creek, South Carolina 97, 101

Big Sandy creek, Georgia 148

Big Stevens creek, South Carolina 133

Black river, North Carolina 61, 76

South Carolina 83,87

Black creek, South Carolina 84, 87

Black water river, Virginia, into Chowan 25, 26

Staunton 45, 46

Bluestone creek, Virginia 44, 46

Briar creek, Georgia 131

Broad river, North Carolina and South Carolina 104

Broad river, Georgia 134

north fork 134

middle fork 134

south fork 134

Brown's creek, North Carolina 87

Buffalo creek, North Carolina 88

Georgia 148

Bullock's creek, South Carolina 115

Bush river, South Carolina 121

Cain creek, South Carolina 141

Cape Fear river, North Carolina 55, 76

Carver's creek, North Carolina 62

Cascade creek, North Carolina 41

Catawba river, North Carolina and South Carolina 90

south fork of, North Carolina 98, 101

Cedar creek, Georgia 136

Charles river, Massachusetts 20

Chatuga river, Georgia and South Carolina 137

Page.

Chauga creek, South Carolina 137

Choestoe creek, South Carolina 137

| Chowan river, Virginia and North Carolina 24,26

Cochituate river, Massachusetts 17, 21

1 1 Coldwater creek, Georgia 136

Commissioner's creek, Georgia 148

Congaree river, South Carolina 90, 101

Congaree creek, South Carolina 90, 104

Concoi-d river, Massachusetts 20, 21

Connecticut river 17, 20, 164

Conneross creek, South Carolina 139

Contentnea creek, North Carolina 51, 53

Cotton river, Georgia 160

Country-line creek, North Carolina 39

Crane creek, North Carolina 87

Crooked creek, South Carolina 84

Croton river, New York 17,20,21

west branch, New York 17, 20, 21

I Cub creek, North Carolina 88

Dan river, North Carolina 32

Delaware river 20

Deep river, North Carolina 69,76

Deep creek, North Carolina 88

South Carolina 139

Dutchman's creek, North Carolina, into South Yadkin 87

Yadkin 88

Catawba 100, 101

J Eaton brook, New York ,. .. 17

Echaconnee creek, Georgia 155

Edisto river, South Carolina 90, 126

north fork 90,126

south fork 90,126

Eighteen-mile creek, South Carolina 139

Elkin river, North Carolina 87,88

Eno river, North Carolina 54

Enoree river, South Carolina 108

Fair Forest creek, South Carolina 112

Falling creek, North Carolina 84,87

Falling river, Virginia 44, 46

First Broad river, North Carolina 115

Fishing creek, South Carolina 98, 101

North Carolina 49

Fisher's river, North Carolina 88

Flat river, North Carolina 51,54

829—169

170

WATER-POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

Page.

Fontaine's creek, Virginia 26

Fourth creek, North Carolina 87

Goose river, Virginia 45, 46

Grant's creek, North Carolina 87

Great Pee Dee river, North Carolina 77

Green river, North Carolina 116

Greenbriar river, West Virginia 20

Gum Swamp creek, North Carolina and South Carolina 83

Gunpowder creek, North Carolina 101

Hackensack river, New Jersey 20

Hale's brook, Massachusetts 20

Hardlabor creek, Georgia 150

Haw river, North Carolina 63, 76

Reedy fork of, North Carolina 69, 76

Hitchcock's creek, North Carolina 84, 87

Hogan's creek, North Carolina 40

Horse creek, South Carolina 132

Housatonic river, Connecticut 20

Hudson river, Georgia 134

Hunting creek, North Carolina 86,87

Hyco river, North Carolina 39

Indian creek, Georgia 155

James river, Virginia 20

John's river, North Carolina 101

Jones creek, North Carolina 87

Kanawha river, West Virginia 20

. Keowee river, South Carolina 140

King's creek, North Carolina 115

Lane's creek, North Carolina 87

Laurel creek, South Carolina 122

Lawson's fork of Pacolett river, South Carolina 114

Linville river, North Carolina 101

Little river, North Carolina, into Neuse 51,53

headwaters of Neuse 51, 54

into Yadkin 87

Little river, South Carolina, into Broad 108

, into Saluda 121

into Savannah 133

into Keowee 140

Little river, Georgia, into Savannah 133

into Oconee 148

Little Beaverdam creek, South Carolina 137

Little Generostee creek, South Carolina 136

Little Haynes creek, Georgia 158

Little Horse creek, South Carolina 133

Little Lynch's creek, South Carolina 84, 87

Little Ogeechee creek, Georgia 144

Little Pee Dee river, South Carolina 83, 87

Little Pine Tree creek, South Carolina 97, 101

Little Rockfish creek, North Carolina 62,76

Little Saluda creek, South Carolina 121

Little Towaliga creek, Georgia 156

Little Yadkin river, North Carolina 88

Long creek, North Carolina 87

Long Cane creek, South Carolina 133

Lower creek, North Carolina 101

Lower Little river, North Carolina, into Catawba 101

into Cape Fear 62, 76

Loving's creek, North Carolina 88

830

Page.

