AN INVESTIGATION OF THE OKEMOS DAM

THESIS FOR THE DEGREE OF B. S.
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

LRP em Ha tis
L. 0. FISHER

 
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93 00850 17

LIBRARY
J Michigan State [|
University

SUPPLEMENTARY
MATERIAL

IN BACK OF BOOK

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MAR 8 APA.
fe
An lIavestisaticn

cf the Ckhe.cs Tam.

K Thesis Suovitted to

the Faculty of

Nichisan Asricultural Ccllewve

oy

\
wo. ‘\
sy a ¥

H. J. Riohards. L; De Fisher.

Candidates fcr the Dezree of

rachalcr cf Science.

Jane 1916.

yet al
 

¢

THESIS

Lol. \

 
le
Onj ect.

The object of this tuesis is to investigate and
determine the neossivilities of a-dau at the village of
Okemos in the Red Cedar River, a tributary of the Grand

River,which flews thru Lansing, wichigan.

It is cur purpcse tc calculate the capacity of a dam
+
located at this point in the river, and to show whetrer
tae construction and maintainance of a power station or

mill would ve a prefitable investrent.

—

Intrcduction.e > |

To carry on an investigaticn of this nature into ilin-
ute detail would of course involve an expenditure cf time
and money whioh is not available. ilence an endeaver was
first made to outline the plan cof procedure in whioh each
element or part of the investigaticn wuld receive due and
relative ocnsideraticn te preduce the wost workable results
and ccnclusicns.

We were greatly hindered in our effcrts oy the lack
of existing dafa along the hed Cedar River relative to gage
readings, discharge, velocity, eto. The cnly source cf
iniformaticn available was the Weather Bureau Station at
Fast Lansing, Michizan, under the supervision of :ir. Dewey
veeley. Here we were able tc find several gecvernment
reports, which gave us the needed infcrmation for tne river
at the ‘fichigan Agricultural Ccllege, Sut which did not
touoh upen any other porticn of the river toward or beyund

Ok eo 8. $OSA BD
i i ain

Re

For the purpose cf this thesis it was necessary to
prepare maps cf the river shewing the course, topc-rapnhical
survey, levels, nature cf the scil, and the vosition of the
proposed dam and pewer station. To do this witn any degree
of accuracy cost ccnsideradle time and effcrt. Nevertneless
these facts were essential and fundafmental in the vrepara-
tion of the report, and due attention was paid each thrucut
tne survey.

We kept in mind during the pregress of the work the
possibility of further investigation, and our endeavors
were made with the idea of making our ocnelusions a work-
ing basis for the future if needed. Therefore tne transit
line and levels were run with precision; our toposrarhical
survey was slichted somewhat since the line of levels siowed
the bank to be of sufficient hight to waintain adanmofa
workable elevation; The pcwer calculations were determined
as near as possible considering the data at hand; and the
prosperity of the ccmmunity , good roads, railroad facili-
ties, and cost were rcugnly and vriefly discussed.

The practical side of the proposition was unnezncst
in consideration at all times. The ideas and remarks of
the old settlers therefore carried no small amount of
Weight in our final determinations. Those who had seen the
old mill in operation were consulted,and their ooservations
and experiences with the former dam were carefully noted.

The work was cutlined in a manner such that it would
include a review of the town of Okemos, the rainfall of
this section cf the state, tue stream bed, the sffect of a

pond, the effect of the dam upon the stream, a history of
3.

the old mill and dam, and in a zeneral way a discussion
of the activity and prospsrity cf the community.
We wish to thank Nr. Tewey Seeley of East Lansing
for his useful inforraticn from the Weather Bureau Station,
and ‘ir. Mcore of Okemos fcr his practical views and

observations cf past opsraticns cf tne mill.
Village cf Okemos.

Okemos is a small village cf about two hundred and
fifty people, and is situated about three miles east of
Kast Lansing along Grand River avenue,the main thorough-

fare petween Tetroit and Grand Rapids.

The name of the town is derived from the Indian Chief
Okenlios, who ruled in this section cf the state in the
early days. A saw mill and small settlement, were located,
where the cld grist mill now stands ,and where the proposed
power staticn would be located, several years vefore the
City of Lansing was first settled. For this reason the
village contains many time worn structures and a community
that is somewhat old fashioned and inactive. Many of the
inhabitants boasted of living in that vicinity for the
past fifty years, and were very familar with the flood
oonditions of the Red Cedar River and the effects of the
old dam.

The growth of the community seeus to be dormant, due
to the poor railrcead facilities and tne activity of Kast
Lansing and z,ansing sc near. The accompanying map will
serve to lend a better understanding cf its location as

regards the railroads.
4.

The reads sicwn in and arcund the tcwn are sctme of the
best in the state of Michizane. The furms are somewhat sandy
but appear tc be very prosperous and fertile. The community
is promerous in a quiet way. Lack of modern activity and
the influence cf their old fashicned ways tend to make them

not as prosperous and enterprising as would de possible.
The Pere Marquette Railroad has a station about three

quarters of a mile from the villaze marked red on the map.
The highway leading to the stop passes the mill and is in
the best of conditicn. Regular stops are uade here by the
trains and a bus line operates vetween the town and station.

The store buildings are mostly old and in pocr shape;
several structures are empty and fast going to ruins. Never-
theless there are three general stores that seeuw to be doing
a fairly good business. Reyond this there is very little
Couiueroial activity.

