ELECTRIC POWEE FROM THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.^ 



[With 8 plates.] 



By Chester M. Clark. 



In the Mississippi Valley, about 140 miles above St. Louis, there 

 is being built a hydroelectric plant to utilize for industrial purposes 

 the immense natural power of the Mississippi River. Unless before 

 its completion in July, 1913, some other plant is constructed, pro- 

 pelled by a force greater for electric generating purposes than the 

 steady flow of this great stream, the Mississippi River Power Co. 

 will have at its command, it is believed, one of the most potent single 

 hydroelectrical developments so far created. Its ultimate generative 

 capacity is to be over 200,000 delivered horsepower. As part of this 

 development there is being thrown across the river between Keokuk, 

 Iowa, and Hamilton, 111., a dam, which, so far as appears to be of 

 record, will be the longest bank-to-bank river-dam yet built of solid 

 masonry. 



An undertaking of such magnitude, besides marking a step in in- 

 dustrial development, involves engineering features of peculiar in- 

 terest. Before attempting to set these forth, however, a few words 

 as to the history of the project may not be out of place. 



HISTORY or THE DEVELOPMENT. 



As far back as 1848 there was organized what was called the Mis- 

 sissippi River Improvement Association, with a capital of $1,000,000, 

 to improve navigation and harness the water power that might be 

 developed in the process. Nothing definite is of record as having 

 been accomplished toward this object for many years thereafter, 

 except in the nature of preliminary observation. An examination of 

 the geologic structure of the river bed was made. Along in 1868 



1 In rendering available statistics and other data for this article thanks are due Mr. 

 Hugh L. Cooper, of New York, prime mover in the enterprise, now in direct charge of the 

 hydraulic construction of the development. 



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