the two rivers, is ipostly high and rolling* interepened with low
valleys, swamps and marshes, which would be difficult to over-
oome without great expense in the building h canal and making*
a line so crookpd (hat it would be a serious' ^Aijection to tta
rtJWie*
Pirom these considerations, after traversing the countryy I was
induced to examine a route from the vallevof Ihe Codar, by way
df Pine lake and Prairie creek, to the valley of the Lookingiass
river, which resulted favorably, and is the route on which I have
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
HOUSE DOCUMENTS. 9Sn
bused my estimates. I^om the mouth of Prairie creek an exa^
mination was made with a view to intersect some of the south
branches of Stoney creek and get a line as direct as practicable,
to the moath of Maple rirer. But the country being too high,
rising eighty feet above the level,' it determined my course doMm
the valley of the Lookmglass. I made another examination to
iBach the valley of Stoney creek between Scott's and Waterloo,
up the valley of Marvin's brook> but found the country again too
much etevated for the level,
A third examraation was made opposite to the village of Wa-
terloo and one of the tributaries of Stoney creek, on the summit,
was intersected with soilabie cutting for our level ; but its course
lay in a northeast direction and at right angles with the one I was
desirous of pursuing, which again induced me to return to the
valley of Lookinglass. It was not from any obstructions met
with in the valley of the* Lookinglass that iaduced me so often to
make an eflbrt to reach the valley of Stoney creek ; my object
liras-to get, if possible, as good k line and shorter distance. Be-
low the village of Waterlw, we foutid the country some broken,
and five miles from the mouth of the Lookinglass, we encountered
high bluff banJwbn the river, rfiing from forty to one hundred
feet above the bed of the stream. After much examination, we
diseavered a favorable route through a nat^iral ravine, passing
from the low ground on th« east, through the high ridge, and con-
necting the valley of a brook on the west. A&er crossing the
brook we met with another bold ridge, the summit of which rises
thirty feet above the level. This ridge is narrow, and no break
or ravine was found through it. From the west side of this ridge
a Kiie was run down the valley of the Lookinglass to its junction
with Grand river, and was found to be a cheap and feasible route.
From this point, a- feasiUo route, I think, might be located down
the valley of Grand river, and obviate much of the expense of
the deep cut in crossing from the Lookinglass to the head waters
of '(}opse creek ; the same objections, in a measure, may be urged
against terminating the canal at this point, that were made to in^
tersecting^ near the mouth of the Cedar, though the river is less seiw
Cntine in its course below than abotre, the depth of water on the
rs varying some from that above, but is not of sufficient depth
to adroit' the passage of loaded boats that would be used on the
eaaal.
From the nrK>uth of the Lookinglass a level Was run up the
talley of a brook on the west Side of Grand river, to ascertain the
practicability of a route directly across to Ionia ; but the summit
was found from ^xty to seventy feet^bove the level with which
wse could cross Grand river, which rendered this route impracti*
cable.
The route estimated diverges bom the one continued down the
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
vulley, of the Lookhiglass, «fter 'croteii^ the ridlge of deep oil^
tiog, and bears to the right, and in consequeaoe of taking up a
lock to favor the deep cut across the summit, a heavy embank-'
ment is incurred on the two first sections after the divergii^ point ;
but this could be obviated by varying the line to the r^t* The
estimates are based upon the line ae run* The deep cut acroas
the summit, I think, could not be lessened matertHlly, eseepC by
crossing it with a higher level, which, I think, is practicabie« Ti»
deep cutting extends one mile and sixty-six chains, and is from
ten to twenty >six feet deep. After crossing the summit the route
is located down the valley of Goose creek to its junction with
Grand river, then down the valley of Grand river to the villi^
of Lyons. Here I again intersected that river, at a point etaimed
to be the head of steamboat navigation. I was imormed thai
boats carrying from ten to fifteen tons, have already ascended to
this point, but from the statements of respectable men, that io
bw sta^ of water there were bars ia the river between Lyooe
and Ionia, on which the water was less than two feet deep^ J
thought proper to cross the river at Lyons, and extend the sur-
vev to a point on the river Opposite the village of Ionia, where %
sale and easy connection with the river can be had.
. This route, in connection with the eastern division of the mam
line when constructed, will open a more direct commuoicatioB Io
market, for as rich and a greater extent of ternary, than any
other contemplated work, of the same distance, in the slate ; and
over no portion ot* the state of the same extent is there to be met
with any thing in^ proportion to the amount of walar power that
eaa be improved upon this route.
Abundance of good stone and sand are met with im the victoity
of this route, suitable for the construction of locks, aqueducts, and
eulv^rts. On Grand river, the nruMt of these materials were
found. Indications of ledges were observed on the banks of the
Looktnglass. One quarry had been opened and stone for building
purposes had been takcn^ out. The appearance of the quarry,
however, was not very favorable. Others were examined which
had not been broken into, but none of these indicated as good a
quality of stone as those examined on Grand river, at the saiid^
stone ledge, and a few miles below. Coal was fbeod of good
qualKy at the sandstone ledge, froan one to four feet thick; new
ther lime nor hydraulic cement were discovered on this route, ex*
cept in detached surface specimens. Appearances of iron were
iniiquently notksed, but not sufficient, however, to induce the belief
that it existed to any considerable extent.