The inhabitants are very much interested in the pros-
posed dam. They are anxicus to promcte the enterprize and
judging from the information gained from lr. Armstrong » bhe
owner of the mill site, they are ready to back the propom-
tion. At present there is no lighting system in the village
cr in the community near at hand. Kveryone that tre writers
anrproached regarding the possibilities of a dam were ready
to aid and assist in any way possible toward an investigation.
They were very desirous of obtaining an elsctrico supply

station and seemed to lament the lack of power at present .
 

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5.

eysten of Levels and Gages.

The system cf levels was started with the known benon
mark on Farm Lane Bridge at the Michizan Agricultural Colleze.
Flev. 825.34'.. This elevation was determined by former
surveys by the students of the ccllege from the U.S. Weather
Pureau Station bench mark placed cn the steps of the Weather
Rureau Bullding.

This elevaticn was not used however in our notes, since
we assumed an elevation of 100 feet cn top the concrete post
at the oorner of the lot of the farm hcuse building. This
station was connected in later to the Farm pane Bridge [.m.
The line extended along tiie north side cf the river to
e Chittendens residence about three quarters cf a mile
frou the bridge. At this point the line was run out to
Grand River avenue, and continued along the road thru Okemos
to the southeast abutment of the bridge over tne tail race
from the old mill. <A small stone in the top of the abutment
Was used as the bench mark. Banoh marks were placed at
convenient points along the line fcr future use should they
be needed. The line was ccntinued frcm here along the
river banks, keeping cn the lower bank, to the southwest
abutment of the bridge at the road leading to the County
Poor House of Ingram County, a distanoe of abcut one mile
and three quarters east from Ckemos.e Bench marks vers
placed at intervals as shown cn the nctes accompanying, for
use in the topographical survey.

The entire line of a little less then seven miles was

cheoked to verify our results. Our notes will show that

we checked within a couple hundreds which was accuras6
6.

enough for the caloulaticns.

To cooperate with the levels wefran a couple gages, one
under the supervision of the Weather Fureau Staticn at
Fast Lansing, and cne under our supervision at the mill.
The first station is situated under the railroad oridze
leading to the “chigan Agricultural Colleze grcunds. (Elev.
at zero mark 821.7' ) Thies was read every morning at
7:00 ofolock during the investization and they had the
readingsfor us for the past five years as well as the
gage readings and ocrresponding discharges for the last
four months in the year of 1902 and the entire year of 1903.
The station at Okemos was read from April 28th to May 25th
by a party hired by the writers. These readings were read
tc the nearest tenth and are tabulated on a following pages
The gage at Ckemos was pateed on cone of the piers taat |
hold the turbines in the tail race. (Zero Flev. 828.88" ).

On May 15th and 16th the river rose to an unnatural
stage due to heavy rain for twenty fcur hours. The water
rose as much as four feet over night and due to the unlocked
for flood our gage at Okeinos was not long enough to register
the elevation cf the water on vray 16the This tended to
show, however, the rapidity with which the river rises and
falls.

The bench mark on the bridge along the County Poor
House Rad was found to have an elevaticn of 845-336".
The fall between the bridge and the water under the oridge
Over the tail race was found to be 2.88 feet in a distance

cf one mile and three quarters. This was not as great as

Was expected.
 

 

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7

From cur tadulaticn it will be nected that the water
just back of the tail race is slightly higher then the
water in the tail race due tc the costructicn cf tne
portion cf the dam still existing. The sage at the mill
is in the tail race sc will register slightly less than

the surface just above the dam.

The Transit Line.

The transit line is shcwn on the large mapsof the
entire ocurse cf the river from the Michisan Agricultural
College to the Ingran Ccunty Poor House Road,a distance
cf abcut six and one half miles. The survey cciimences
at Farm Lane Fridge and extends along the south side of the
Liver to Okemos. Here for the purpose of locating cur
topographical level staiicns we ran the line closs to the
bank of the river, keeping on the lower tank from Okemos
to the nounty Poor icuse road.

Fairly accurate measuring was done, sufficient to
apply to the inmaps drawn, which were made to scale of
200' to the inch. The azimuth angles were read to the
nearest minute, which was more then close encugh for plott—
ing purposes. The new water tcwer at the “ichivan Agri-
cultural College was used as the reference point for our
azimuth angles.

Definite staticns were lcoated thruout the course and
Witness marks made plain encugh tc enable anyone , desiring
te further the investigation, tc find the stakes. The

distance from each stake to the river edge was weasured
 

 

   

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7
for the purpcse cf plotting the rath cf the river.

The width of the river at varicus points was noted
during the survey and it was found that a definite width
was very hard tc find since the river varies to such an
extent in rise and fall. However, the breadth was shown
to be from fcrty to one hundred feet, a fair average being
avout sixty or sixty-five feet fcr ncr:.al stage of water.

Any data regarding marsh land cr steep banks was
noted on the map in a general way to give soxe idea to

the reader the nature cf the Red Cedar River .
Topographical Survey.

Due to the lack of time given us we were unacle to
carry out the initial plans as regards cur topozraphical
surveys <A great deal had to be omnitted,and that,which
was done had to be fi. ished in a short period cf tine.
The original plan was to emstend the survey alcng the
river cver the portion ccxusidered. This would include
the part below the damas well as that above , and would
have served as excellent data for anyone desiring to
study the nossittlities od pever any other place abong the
river.

