USA > Michigan > History of Michigan, civil and topographical, in a compendious form; with a view of the surrounding lakes > Part 35
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The Dowagiac, which enters from the north half a mile below Niles, is an important stream. The width at its mouth is 75 feet, and depth 2} fect. There is a flouring and saw-mill at this place, and also half a mile above it, and other valuable sites still higher up. The water privilege at its mouth is owned by a company, who contemplate taking the whole stream to the brow of the bluff just below Niles. This operation, the expense of which will be moderate, will command a fall of twelve feet, creating a power sufficient to propel cight or ten run of stones.
At Niles the navigation is greatly interrupted by the ripple below the bridge and the island above it. The dam required will be four feet, and placed at some point between Beeson's warehouse and the bridge. The next dam of three feet, at Grandad ripple, two miles above Niles, will effect the object as far as the village of Bertrand ; here a dam may be built, either above or below the bridge. The former place would be preferable, because it will there admit of a greater height, being five feet. This is the last dam required on this part of the river in the state of Michigan. The distance from the mouth of the stream to the Indiana line is 483 miles. The whole rise is 683 feet. The number of dams 12. The amount of rise they overcome, 463 feet. Spring brook coming in from the right at the village of Bertrand, is half a mile in length, and discharges water sufficient to run a saw-mill the greater part of the year ; and one-fourth of a mile above, on the same side, is a small brook, affording water sufficient for some light machinery, as a carding machine. Three-fourths of a mile above the village, Pokagon creek enters from the left. It is about three miles in length, and the fall at its mouth is such as admits of the most ad- vantageous application of its water as a power, which is probably sufficient to drive two run of stones constantly.
The bluffs, through the portion of the river described, vary from thirty to sixty feet in height. From Mr. Grant's observations, they are found to be composed of several different strata. The most extensive and prevailing being sand, marl, indurated or earthy, and clay. The latter, though sometimes occupying a mid- dle position, is generally the lowest. In some places it is nearly pure ; but in the greater number of instances, contains such a portion of gravel as renders it a very hard earth. The natural bed of the stream is composed of it. Aware of the great value of stone in a quarter where it is so scarce, a careful examina- tion has been made of the places near the river where there are indications of it. Boulders are occasionally seen in almost every bluff, but the first appear- ance of stone in any quantity is in the bluff on C. Farley's land, opposite the extreme of the Oxbow. By an examination, it proves to be sand and gravel united by a calcareous cement. It has not sufficient strength and durability for building-stone, but is suitable for dam or crib work. Five miles further up, on the land of Messrs. Porter & Co., and at the place fixed upon for the second dam, is a species of lime rock called calcareous tuffa. It differs from the others, in containing a much greater quantity of lime, the solid carbonate often prevailing for several inches. Stone of both the kinds just mentioned, is to be found in the bluffs at several places below Niles, and frequently boulders in the bed of the stream, particularly at the ripples above Niles. That part of the
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river above Niles, and extending through Indiana, differs in many respects from the portion already described. Its valley is narrower, being often no wider than the stream itself, and its banks higher. The prevailing earth which forms its bed, though clay and gravel are common in many places, is a loose sand and gravel. The rise of the water is more rapid and less uniformly distributed, causing ripples that are not easily surmounted. The peculiar condition of the stream at the ripples is evidently caused by the power of the current. The whole distance in Indiana is 43 miles. The whole rise 99 feet, being at the rate of 23 feet per mile : a rate sufficient to communicate a velocity to water that will wear away even hard earth, and which moves with great ease that of which the bed of this part of the St. Joseph is composed. Hence the origin of that state of the stream of which we are speaking. Intelligent individuals in- form me they have known the strongest ripples, as that of Mr. McCartney's, and that above Elkhart, formed in a single winter: the passage of the ice being obstructed, a dam is formed, and the water, as it forces its way beneath, carries with it the earth, the heavier parts of which are deposited immediately below ; and here the natural section of the stream being diminished, the banks arc gradually worn away till that is restored. The bed of the stream appears not to have the requisite permanency for dams, either on, or immediately above the ripples. It is therefore advisable in its improvement to avoid these places, and select for the dams such places as have a permanent bed, high banks, a medium width, depth, and current, and which are favorably adapted to hydrau- lic purposes.
