DUKE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY NORTH CAROLINA GEOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC SURVEY JOSEPH HYDE PRATT, DIRECTOR ECONOMIC PAPER No. 53 WATER POWER SURVEY OF SURRY AND WILKES COUNTIES BY THORNDIKE SAVILLE, HYDRAULIC ENGINEER 6 4 7 4-5 RALEIGH Mitchell Printing Company State Printers 1922 GEOLOGICAL BOARD Governor Cameron Morrison, ex officio Chairman— Raleigh Frank R. Hewitt Asheville C. C. Smoot, III North Wilkesboro John H. Small Washington Hr. S. Westray Battle Asheville Joseph Hyde Pratt, Director, Chapel Hill LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL Chapel Hill, 1ST. C., March 20, 1922. To His Excellency , Cameron Morrison, Governor of North Carolina. Sir: — There is herewith submitted manuscript on “A Water Power Survey of Surry and Wilkes Counties,” which has been made in co- operation with the county commissioners of these two counties ; and it is recommended that this report be published as Economic Paper Ho. 53 of the publications of the Morth Carolina Geological and Economic Survey. This is the first of a series of reports that are being made on the water powders of the several counties of the State in cooperation with the boards of county commissioners. Yours respectfully, Joseph Hyde Pratt, Director, North Carolina Geological and Economic Survey. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 with funding from Duke University Libraries https://archive.org/details/waterpowersurvey01savi CONTENTS PAGE Preface - 7 PART I Water Powers of Surry County 13 Introduction 13 Location 1 13 Climate 13 Agriculture 13 Manufactures 13 Transportation .... 13 Water Powers 14 Definitions Relating to Water Powers 14 Stream Flow 14 Cubic Feet per Second by Square Miles 14 Storage 14 Pondage 14 Gaging Station 15 Flow of Stream 15 Horsepower 15 Primary Power , 15 Secondary Power 15 Profile 15 Cross Section 15 Topographic Map 15 Ararat River 15 Matthews Dam 16 Hiatts Dam 16 Fisher River 18 Horseshoe Bend 19 Skull Camp Mountain Site 20 Mitchell River 20 Kapps Mill Site 20 Elkin River : 20 Yadkin River 21 Bean Shoals 21 Interconnection of Power Plants 22 6 Contents PART II PAGE Water Powers of Wilkes County 31 Introduction 31 Location 31 Climate 31 Agriculture 31 Forests 31 Manufactures 32 Transportation 32 Water Powers , 33 Elkin River 33 Roaring River 33 Reddies River 34 Lewis Fork 35 Elk Creek 36 Yadkin River 36 Tinsley Skoals „ 37 Barlow Shoals 37 Summary 37 Interconnection of Power Plants 37 Gaging Stations 39 PREFACE The present report on a “Water Power Survey of Surry and Wilkes Counties” was prepared by the North Carolina Geological and Economic Survey in cooperation with the boards of county commissioners of the counties, and is the first of a series of such reports that the Survey hopes to be able to bring out covering the water power resources of each county of the State. The value of these reports has already been demon- strated by the use that has been made of the present report while in manuscript form. Plans for the development of several water powers described in the report have already been made. The board of commissioners of Surry County consisted of Thomas Fawcett, Mount Airy; A. W. George, Elkin, and S. F. Shelton, Mount Airy, K. F. D., and the hoard of commissioners of Wilkes County were D. C. Sebastian, Hayes; D. Y. Nichols, Purlear, and C. M. Caudill, Traphiil. • Joseph Hyde Pratt, Director , North Carolina Geological and Economic Survey. PART I WATER POWERS OF SURRY COUNTY BY THORNDIKE SAVILLE, HYDRAULIC Engineer PART I LIST OF MAPS AND DIAGRAMS [Enclosed in Pocket Attached to Back Cover] Fig. 1. Map of Surry County, showing streams, roads, and dam sites. Fig. 2. Profile of the Ararat River. Fig. 3. Map and section of Matthews Mill Dam site. Fig. 4. Cross sections of dam sites on Ararat River. Fig. 5. Topographic map of Hiatt's dam site. Fig. 6. Profile of the Fisher River, with cross sections of dam sites. Fig. 7. Map of Horseshoe Bend Dam site, Fisher River. Fig. 8. Profile of the Mitchell River, with cross sections of dam sites. Fig. 9. Profile of the Yadkin River, Bean Shoals to North TYilkesboro, N. C. Fig. 10. Plan and profile of the Yadkin River at Bean Shoals. Fig. 11. Profile of the Yadkin River and Southern Railroad at Bean Shoals. Fig. 12. Topographic map at Bean Shoals Dam site. Fig. 13. Cross section of Bean Shoals Dam site on the Yadkin. Fig. 15. Map of Yadkin River from Salisbury to North Wilkesboro. Fig. 16. Duration curves of Run-off from Yadkin River at Salisbury. LIST OF TABLES PAGE Table I. Power available at dam sites on Surry County streams. 17 Table II. Discharge of Ararat River at Pilot Mountain, N. C 18 Table III. Gage Heights of Dobson, N. C 20 Table IY. Backwater elevations from dam at Bean Shoals 22 Table Y. Discharge of Yadkin River at Donnaha 24 PART I WATER POWER SURVEY OF SURRY COUNTY By Thorndike Sayiixe, Hydraulic Engineer INTRODUCTION Location .- — Surry County is the northernmost county in the State abutting on the eastern slope of the Blue Bidge. It is bounded on the north by Patrick County, Virginia, and on the east, south, and west respectively by Stokes, Yadkin, and Alleghany counties, North Carolina. Its elevation above sea level is generally high, varying from about 600 feet at Boyden on the Yadkin River near the southeast corner of the county to 3,609 feet at Fisher Peak on the Blue Ridge. A map of the county will be found in the pocket at end of report. Climate . — The climate is that of the upper Piedmont region. At Mount Airy, the principal city, elevation 1,048, there is a mean annual rainfall of about 47 inches; the average, mean maximum, and mean minimum temperatures are 56, 68, and 44 degrees, respectively. The extremes of temperature range from a maximum of 103 to a minimum of — 15 degrees Fahrenheit. The average date of the first and last killing frosts is October 17 and April 21, respectively. The climate is con- siderably more moderate in the southern part of the county, especially in the wide and fertile valley of the Yadkin. Agriculture . — In the middle and southern parts of the county, espe- cially in the river valleys, a great deal of fine tobacco is raised. On the uplands cotton and corn are the staple products. In the mountainous districts the county is famous for its fine fruit and vegetables, great quantities of apples, cabbage, etc., being shipped to market. Mount Airy is the greatest cabbage market south of New York. Manufactures .- — The furniture industry thrives at Mount Airy, due to the excellent timber still remaining in the county. The chief industry is the quarrying and cutting of granite, the Mount Airy granite being known and used all over the United States for building and monumental stone. There are a number of cotton mills and gins throughout the county. Transportation . — The Southern Railroad branch line between Win- ston-Salem and North Wilkesboro parallels the southern edge of the county along the Yadkin River. The Atlantic and Yadkin Railroad from Greensboro, runs from Pilot Mountain to Mount Airy in Surry County. These two railroads serve a considerable territory devoted to the pursuits noted above, and are not far distant from the streams 14 Water Power Survey oe Surry and Wilkes Counties where good water-power sites are available. Good roads are being rapidly constructed to bring the more remote districts into communica- tion with the railroad and manufacturing centers. WATER POWERS The principal streams of the region, in order of importance, are the Yadkin, Ararat, Fishers, and Mitchell rivers. Elkin Fiver cuts across the southeastern edge of the county for a few miles. The natural flow of the streams in the northeastern section of this county is as constant as in any other district in the State — the rainfall being distributed over the year, and the mountain sides having a strong second growth, which retards flood discharges, while the rocky character of the upland regions gives a large total yield of the rainfall falling upon the surface. There are no great water powers in excess of 5,000 horsepower avail- able in the region other than that at Bean Shoals, on the Yadkin. There are a number of excellent sites, however, where from 500 to 2,000 con- tinuous primary horsepower may be developed, and this may, in some instances, be more than doubled by pondage, permitting a 10-hour or 12-hour utilization of