The portion of the river below the dam was cumitted,
and only the mile and three quarters above the dam was
given any consideration. OQur purpose was to secure data
that would enable us to determine upon the most ecombmical
size cf dam to be used. We desired to find cut how muoh

land would be flcoded with different hights cf dams.
The bottom cf the river near the dam was found to
have an elevaticn cf arrrozimately eisht-two feet re-
fered to cur datum plane cf? 100! on the top of the post
at the Colleze Farm Ecuse- Our line of lemels showed
that a hight cf cver ninty-twe feet cculd not be
considered without flccding a relatively large area of
land. Therefore we ccncluded to base cur figures upon
a ten foot dam the tcp cf which would have an slevaticn
cf ninty-two feet. <A contcur line was plctted over the
mils and three quarter stretch and the area flcocvded

was found to be apout twenty-six acres as shcwn by the

large map in the back cf the bcok.
The Nill Site and Yan.

The accompgnying map will tend to lccate the nill
and give the reader a fairly gocd understanding cf tne
surrounding country and existing ccnditicns in this
district. The nearness of tne railroads, tns town, and
main reads all can plainly be ncted sc it is useless to
disouss them to any extent here.

At present there is on the orcund only the remains
and wreok of the old will. The dam which is shcwn on the
map bs partly washed away. Ths first and criginal dam
Was located just ncerth cf the ~resent one, but has long
since been taken cut.

The photes shown here will scxevhat explain the snaps
of the prcperty at present and will alsc Bive the reader
scrie idea what must have been here a fev years ago.

The mill has been idle fcr ten years and during that
10.

period silt has fermsd arcund it a:d undervorush has

grown up sc that cnly the tcp edge cl the structure can
be seen; cvsrhalf of it teing entirely washed cut. The
criginal dam was abcut sixty feet nerth cf the dan Sie wn,
Yut there revains new cnly a few piles to Iccate it. This
site was asandcned in favor cf tre oetter ccnditicns at
the locaticn last used.

Driftwocd and sand have settled above the dam to suon
an extent that the river has been materially narrowed at
this point and cculd easily ve nade tc have an area of taree
to five acres mcre just at this secticn by cleaning cut
the delta foruaticn. This feature will ce taken up mcre in
detail when we ccnsider the rondage possible .

From extimate and data gathered from the cld settlera
the dam was scme sixty feet in width and aocut seven feet
high, made up entirely cf piles, loss and dirt threwn in
carelessly with no plan cf constructicn. The ccnstructicn
was crude ania great deal co power must have oeen lost dus
to leakage. Suitable maintainance was never carried on and
naturally eame the present ccnditicn fesulted.

The mill was built by a Mr. Orton abcut 1667, and was
sccn afterwards scold to iire rertraw. It was used to zrind
feed fcr the farmers in that ccmzunity anda fairly good
business was maintained at this time . The miil was
75' x 24' and a perticn 24' x 30' was three stories nigh.
The renainder was cne stcry and contained the turoines and
grinding stcnes.

At this time the mill race ran in under the mill ve-

tween the basement walls and cperated a turodine wnich appeared
ll.

to be a sixty hcerse rcwer turiine when cperated at sufficient
speed. iir. uwccre infermed us that this turdine was kept
busy the entire year except for a few weeks in ths srring
during flccd seagon, when thse cack water rose abcve tne
turbine. Tne business was a paying cne acscrding to the
statements cf the cld settlers , just hcw profitable we

were unable to find cut. They did aduit that ths trade

Was small ccmpared with mcdern *usiness and it ccnsisted
entirely cf crixnding feed.

The mill was sold to csay and Allen during the eighties
and abcut 1893 it carie inte the hands of ur, Saltmarsh, the one
we are most interested in since he was the last perscn to
run the mill.

It might be well to menticn te a small extent the nature
and character cf this party, fcr it was these features that
Led to the abandcnmeant cf the mille He was a man not at
all familar with mills or water power staticns,and he did
not realize cr ccnsider the pcesscivlities cf efficienoy and
proper maintainance. VTespite this he advanced his own
ideas and put them inte foree much tc nis loss as well as
to the detr@ient of the mill. He cperated the mill with
decreasing returns until about ten years ago wnen the dam
was washed cut and the prepositicn given up.

During his ccntrcl he changed the runway and added
another turbine, which we judzed to de abcut a twenty five
horse power machine. The runway was changed from its

positicn under the mill tc the present one, where it runs

past the end of the mill. The turbines were set cut in
Lie

the new tail race and this necessitated here shafting to
the main part cf the mill. This race was nade twelve feet
wide and a ccncrete wall was built that distance from the
end of the mill. Sand frem the btottcm cf tne river and
very little cement vas used in this cecastructicn, and tne
result was an everlasting curden te the cwner from tanen on.
This wall was centinually washing cut and vureaking new
leaks which caused a great lcss cf water and pcewer. The
walls under the building vcesan to crumble since the force
cf the water was remcved and this caused tc destrcy tne
mill building scmewhat.

ir. Saltrarshn also beusht new nachinery and tnis was
some cf the best that cculd be cotained. iie enlarzed tne
dam, but was careless in its ccastructicn and very socn
washouts accurred . The mill was shut down wany tines
to maks ths necessary repairs on the dam and the wall
inclosing the tailrace. itud, ccrnstalks, etc., were used
to patch the holes up until the wholes thing became a very
unstabls affair. A large portion cf the dam went cut anoott
1906 as menticned vefore and qmeraticns ceassd at this time.

