2. Water-Powers of Canada 



In Canada it-has been long recognized that special 

 attention shpuld^be devoted to water-power resources. 

 The efforts in "this direction have had most satisfactory 

 results in givingTthe Dominion an outstanding position in 

 the British Empire with regard to warer-power. This 

 position is fully emphasized by Canada's most efficient 

 hydro-electric supply. Practically all industrial centres 

 of the Dominion are supplied with electric energy derived 

 from water-power with ample reserves located within easy 

 transmission distance. In certain parts, where water- 

 power is not available, nature has generously supplied fuel 

 reserves of coal, gas or oil. In addition to its enormous 

 possibilities and the large amount already utilized, the 

 advanced methods followed in investigating its water- 

 powers and in classifying the available data have caused 

 Canada to be recognized as the Empire's pioneer in this 

 respect. 



While many countries have estimated their water-power 

 possibilities, in most cases the figures submitted are 

 admittedly only very approximate and are not qualified 

 as to exact conditions represented; that is, whether they 

 are based on minimum flow of rivers, the use of storage 

 reservoirs, the continuous or intermittent use of power and 

 such similar considerations. The early beginning and 

 intensive work carried on by the Dominion Water Power 

 Branch of the Department of the Interior has recently 

 made it possible to present to the public far more definite 

 figures relating to Canada. In the table below the avail- 

 able power is given under two heads properly qualified as 

 to conditions. The "ordinary minimum flow" is based on 

 the averages of the minimum flow for (he lowest two 

 consecutive seven-day periods in each year, over the period 

 for which records are available. The "estimated flow for 

 maximum development" is based upon the continuous 

 power indicated by the flow of the streams for six months 

 in the year. This estimated maximum development is 

 based upon the assumption that it is good commercial 

 practice to develop wheel installation up to an amount the 

 continuance of which can be assured during six months of 

 the year, on the assumption that the deficiency in power 

 during the remainder of the year can be profitably provided 

 for from storage or by the installation of fuel power plants 

 as auxiliaries. It represents a fair estimate of the maxi- 

 mum hydraulic power available, as distinct from the 

 ordinary minimum power available. Thus the second 

 table shows that for power sites upon which fairly definite 

 data are available throughout the Dominion, the total 

 possibilities aggregate 18,255,000 horse-power under 

 conditions of "ordinary minimum flow," while based on 

 dependable flow for at least six months of the year the 

 total is 32,076,000 horse-power. 



Available and DevelopedjWater-Power in Canada 



The figures listed in columns 2 and 3 of the second 

 table represent 24-hour power and are based upon rapids, 

 falls and power sites of which the actual existent drop, or 

 the head possible of concentration, is definitely known or 

 at least well established. Innumerable rapids and falls of 

 greater or lesser power capacity are scattered along rivers 

 and streams from coast to coast which are not as yet 

 recorded and which will only become available for tabu- 

 lation as more detailed survey work is undertaken and 

 completed. This is particularly true in the more unex- 

 plored northern districts. Nor is any consideration given 

 to the power concentrations which are feasible on rivers 

 and streams of gradual gradient, where economic heads may 

 be created by the construction of power dams, excepting 

 only at such points as definite studies have been carried 

 out and the results made matters of record. 



The figures in column 4 represent the actual water- 

 wheels installed throughout the Dominion. These figures 

 should not be placed in direct comparison with the avail- 

 able power figures in columns 2 and 3 for the purpose of 

 deducting therefrom the percentage of the available water- 

 power resources developed to date. The actual water- 

 wheel installation throughout the Dominion averages 30 

 per cent greater than the corresponding maximum available 

 power figures calculated as in column 3. The figures in the 

 table, therefore, indicate that the at present recorded 

 water power resources of the Dominion will permit of a 

 turbine installation of 41,700,000 horse-power. In other 

 words, the present turbine installation represents only 5.9 

 per cent of the present recorded water-power resources. 



The figures quoted may be said to represent the mini- 

 mum water-power possibilities of the Dominion. 



As illustrative of this, the detailed analyses which have 

 been made of the water-power resources of the provinces of 

 New Brunswick and Nova Scotia have disclosed most 

 advantageous reservoir facilities for regulating stream flow, 

 and it is estimated that the two provinces possess within 

 their respective borders 200,000 and 300,000 commercial 

 horse-power. 'These figures provide for a diversity factor 

 between installed power and consumer's demands. 



Canada a World Fur Mart 



Canada now has her national fur market 

 with sales held three times per year, spring, fall 

 and mid-winter. The next sale will take place 

 in Montreal in May. At the fifth periodic 

 auction of the Canadian Fur Auctions Sale 

 Company held at the end of February, furs 

 to the extent of approximately one and three 

 quarter million dollars were sold. To an 

 ever increasing extent the Montreal sales are 

 assuming a distinctive national character, and a 

 permanent Canadian market for Canadian peltry 

 has rapidly sunk its roots in the industry. The 

 volume of business transacted is swelling with 

 successive sales, and the stability of the Canadian 

 sales were evidenced by the manner it weathered 

 the storm of the fur trade depression when simi- 

 lar organizations elsewhere did not survive. 



The logic of a Canadian fur market is self 

 evident, and such an establishment has been a 

 pressing need for years. Canada not only pro- 

 duces the greatest volume but the glossiest and 

 richest pelts of the world's production, and by 

 reason of these qualities a Canadian sale can 

 draw raw supplies from other countries, which 

 in turn brings in its train buyers from a wider 

 area. Raw furs for disposal at the recent auction 

 came from all over Canada, the United States, 

 Russia, Siberia, and other countries, whilst 

 buyers were present from every part of the 



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