flow. In nearly every instance these sites are located within five or ten miles of good railway facilities, and a hydro- electric plant on the streams may easily generate power to be transmitted a short distance to manufacturing plants located on the railroads. In general, the valleys are narrow and no large storage is possible at dam sites. To develop the streams for maximum power will mean steam auxiliary or interconnection with some large station, such as might be constructed at Bean Shoals. At many sites, however, the continuous flow of the stream is sufficient to supply constant power up to from 500 to 2,000 horsepower. Definitions relating to water powers. — The following definitions are given to enable the nontechnical reader to utilize this report. Stream flow. — The amount of water flowing in the stream under given conditions, measured in cubic feet per second. One cubic foot equals D /2 gallons. Cubic feet per second per square mile. — The amount of water in cubic feet per second flowing from each square mile of the drainage area under the given conditions. Storage. — The amount of water in cubic feet, or other unit, which may be impounded behind a dam and used to supplement the flow of the stream during extended periods (several weeks) of low flow. The effect is to increase the amount of continuous flow at the dam site. Pondage. — The amount of water in cubic feet or other unit which may be impounded behind a dam and used to collect the flow of the stream for a short period, usually from 12 to 14 hours, when the plant is not in use. It is a much smaller volume of water than that necessary for storage. The effect is to enable the plant to use in 10 or 12 hours the entire flow of the stream for 24 hours. Water Power Survey of Surry and Wilkes Counties 15 Gaging station. — A place on the river where occasional measurements of stream flow are made by means of an instrument known as a current meter. A pennant staff gage is usually installed at these places, which is graduated to read the height of the water surface in feet and tenths of a foot. By daily observations of the staff gage after measurements have been made by the current meter, the engineer is able to compute the amount of water flowing in the stream each day. Flow of streams. — The average annual flow of the streams of the region may be taken as approximately 1.8 cubic feet per second per square mile of drainage area. The average minimum monthly flow during the dry season is between 0.7 and 1.2 second feet per square mile. The minimum flow for the highest six months in the year is about 1.2 second feet per square mile. The minimum daily flow in one year averages about 0.5 second feet per square mile. Horsepower. — The horsepower which can be developed from a stream is dependent both upon the amount of water flowing and the height through which it may be made to fall by means of a dam or other device. A rough method for determining the horsepower available for use is to multiply the stream flow in cubic feet per second by the height of fall and divide by eleven. It is thus evident that while there may be a very high fall, the horsepower that can be developed is not large unless there is a considerable amount of wa er flowing. Primary power . — The amount of power that can be developed on the average for twelve months in the year. It is usually a small percentage of the average power which can be generated by a stream if storage or auxiliary power is available. Secondary power . — The amount of power that can be developed for periods shorter than the entire year, as for nine or ten months when the stream flow is not a minimum. To make up the deficiency due to low stream flow' some sort of storage or auxiliary power is needed. Profile. — A diagram vTieh shows the relative elevation above some given place of points along a stream bed. Cross section— A. diagram showing the position and elevation of the hanks of a stream at a dam site with reference to the bed of the stream. Topographic map. — A map or plan of a district showing by means of contour lines the elevation of different points in the district with refer- ence to some established point. Such a map shows the relative eleva- tions and location of ground above a dam site* and from it the amount of water to he impounded by the dam can he found and the area which it will flood back of the dam. ARARAT RIVER This is the largest of the streams of Surry County tributary to the Yadkin. It enters that river between Shoals and Siloam, and extends in a generally northern direction from its mouth to Mount Airy. The drainage area at the mouth is about 295 square miles. Above Mount 16 Water Power Survey of Surry and Wilkes Counties Airy it is improbable that sites exist for economically developing over 500 horsepower. A profile of the river bottom was run from the mouth to the bridge at Douglass Ford on the Pilot Mountain-Dobson road, a distance of about twelve miles. This is shown in Fig. 2. One or two possible dam sites exist below the Shoals bridge, but there is little fall available, large areas of valuable land would be flooded, and back water from the Yadkin would frequently interfere with plant operation. The first practicable dam site is located about three miles above the mouth. There are here some shoals giving a fall of about eight feet. A profile of this section of the river, with cross section of dam site, is shown in Figs. 2 and 4. Matthews Dam . — The first really excellent dam site is that at Mat- thews Dam, about one mile above the Shoals bridge at Harlan Ford, and five miles above the mouth of the river. At present there is a new timber crib dam here, eight feet high, which was used to run a grist mill not now in use. A cross section of this site is shown on Fig. 3, indicating the steep and high banks. It would be possible to construct a 72-foot dam, giving an 80-foot fall, impounding water back to Ararat Station on the Atlantic and Yadkin Railroad and giving excellent storage. It is estimated that about 4,000 24-hour horsepower, or 9,600 10-hour horsepower, could be constantly maintained without use of auxiliary power. The site is located near a good road and about 3 miles from Siloam Station of the Southern Railroad. It should be noted that if the Bean Shoals development on the Yadkin is ever made, backwater from this might occasionally handicap the Matthews Dam plant. The Bean Shoals development is at present a rather remote possibility, owing to the presence of the railroad, and in the event it is ever made, damages could be collected for any impairment of earlier developments. The Matthews mill-dam site is regarded as capable of the best and greatest power development on the Ararat River. It is readily accessible for construction, is near to good transportation facilities, and the back water above the dam will flood only a moderate amount of cultivable bottom lands. Its construction would eliminate development of all other dam sites on the Ararat described hereafter. The third dam site, at station 305-|-43, is shown in cross section on Fig. 4, and is located at the horseshoe bend above Mkitt Ford. It is located at the bottom of some shoals, giving a fall of about 5 feet. The hills on each side are rock and foundation conditions good. The fourth site is at station 205 — }— 20, and is one of the best on the river from a construction point of view. Hiatt's Dam . — The fifth site is known as Hiatt’s dam site. There has been much agitation in Pilot Mountain to develop here an installation to furnish power for the town. For this reason a small contour map of the area above the dam site was made and is shown in Fig. 5. This site is so high up on the river that a dam would be limited to about Watee Powek Subvey of Sueby and Wilkes Counties 17 20 feet high. Otherwise the railroad would be flooded above Ararat Station. Relocation is out of the question. Not more than 500 mini- mum 12-hour horsepower could be developed here without auxiliary power to carry the plant over periods of low water. It might be eco- nomical to develop for possibly 700 horsepower, which with pondage for 12 hours per day could probably be counted on during 10 months in the year. The site is not regarded as offering nearly so good a development as the next one below, at station 123— {—19. With the maximum development at each dam site which will not inter- fere with the development of the next site up stream, and by develop- ment of all sites, 1,260 24-hour primary horsepower can be developed, whereas the maximum development at Matthews Dam would alone give 4,000 primary horsepower. It is evident that the latter development is by far the most satisfactory to make, both from the standpoint of cost and economy in operation. It is much to be hoped that the interests along the river will combine to develop this single power to their mutual advantage. Table I. — Power Available at Dam Sites on Surry County Streams River Location Drainage Area, Tribu- tary Square Miles Maxi- mum Fall in Feet Minimum Power Without Storage Horse 12 Months Dower Ava ith Storag 6 Months ilable e 3 Months 1,300 15 1,400 2,660 4,750 5,300 Bean Shoals . 