OF NEW YORK

STUDIES OF

Water Storage for Flood Prevention and Power Development

IN NEW YORK STATE

UNDER PUBLIC OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL

PROGRESS REPORT UNDER CHAPTER 569, LAWS OF 1907 TRANSMITTED TO THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE FEBRUARY 1, 1908

REPRINTED FROM THE THIRD ANNUAL REPORT OF THE STATE WATER SUPPLY COMMISSION, WITH REVISIONS SHOWING RESULTS OF ENGINEERING STUDIES TO MARCH 1, 1908

Safety of temporary Sacandaga dam proposed by Hudson river

Benefits of Sacandaga power project to existing water powers on

the Hudson

Advantages given by State ownership and control.

The immediate project of private development...

power owners ...

49

50

52

53

The Hudson's irregular flow and the Adirondack storage possibilities. 59

Rules by which storage reservoirs may be made attractive..

87

Proposed removal of constitutional restriction. . . .

88

Concerning water power development in general..

89

A disadvantage of long distance electrical transmission of power

compared with local use..

90

Comparison with the Croton records of rainfall and runoff...

117

Yield of Sacandaga drainage area compared with Hudson river at

Mechanicville . .

118

Natural yield without storage in time of drought.

121

Daily gagings of Hudson river tributaries made for New York State

Water Supply Commission by the U. S. Geological Survey under

Confirmation of estimates of Hudson flow by rainfall studies...

137

Report by Prof. Francis J. Seery upon the several rain gage stations

in the Adirondack plateau...

137

Additional rain gage stations in Adirondacks..

137

Rain fall compilations - cycles of wet and dry years.

142

Comparison of rain gages.....

146

Larger runoff on the Sacandaga drainage area.

146

Yield of water power from the estimated flow from Sacandaga reservoir. 147

Increase of power at present Hudson river plants due to the discharge of

storage from the Sacandaga reservoir

Increase of Hudson river power from Sacandaga storage—(first stage).. 153

Increase of Hudson river power from Sacandaga storage

(second stage). 154

Quantity of water to be reserved for scenic effect in Glen Iris.

Increased power at present Genesee river plants (first stage).

Increased power at present Genesee river plants (second stage)

Flood control by Genesee storage reservoir..

Data from report of Rochester Flood Commission of 1905..

Conclusions regarding Genesee river floods......

188

193

194

195

195

196

Construction proposed for Portage dam..

Scenic interest along new railroad location..

Character of sub-strata at thin rim of Portage basin.

Report on Portage rim samples by W. O. Crosby.

Report on Portage rim samples by W. E. Spear..

Report on Portage rim samples by James L. Davis.

199

200

201

202

202

205

207

208

Approximate estimate of cost of Portage reservoir.

209

Approximate estimate of cost of power plant....

212

Estimated cost per horse power of the Portage development.

Conclusion .

215

216

APPENDIX B.

Report upon the probable storage capacity and water power that could

be developed by a series of small dams and reservoirs upon the

various tributaries and head waters of the Genesee river above

Portage, together with an estimate of cost, by George G. Shedd,

C. E. .

219

Extracts from letters of Mr. Hollis French to George G. Shedd, rela-

tive to direct current transmission...

228

APPENDIX C.

Report upon value of buildings included within the limits of the proposed

Genesee river storage reservoir in towns of Genesee Falls, Portage,

Granger, Hume, Caneadea; by George G. Shedd, C. E..

231