The whole rise to be overcome by dams in Indiana is 543 fect. The whole number of these is twelve. That at Bertand, the last in Michigan, will improve the river to the head of Huiler's ripple, a distance of two and a half miles be- yond the state line. At this place a small stream, called Huiler's Branch, comes in from the north. It has a flouring and saw-mill on it, and water sufficient the greater part of the year. The first dam in Indiana will be required at the head of the island, half a mile above this creek, of five feet in height. It will over- come the swift water at this place, at Portage, and at McCartney's ripple : the latter of which is one of the broadest and most rapid places on the river. At its head is the little Kankakee, which takes its rise in a large marsh of the same name. The want of water power along this part of the river renders this a very valuable stream. The quantity of water it discharges, which is suf- ficient for two run of stones, varies but little at any time of the year. The se- cond dam of 33 feet in height, placed at the bend below Stump ripple, will im- prove the stream at that and other points above, as far as the South Bend ripple. A dam at this place is in contemplation by a Company. They have nearly completed a canal across the point, commencing at the head of the ripple, and another season design to construct a dam of eight feet in height. This is more than is necessary for the improvement of the stream. One of six feet, and ano- ther of 53 feet, two and a half miles above, will slacken the water sufficiently to Mishawakec. The location of the latter is between Twin ripple and the large island below it. This ripple, and that of H. Combs, just above it, are at present difficult points of the stream. At Mishawaka, the experiment of damming the St. Joseph has been fully tried. That of the St. Joseph Iron Company, which is completed, promises to be a very permanent work. The difficulties which
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it is known were encountered in this instance, were chiefly owing to the injudi- cious location of the dam, and the plan pursued in its construction. Its height is five feet, and the back water caused by it extends to Twin islands. The stream at this point is broad, shoal, and divided into three channels by the is- lands. To improve it, it is advisable to add a foot to the Mishawakee dam, and excavate one of the channels. The fifth dam, of four feet, half a mile above these islands, will slacken the water to Baw Baw ripple. Within this distance are four small ripples, at all of which the strcam will be rendered of sufficient depth, except the last, where a slight excavation will be required. The stream at the Baw Baw has already attracted the attention of individuals, as being a fa- vorable site for an extensive water power. They propose damming the river be- low the mouth of the creek, and cutting a canal across the point formed by the bend. Probably a more judicious plan for improving the river cannot be proposed. By excavating the right channel at the head of the island below Cobeit's creeks, the height of this dam need be but 43 feet. The Baw Baw comes in from the south just above it. It is a rapid stream, and very variable, often swelling after a rain to double its ordinary magnitude. At all seasons, however, it affords sufficient water, properly applied, for a grist and saw-mill ; and of the latter there are several upon it. Cobert's creek, which enters from the north, two and a half miles above the Baw Baw, is a quick but uniform stream, being but slight- ly affected by rain. It is second only to the Dewagiac in respect to its water power. There are two saw-mills upon it, at parts above and at its mouth ; a foundry, and extensive milling works are in contemplation. No dam is ne- cessary above the Baw Baw, until we arrive at the foot of the island below Pen- well's ripple, a distance of five miles. The stream makes several large bends, but is sufficiently deep, except at three or four places, where, by wearing away one of the banks, it has made a wide channel. At each of these the current may be deflected, and the channel deepened by a wing dam. At the foot of the island above mentioned, the seventh dam, of 43 feet, will slacken and deepen the water to Sturges' ripple, overcoming that of Penwell's and Burntman's. Sturges' ripple is decidedly the most formidable on the river, the fall through it being at the rate of ten feet per mile. The eighth dam, of seven fect, just below it, will, by excavating the right channel at the head of the island above Elkhart, secure sufficient depth to the mouth of Christiana creek. This creek is one of the most valuable streams that discharge themselves into the St. Joseph. It is long and very uniform, never varying more than twelve inches. It has a large amount of fall, which is distributed at intervals, forming valuable mill sites, many of which are unimproved. The Elkhart, which comes in just above the bridge, is a large and important stream. It has many branches, extensive water power, and is navigable for rafts as far as Goshen. The fall in it below that place is from three to five feet per mile.