1,300 100 11,800 23,600 35,000 47,000 230 280 Matthews Mill — Sta. 397+68 270 80 1,965 3,930 6,900 7,850 Horseshoe Bend — Sta. 305+43 240 60 1,050 2,620 3,930 5,240 Sta. 205+20 230 50 836 1,565 2,090 3,140 Sta. 123+19 220 42 673 1,000 1,510 2,100 Hiatt’s Sta. 15+70 200 20 290 363 545 728 Fisher 156 Horseshoe Falls 112 100 815 2,040 3,050 4,070 Skull Camp Mountain 28 200 510 1,020 1,530 2,040 f 12 Mitchell Mouth \110 Kapp’s Mill _ 38 100 345 690 1,035 1,380 Note. — To obtain 12-hour power multiply figures given by 2. To obtain 10-hour power multiply figures given by 2.4. The stations shown in Table I, and on Figs. 2 and 4, indicate the distance in hundreds of feet below the highway bridge at Douglass Ford. Above this point developments in excess of 500 horsepower cannot be 18 Water Power Survey of Surry and Wilkes Counties made, owing to the proximity of the railroad to the river between Ararat and Mount Airy. Above Mount Airy there are a number of sites which might be developed up to 400 horse power — but none were examined which seemed possible of economical development to as much as 500 horsepower. All sites noted above are shown on the general sketch map of Surry County attached hereto. Table II gives monthly discharge at the highway bridge at Douglass Pord from October, 1920, ' to February, 1922, inclusive. This station was established in the sum- mer of 1920, and daily observations have been taken since September, 1920. Table II. — Discharge op the Ararat River at Pilot Mountain, N. C. Drainage Area, 200 Square Miles Year Month Discharge in Second-feet Run-off Depth in Inches on Drainage Area Maximum Minimum Mean Per Square Mile 1920 1,193 215 525 2.62 2.97 September 1 ,340 215 367 1.83 2.04 October 470 143 232 1.16 1.32 November . 2,540 171 495 2.48 2 .76 December 3,000 415 679 3.40 3.86 1921 January 2,750 360 627 3.13 3 .55 February 2,535 472 723 3.62 3.77 M$,rch-._ 710 400 456 2.28 2.58 April 2,090 318 551 2 .75 3.07 May. . . 730 360 453 2 .'26 2.57 ■June. 1 , 240 230 392 1.96 2.19 July 1,520 190 410 2.05 2.32 August 340 132 215 1.06 1 .20 September 610 80 180 .80 1.01 October 2,710 75 216 1.08 1 .23 November 1,490 190 320 1.63 1 .82 December 350 115 219 1.10 1.24 The year 2,750 75 392 1 .985 26 .45 1922 720 138 248 1 .24 1.40 February 1,222 298 504 2.52 2.85 FISHER RIVER The Fisher River is quite lacking in really excellent dam sites, that at the Horseshoe Bend, southeast of Dobson, being the only one of note on the river. The river makes a sharp bend here, flowing in a narrow gorge over a series of shoals, giving a total fall of about 10 feet. A profile of the river from the highway bridge below Bear Creek to the highway bridge from Dobson to Mount Airy is shown on Fig. 6. Horseshoe Bend . — There is also shown on the same figure a cross section of the dam site at the Horseshoe Bend. It should be noted that there is a gap beyond the crest of the hill on the right bank, and this Water Power Survey of Surry and Wilkes Counties 19 precludes a higher dam than 50 feet without a dike across this saddle. A 50-foot dam would develop about 760 continuous primary horse- power, or 1,800 10-hour primary power with storage. With auxiliary power, a development could well be made for probably 50 per cent in excess of these figures. It would be quite feasible to construct here a dam 100 feet or more in height, hut this would necessitate a dike across the gap. Either dam would mean relocation of the present Mount Airy-Dobson highway. A 100-foot dam would develop probably 2,000 continuous or 6,000 12-hour primary power. With auxiliary power it would be economical to de- velop possibly 4,000 or 4,500 horsepower for general use, or for an elec- tric furnace or other similar industry. Ho local market exists as yet for the use of so much power. This development, however, is one of the most attractive in the region, and owing to the exceptional dam site could be constructed relatively cheaply. Some valuable agricultural land would, however, he flooded. A contour map of the region imme- diately above the dam site is shown in Fig. 7. A scheme for inter- connection of this power with others is considered later in the report. Table III. — Gage Heights on Fisher River, Dobson, N. C. — 1920-1921 Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. 1 0.77 0.72 1 .97 1 .73 1.12 1 .02 0.88 0.87 0.73 0.77 0.77 0.49 1 2 .73 .72 1.95 1.72 1.12 1.02 .92 .93 .67 .78 .73 .61 2 3 .82 .68 1.92 1.73 1.14 1.02 .85 .97 .73 .77 .77 .56 3 4 .77 .67 1.86 1.72 1.13 .97 .82 .93 .87 .73 .78 .50 4 5 .75 .75 .64 1.83 1.72 1.17 .94 .77 .85 .73 .74 .86 .52 5 6 .73 .72 .62 1.82 1.72 1.12 .97 .73 .75 .72 .72 .84 .52 6 7 .78 .72 1.62 1.96 1.67 1 .15 .78 .73 .67 .86 .49 7 8 .73 .72 1 .73 1 .93 1 .73 1.17 .93 .77 .97 .78 .63 .87 .51 8 9 .78 .72 1 .73 1 .85 1 .73 1 .18 .87 .83 .93 .83 .57 .94 .74 9 10 .75 .72 1.85 1.73 1 .76 3.12 .85 .73 .87 .87 .73 .95 .51 10 11 .73 .72 1.93 1 .75 1 .84 1.18 .83 .72 .87 .88 .74 .94 .52 11 12 .72 .68 1 .95 1 .85 1 .83 1.13 .78 .77 .77 .73 .73 .87 .51 ___12 13 .75 .66 1 .82 4.05 1 .77 1.13 .74 .83 .74 .72 .75 .85 .47 ___13 14 .73 .64 1 .93 5.05 1 .98 1 .15 .75 .73 .87 .67 .77 .94 .47 14 .83 .72 2.05 1 .32 1 .82 1.12 .74 .83 .87 .64 .45 16 .75 .72 2.45 1.34 1 .77 1 .07 .73 .92 .83 .67 .78 .97 .46 16 17 .73 .72 2.82 1 .13 1 .75 1 .06 .73 .97 .83 .72 .93 .87 .48 ..17 18 .72 .72 1.93 1 .93 1.72 1.12 .75 .93 .77 .63 .92 .84 .46 18 19 .77 .72 1.83 1 .82 1 .82 1.13 .72 .87 .73 .73 .87 .86 .46 19 20 .75 .72 1 .82 1.73 1 .77 1.17 .73 .83 .77 .74 .83 .88 .45 20 21 .73 .72 1.82 1.75 1.73 1.20 .74 .77 .73 .73 .78 .54 .48 21 22 .62 .72 1.95 1 .77 1.72 1 .17 .77 .73 .87 .68 .76 .54 .70 22 23 .65 .72 1.97 1.03 1 .14 1.15 .83 .77 .83 .64 .74 .53 .51 23 24 2.55 .72 1.92 1.87 1.13 1.12 .87 .83 .87 .67 .97 .52 .47 24 25 .77 .72 1.82 1.77 1.03 1.12 .85 .77 .95 .74 .95 .55 .49 25 26 .72 1.73 1.75 1 .05 1 .07 .77 .73 .93 .73 .87 .55 .52 26 27 .72 .72 1.75 1 .73 1 .03 1 .05 .73 .83 .73 .74 .85 .53 .51 27 28 .78 .82 1.73 1.83 1 .02 1.03 .72 .93 .77 .72 .73 .48 .51 28 29 .77 .75 1.70 1.82 1.04 .75 .97 .87 .74 .78 .51 .50 29 30 1.52 .72 1.97 1.77 1.15 .78 .97 .83 .78 .76 .55 .54 30 31 .72 1.75 1.13 .83 .77 .75 .51 31 20 Water Power Survey of Surry and Wilkes Counties STcull Camp Mountain Site . — There is an excellent dam site at the foot of Skull Camp Mountain, where a 200-foot dam could be con- structed. This would necessitate a long earth section, hut there is excel- lent storage above the site. It is probable that from 1,200 to 1,800 primary continuous power could be developed here, which could readily be interconnected with the development near Dobson noted above. Mo other exceptionally good dam sites were noted on Pisher Eiver. In general, where the banks are steep on one side, the valley is broad on the other. A number of sites exist where low dams might be cheaply constructed to develop from 100 to 400 primary horsepower. Gage readings at Dobson from October, 1920, to March, 1921, inclusive, are given in Table III. A rating curve has not yet been constructed, but will be prepared within a few months. MITCHELL RIVER This river, like the Fisher, presents few opportunities for economical development of dam sites to produce in excess of 500 primary horse- power. About one mile above Douglass mill dam, and about iy% miles above the mouth is a possible site where a dam 40 feet high would develop about 350 continuous primary horsepower, or 700 12-hour horse- power. From this point up the river no really good dam sites occur until Kapp’s mill is reached, and about 10 miles above the mouth. The river has a much steeper slope than either the Ararat or Fisher rivers, rising about 15 