2 Geological and Miscellaneous notice of the 



surmountable obstruction in the connected navigation of the Fox and 

 Wisconsin rivers. 



Fox river is generally termed a navigable stream, although there 

 are some rapids and obstructions rather difficult to surmount. They 

 are overcome, however, by ascending boats, by making short porta- 

 ges and by ' cordelleing.' This sluggish river is fed principally by 

 springs in this vicinity, and is bordered by low wet marshes, in 

 which wild rice grows in luxuriant profusion. 



The Wisconsin river is broad, rapid and interspersed with a great 

 many wooded islands, partaking of the character of the Mississippi. 

 It is moreover filled with quicksands, which are obstacles rendering 

 the navigation rather troublesome, especially in low water. I men- 

 tion the character of these rivers, on account of its having been con- 

 templated, and indeed proposed to connect them by a canal at the 

 portage. Having some knowledge of the nature of this design, I am 

 induced to give my opinion of its practicability. 



1st. The canal must be supplied with water principally from the 

 Wisconsin and Fox rivers ; the former of which will give the best 

 supply with the minimum length of canal. In this case the length 

 would not exceed one mile and a half. 



2nd. Two river locks would be required, in addition to which two 

 lift locks would be advantageous and perhaps absolutely necessary. 



3rd. Owing to the soluble nature of the soil, revetment walls or 

 wooden curbs would be required, both for economy and durability. 

 Revetments of masonry would be too expensive ; there being no fit 

 materials within at least eight or ten miles of the ground. It would 

 be advisable to resort to curbing, for which materials are easily ob- 

 tained, partly by driving piles and partly by planking. The width 

 should be about twenty feet. — depth eight feet. 



4th. Allowing for the disadvantages of such an undertaking in a 

 wild country, I feel sure fifty thousand dollars would cover all ex- 

 penses. 



At present such an investment would be unprofitable, but in a 

 few years it must necessarily be profitable, unless the tide of emigra- 

 tion ceases towards the west. 



I will now return to the main subject. There are no elevations 

 within the district under consideration exceeding two hundred and fifty 

 or three himdred feet, and no very abrupt terminations, cliffs or deep 

 excavations; consequently these observations will be confined to the 

 minutiae of the subject, rather than its most striking features and illus- 