The rise of water for some distance above Elkhart, as it has been observed to be below, is more rapid than in any other portion of the river of an cqual dis- tance. To overcome it, two dams will be necessary in the space of two miles. The most favorable place for the first is just above the bridge ; but as it can- not be made at this place of sufficient height without destroying the water pow- er at the mouths of the Christiana and Elkhart, and overflowing a large portion of land, thereby injuring property and endangering the health of the adjacent
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country, it is advisable to locate it just above the mouth of the latter stream. The ninth dam, of 43 feet, at this place, will improve the river one and one quarter miles, and the tenth, of five feet at that distance, will render it good to Eagle point, at which place the eleventh dam of 2} feet will slacken the water sufficiently to the head of the island opposite Sheep creek. From this point the valley of the river is broader, the bottoms lower, and the current, except in the vicinity of Bristol, slower. Here Nicholson's ripple, and the islands below the place, so obstruct the navigation, that the twelfth dam, of three feet, is necessary below the former. Beyond the extent of its influence, no other improvement is necessary on the Indiana side of the line.
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There are several small streams emptying into the river in the last fifteen miles. Among those below Bristol, Pine creek is the largest, and discharges water sufficient for ordinary milling purposes. Little Elkhart comes in at Bris- tol. Its width at the mouth is fifty fect, and three deep. It has a highly va- luable water privilege at this place, which is yet unimproved ; two and a half miles above Bristol is 'Trout creek, which is also a valuable stream, ordinarily fur- nishing water sufficient for a grist and saw-mill. One of the latter is in operation at its month. The distance from the state line to the Three rivers is 212 miles ; and the whole is 343 feet. That overcome by dams is 11 feet. The character of the river is much like the last part of the portion last described, the bottoms being in many places too low to admit of high dams. The whole number is four ; below the line and Constantine, two only are required ; the first a short distance below Mottville, 2} feet in height ; the second of 3 feet, at the bend below the islands, 14 miles above that place. At two places below Constan- tine, it is unnecessary to slacken the water, but some improvement is required. At the distance of 21. 3 miles, the left channel, formed by an island at that point, should be closed, and the right one excavated, and the same improve- ments made at the islands, 1} miles below Constantine. The distance be- tween this place and Three rivers will only require two dams ; the first, a mile from the former of 2} feet ; the second, at the foot of Knapp's ripple, 14 miles below Three rivers, of 4 fect. In a portion of the stream, commencing 5 miles below that place, the course of it is interrupted by several islands. One of the channels past two of them it is necessary to close ; the northern of the first, and the southern of the second.
This portion of the river receives a number of valuable tributaries. Pigeon river enters the St. Joseph three-quarters of a mile northerly of the state line. Its size is 100 feet wide by 2} deep at its mouth. Its fall below White Pigeon is moderate, and money to some extent has been expended to render it navigable for keel-boats to that place ; the project, however, has been abandoned as im- practicable. Mills are constructing at Pigeon, above which its hydraulic power is valuable. Mill creek comes in from the north about one mile above Mottville. Its size is 15 by 2 feet, and it discharges water sufficient for several run of stones. At its mouth is a valuable water privilege, but unimproved ; and half a mile above it are extensive milling works. Fawn river, which enters from the south a short distance above Constantine, is a stream of nearly the same magnitude as the Pigeon. The value of its hydraulic power, within one and a half miles of its mouth, is not inferior to that of any stream which enters the St. Joseph below. The fall in this distance is 18 feet; and the water of the
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whole stream may be brought out at different points upon the bluff, and twice before entering the river. The creation, at this place, of a valuable water pow- er on the St. Joseph. is in contemplation, and the establishment of iron works and other manufactories.