feet per mile. It is possible, therefore, to develop low dams from 8 to 12 feet high at a number of places and gain additional height by means of a flume or canal carried along the banks. The power to be obtained by such developments may be said roughly to approximate 7 continuous primary horsepower per foot of fall. Kapp’s Mill Site . — At Kapp’s mill a fair dam site exists. A cross section of this, together with profile of the river, is shown on Fig. 8. A dam 100 feet high would develop approximately 700 primary con- tinuous power, or a 10-hour power of 1,680 horsepower. On the headwaters of the Mitchell Kiver some high falls are available, up to 250 feet, but although as much as 500 continuous primary horse- power could be developed at some of these, the remote location, and the difficulty of getting in construction materials make them not feasible economically for development at the present time. ELKIN RIVER This stream flows for only a few miles in Surry County, and no unde- veloped dam sites are available. A description of the powers on the upper part of this stream will be found in the report on the water powers of Wilkes County. Water Power Survey of Surry and Wilkes Counties 21 YADKIN RIVER Bean Shoals . — The Yadkin River forms the southern boundary of Surry County, and at Bean Shoals, between Boyden and Shoals on the Southern Railroad is located the best undeveloped power in Surry County. The shoals here extend a distance of six miles from Shoals Station to Donnaha, with a total fall of 40 feet. By far the larger amount, however, occurs in the two miles between Shoals and Boyden stations, the fall in this distance being 27 feet. ISTo dam sites as good as at Shoals occur below this point, and the remaining fall of the shoals is not regarded as possible of economical development in the near future. There are two good dam sites located near the foot of the first portion of the falls, about one-half mile west of Boyden Station. There are rock hills coming close to the river on each side, and at one site there is a large island in the middle of the stream, which would greatly simplify construction. The rock lies on edge normal to the direction of the river, and foundations for any type of masonry dam would be excellent. Due to the presence of the railroad, construction materials could readily be brought in, and there is an abundance of local sand and rock. The chief drawback to the early development of these sites is the location of the ISTorth Wilkesboro branch of the Southern Railroad, which runs parallel to the river, and not far above it. Any development for more than 15 feet at the dam would necessitate relocation of the railroad. It should be said in this connection that a line has been sur- veyed from Shoals to Tobaccoville by another route, following a higher contour. Such relocation would be very advantageous in eliminating costly grades between Shoals and Tobaccoville on the present line. By removing the railroad, a dam from 60 to 100 or more feet in height could readily be built. The limit in height would depend chiefly on the cost of flood rights, for a dam 180 feet high would back water to ISTorth Wilkesboro, 53 miles above, and would flood portions of the town of Elkin, and quite submerge the small villages of Burch, Crutchfield, and Rockford, as well as much valuable bottom land. Table IV shows the distance to which backwater would rise from dams of different heights. It is believed that it will never prove profit- able to flood Elkin, and the maximum height of dam is thus limited to about 112 feet. This would develop at least 26,400 primary continuous horsepower. The data in Table IV relating to power capable of being developed are extremely conservative, and in most instances the figures there given will probably be exceeded in practice. Profiles of Bean Shoals are shown in Figs. 9 and 10. The profile of the Yadkin River, Fig. 9 (in pocket), shows the rise from the foot of Bean Shoals to ISTorth Wilkesboro, and data in Table IV is taken from this. Fig. 12 shows a contour map from the dam site to above Shoals Station. Some idea of the character of the valley and the amount of storage may be obtained from this, and also from the general maps of the Yadkin Valley, Fig. 15. 22 Water Power Survey of Surrt and Wilkes Counties Table IV.— Backwater Elevations from Dam at Bean Shoals on Yadkin River Drainage Area, 1,300 Square Miles Height of Dam in Feet Backwater Reaches to — Horsepower Developed 12 Months 6 Months 3 Months 18. 1,700 3,550 4,750 7,800 11,350 16,600 20,800 26,400 31,900 4,250 7,100 9,460 13.000 18,900 23.000 31,200 29,700 47,800 6,350 10,650 13,190 19.500 26.500 27. 600 41.600 52.800 63.800 30 ... 40 55 64 78 88 Crutchfield . 112 Elkin 135 135 Railroad at Elkin 145 187 200 Pig. 11 sliows relative profiles of tlie river bottom and railroad from tbe dam site to Sboals. It is evident that under present conditions a 15-foot dam might he built without flooding the railroad, especially if the chan- nels were widened by cutting into each side of the island. Such a dam would be about 1,100 feet long, and would develop approximately 1,400 continuous or 3,360 10-hour primary horsepower. The storage de- veloped is about 85,000,000 cubic feet. The drainage area above the dam site is about 1,300 square miles and this figure may be used in com- puting storage. The percentage of time that given flow and power can be maintained are derived from the duration curves of Pig. 16. In a general way data from Fig. 16 is applicable to all the streams in Surry County. INTERCONNECTION OF POWER PLANTS In the development of hydro-electric projects in a new country, such as the region about Surry County, it is greatly to be desired that all installations be planned with a view to eventual interconnection. In this way, when the load at one place is high surplus power from another place may be brought in. It is thus possible to have smaller machinery installations at a given plant, with consequent less idle machinery during periods of average load. Interconnection of plants means much greater economy in operation, and usually less initial cost. Frequently it is possible to do away with steam auxiliary. For this reason there has been indicated on the sketch map of Surry County a transmission line connecting the principal developments noted above. It is strongly urged that any enterprises looking to the develop- ment of one or more of the sites described herein should consider very Water Power Survey of Surry and Wilkes Counties 23 carefully the construction of a unit which will fit into this interconnected system. Eventually it is hoped that the whole State will he served by a network of interconnected transmission lines. A very desirable scheme would seem to be the development of Mat- thews dam site, on the Ararat, with the Horseshoe dam site on the Eishers River — interconnection of the two, and transmission for use to Winston-Salem. Primary power of 6,000 continuous horsepower could probably he developed, and by use of auxiliary power at Winston-Salem the two projects could probably be developed for between 8,000 and 10,000 horsepower. The distance from Horseshoe Bend on Eishers River to Matthews mill on the Ararat is about 10 miles, and from Matthews mill to Winston-Salem the distance is about 25 miles. It would prob- ably be more attractive still to construct a longer transmission line, by going from Horseshoe Bend to Dobson, thence to Mount Airy, then south along the railroad to Rural Hall and Winston-Salem. A con- siderable market for power exists in all the small towns along the line, and the existing hydro-electric plant on the Ararat at Mount Airy could then he tied in. The capacity of the whole system, with Matthews mill connected in, would then be in the neighborhood of 7,000 primary con- tinuous horsepower, and could well support an installation of 12,000 horsepower with auxiliary power. At Winston-Salem it would, of course, be possible, and probably desirable, to tie into the Southern Power Company’s lines. In connection with any scheme of interconnection of powers in this region, the counties of Surry, Wilkes, and Ashe should be regarded as a unit. The interconnection of powers on Roaring, Reddies, and the Hew rivers mentioned in the Wilkes County report should be carried out in combination with the interconnection of the powers mentioned in this report. 