94 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF ALABAMA. 



the river improvements without interfering with navigation. 



A complete survey has been made of this portion of the river 

 by the U. S. engineers, and a system of locks planned. 



The profile herein presented is reproduced from that survey, 

 and shows in addition to the river profile the location of the 

 proposed locks, and the lift of each. 



It will be seen that the total distance between Greensport and 

 Wetumpka, Ala., is 142 miles, and the number of locks pro- 

 posed, 31, varying in lift from 5.83 feet to 15.0 feet. Of these 

 only three have been, completed ; Nos. i, 2, and 3. No. 4 is in 

 process of construction. 



The following table shows the lift or fall at each lock, the 

 discharge of river in cubic feet per second, for the minimum 

 low stage of water in 1897 and in 1900, and the equivalent net 

 horse power for the fall shown. 



The minimum low water is based on the exceptionally low 

 stages occurring in 1896 and 1897, which represents the low- 

 est stage of which there is any record ; while the minimum for 

 the year 1900 represents lowest water for average years. 



In estimating the amount of horse power that will be avail- 

 able for use, it will be necessary to deduct the amount of water 

 which will be necessary for lockage. This will depend upon the 

 amount of traffic on the river, but will probably in no case 

 amount to more than ten per cent, of the river discharge. 



At most of these locks, and proposed locks, reservations have 

 been made by the original owners of the river front of the privi- 

 lege of utilizing for power the water not needed for lockage. 

 By constructing a plant at the opposite end of the Government 

 dam from the lock, the surplus water can be used for power 

 without interfering with navigation. Such powers will be very 

 valuable for running cotton mills, as the cotton furrows will 

 run up to the front door of the factory, and water transporta- 

 tion will take the goods from the back door. Mobile, at the 

 mouth of the river, is only a short distance from the proposed 

 Isthmian canal. 