About a year age the prceperty was purohased by sr.
Aruwstrong of Fast Lansing for the purpcse cf enlarging the
dam and making a power staticn cut cf it if investigation
would prove it to <2 a prcfitable cne. «ar, Armstrong was
interviewed and arreared to be greatly interested in tne
possibilities cf the project and hceped tc give it his
attsntion in the near future. A rceugh estimate had oeen

made by his son an Flectrical Fngineering graduate cf the
13 .

Michigan Agricultural College, and he thct that suitacle
power oculd te maintained tc rake a rower staticn a paying
investment. He made his estimate during fairly low water
last Thanksgiving andi calculated that sixty-fcur hcrse
pewer cculd be cotained at that tins.

This ocmpletes a scmevhat shcrt histcry cf the project,
cut it will serve tc give the reader an understanding cf
conditicns and results cf the past cperaticns. Ws have
compared these ccnditicns with these cf the mill at
Williamston, where a successful ncill is in cperaticn.
Something will te said rezsarding this later cn in the thesis.

It shculd be nctad, however, that the abdcve discussion
has ceen based upen the infcrnaticn received frcem varicus
Bcuroes which gave no reliable report of the actual power
that cculd te cbtained. The fcllowing part cf the tnesis
Will give the calculations based upcn the data actually

Cotained from cas# readings, flocd area, water shedd, eto .
 

 

   

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OKEMOS
SHOWING Mill Site
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IG-a
Cemrarison of Gaze Neadings:

It will be zcted from the acccempanying data ziven
shewing tre difference in water level cetween oksucs
and the railrcad bridse at Fast Lansing that the change
is abcut ccnstant. The rise and fall is not thse sane
as we nicsht expect, ner does tere seem tc ve a ocustant
relation as to rise and fall. It will be noted tnat
the sage resisters a rise at Oksiscos where it does net
snow a rise at East Lansing cr tne ctnher way arcund.

The gges were read sirultanecusly at 7:00 ctclcck

17 fall between.

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ft

each mcerning, and the varying se

r

the two stations cculd be caused ky lccal rains above

cr belcw Okemos. Nevertheless, there is a certain relation
shown , which when carefully studied may teid tc give tne
reader a little vetter ucderstanding cf tne ocnditicns
existing. The dnta was not taken cover a long siucugn period
to give us the desired results, but tne fact that we did
have a rise water pericd and a lcw watsr period tends to
sive us a pretty zood relation oetween the two peints.

From ths data we can assume that an average differenco
in elevaticn between the twce péints of water level ia aovut
six feet. This fall cf six feet hcwever, ccunts in the
two or three feet drop cf the dam at Fast Lansing. ‘he
Surface level cf the water aocve thse small daw at Fast
Lansing would nct be mere than fcur fest below the surface

at Okemcs.
/3-6
The Relative Goze headin;ss at Ckencos and

Fast Lansing.

 

 

( O Klev. -~ 838.88 ) ( 0 Flev. - 821.7' )
Ok enc 83 Fast Lansing:
Date Reading Flevation Tate heading Ele vatioca:

Apr. 28 1.7 BZ0.58! Apr. £8 3.0 S247!
Apr. 29 1-5 £30.58! Apre 29 mel 828.4!
Apr. 30 1.2 &Z0.08! Arr. 3C 2.4 Este!
aye 1 1.2 &30.08! way 1 220 625.7!
day 2 123 870.18! Vay 28 8.0 823.7!
way 3 1.3 670.18! may 3 ned 8e4.u!
Way 4 1.7 €20.58! may 4 28 824.5!
ifday 5 1.6 €20.48! way 5 2-6 &24.8!
may 6 1.4 €2z0.28! May 6 24 824.1!
Hay 7 £21.43 830.18! May 7 2.5 824.3!
May 8 1.2 ©30.18! May 8 2.5 824.3!
May 9 1.1 829.98! Nay 9 2.4 624.1!
day 10 9 629.78! “ay Lo 205 824.3!
lay 11 1.3 830.18! “ay Ll 225 824.2!
May 12 1.3 G3°.18! hay 12 £8 824.5!
May 13 1.1 929.95! way 12 2.0 823.7!
May 14 8 229.68! May 14 8.0 823.7!
May 16 3.6 832.48! May 15 4.0 825.7!
fay 16 Over 7ag0 ay 16 8.5 830.3!
day 17 nf eee ‘lay 17 9.3 831.5!
lay 18 wR eee eee way 18 8.0 829.7!
uay 19 2.7 832.58! way 19 6.4 828.1!
vay 80 29 821.78! way 20 5.5 827.38!
May el 2.5 831.18! way BL 3.8 825-5!
way 2a 3.1 €31.98! way 52 3.1 824.8!
liay 23 2.2 831.06! May 03 3.0 824.7!
 
Willionstcn Dam.

A trip was made to Williamston during the investigaton
for the purpose of studying the dam in the Red Cedar River
at that place. We desired to uake a comparison Letween the
two locations with the hepa that this would enasle us to
make a more rractical renort cn the rcssivilities at Okenos.