24 Water Power Survey of Surry and Wilkes Counties Table V. — Dischabge of Yadkin River at Donnaha — 1913-1920 Month Discharge in Second-feet Run-off Inches on Drainage Area Maximum Minimum Mean Per Square Mile 1912-1913 April 11-30 12,000 2,320 3,810 2.38 1.77 May.. . 16,600 2,170 3,990 2.49 2.87 June 5,290 1,460 2,660 1.66 1.85 July. 3,680 1,460 1,910 1.19 1.37 August 10,400 1,460 3,010 1.88 2.17 September .... . ... 5,290 1,050 2,360 1.48 1.65 October 10,700 1,050 2,000 1.25 1.44 November __ 5,290 1,320 1,710 1 .07 1.19 December 6,610 1,460 2,250 1.41 1.63 1913-1914 October _ 10,700 1,050 2,000 1.25 1 .44 N ovember 5,290 1,320 1,710 1.07 1.19 December 6,610 1,460 2,250 1 .41 1.63 January 6,100 1,600 2,270 1.42 1.64 February 5,770 1,880 3,220 2.01 2.09 March 7,630 1,880 2,680 1.68 1.94 April 6,610 2,030 2,960 1.81 2.02 May 4,160 1,320 2,200 1.38 1.59 June 1,880 1,180 1,460 .912 1.02 July 7,630 1,050 2,030 1.27 1.46 August 2,320 815 1,240 .775 .89 September 1,320 720 992 .620 .69 Year 10,700 720 2,070 1.29 17.60 1914-1915 October 26,400 1,250 4,470 1.31 1.51 November 7,210 1,690 2,510 .738 .82 December 50,200 3,790 12,000 3.53 4.07 January 54,400 4,240 11,300 3.32 3.83 February 24,800 4,400 8,170 2.40 2.50 March 9,580 3,790 5,060 1.49 1.72 April 5,050 3,070 3,810 1.12 1.25 May 8,370 2,800 3,960 1.16 1.34 June 32,800 2,060 5,560 1.64 1 .S3 July 4,400 1,630 2,540 .747 .86 August 32, 800 1,690 6,340 1.86 2.14 September. 22,700 1,940 4,520 1.33 1.48 Year. 54,400 1,250 5,850 1.72 23.35 Water Power Survey of Surry and Wilkes Counties 25 Table V. — Discharge of Yadkin River at Donnaha, 1913-1920 — Con. Month Discharge in Second-feet Run-off Inches on Drainage Area Maximum Minimum Mean Per Square Mile 1915-1916 October 10,100 1,460 2,170 1.35 1.556 November 4,810 1,600 1,942 1.21 1.350 December 14,700 1,600 3,147 1.96 2.186 January 9,370 2,470 3,302 2.06 2.375 February 11,970 2,320 3,619 2.23 2.405 March 3,070 2,030 2,211 1.38 1.591 April 2,170 1,740 1,930 1.20 1.339 May 7,090 1,600 2,221 1.38 1.591 June 6,250 1,740 2,301 1.43 1.595 July 16,600 1,600 4,411 2.75 2.966 August.,. 7,940 2,470 3,517 2.19 2.525 September 4,330 2,030 2,462 1.53 1.706 Year 16,600 1,460 2,769 1.72 23.185 1916-1917 October 10,100 2,175 2,948 1.84 2.08 November 2,470 1,880 2,063 1.29 1.43 December 2,470 1,880 2,022 1.26 1 .45 January 2,770 2,030 2,282 1.43 1 .65 February 5,610 2,175 3,094 1.93 2.08 March 9,740 2,310 4,618 2.88 3.32 April 9,370 1,880 2,741 1.71 1.90 May _ ... 3,990 1,880 2,216 1.38 1.59 June 2,470 1,880 2,120 1.32 1.47 July ... 8,310 1,600 2,606 1.63 1.88 August 2,030 1,320 1,465 .915 1.05 September 11,400 1,320 2,153 1.34 1.49 Year 11,400 1,320 2,527 1.57 21.39 1917-1918 October 3,220 1,180 1,474 .92 1.06 November 6,420 1,180 1,708 1.07 1.19 December 1,880 1,080 1,551 .97 1.12 January 8,310 1,050 2,665 1.67 1.93 February 2,470 1,600 1,904 1.19 1.24 March___ 2,770 1,460 1,767 1.10 1.27 April 8,990 1,460 2,120 1.32 1.47 May 2,770 1,600 1,712 1.07 1.23 June.. 8,140 1,320 2,092 1.31 1.46 July 6,750 1,460 2,175 1.35 1.56 August. . 5,610 1,460 2,275 1.42 1.64 September.. 3,370 1,600 1,959 1.22 1.36 Year 8,990 1,050 1,950 1.21 16.53 26 Water Power Survey of Surry and Wflkes Counties Table V. — Discharge of Yadkin River at Donnaha, 1913-1920 — Con. Month Discharge in Second-feet Run-off Inches on Drainage Area Maximum Minimum Mean Per Square Mile 1918-1919 October - 7,310 1,600 2,355 1.47 1.67 November 3,450 1,670 1,997 1.24 1.37 December 7,770 1,810 2,655 1.65 1.89 January _ 5,220 1,880 2,881 1.80 2.07 February 3,760 1,810 2,146 1.34 1.51 March 8,480 1,880 2,565 1.60 1.84 April 2,300 1,880 2,082 1.30 1.44 May 7,110 1,880 2,642 1.65 1.89 June 9,690 1,880 3,002 1.87 2.07 July 15,300 1,740 3,872 2.42 1.63 August _ 3,150 2,170 2,467 1.54 1.77 September 2,920 2,030 2,247 1.40 1 .55 Year 15,300 1,500 2,576 1.60 20.70 1919-1920 October 4,160 2,030 2,272 1.42 1.63 November 2,620 2,030 2,210 1.38 1.58 December 5,210 2,030 2,567 1.60 1.74 January 2,770 1,880 2,127 1.33 1.53 February 4,820 2,030 2,261 1.66 1.92 March . 5,930 2,170 3,389 2.11 2.43 April 13,500 2,310 4,533 2.83 3.26 May. 2,620 1,880 2,218 1.38 1.58 June 5,930 2,030 2,534 1.58 1.82 July 6,250 2,030 2,624 1.64 1.89 August 11,800 1,880 4,168 2.59 2.98 September 11,000 2,470 3,665 2.29 2.64 Year.. 13,500 1,880 2,880 1.81 25 .00 PART II WATER POWERS OF WILKES COUNTY BY THORNDIKE SAVILLE, HYDRAULIC Engineer PART II LIST OF MAPS AND PROFILES [Enclosed in Pocket Attached to Back Cover] Fig. 1 . Fig. 2. Fig. 3. Fig. 4. Fig. 5. Fig. 6. Fig. 7. Fig. 8. Fig. 9. Fig. 10. General Map of Wilkes County. Profile of Elkin River. Profile of Roaring River. Profile of Reddies River with typical cross section. Profile of Lewis Fork. Profile of Lewis Fork, west branch. Profile of Lewis Fork, south branch. Profile of typical cross sections on upper Yadkin River. Topographic map of Tinsley Shoals. Map and profile south fork of New River. LIST OF TABLES PAGE 1. Drainage areas and power of Wilkes County streams 34 2. Discharge of Yadkin River at North Wilkesboro, 1903-1907 40 PART II WATER POWER SURVEY OF WILKES COUNTY By Thorndike Satille, Hydraulic Engineer INTRODUCTION Location . — Wilkes County is in the northwest section of the State. It is bounded on the north and west by the Blue Ridge and the counties of Alleghany, Ashe, and Watauga, on the west by Surry and Yadkin counties, and on the south by Iredell, Alexander, and Caldwell counties. The Yadkin River runs through the center of the county. The elevation above sea level is generally high, varying from about 890 feet at Love- lace, near the southeast border, to 4,055 feet at Tomkins Knob, on the Blue Ridge. Climate . — The climate is that of the upper Piedmont and Mountain regions. At Worth Wilkesboro, the principal city (population 2,500, elevation 970), there is a mean annual rainfall of about 52 inches. At Brewers, elevation 1,950, located 16 miles north of Worth Wilkesboro, the average mean maximum and meau minimum temperatures are 56.7, 69.5, and 43.9 degrees respectively. The extremes of temperatures at Brewers range from a maximum of 100 to a minimum of — 9 degrees Fahrenheit. The average date of the first and last killing frosts is October 14 and April 20, respectively. The climate is considerably more moderate in the southeast section of the county, especially along the valley of the Yadkin. The State Geological Survey arranged with the U. S. Weather Bureau to have a rain gage installed at Worth Wilkesboro, and records commenced in October, 1921. Agriculture . — In the central and southeastern parts of the county, especially in the rich aud fertile valleys of the Yadkin and its tribu- taries, a large amount of fine tobacco is raised. In the uplands to the north and west of Worth Wilkesboro there exists in the “thermal belt” one of the finest fruit-growing regions in the United States, and great quantities of apples, cabbage, etc., are shipped to all parts of the coun- try. The average temperature in the “thermal belt” is appi’Qximately 10 degrees higher in winter and 10 degrees lower in summer than in the adjacent valleys. Lately much attention has been given to the raising of corn aud wheat, many farmers raising over 30 bushels of wheat to the acre. Wilkes County ranks third in the 100 counties of the State in the number of farms, having over 4,000 in 1920. Lumbering is an important industry, there being over 100,000 acres of virgin and 150,000 acres of second-growth timber available in the county. Ten million feet of lumber are exported annually. Forests . — Worth Wilkesboro aud Wilkesboro are the center of one of the greatest virgin forest areas of the United States. In Wilkes County 32 Water Power Survey of Surry and Wilkes Counties alone there are 100,000 acres of virgin timber land and 150,000 acres of second-growth timber. The former will produce one billion feet of mer- chantable timber, 700,000 cords of pulp wood, and 700,000 cords of extract wood. The latter will produce 300,000,000 feet of lumber, 2,000,000 cords of extract wood. Worth Wilkesboro or vicinity should offer most attractive sites for successful operation of the following indus- tries : pulp mills, furniture factories, match factories, handle factories, woodworking factories, ready-cut house factories. There is a larger stand of white pine in Wilkes County, and within a thirty-mile radius of the Wilkesboros than in any other section east of the