Prairie river, which discharges itself at Eschol, is only a little smaller than Fawn ; and its water power at its mouth, and other points above, is scarcely less valuable, At Three rivers, comes in from the north, Rock and Portage rivers ; the former is about the size of Fawn. It has been dammed at its mouth, and found capable of driving 15 run of stone. The latter discharges nearly one-third more than the rock, and will afford, by damming it a short distance from its mouth, a proportionally greater power. At this point the St. Joseplı loses about one-third of its magnitude ; it retains, however, the characteristics it has below. Through some portions of it the water is slow and deep, but at others, for long distances, the ripples are frequent and shoal, the bottom land low, and the stream in many places broken by islands. The water requires not only to be slackened, but deepened. To effect these objects by dams alone, in such a manner as not to injure the adjoining land, will be the most expensive mode of doing it. It is therefore proposed to construct dams at the most favor- able places, and extend their influence as far as practicable by excavating the bottom. In accordance with these views, 7 dams will be required between Three rivers and Sturgeon lake, a distance of 264 miles. The first, of 3 feet in height above the former place, and near the point selected by the Lockport and St. Joseph Manufacturing Company for their dam. The plan adopted by this Company is to dam the river a short distance above the junction of the Three rivers, and cut a canal across the point terminating at the foot of Knapp's ripple . of sufficient size for the ordinary navigation of the river, creating thereby a valuable water power, probably not second to any upon the river. The expense of improving this portion of the river, as well as the remaining distance to Union city, will be about the same as that of the first and second portions of it. Be- sides damming and excavating, several important cuts will be required for the purpose of straightening the stream. All of these will be exhibited on the maps. The Nottawa river enters the St. Joseph 21 miles above Three rivers. It is a rapid stream near its mouth, and of about the size and water of the Rock river. It possesses valuable hydraulic power, of which but a portion is improv- ed. From Sturgeon lake to Union city the distance is 203 miles. The ave- rage width of the river is about 125 feet, and the requisite number of dams, with the necessary bottom excavation, will be seven, each of small lift. Swan creek enters the St. Joseph from the south at Sturgeon lake. It has a fall, near its entrance, of 10 or 12 feet. There is a saw-mill in operation upon it, and a flouring mill erccting. The Coldwater, which forms a part of the St. Joseph at Union city, is about one-quarter longer than the St. Joseph, immediately above it. It enters from the south, and has an elevation of about 20 feet in the first five miles from its mouth. At this place a dam is erected, which flows the wa- ter back to Branch.
The river, at this place, being so much decreased in size, it was deemed in- advisable to continue the examination further, with a view to its improvement. The whole distance of river to this point is 160 miles: and elevation above Lake Michigan, 285 feet.
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Agreeable to instructions, a line was surveyed to ascertain the feasibility of connecting Union city with Homer, on the Kalamazoo, by a canal navigation. The distance being 20 miles, two lines were run at the commencement of the route ; the first, from a point of the river half a mile below the village, and passing up a ravine in the rear of it; the second, rising on the highland of the village, and intersecting the point at the head of the ravine. The ravine contains a train of small marshes, which are admirably calculated for basins" for a canal. The estimates are based upon this line-
From the head of the ravine the route runs by a straight course across Wil- der's prairie to the head of Fish lake, and thence by a direct line passes Cam- ley's prairie to Adamsville ; beyond which it runs between a range of hills and the river, and follows a direct route to Tekonsha. From this place it continues a due course to the second range of hills which approach the river about a mile above Tekonsha, and passing between them and the river, follows near the val- ley of the latter to the head of the lake near the village of Homer. The route is, in most respects, a highly favorable one. The only objectionable feature of it is the amount of lockage, which is 98 feet ; being the elevation of the lake above the river at Union city. The lake, which is the summit, can be used as a feeder, and will always afford sufficient water ; and by a cut of half a mile in length, and not exceeding in the deepest part seven feet, and generally not more than four, the water of the Kalamazoo, taken from the pond at Homer, can be connected with the lake and the St. Joseph river. The estimates for the canal are based upon a plan of 28 feet bottom, four feet depth, with wooden locks, culverts, &c.