We intervieved the cwner cf the Williamston :!i11 and
he was very ccnsiderate and willing to give any inforzation
we asxed fcr. It was found that no scientific study nad
ever been rade cf tne mill reszarding power, discharys, sic.

towever, we found that the dam at tnis place gave an

-~,

effective nead of eizht feet, tne dam itself being avout
fourteen feet high. Acccrding to the owners conversation
he was able to use a sixty anda fcarty horse puwer wheel
working the year arcund , making a total constant power of
cne hundred hcrse power withcut the lcsses deducted. The
flouw mill was of sufficient size to turn cut seventy-five
varrels cf flour a day, altho this output was very rare.

A pendage of twenty acres cr so was uiaintained and
according to the owner's statements there was sufficient
water in reserve to keep the pewer at one hundred horse
power during the dry season. There Was however, consideraole
fall in t*e« river at this point and excellent banks for
Containing the water.

The mill had been in copsraticn under the new wuanaselient
for ten years or more and had at all times deen a paying
prorcsiticn, The initial ccst was arcund fifteen tnousand
dollars includin; the total: ccst cf mill and dam. The
dam was a modern structicn , rut up acscrding to correct

plans , and had a length cf avout one hundred and sixty feet.
J3-d

It is very mecvade that the cwner cver estizated
the capacity cf the mill , and frou ooscrvation we assuned
that the will did haves caracity cf twe hundred hcrse pever
during a short tine cf the year , but it also had a winizuy
capacity cf abcut siyty horse rewver. Two whesls were no
deubt cperated fer this rurrose of using a sixty or a forf$y
part cf the year. This weuld ce sufficient to cperate the
mill leowever.

It was estinated that the fall between Williamston
and Okeluos was urcut eleven feet accordinz to the cld
settlers. sac elevaticn cf the will was referred to a
“waclogical Survey Fench tiark sc we were urndable to deter-
mine the exact difference. The elevaticns were, however,
referred to cefinite point abcut thre city sco that the
sea level elevaticn would tea very easy matter to determine.

From the data civen for this point in tie river it
would seen at first theursht that Okemos cculd sunport a
mill of the same cr greater newer, cut the nature cf tne
manks and the difference in fall at the two points czives
Williamston the preference.

We did not attsupt to go into a study cf the cutput
@ the return cf the Williamstcn “ill since that was net
the essential object cf this thesis. We ccnfined our
efforts tcward deternuinin; the poszivle power at Ckeucs,
and used this dan cnly a source of couwparison to find

cut what the Fed Cadar River cculd so where conditicns

were gcod fcr pcwer purrcsss.
 

14.

Calculations.

We were atle tc secure fru the U. S&S. Weather Tureau
Station the gaze readings of the Red Cedar fiver cevering
the last fcur mcernths cf te year 19C2 and the entire year 1903
Also they furnished us with the saue data for each day
between yoars 19511 and 1916.

Frou this scurce was alsc fcund the daily precipitatadon
cf this secticn cf the state fcr the rast fifty-two years.
The water-ciied area atcve Hust Lansing and this side cf
Okemos was ceternmined fren the atlas of Ingram Ccunty.

The drainaze area fcr the entire river , and the area azcve
Fast Lansing was given under pcvernnental reports cbtained
frcm ure Seeley. Also we fcund data ccvering the last four
mcnths of 19C0eé and the entire year of 1902, which gave us
tne Gischarge per day of the hed Cedar Kiver at kast Lansing
A discharge ratine table is included in the nctes whioh
Oanrnct be used for any cther years then 1902 and 1902,

Bince the elevaticn cf the gaze was changed after this tine
and the nctes shcowing the change in elevation were desircyed
in the Kngineering Fuilding fire this spring at the iichizan
Agricultural Cclleze.

With the above infornaticn at l.and we were avle to
calculate the relative discharge at Okemos by comparing
the water-shed avove Ckenos with that abcve Fust Lansing.
The drainage area cf the entire river is estinated to be
472 equare miles. The area accve East Lansing is 358 square
miles, since 114 square miles are drained by the hed Cedar

between Fast Lansing and the Grand River at Lansing, a
 

15.

distance ef atcut six miles. Tue to the fact that the
Herron Creek empties intc the Red Cedar between the College
and Okemos and alsc since Pine Lake drains intc the river
in this secticn, there is a large area drained vetween

the two pcints under discussicn. This was estimated tc

be about 45 square miles, leaving us an area of 313 square
miles drained apcve Okeucs.

It was considered that an average run-cff cf one
second foct per square uiile wculd be a fair average run-
off for this region. This wculd give us a run-off of 313
cubio feet accve Ckemcs every second, which would seen to
naintain a constant discharge of 313 oubic feet per second
the year arcund at the mill. Upcen tne same basis at Fast
Lansing we would have a discharge cf 355 cuvic feet per
second.

The following table will show several reports of
run-off along the Red Cedar , and it will be noted that
one second foot per square mile is a fair estinate from
the data given in the tabulation.