Mississippi River. Within a thirty-mile radius of the Wilkesboros there are 200,000 acres of virgin timber, and 900,000 acres of second-growth timber, all accessible by good roads or a logging road proposition. Eleven million eords of pulp wood are available in this radius, and it is still growing. Manufactures . — Worth Wilkesboro is the greatest manufacturing cen- ter in the northwest section of the State, having an annual output of manufactured goods exceeding $8,100,000 in value. There are nine factories in the district making corn mills, which are shipped all over the world. The largest tannery in the State is located at Worth Wilkes- boro, where aboundant supplies of tan bark are readily procurable. The total value of manufactured products from this section is about $11,000,- 000 annually. The section is especially attractive from an industrial point of view from the cheap water power available, and the excellent labor supply furnished by the native population. Transportation . — Worth Wilkesboro is the shipping center for the entire county, and also for a large portion of the adjacent counties of Ashe, Alleghany, and Watauga. This town is the western terminus of the branch line of the Southern Railroad from Winston-Salem and Greensboro. Worth Wilkesboro is the chief shipping point in the entire State for the export of poultry, hardwoods, roots, herbs, medicinal bark, canned goods, cornmills, and produce. The roads program recently adopted by the State contemplates a number of additional improved roads from Worth Wilkesboro to the adjacent sections, and as these will be under way early in 1921, large areas of this undeveloped section will be opened up with consequent increase in agriculture and industry. The Wilkes Commercial Club of Worth Wilkesboro will furnish information relating to the natural resources and other advantages of the region. Altogether, this section of the State, known long ago as the “lost provinces,” bids fair soon to become one of the most flourishing districts, due to improved roads, agricultural advantages in soil and climate, the excellence of the native labor supply, the amount and variety of its natural resources, and the abundance of undeveloped water power so situated as to be economically developed. A series of definitions of terms used in water power studies and in this report is given on pages 14 and 15 in the Surry County report. "Water Power Survey of Surry and Wilkes Counties 33 WATER POWERS Tlie principal streams of the region, in order of importance, are the Yadkin, Roaring, and Reddies rivers and Lewis Fork. The Elkin River cuts across the southwestern edge of the county for a few miles. A list of the streams of Wilkes County, together with data relating to drainage area, fall, and power is given in Table I. The power shown is continuous, or 24-hour power. Where 10-hour or 12-hour use is desired, the amounts of power shown should he multiplied by 2.4 or by 2, respectively. ELKIX RIVER This stream flows in a northwesterly direction in the eastern section of the county, crossing the county line a few miles north of Elkin and emptying into the Yadkin River. There are no large undeveloped powers. The stream itself is not large, and the best site has already been developed by the Elkin Power Company. A fall of 80 feet has been developed for 190 horsepower for use by the town of Elkin. There are two other small developments near Elkin, one belonging to the Elkin Shoe Company and the other to the Chatham Manufacturing Company, both being for 100 horsepower with 12-hour use. A profile of the river is shown in Fig. 2. The only undeveloped site of any consequence is at station 85— [—00, where a dam of maximum height of 45 feet would develop approximately 95 horsepower continuously. ROARIXG RIVER This is the largest tributary of the Yadkin in Wilkes County, but in the lower reaches, several miles south of Dockery, the valley is so wide that no good dam sites are available. The best location for a dam in this portion of the river is about three miles below Dockery, at approxi- mately station 2T 0— [— 00 on the profile, Fig. 3. A dam here 150 feet high gives large storage, and the power possibilities are excellent. Such a dam, located less than six miles from the railroad, would give approxi- mately the power shown in Table I. This is equivalent to 7,550 12-hour power during the entire year. Above Dockery there are numerous excellent dam sites, where dams from 50 to 200 feet high could be readily built. Such dams might serve at first as storage dams to regulate the power developments lower down, but with provision for installing generating equipment as the power market grew. As storage dams alone, such developments would increase the average utilizable yield of the river from 150 to 250 per cent. 34 Water Power Stjrvet oe Surry and Wilkes Counties Table I. — Drainage Areas and Power on Wilkes County Streams Stream Location Drain- age Area Tribu- tary in Square Miles Maxi- mum Fall in Feet Mini- mum Power With- out Storage 80% Eff. Contini Availab 12 Months ious Hot le With 6 Months sepower Storage 3 Months Yadkin River North Wilkesboro.-. 490 220 100+ 2,400 4,800 9,000 235 350 *580 250 *620 Dam site between North 560 60 4,600 7,000 12,000 Elk Creek 49 47 125 1,100 1,600 2,200 24 25 Stony Creek Mouth 42 Lewis Fork Mouth 73 East Fork Dam Site 26 50 180 210 295 350 West Fork Dam Site ... . 31 50 210 250 350 420 Headwaters, High Head 1 , 500 1,500 Reddies River 93 Dam site at town of Reddies 61 100+ 1,110 1,660 3.330 East Fork 6.9 | Indiv idual North Fork 31.4 1 devel op- Middle Fork 15.2 | ment s on all South Fork 14.5 J these streams 2,500 (See text) 43 f Roaring River 137 Dam site below Dockery 120 150 3,275 5,000 8,200 35 Dam site 23 45 94 140 200 300 27 % 17,085 20,905 35,800 Note. — To obtain 10-hour or 12-hour power multiply figures given by 2.4 or 2.0 respectively. "Indicates power developed during six high-water months. fNo powers in excess of 250 H. P. JNo powers in excess of 100 H. P. REDDIES RIVER This stream enters the Yadkin at North Wilkesboro. Throughout its lower reaches it has little fall and no good dam sites. There is a small development at North Wilkesboro for 190 horsepower, utilizing a head of 21 feet. Above North Wilkesboro the stream otfers no opportunity for any considerable development in excess of 900 to 1,200 horsepower. Below the town of Reddies River, where the topography changes to a mountainous character, there exists splendid opportunity for locating a dam 100 or more feet high to provide excellent storage. The estimated Water Power Survey of Stjrry and Wilkes Counties 35 power is shown in Table I, and is equivalent to 2,200 continuous 12-hour horsepower during the year. A higher dam would develop more. A typical cross section taken at Whittington’s mill is shown on the profile, Pig. 4. On the several forks of the stream above the town of Eeddies River numerous excellent dam sites exist. At these sites high dams can be built to develop from 300 to 600 continuous 12-months horsepower, and all of them can he located sufficiently above the Reddies River dam site not to be affected by it. Opportunities exist here for a combination of a number of small automatic stations on the forks to be tied in to a con- trolling station below Reddies River postoffice, to develop a total of possibly 4,500 continuous 24-hour horsepower during the year. The location of sites for the smaller developments has not been attempted, as they should be planned with a view toward interconnection, and for this purpose a detailed study is desirable. It is evident that sufficient sites exist and can be located easily. Transmission distance to Xortk Wilkes- boro is only ten miles from Reddies River. Some such development as outlined above is probably the most satis- factory and economical method to be pursued in bringing additional power to ISTorth Wilkesboro. The smaller developments, of from 300 to 600 horsepower, might be made first, the development above ISTorth Wilkesboro next, and the larger controlling development at Reddies River later. The whole should be planned from the start, however, and with a view toward ultimate interconnection. A detailed study of this project might well be made by the town of ISTorth Wilkesboro, to outline to prospective industrial enterprises the cheap water power available and the ultimate plan for large development. Industries would then be tempted to locate near the town where rail facilities existed, and enter an association formed to develop the water powers and bring the elec- tricity to ISTorth Wilkesboro for use. The plan outlined above appears very attractive, and it is believed would prove relatively economical to carry out. LEWIS FORK This stream, like most of the rivers of this section, has no good power possibilities in its lower reaches, due to a wide valley with large sandy bottoms, although there is a steep gradient, as shown by the profile, Fig. 5. The good dam sites exist on the East and West Forks, and cross section of selected sites are shown on the profiles, Figs. 6 and 7. The powers which may be economically developed here are shown in Table I, but the developments are handicapped, due to the limited drainage and storage areas above the dam sites. It will be a long time before these sites can he developed profitably, as other larger and better sites exist nearer North Wilkesboro, which provides the only present market for power. 