93 [32] 
%As followed up, northward, to Conneauti Lake, wliicli is separated 
from its head waters by rather low ground: thence, to Lake Eric, de- 
5H:eriding 470 feet. From the north end Conneauti, the waters run- 
ning into Erie are separated by a ridge of 1 5 feet for a short distance. 
To the laivc is 25 miles. To Erie Harbor nearly 40 miles. Tho 
nearest point on the Lake shore is at Elk Creek mouth, ahout 1 6 miles 
w est of Erie Harbor. An artificial harbor might be securely built 
here; the bottom is rock, gradually declining from the shore. 
To view the line near Waterford, the Board, after visiting Erie, as- 
cended to the sources of supply on French Creek. The elevation of 
ihis summit would be 670 feet near La Bonif Lake. 
Arrived atMeadville, we availed immediately of the long period of 
dry A>cather, to asceitain the minimum of ilowiiig water in French 
Creeks which the Conneauti Lake route is capable of receiving. The 
operation of measuring it was repeated several times, and tliemeart 
of these measurements found to be 230 cubic feet per second, which is 
ronsidercd to be abundant, especially as the plan of the work will 
.probably include the waters of Conneauti Lake; and, if necessary at 
any future time, it may be raised, and make a reservoir of five miles in 
length, and nearly one iu breadth, if found, on investigation, that it 
would fill. 
This source of supply hcing the only one a-mply sufficient, would 
seem, of course, to prescribe the route nearest to it, as most suitable; 
and we saw no diilicuity in making a canal from the mouth of Beaver 
to the mouth of Elk, in the distance of a little more than one hun- 
dred miles. 
Having thus accomplished the reconnoissance, we divided our par- 
ty, and Col. Totten descended the Alleghany to make a chart of that 
riA er, the distance from Franklin to Pittsburg being 109 ntiles, and 
there are 45 rapids in its course. On re-assembling at Piitsburg, it 
was deemed expedient to preserve the information thus acquired for 
^*uture usefulness, embodied in the form of instructions for surveys, 
and to place them on the records of our transactions as a Board; but 
jiot, (on my part.) as expressive of the opinion that it would be of es- 
sential importance to execute them all. The line of communication. 
tle])cnds upon the command of water, and it is evident there is but one 
l-oule where it is found in sufficient quantity. 
The next division of this illustration of the general subject, is on 
the co-operation with the Pennsylvania Commissioners, also respect- 
fully submitted. 
JNO. L. SULLIVAN, 
^Member Board Int. Improvement. 