Estimated menthly discharge cf the Ked Cedar

River at the Agricultural Ccllege, Fast Lansing,
ilichivan for 1902 and 1903. Drainage area 256 sq. xni-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discharge in sec. ft. nun off.
Month - Seceft. . Depth
_ 1908 1X.  wihe — sean. _sgemi. in in.
Sept. E18 15 144 0.40 045
Oct. 717 146 285 80 098
Nov. 284 136 225 ~62 ~ 69

Dec. 744 158 $22 GQ 1. Od
(table continued.)

 

16.

 

 

 

 

 

1905

Jan. 1,999 125 ze 94 1.0
Feb. 1,550 170 571 1.59 1.65
Mar. 8,110 £22 959 2.68 3.09
Apr. 2,700 214 860 2-40 ee 6&
May. 271 84 143 »40 » 46
Jun. 523 61 154 227 4§
Jul. 265 z 132 48 043
Aug. 856 42 172 43 © 55
Sept 1,240 146 423 1.18 1.32
Oct. 284 107 173 48 255
Nov. 257 8& 152 042 0 47
Tec. 126 73 102 29 33
Year —=s—— 4 700 43  —s- B46 -97 13.09 _

 

Since we had only tie Gischarge data actually cbtained
fer the last fcur months cf year 1902 and the year cf 1902,
we rade an atterpt to determine wiether this period was a
fair average cf conditicns as to rainfall, gage readi.igs,
etc., cavrared with cther years.

A careful survey cf the gave readin.;s between the
years cf 191] and 1916 was mado and it was fcund that the
years 1902 and 19CZ shcwed accut the same average rise and
fall as @uring this period, which assurxed that we were
safe in using 1902 and 190% as a tasis.

As regards rainfall, the curves drawn will shew that
no regular curve for year after year can ce drawn. We
have shcwn an average curve fcr the last fifty-two years
and have plotted ourves fcr every fifth year during the
entire time . Qur tabulaticn will show the sums fcr the
different years cf tctal rainfall and tne folowing fact

ids evident: the annual rain fall fcr 19028 was 38.50"

1903 " $35.93"
the annual rainfall fori9ll " 31.18"
1912 %" =33.50"
1913 " 31.05"
17.
1914 Was 3d orn
1915 " 32.14"
There is a difference here cf three cr fcur inches
for the twe set of years, which is nct encusth to cause us

not to ccnsider 19C2 and 1992 as a average rericd for
estimations.

Therefore we concluded to use 1902 and 19CZ asa
fa if"ES fire the relative average discharge at Okeuos.

Next we attempted to ascune the best size cam to
build se that a definite head of water fcr couputation
ccukd te used. As stated tefcre in tris thesis under
the tepesgraphical survey the elevation of the pcottom
of the stream at Ckenos was aryrcxinately eisht-two feet
referred to cur datum plane cf 100 feet. We lave said
that cur centcur werk alcong the river would not allew
an é¢levaticon of more than ninty-twe feet tc be reached
withcut considerable waste cf land due to overflow.
Therefore cur figures were based upcn a tem fcot dam as
the most econcriical and practical hight.

Then it can be said that the extreme head that could
be obtained would be about ten feet. We may say that
the discharge acccrdins to run-off cannot exceed 313
oubic feet per second. Fut these both are sudject to
change ef the calculaticns are tc be practical and are
to shew the real pcwer present the year around.

Let us consider first the effect cf the discharge
readings at Fast Lansing, and the run-cff of 45 cubio

feet per second between this place and Okemos.
A study cf the average discharges at Fast Lansing
show that seven mcenths out cf the year we have a flow of
less than three hundred cubic feet per seccnd. Iuring
these seven ricnths there is a change frcm 10% cubic feet
to 173 cuvic feet. The cther five rcenths are avcve 300
cubic feet per seccnd , and are large, due te flocd seascns
giving us an avcrage fcr the entire year cf 348 cubic feet
per seocnd. Conpare this with tne 358 cucic feet per second
estinate mace from the run-off calculatims,and it will
appear that we have made the best cf estimates. It will
ce coserved that that we cannct get ucre than 150 cuvic feet
per second for nore than five ucxnths cf the year. Hence,
althc, the average is 248 cubic feet per seccnd it will
not do tc ccnsider a flew cf cver 150 cubic feet per second
for the year around unless an encrmcus poridage is waintained,
which would not te practical during low water. The lowest
record €s 102 cucic feet per second and twe ucnths cut
of the year we have less than 120 cubic feet per seccnd.
Therefore we will consider the discharge at Fast Lansing
to be 150 cubic fect per seccnd fcr the year around.

The discharge then at Okemos will be less due to ite
area drained between the two places. Usine the 45 cubic
feet run-off determined upon we find that at Okemos an
average discharge cf only 150 - 45 equal 105 cubic feet
per second can be maintained. :

An investisation of the river depth abcve and celow

the dam shcwed it to be practically uniform with a hard
19.

sandy bottcm. Therefcre we can use the rise and fall
of the river, registered by cur gages , as a casis to
Getermine the effect of back water upon the effective
head. The water rises during the nenths of iarch, April
and January,and reaches at times a hight cf six cr seven
feet for several days at a tine. Cur sage readings show
that a hight of three cr fcur feet in maintained for
accurle weeks at a time, and this value could ce used as
@ maximum averasee The re.ainins low seascns would not
Buprpcrt a depth cf cver two feet and would cften rcoacn a
depth of cne and cne half feet.
The rise and fall cf the river would then materially
effect the head that could be naintained by a ten foot
dame Turing high water the water weuld flow over the dam
and create a larse head, but at the same tine the tail race
wculd rise four fest cr so and leave us a head cf five or
six feet that we cculd use. Then asain shculd the tail
race co lov the water in the reservcir wculd likewise be
low and again we weuld only have a head cf five cr six feet.
Therefore, it is save to assure that we cculd not figure
on more then a five cr six foot head to operate a turbine .
We are then in a pcsiticn to calculate the available
horse power that can be developed at Okenos. Consider
discharge 105 cubic feet rer seocnd, and head six feet, and

we get: 6 ~*~ 105 x 68-5 equal 76 hcrse power with losces.
550.