36 Water Power Survey of Surry and Wilkes Counties There exist two or three opportunities for high head development on the headwaters of the Forks. On the East Fork, particularly, a develop- ment for between 800 and 1,000 continuous horsepower could he made, utilizing a fall of 800 feet, and with a pipe line between one and two miles long. Such a development could be most advantageously made to tie into the proposed developments on the headwaters of the branches of Reddies Eiver noted in the previous section. On these two streams, Reddies River and Lewis Fork, there is located some 6,000 horsepower which can be economically developed in relatively small units as needed, and all of which is within a radius of 16 miles from Yorth Wilkesboro. ELK CREEK Elk Creek is the westernmost stream in the county upon which any considerable power developments may be made. Almost one-half its total drainage area is in Wilkes County, the remainder being in Watauga County. A number of good dam sites exist on the stream in Wilkes County upon which might he constructed dams from 100 to 150 feet in height. A typical development is indicated in Table I. The sites are so far removed from existing markets that it is doubtful if they can be profitably developed at present. YADKIN RIVER Between Yorth Wilkesboro and Elkin there are in Wilkes County one or two possible dam sites on the Yadkin River. The maximum develop- ment would be for about 60 feet, and would give a continuous 12-months power of about 4,600 horsepower as shown in Table I. Such a develop- ment, however, would necessitate relocation of the Southern Railroad between the dam site and Yorth Wilkesboro, and with present unde- veloped sites available elsewhere in the region, this would not prove at present an economical development. In the future, however, a develop- ment at Bean Shoals, near Shoals Station (see Surry County Water Bower Report), to pond water to Elkin, and then a development above Elkin to pond water to Yorth Wilkesboro would make available some 30,000 horsepower for continuous all-the-year-round use. A profile and a plan of the Yadkin River from Salisbury to Yorth Wilkesboro is appended hereto (in pocket), and shows the effect of developments made as described above. So far as developments on the Yadkin in the near future are con- cerned, much the best opportunity is afforded at sites above Yorth Wilkesboro. Here, too, a railroad (the Watauga and Yadkin River Railroad) parallels the stream, but for some years this road has not been in operation, and the cost of either buying right of way or relocation should not be excessive. Moreover, low dams may he built to a height of 15 feet without damaging the railroad. The first good site is about nine miles above Yorth Wilkesboro, at Marley Ford. A dam built here to a height of 15 feet would not interfere with the railroad, and would not Water Power Survey oe Surry and Wilkes Counties 37 back water to the Tinsley Shoals site above. This is an attractive site for location of an industry, as tbe railroad can readily be placed in serviceable shape and will enable a dam to be constructed cheaply, and later furnish excellent transportation facilities. Tinsley Shoals . — At Tinsley Shoals, about 12 miles from Yorth Wilkesboro, there are two good dam sites, that at the head of the shoals being the better. A cross section of each is shown on the profile, Fig. 8. Here two 15-foot dams might be built without injuring the railroad, each giving substantially the power as shown in Table I. A map is shown in Fig. 9. Barlow Shoals . — At Barlow Shoals, about 15 miles above Yorth Wilkesboro, there is an excellent dam site, shown in cross section on Fig. 8. Should a 100-foot dam be built here, flooding out the railroad, a considerable power might be developed as shown in Table I. There is excellent storage above this site, as the river broadens out in the Yadkin Valley. This is a farming region, and flood rights are likely to be expensive. It is possible, therefore, that Marley Ford or Tinsley Shoals would prove a better location for a high dam, inasmuch as there is from 20 to 30 feet fall to be gained by going down the river to those sites. Moreover, this might also affect less certain developments on Elk Creek, which would be eliminated in the lower reaches by a dam at Barlow Shoals. All the sites mentioned offer good opportunities to develop from 2,000 to 3,000 continuous horsepower all the year. Which site should be selected and the height of dam is contingent upon (1) damage to railroad; (2) cost of site; (3) cost of flood rights. A development at Barlow Shoals, of course, still makes it possible to have low head develop- ments with rail facilities at the two lower sites. SUMMARY The developments outlined in this report are such as can be economi- cally made on streams in Wilkes County for amounts in excess of 200 horsepower continuous all the year round. There is a total of approxi- mately 18,000 continuous 24-hour horsepower capable of development in Wilkes County within a radius of 20 miles of ISTorth Wilkesboro. Of this, about 9,000 horsepower, or one-half the total, can be developed without flooding existing railroads. Actual installations are rarely made for the continuous 24-hour power, since most industries operate on a 10-hour or 12-hour basis. It is probable that it is feasible to install between 25,000 and 35,000 horsepower on streams in Wilkes County, of which between 12,000 and 15,000 horsepower would not interfere with existing railroads. INTERCONNECTION OF POWER PLANTS In the development of hydro-electric projects in a new country, such as the region about Yorth Wilkesboro, it is greatly to be desired that all installations be planned with a view to eventual interconnection. In 38 Water Power Stjrvey of Surry and Wilkes Counties this way, when the load at one place is high, surplus power from another place may he brought in. It is thus possible to have smaller machinery installations at a given plant, with consequent less idle machinery during periods of average load. Interconnection of plants means much greater economy in operation and usually less initial cost. Frequently, it is possible to do away with steam auxiliary. Probably in no part of North Carolina are natural conditions and economic considerations so favorable to interconnection as in the terri- tory served by ISTorth Wilkesboro. The natural outlet from a vast agri- cultural, mining, forest, and fruit-growing region, with rapidly expand- ing local industries and good rail connections, the phenomenal growth of the city seems only to depend upon the initiative of its citizens in exploiting and making available the great undeveloped water power resources. It is to be expected that industries will locate in the neigh- borhood of the city as cheap power is made available. It will probably be desirable to develop this power at first in small blocks of from 500 to 2,000 horsepower. Numerous sites exist within a 15-mile radius of the city and their location is pointed out in this report. These should all be developed with a view to interconnecting them with each other, and eventually with some large controlling plant. On the New Piver in Ashe County is a site owned by North Wilkes- boro interests, and capable of developing some 10,000 continuous all-the- year horsepower. The details of