Origin of the Reservoir System.

Origin of the Reservoir System.

The plan of establishing a reservoir system near the headwaters of the Mississippi was first agitated by Gen. W. D. Washburn about 1864. He believed that the retention of the surplus water deposited in the upper Mississippi valley during the winter and spring, and its discharge during the low water season, would be of great value to the river traffic and manufacturing interests farther down the river. Before work had been begun, another function of the proposed system was discovered ; the threatened destruction of the Falls of St. Anthony by the excessive floods in the latter part of winter made it evident that the control and retention of flood water would be not the least of the benefits to be derived from the system. Preliminary surveys were made in the fall of 1869. The results were so favorable that in 1874 an appropriation was made for a more thorough survey, which was conducted by Col. F, W. Farquhar, then in charge of the engineering work of this district. Col. Farquhar's report heartily recommended the construction of the reservoirs, but nothing was done until «88o, when Gen. Washburn, having entered Congress, secured an appropriation of $75,000 for the construction of an “experimental dam " at Lake Winnibigoshish. Work commenced in December, 1891. During the next few years construction was pushed vigorously. General Washburn served three consecutive years in Congress, and with great labor and against great opposition secured liberal appropriations.

In September, 1882, a dam at the outlet of Leech lake was begun ; the following June Pokegama dam was commenced, and in February, 1884, work was begun at Pine River.