The St. Joseph river rises in Hillsdale county, passes through Calhoun, Branch, and St. Joseph counties ; and winding southerly into Indiana, again returns, and passing through Berrien county, empties into Lake Michigan at St. Joseph. It is a large and beautiful stream, and flows through a country which, in salubrity of climate, excellency of water, and richness and fertility of soil, is unsurpassed by any part of the west. Its numerous tributaries, many of which are important streams, offer strong encouragement to the milling and manufacturing interests. These, and other attractions, have already rendered this a wealthy and populous part of the state. Every diversity of grains, fruits and vegetables, yield here in abundance. The soil of the bottoms is a deep, black vegetable mould, and of remarkable fertility ; that of the prairies, com- bining with this earth a considerable portion of lime and sand, is still more productive; and the openings and timbered land by continued cultivation pro- duce abundant crops. This is the character of the land through the whole ex- tent of the survey. Scarcely a waste spot has been met with ; though every variety of products is cultivated, yet wheat is, and will always be, the great and staple article of grain. The amount of flour which is shipped is now very large, and is annually and rapidly increasing. Timber affords another important article of transportation in the various kinds of lumber ; as the oak, whitewood, black walnut, and many other valuable kinds of timber, abound in every direction. Among the mineral resources are lime and iron. At se- veral places below Niles, a species of lime rock is found, which produces an excellent quality of lime; and above that place, a beautiful quality of I.me is manufactured from marl, which exists in large quantities at various points
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on the streams, and is the product of the decomposition of shells. Iron ore, of- excellent quality, abounds in Indiana, and also within the borders of Michigan. An extensive manufactory of it is carried on at Mishawakee, and is in con- templation at other points of the river. Facilities of transportation by steam- boat would induce enterprising citizens to extend the manufacture of this pro- duct to a great amount. All these important articles of transportation, and the great variety of others which a find a market up and down the river, were its navigation easy and extended, would create a large and flourishing trade. And in the present state of the stream, such are the wants of the country, that, though at great expense for transportation by water, a heavy business is carried on. One steamboat to Niles, and occasionally to South Bend, and eight or ten keelboats to different points of the river, have been in constant operation during the past season ; but they have proved so far inadequate to the performance of the business, that three additional steamboats are now building, and will be in readiness for the trade of the river in the early part of next season.
Nature has formed, by this noble stream, a partial water communication to the heart of this peninsula. In improving the facilities of intercourse between the different parts of it, to perfect what she has done appears to be the dictate of sound policy. And when we consider the ease with which it can be made, compared with any other mode of communication, and the great and paramount advantages which will result from it to so wide an extent of the richest portion of the west, the importance of the work appears fully to justify the undertaking of it. And it is the opinion of your engineer, that no delay should be suffered in rendering the navigation practicable and easy for light draft steamboats, through the whole extent that it has been examined. This object can be ao- complished much short of the general estimates submitted. These estimates were made in accordance with instructions, with the view to the perfect slack water navigation of the stream. The immediate undertaking of its improve- ment to such an extent is not deemed advisable.
The improvement of those parts only which present the principal difficulties, is recommended to be immediately undertaken. And were it determined to commence the entire improvement at once, policy would dictate the removal of the principal obstructions first, in order to facilitate the progress of the work, and secure the earliest benefits arising from it. Estimates, exhibiting the cost of such an improvement, are also submitted. By the inspection of them it will be seen that they amount to but about one-third the general estimates ; and the seat of the principal difficulties and improvements will also be seen.
It is unnecessary to dwell upon the many advantages attending the comple- tion of this work. Those arising from the increased facilities of intercourse are numerous and important. There is one, however, of surpassing value to the country-the vast amount of water power which will be created. The whole extent of the river is admirably situated, and calculated to derive the greatest benefits from extensive water power. The excellency of the water, and salubrity of the climate, insure health ; the great and universal fertility of the soil, cheapness and plenteousness of subsistence; the country abounds with materials, and they can be brought with ease from abroad. These circumstan- ces, which are of such primary importance to the prosperity of the arts, com- bined with an unlimited extent of water power, will court capital, and render
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