 

4
B0,-

is a fair figure fcr loss cf water tiru the fail race.

O% can ce ccunted on as loss due to gcc efficient turbine.

CG

 
206

20%: more can be deducted fr lack cf 10°.) effbciency
cf the uill machinery.

If electrical ptver supply be the cpisct cf the power
it will be necessary tc consider a 40° loss fcr machinery
and delivery Wer the wires.

Therefcre the available pcwer fcr use as a will,
would be: 75°. cf 72 %.P. equal 54 E.P.

60 cf 54 H.P. etuals 43 H.P.
€0> of 43 1.P. enuals 34 H.P. available for
net power.

Should it be desired to surrly electric pcwer to the
vicinity the following hcrse pcwer could oe developed at
destinaticn: 60° cf 43 H.P. equals 26 H.P.

then we way conclude that 34 hcrse power is availavle
for net power fcr mill purposes, and 26 hcrse power is
available fcr electric rower suprly at the destination.

It rerains tc determine whether a larger expense
in construction would pring abcut encugh extra ptwer to
pay, and tc decide whether to puild a power station , a rill,
or a conbinaticn cf the twe, so that the largest returns

would result.
2D. “Qa

Rating tacle for Red Cedar Niver at rast Lansing, ichigan,
Netermined Aug. 21, 1902.

an

Gage Reg Diso.

 

Gage Re'g JTisoe cage he'd Tiso Gase Tetg Tisc.

 

 

1.50 15 3.40 179 5.20 451 7.20 E87
1.55 18 3.45 184 5.55 460 7.25 902
1-60 22 3.50 190 5.4C 468 7.30 918
1.65 26 2.55 196 5.45 476 7.35 934
1.70 29 3.60 202 5.50 485 7.40 948
1.75 32 3.65 808 5.55 494 7.45 964
1.80 36 5.70 214 5.60 504 7.50 9680
1.85 40 3.75 220 5.65 514 7.55 1000
1-90 42 Z.80 226 5.70 528 7.60 1030
1.95 46 3.85 222 5.75 532 7.65 1040
2.00 50 3.90 228 5680 542 7.70 1060
8.05 54 3.95 244 5.85 552 7.75 1080
2.10 58 4.00 B50 5.90 561 7.80 1100
2.15 61 4.05 257 5.95 570 7.85 1120
2.2 0 65 4.10 264 6.00 580 7.90 1140
3.25 69 4.15 271 6.05 591 7.95 1160
3.30 72 4.20 378 6.10 602 8.00 1180
2.35 76 4.25 285 6.15 613 8.05 1210
3.40 80 4.20 292 6.20 624 8.10 1240
3.45 84 4.35 299 6.25 635 8.15 1260
3.50 88 4.4C 306 6.30 646 8.20 1890
2.55 92 4.45 318 6.35 657 8.25 1320
8.60 98 4.50 320 6.40 668 8.30 1340
8.65 102 4.55 328 6.45 679 8.35 1370
8.70 107 4.60 326 6.50 690 8440 1400
3.75 112 4.65 S44 6.55 704 8.45 1420
3.80 116 4.70 352 6.60 717 8.50 1450
3.85 122 4.75 360 6.65 730 8.55 1480
2.90 126 4.80 ZEB 6.70 144 8.60 1520
8.95 121 4.85 376 6.75 758 8.65 1550
$. 00 136 4.90 584 6.80 771 8.70 1590
3.05 141 4.95 398 6.85 184 8.75 1620
3.10 146 5.00 400 6.90 798 8.80 1650
3.15 158 5.05 408 6.95 812 8.85 1690
8.20 158 5.10 417 7.00 825 8.90 1720
S25 163 5.15 426 7.05 840 8.95 1760
3.0 168 5.20 434 7.10 856 9.00 1790
3.35 174 5.25 442 7.15 872 9.05 1830
9.10 1870 9.40 3110 9.70 3374 10.00 2,650
9.15 1910 9.45 2150 9.75 2420 10.05 38,700
9.20 1950 9.50 3190 9.80 32470 10.10 2,750
G35 1990 9.55 2840 9.85 8510

9.30 32030 9.60 2280 9.90 3560

9.35 38070 9.65 2330 9.95 3600
Fre port #i-om

Weather \o UP ee ee (eta ad |

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me eT e a ings E ne
_ _ _ fast Lonsing, Michigan =
_ _klev__» G20 ___, Elosd Stage 7S — =
Nov.

     
Conclusicns?

