1897

I have undertaken to go out on a limb and put before my classmates or anyone else who may read my class notes my bet that the increase in the volume of the Connecticut River due to the dam at Wilder will be of great benefit in the matter of appearance, usability of the river for pleasure and sport, besides the taking year by year from the river of a large amount of power to help the surrounding country procure a sufficiency of electric energy to turn the wheels of progress.

A letter from "Hiram" has one paragraph which gives me sufficient reason for writing this article. I quote: "I am particularly interested in your suggestion that the new dam at Wilder will result in adding to the beauty of the Hanover surroundings. I had thought of it as a calamity in flooding the good end of the farm land along the river."

I had the same ideas as "Hiram" at first, and that the river would be nasty on its shoreline going up and Being drawn down, leaving a muddy streak. Then I began to study the situation from the data available, and I am going out on the limb to say that I think it is going to be good; but I want to present one qualification—that is, it will be good if the larger river is developed for use beyond the gain in power capacity.

I would like to turn my memory back to 1894 when my cousin, Philip Young '96, demonstrated to me in his room at "Marm Sweat's" the use of water to get things done. Phil and my brother Tom had in their bedroom a two-decker bunk and the roof of "Marm Sweat's" house leaked and dropped down right beside the bed, which made it rather uncomfortable getting out in the morning, getting wet feet whenever it rained. A full pail of water was sent for and the two pitchers in the room, which had been filled, made a sufficient quantity to be workable for the experiment which was to turn it all on the floor at one time; and when I asked why the big demonstration of this kind was being carried out, Phil's answer was that, when the water runs through the floor and drops down on the dining room table, something will be done about the roof leak. That's the first knowledge I had of Philip Young being interested in water power. He left college soon because of family obligations, and he and his associates were soon busy in the development and up-building of what is known today as the New England Electric System. The roof of "Marm Sweat's" house was fixed and the New England Power Companies were organized and developed.

The questions I have asked myself on taking this hazard of climbing out on the limb are these:

Will the shore line of the river be nasty because of high and low water? And I have satisfied myself with study of the requirements and responsible statement from the Power Company that it will not be nasty. X quote the Power Company: "Furthermore, since the new water surface at the dam will normally fluctuate no more than two or three feet on a weekly cycle, nor more than five feet under extreme conditions, it is obvious that the exposed portions of the unwatered river bed will be very minor indeed."

Having studied contours as I have for a very long time and having made many river surveys, I am satisfied that this variation will not expose a nasty shore line. I do expect in the areas where brooks flow into the river an interesting growth of shore grasses, water lilies, gold thread and perhaps the swamp alder to give the young square-tail trout a natural habitat and to give me a valuable dye plant for my homespuns.

The next question I asked myself was-What is going to happen during big floods and little floods? And statements which I have reason to believe to be accurate show that the dam as being constructed can open up the river to flow off big and little floods, giving it more opportunity to run off than it has now, so that a flood like that of 1936 would not increase the elevation of water because of the dam.

The next thing X have asked myself is this —Will dead trees be left standing to clutter the river with "dryki" and pollute the air with profanity of fishermen? And I am advised by the Power Company that the program now underway "will leave no trees standing below the ultimate full pond level throughout the length of the enlarged basin."

I remember the river in spring floods when the water down near the island about halfway from Hanover to Wilder presented a big volume of water which looked dangerous for canoeing, but was a beautiful body of water. The little cottage on the island looked very interesting. Mr. Chase, the treasurer of the College, owned it, if X remember correctly, and occupied it for sort of a camp in summer time. This island will be smaller but still an attractive feature.

As I study the contours and the levels of the new river, after the dam is completed and the water held back, these rapids would be more or less eliminated, probably altogether, except in flood time draw-off, and a smooth surface of water can be expected from the dam to far north of Pompanoosuc, with many deep spring-fed holes where the water will be cooler and better suited to sport fish. This picture that I see of the river in its future bigness will leave a calm lake suitable for canoes, motor boats, and perhaps to some extent little sail boats. Probably not wide enough for any considerable use of sailing craft, but maybe enough to make fun for the children who want to take advantage of this long, narrow lake.

I think the river lake will be charming from the standpoint of its lack of bushes, its overhanging crumbling banks and trees falling down with the banks, and I look forward to more frequent views of sparkling wa'er seen from either shore during the summer time than we see now with the water down below the banks and only observed occasionally where the river makes a bend or where the meadows are flat. More water will be seen from the highways and railroad, as is now seen above the dam at Holyoke and the one at Bellows Falls. I feel sure the river will stand out as a bigger and better river tempt:ng to rod and rudder.

I am out on the limb of prophesy of a more beautiful river. Now I want to go out on the limb of prophesy of possible sport improvement for fishing in the river. With streams coming into the river like that at Blood Brook, Mink Brook and many others north of Hanover, the river is going to be fed with water suited to the salmon and trout families, and if a lake 46 miles long can be properly stocked with the species that will stimulate the pupils of Sir Isaac to spend a lot of money for gear and equipment and clothes, to drive long distances to fish for a few days in the beauty of it all, and return home to tell their exaggerated stories of the large ones that got away and other fishermen's yarns, then I feel that the increasing of the size of the river would be warranted for this alone. The company would probably not be able to declare any extra dividends on a 16 million dollar investment on the basis of getting returns out of fishing fools only, but it would be worth a great deal to men of New Hampshire to have this lake, with its privileges, which I feel sure will not be available to the Green Mountain boys, who to avoid paying for the bridges were careful to make the eastern boundaries of Vermont come only to the water's lapping edge. Pretty smart too from the long history of expensive bridges, but now, when there is a possibility of having a fine, highlydeveloped game fishing river that they can throw stones in but can't fish in, I expect to see them all poaching with long poles, standing on Vermont SO*V „ .1 • , u:

As I see the picture topographically, Mink Brook would be an ideal place for a hatchery for species of salmon and trout family that can live in this water and thrive. Perhaps it might be necessary to start a smelt hatchery to provide the bait fish.

I look forward to April and May, when the leaf of birch is tender and when the sons of old Dartmouth start to buy new glass fishing rods, and perhaps spinning reels, and gather at the hobby shop in Bissell Hall, or wherever that Hobby shop may be later on, to select flies designed by professors in college. (I think this is one of the good things among professor's extra-curricular activities.) This one thing might become important because of its bringing professors and alumni together with such intimacies that the alumnus might say "what the hell" to the "prof" to his face instead of behind his back, as he is now doing.

I look forward to making a bet on a fly that I developed, taking salmon in the new big river, and if I can have this fly tied to my specifications in Hanover, I would like to dedicate it to the memory of Philip Young '96, who probably as much as any man, was responsible in early days for the development, which is culminating now very rapidly in the completion of the "Wilder Dam.

Secretary and Treasurer 886 Main St., Bridgeport 3, Conn.