this development are shown in Fig. 10, prepared from data loaned through the kindness of Mr. H. C. Landon of North Wilkesboro. This possible development is less than 25 miles from North Wilkesboro, and could be readily developed to supply a large industry and act at the same time as a central station into which all the smaller powers mentioned heretofore could be connected, as well as other moderate-sized developments in Ashe, Watauga, and Alleghany counties. There seems no reason to prevent the growth in this district of great manufacturing centers, since the distribution of large and small water powers is almost ideal. As stated previously, it is the fervent hope of the State Geological and Economic Survey that the several commercial organizations in Wilkes and adjacent counties will unite in having a detailed study made of the water powers of the district, with a view to the preparation of a definite plan for gradual development and inter- connection. For this reason, there has been indicated on the sketch map of Wilkes County a transmission line connecting the principal developments noted above. It is strongly urged that any enterprises looking to the develop- ment of one or more sites described herein should consider very carefully the construction of a unit which will fit into this interconnection system. Eventually it is to be hoped that the whole State will be served by a network of interconnected transmission lines. It is evident that Wilkes County is in a very remarkable position as regards an unusual combination of natural resources in power and Water Power Survey of Surry and Wilkes Counties 39 agriculture, combined with excellent labor supply and good transporta- tion facilities. There seems every reason to believe that with proper exploitation of these advantages there is great opportunity for the development in the district tributary to North Wilkesboro of a great agricultural, manufacturing, and industrial region. The North Caro- lina Geological and Economic Survey will be glad to receive inquiries relating to specific details of the matters outlined in this report, and to bring outside interests in touch with opportunities for locating in Wilkes County. GAGING STATIONS The development of water power projects is predicated upon the avail- able stream flow. Consequently, long-period observations of stream flow, covering both wet and dry years, are exceedingly important in consider- ing the water power resources of a region. The North Carolina Geo- logical Survey, in cooperation with the United States Geological Survey, has for many years maintained gaging stations on North Carolina streams. In the Wilkes County district a gaging station was maintained on the Yadkin River at North Wilkesboro from 1903 to 1907, inclusive. The records from this station are appended hereto as Table II. The station was reestablished in 1920, and daily observations of discharge are now being made. During 1922 there will be established similar gaging stations on Reddies River and Roaring River. It is believed that the data to be obtained from these stations will be of great value in indicating what stream flow may be depended upon for water power developments. The records from these stations will he published an- nually by the United States Geological Survey in its water resources papers dealing with the South Atlantic States. Records for any par- ticular stream may be obtained by writing to the North Carolina Geo- logical Survey. 40 Water Power Survey of Surry and Wilkes Counties Table II — Estimated Monthly Discharge of Yadkin River at North Wilkesboro, N. C. Drainage area, 498 square miles Month Discharge in Second-feet Run-off Maximum Minimum Mean Second- feet per Square Mile Depth in Inches 1903 April 10-30 3,270 1,415 2,064 4.15 3.24 May 1,415 974 1,169 2.35 2.71 June... . . 5,770 890 1,417 2.85 3.18 July 2,170 659 916 1 .84 2 .12 August 1,380 575 815 1.64 1.89 September 1,530 512 647 1.30 1 .45 October 6,220 491 770 1 .55 1.79 November 1,115 449 568 1.14 1.27 December 743 365 502 1.01 1.16 1904 January ... 860 322 532 1.07 1.23 February 1,730 322 742 1.49 1.61 March 9,300 611 1,171 2.35 2.71 April . ... ... .. . 935 513 602 1.21 1.35 May _ 14,500 513 1,467 2.95 3.40 June . 4.375 611 1,224 2.46 2.74 July 7,650 513 1,032 2.07 2.39 August— .. . 3,950 611 1,059 2.13 2.46 September 1,770 417 594 1 .19 1.33 October ...... . 417 345 381 .765 .882 November 1,060 369 461 .926 1.03 December 1,285 369 506 1.02 1 .18 The year 14,500 322 814 1.64 22 .31 1905 January 3,330 . 215 720 1 .44 1.66 February _ 2,860 340 929 1 .86 1.94 March.. 1,060 570 740 1.48 1.71 April 2,950 530 772 1.54 1.72 May 3,240 510 1,010 2.02 2.33 June. _ ___ ___ 1,720 410 585 1 .17 1.30 July 11,600 530 1,680 3.36 3.87 August 3,420 530 1,200 2.40 2 .77 September 6,000 490 819 1 .64 1.83 October 2,950 490 608 1 .22 1.41 November ... _ 510 450 485 .970 1 .08 December 7,200 470 1,290 2.58 2.97 The year ... 11,600 215 903 1.81 24.59 Water Power Survey of Surry and Wilkes Counties 41 Table II. — Estimated Monthly Discharge of Yadkin River at N. Wilkesboro, N. C.— Con. Discharge in Second-feet Run-off Month Maximum Minimum Mean Second- feet per Square Mile Depth in Inches 1906 January 11,400 677 2,160 4.32 4.98 February _ _ - 1,690 840 1,020 2.04 2 .12 March __ _ __ __ . 3,710 840 1.460 2.92 3.37 April . _ .... .... 3,330 865 1,230 2.46 2.74 May __ 3,900 677 986 1.97 2.27 June. _ 6,500 677 1,840 3.68 4.11 July 4,100 815 1,550 3.10 3.57 August . 17, 100 972 2,900 5.80 6.69 September.. ... _. 5, 700 1,340 2,110 4.22 4.71 October _ ... . 17,000 1.720 3,270 6 .54 5.04 7.54 November.. .. __ . .... 17,900 1,440 2,520 5.62 December 6,700 1,120 1,710 3.42 3.94 The year ... ... 17,900 677 1,900 3.79 51.66 1907 January... . . ... 3,710 1,080 1,480 ; ' 2.96 3.41 February. . ... 1,440 890 1,040 2.08 2.17 March _______________ 2,310 835 1,180 2.36 2 .72 April.. .... _ ...... .. ... 3,520 862 1,320 2.64 2.94 May ... ... 1,250 755 945 1.89 2.18 June.. _. . 8,000 920 1,940 3.88 4.33 July . . '1,820 705 982 1.96 2.26 August . 1,080 590 716 1.43 1.65 September ... _ . 8,500 510 985 1.97 2.20 October . 680 490 546 1.09 1.26 November _. . _ 3,140 490 778 1.56 1 .74 December _. 7,700 550 1,570 3.14 3.62 The year . 8,500 490 1,120 2.25 30.48 Note.— D ischarge above 4,000 second-feet approximate. — [)j'n 3> fti fatxateJ X ruttutif Df^tvpripQtj O - FIG. 3 NORTH CAROLINA | GEOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC SURVEY Joseph Hrot Pratt - Director TnoftNOint Saw llc -tlroM uu c Em iNtfft MAP AND SECTION MATTMEW’5 MILL SITE ARARAT RIVER IScaIe °f= ^ - =if°Feet Serial No.~ T 3 3 T 7i if ■St-iOvns • too n iJW jrour OLD A I CUM OHO fpnnkles ) no ran Island %i>** foe* Cr tube hocm CAST BC HO mo pi aims Citrf/flo ferry ft Bohonnen! feed MAPS M/US Y/ssmie yC~f»u renntt o \ \diony Stool RU3A{ rir/ur )m>*co * tower ferry ' /ft i *v i ferry mum r S* rllf rente -Crtwmt rAtts tAommuue cmsTMur fewe r A *ttHQ GAP \ CROSS ROAOS At?yAwr( rARWNtTOM WOOORo etBAr/ite\ )LOHQTOWN SMITH GROVe fOLTOHi NAMProMvniU YADKIN RIVER. N C ' n,a We d * i Herrdu Island row w curs 7 weed bland FROM WILKESBORO TO WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA R R .BRIDGE / NEAR SALISBURY ^ ffeetes Island fitcres ^drey I HOLMAN foeUARlAMt OiS/wi, re re/ {ock srtUC ffeynobi JfAUSAUM NOTE Post Offices are teftered thus: AOVttttCC Past Offices ore indicated Mm O Poods ore indicated tnus ===== and c on/y opproyimotely toco fed except m fde vicinity of Me river County Oounaonej art indicated Mu s- - ana ore on/y opononorofr ty 7ocotect I Hants tsl nuttrry OrA NORTH CAROLINA GEOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC SURVEY Jo jeph Hyde Pratr, Director Thorndike Seville, Hydraulic Engineer Island - honored- fool itoiions Horizontal Distonce in Hundred - Toot Stations Vertical Scale in Fee Vertical Scale in Feet Discharge, in Cu ft per Sec per Sq Mile Percentage of Time . DURAT YADKI ION Cl FOR si R 1 ;rve VER 5ALIS Oct NEAR BURY B95 To Jul) N.C. I9lfl FIG 16 Months FIG.II NORTH CAROLINA geological and economic survey Joseph Hyde Pratt ~ Director Thorndike Saviue ~rtrDRAuuc Engineer profiles OF YADKIN RIVER AND SOUTHERN RAILROAD FROM FOOT OF BEAN 5HOAL5 TO MARTIN’S FERRY Serial No.~ 1'L Sco i e of Fee -US£±±iiJ Vert, col Scale In Feet PripoMd 04 555 N873 no . 53 60795 5D0iO2DDba es -ou ed8N ess pue fij-ins iO Re^jns jemod -ie;en ssiauaan Aiisa3niNn 3ana