Consideraticn cf the results ovtained will enasle
us to Blude aprrceximately wiat effect a reservior would
have upnen the possiole newer. It was stated cnge vefore
in this thesis that abcut three acres of delta formation
cculd o@ Tre:i:cved fr:m the river sadbcve the can very sasily
aid tvnus enacle one to form a rond. cicvever, a pondaze
of five acres cr sco would not ve of any avail in this
particular place, Since the dry seascns are too long for
the shall reserve tc give any uaterial aid.

Therefore it was dee..cd tetter to ccnsicer tie
possidlity cf a lar;e reserveir and the effect it would
haves The large flat plat between the pathe cf tne river
as it bends tc the east beyond tie mill and ten azain to
the scuth would cffer *:e best locaticn for a reservoir.
This land could be purchased no dceubt for seventy-five
dollars rer acre, since at rresent it is cnly used for
pasture land and is many tines under water. It is ccn-
posed cf sand and would be very easy to excavate, the dirt
removed wWculd cffer an excellent envankment for any pcints
alons the river that micht be sudject to flccd during high
Water. Then we can safely assume that a pondaze cf fifteen
acres is feasible at this rcint.

We have already stated that some twenty-six acres
Would be flocded . This flccda would pecbably reach an
averaze depth cf three feet during high water and would
d#minish to nothing during the dry weather. In this way a
fairly large rescrve cf water could be z.aintained for

short pericds durins the dry seasons. With this reserve
we might be able tc add a dissharce of twenty-five dubio
feet ner seccnd , which will sive up a diselarge of cne
hundred and thirty ouric feet per second at Ckemcs, This
will give us the follcwing ncrse pewer:

1Z0 x 62.5 x 6 equals 88.5 iP.
550

 

Fellewiug the sase figuring as was used in tne
calculaticns we find that a herse rcwer cf fifty tnrse
could be used by a mill (net Pe) and 31.8 net norse
power cculd be delivered as electricity.

This is not a materially high increase cf pewer and
would not deem the expense necessary as an advisable
exten@ion. It must be rememsered that 4 large porticn
of the year,apprcximately one half, that the river is
low and the water would be lcw in the reservoir this
pericd of time not keepins encugh extra water to naka tne
expense a@ cusiness nrenesition.

Therefore the writers have concluded that it is vest
to consider a five £664 acre reserve of water just above
the dam and tc use the discharge at this point the sane as
first calculated.

An effort was now made tc determine if possibvle
approximately waat return could be expected from the pcwer
orfered. We will first ccnsider the electrical sun»ly
station returns, which were fisured as fcllows:

One lamp will take abcut O.5 amps.

We decided to assume that 5CO lamps would be used in
Okemos and the vicinity . This we believe is a very fair
assumption, eonsiderinz the size cf the town and tne nunosr

of hcuses.
LO

If the lights wore used cn an avsrage cf six hcurs
per cay, which is a very gctcd average, we cculd ccunt
cn 12.5 x 1°09 x 6 equals 81000 watt heurs, with
all the lishts turnirg.

We will consider that 50,: cf these are light for tue
six ncurs fer day. This leaves a total of 40500 watt
hceurs [Ler day.

Tre facter 127.5 revrecents the KW fren the folicwing
calculaticn:

500 (lishts) x 25 (au aipe) ana 110 (volts)
equals 12.5 wre

13.5 £1.34 equals 18 HP. approximately that
Would be used by the 5°90 lishts. We have statec that
accut £6 .P. is available so it will be seen that we
still have avcut eisht horse power not used. If this
cculd be used it weuld adda slishtly to the inccne.

We assumed that a cost cf four cents per .j\e
heur would be a fair estimate fer this portion of tne
state.

Tois would give us a daily income of .04 x 40.500

equals (1.60 per day.

The maximum return would be approximately ,6.CO
ber day giving us a roturn of ,60.00 per ucnth.

it is evident fron the avove figures that this

income wculd net wake a power staticn without scue other

inccnme a paying investment.
The writers talked with Mr, Fuhersen Arustreng, the
Owner Of the mill, rezarding wiet he expected his retuin
t© ce, and ha stated that it wos his intenticn to Cperaite
“he will durin> the day tine as well as at nicht, pecviding
@ suitavle *tusiness cculéd be fFeund that weuld wake full use
of the 26 horse rower availavle fcr will purposes.

A careful survey cf the kinds cf business that
would be best suited for tre variale pewer during the
yecr ond cCnditicns rrevalent led us te censider that
the use cf electricity fcr heat treatnent etc, would
we far supericr te the likely success cf the fleur will,
first ccnsidered. It is possitle that the power night
droy to ten hcrse power fcr shcrt fpericds and tnen a.j;ain
it nist reach a maximun cf cver a hundred herse pcewer,
so if electric furnaces cculc be established such that
the variable power cculd he used to the full evtent at

all times cf the years , the mayinum returns wculd wesult .

ct

Thus, we woule receniiend that the rewer be used
during: the éay for the heat treatrent cf steel cr sone
like use. If a busines: cof this nature cculd ce estarliened
at Ckenos it ri-ht be advisavle to place a dau at this
reint in the river, but ctherwise we cannct ses where
the investrent would be werth while.

The writers resret that mere tine was net availavle
sO that the ascve investivaticn mis-rt have been followed
inte the details cf whit returns would te pessible. tevcr-
the less we fecl that the reader will be able tc forma

reascr.ahle cenclusicn cf what a dam at Okermcs cifers to

the investing mvilic.
33

U

TKS

Tn

 
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