Lower Three Runs, South Carolina 131

Lumber river, South Carolina 83, 87

Lynch's river, South Carolina 84, 87

Mayo river, North Carolina 41

McBean's creek, Georgia 132

Meherrin river, Virginia 24, 26

north fork 26

middle fork 26

south fork ♦ 26

Merrimac river 20, 21

Middle Broad river, Georgia 135

Middle Little river, North Carolina 101

Middle Meherrin river, Virginia 26

Middle Oconee river, Georgia 151

Middle Saluda river, South Carolina 122

Middle Tiger river, South Carolina 112

Mill creek, North Carolina 101

Mitchell's river, North Carolina 88

Moccasin creek, North Carolina 53

Moon's creek, North Carolina 40

Moravian creek, North Carolina 88

Mossy creek, Georgia 155

Muddy creek, North Carolina 88

Mulberry creek, North Carolina 88

Mulberry fork, Georgia 152

Murder creek, Georgia ." 148

New Hope river, North Carolina 68,76

Neuse river, North Carolina - 20

North Cove creek, North Carolina 101

Northeast Cape Fear river, North Carolina 60, 76

North Meherrin river, Virginia 26

North fork Broad river, Georgia : 135

Oconee river, Georgia 150

Pacolett river, South Carolina 114

Saluda river, South Carolina 122

Tiger river, South Carolina 112

Nottoway river, Virginia 25, 26

Ocmulgee river, Georgia 152

Oconee river, Georgia 144

north fork 150

middle fork 151

Ogeechee river, Georgia 143

Ohio river 20

Otter river, Virginia 44, 46

Pacolett river, South Carolina 113

Lawson's fork 114

south fork 114

north fork 114

Palmetto creek, Georgia 148

Passaic river 20

Patroon's creek, New York 17

Pee Dee river, South Carolina and North Carolina 77

Pig river, Virginia 45, 46

Potomac river 20

Reaburn's creek, South Carolina 122

Reedy river, South Carolina 121

Reedy fork of Haw river, North Carolina C9, 7(i

Red Bank creek, South Carolina 104

Reddie's river, North Carolina 38'

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WATER-SHED.

171

Page.

Kichardson's creek, North Carolina 87

Eoanoke river, North Carolina and Virginia 27

Eoaring river, North Carolina 88

Eock creek, Maryland 20

Eocknsk creek, North Carolina 61, 76

Eocky creek, North Carolina, into South Yadkin 86,87

South Carolina, into Edisto 90, 126

into Catawba 97,101

E6*cky river, North Carolina, into Deep 74, 76

into Pee Dee 85, 87

Eocky river, South Carolina, into Savannah . 135

Eowanty creek, Virginia 26

Saluda river, South Carolina 116

north fork 122

middle fork 122

south fork 122

Eeedyfork 121

Sandy river, Virginia , 40

Sandy creek, North Carolina 50

Georgia 150

Santee river, South Carolina 90

Savannah river, South Carolina and Georgia 126

Schuylkill river, Pennsylvania 20,21

Second creek, North Carolina 88

Secoud Broad river, North Carolina 115

Seneca river, South Carolina 138

Shaw's creek, South Carolina 90, 126

Shenandoah river, Virginia 20

Shoal creek, Georgia 137

Smith's river, Virginia and North Carolina 40

South river, North Carolina 60, 76

Georgia 158

South fork of Broad river, Georgia 135

Catawba river, North Carolina 98, 101

Meherrin river, Virginia 26

Pacolett river, South Carolina 114

Saluda river, South Carolina 122

Tiger river, South Carolina 112

South Yadkin river, North Carolina 85, 87

Page.

Spirit Creek, Georgia 132

Staunton river, Virginia 42, 46

Stewart's creek, North Carolina 88

Stony ereek. Virginia 26

Sudbury river 20, 21

Sugar creek, North Carolina and South Carolina 101

Swift creek, North Carolina 50

Tallulah river, Georgia 137

Tar river, North Carolina 48

Thicketty creek, South Carolina 115

Third creek, North Carolina 87

Tiger river, South Carolina Ill

north fork 112

middle fork 112

south fork 112

Tobesoffkee creek, Georgia 155

Toccoa river, Georgia 137

Towaliga river, Georgia 155

Town fork, North Carolina 42

Toxaway river, South Carolina 140

Trent river, North Carolina 53

Tugaloo river, South Carolina and Georgia 136

Twelve-mile river (or creek), South Carolina 139

Twelve-mile creek, South Carolina, into Saluda 120

Twenty-three-mile creek, South Carolina 139

Twenty-six-mile creek, South Carolina 139

Upper creek, North Carolina 101

Upper Little river, North Carolina, into Cape Fear 63, 76

into Catawba 101

Upper Three runs, South Carolina 131

Uwharrie river, North Carolina 85, 87

Waccamaw river, North Carolina and South Carolina 83, 87

Ward's fork, Virginia 44, 46

Warrior creek, North Carolina 88

Wateree river, South Carolina 90

Wateree creek, South Carolina 90

Whitewater river, South Carolina 140

Yadkin river, North Carolina 77

Yellow river, Georgia 156

831