C 162 ] 
OHIO FALLS. 
The following method of improving the Ohio Falls, is so afifilica « 
ble to similar falls , that I requested it of Mr, Dowers , the fit 0 * 
fioser. ( See the Jilatef 
AAAA represents the Ohio river at the falls. 
BB a part of the Indian Shute, 60 feet wide, and walled three 
feet high. 
CCCC tributary dams, which turn their waters into the shute 
at an angle in opposition to the current. They are formed of 
stone and collect their water from the various separate or waste 
streams that pass down the falls on each side. 
DDDD are openings in the side wall of the shute to receive 
the water from the tributary dams. They oblige the water to en- 
ter it at an angle in opposition to the current. 
EFGH are ring bolts fixed at the bottom of the shute to fasten 
haussers to — to assist boats to ascend. 
HH the lowest point of the tributary dams, raised about six 1 
inches higher than the openings D, which turn their waters into 
the shute. 
EXPLANATION. 
The above explanation relates to a plan for improving the pas- 
sage of the falls of the Ohio without the aid of a canal and locks, 
which would be extremely expensive and the benefit at least doubt- 
ful. The plan proposed, it is believed, will answer the object as 
effectually and at a very small expence, comparatively speak- 
ing. 
This plan supposes the improvement of the Indian shute, al- 
though it may perhaps be adviseable to make an entire new cut 
from the head to the foot of the falls, but this will depend on the 
judgment of the engineer. But whether the shute is used as a 
new channel, the principle and mode of arrangement, is the 
same. The channel, whether a new shute or the old, should be a 
regular inclined plane from the head to the foot of the falls ; 
and the stone which is dug out, should be used to line the sides, 
to keep the water within it. A wall three feet higher than the 
bottom of the channel is amply sufficient. In order to understand 
the use of the lateral dams, let us suppose such a channel finished 
from the top throughout, and the water entering the upper end 
three feet deep and sixty feet broad, experience and reflection will 
