 A favorable point for introducing a feeder from the Wabash has been selected about
a half mile below the mouth of the Little river, whereby a dam eight feet high the waters
of that stream can be turned into the canal. The bottom of the stream and one of its
banks, at the point selected, are formed of solid rock. The discharge of the Wabash at
this point, at extreme low water, has been ascertained to be about five hundred cubic feet
per minute. This, however, will be considerably increased after the canal shall have been
put in operation, by the water which will escape from the upper levels, through the banks,
a portion of which will reach the bed of the stream.  By this
augmentation, together with some aid from the St. Joseph feeder, drawn through the summit
section, a sufficiency of water will be provided to supply the canal to the point where
another feeder can be received, a distance of eleven miles.
Jessie L Williams, in the Engineer's report section of
the 1833 Commissioner's Report to the Indiana Senate
CHAPTER
CCXCVII
An Act authorizing a change in the application of Water
Power at Dam number one near the forks of the Wabash.
[APPROVED JANUARY 13, 1845]
 Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of
the State of Indiana, That the assigns, his heirs, executors, or assigns, of the lease
heretofore granted by the State to Jesse Vermilyea and William Stewart, granting to said
Vermilyea and Stewart the use of certain water power at dam number one near the fork of
the Wabash, in Huntington county, Indiana, be and he is hereby authorized to use the
amount or quantity of water to which he is now entitled under said lease for any purpose
he may think proper.
Sec 2. This act to take effect and be in force from and after
its passage.
|
 .Wabash dam No. 1 erected across this river one half
mile below the mouth of Little River, generally known as the "Forks", for the
purpose of a feeder. This dam is 220 feet long, and 10 feet high, formed of cribs filled
with stone, nesting on a solid rock bottom. It is in safe condition excepting the
abutments, which being built of timber, are much decayed requiring renewal before the
return of winter. The culvert and head gates by which the feeder is introduced into the
canal, have just been re-built and are in good order. This feeder is three chains long.
Chief Engineers report to the Commissioners. Jesse L.
Williams. November 1, 1847
This page last updated 12/02/07 09:35 AM |
