126 



GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF 'ALABAMA. 



The best power on the river is at Squaw Shoals, 26 miles 

 above Tuscaloosa, covered on th6 above table by locks Nos. 7, 

 8 and 9, each having a lift of 14 feet, and making a total fall 

 on Squaw Shoals of 42 feet. This can be developed to best ad- 

 vantage by constructing a canal from the top of proposed dam 

 at Lock No. 9, along the river bank, two miles in length, to a 

 point opposite the foot of Squaw Shoals, below Lock No. 7- 

 This canal taking the river water not need for lockage, and al- 

 lowing two feet for grade and storage, will utilize a net head of 

 40 feet, and produce 2,400 net horse power continuously, or 

 4,800 net horse power for a T 2-hour run per day, storing the 

 water above Lock No. 9 during the 12 idle hours. 



It is to be remembered that the above estimates of power are 

 for low season during ordinary years. There will be excep- 

 tional periods of minimum water in extremely dry years in 

 which the entire flow of the river will be as low as 100 second- 

 feet, and will, therefore, barely suffice for lockage during a busy 

 season of boating on the river. See Nineteenth Annual Report, 

 United States Geological Survey, Part IV, page 251. But 

 such seasons are rare, and the facilities for water transporta- 

 tion should compensate for them; to a great extent. It is ad- 

 mitted that the cheapness of coal along this river would natur- 

 ally make the water powers less valuable, but the cheapness of 

 development in connection with Government dams would partly 

 offset the cheapness of coal. It is believed that the proposed de- 

 velopment at Squaw Shoals could be made at a very moderate 

 cost, and that such an investment would pay handsomely. 