The amount. of lockage upon this route, is two huiMliied and
seventy^six feet. The locks are favorably located at diftreot
points along the line. The descent from the starting point oo the
meio line to the Cedar riven tit the <7oU 'spring, tmd down the
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
H0I78R DOGUMBBrm
CMir mud fifand rmm iaat folloivsc from the ttarlbg point on
liie main Ibe, to CqIcI spring, near the junotion of the Big marsh« ii
forty feet ; from Cold spring to the north bend of the Cedar, it
tbirty«*nine feet, and the distance by the river, is twenty *nine
tniies and fife chains ; irom the north bend to the mouth of Al*
oott's creek, on Grand river, the descent is sevenleen feet, and the
4iirtance Is seven miles and thirty-two chains, and is one mile and
thirtV'six chains below the junction of the Cedar and Grand riversi
Tile C^r is a pleasant stream of limpid water, varying from
thirty to one hundred feet in width, generally shallow, and often
obstructed by fallen trees and drift wood. Its tributaries are
many of them fine spring brooks, suitable for drivira machinery
and milling. purposes. The descent in Grand river from the first
iotersectiott at the mouth of Alcott'a creek below the junction of
the Cedar to the mouth of the Lookinglass, is one hundred and
five feet, and the distance by (he river is thirty-nine miles and
seventy-five chains. From the junction of the Lookinglass to
Lyons, the descent is sixty feet, and the distance by the river is
tevctileen miles and forty-nme chains ; from Lyons to Ionia by
the river, is seven miles and two chains, and the descent seven
ibet
Between the junctbn of the Cedar and the mouth of the hock*
ii^lass, In passing down Grand river, twenty-seven bdrs were
fopnd, on which the water was less than two feet deep. Seven-
teen of these were less than a foot and a half, dnd nine of them
not exceeding one foot. Between the mouth of the Lookinglass
tnd Lyons, were found thirteen bars, on which the water was
(ess than two aind a half feet deep, seven of which were less than
two feet, and four not exceeding one foot and a half. These exatn-
Inations were made during the last part of October, and the first oT
November : from Lyons to Ionia, the soundings were not taken
until heavy rains had swollen the river, and no less than five feet
of water was found* Grand river, though in many places shal-
low, is a broad and majestic stream, and varies between low and
lagh water, from teo to twelve feet, laying under water in flood
timet most of its rich bottom lands. The many islands, the
eroobednets of the stream, and its uncontrollable floods, will dver
present a barrier against improving the bed of the river above
Lyons, or the month of the Lookinglass ; as )t couM only be done .
(to answer the increasing demands of the country,) by slack wa^
ter navigation, and this would require too many dmDs ever to iiv
gur^ a safe and certain navigation on a stream of the character of
Grand river.
The estimates upon this route, are based upon the samedimen^
«ions of canal as those upon the main line, viz : 8t.5 feet width
ofbottcmi; fifty feet at top. water line, and five deep; slope of
banks one and three-fourths base to one foot rise.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
Mi HOtTSR INXJVHBltTB.
' Berm tai towing-pttfar baolHr at^eight aod tan ^feot wUe 06
the top. The locks and bricks are me same as 00 the man
line. The route is divided into aectioos of one mile and one chaia
each, and each section has a general description of the country
oter which it passes ; the character of the timber and quality of
the soil; the number of cubic yards of excavation and embank*
ment ; grubbinsr and clearing, locks, aqueducts, culverlSt drainst
juid bridges, with tabular sheets annexed to the report, compria-
iog at one view, the estimates and cost of the di&rsnt aectioos ;
also, the estimates of the routes that diverge from this line to their
intersection with Grand river. The Cedar, the Lookinglass, and
Grand rivers, were all meandered from where they were inter*
sected to the termination of the line al Ionia, which will show
their position to the line on the maps. The estimates are as fol-
lows :
Section 73,
Contains 81 chains, and is located on the main route for the firat
forty chains, on the brow of a ridge bordering on a tamarack
parsh. The residue crosses an arm of the marsh, which is from
five to six feet below the level, then over a ridge of four chains in
distance^ and from eleven to fourteen feet cutting. The re»due
p( the section has suitable cutting through mami and openings,
and terminates in open marsh, twenty-five chains west of road
leading from Howell to Jackson. Timber, oak and tamarack;
soil, muck and sandy loam ; and has
22,942 cubic yards of excavation, at 12 cents per yd, t2,753 04
43,136 «* ** embankment, at 12 cts. per yd, 5,176 32
Grubbing and clearing, S90 00 .
One road bridge, 700 00
One drain, 62 00
$9,081 36
Section 74,
Contains 81 chains; has a |;ood k)cation and auilaUe cuttiii^
crossing nmrshes and plains intersectitig the section line between
sections 32 and 33, at the forty-eighth chain, and terminati^ in a
marsh near a tamarack swamp. On this aectioo, is prop<wed a
lock of six feet The soil is muck and sandy loam ; timber, oak
on the plains ; it has
^,623 cubic yards excavation, at 12 cts per yard, 93,674 76
160 *" " embankment* at 10 do 16 00
Grubbing and clearing, 325 00
X)De lock 6 feet lift, at $1,381 33, per foot Kft^ 8,288 00
On& lock-house, 450 00
Carrried forward.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
HovflB DoouMBirra mi
Broogbtibrwardt f
Ooe frrm brMge, 4S4 00
$18077 76
Sectitmllh
Contains 81 chains ; passes through a marsh and tamarack swamp^
and has from four to five feet cutting ; a few chains to the right,
is dry land, rising into gradual swelb. The timber on this sec*
tion is mostly tamarack ; soil is muck and wet ; it has
40,128 cubic yards of excavation, at 14 cts per yd #5,1517 9S
Grabbing and clearing, 540 00
•0,157 93
flfi0CClOfl 7D,
Contains 81 chains ; the first forty chains are located on the bor«
der of a marsh in timbered land, the residue mostly through open
marsh, and terminates in marsh meadow bordennff upon hard
land, and in the valley of the Cedar river. Timber, elm, ash»
hickory, white and yellow oak. On this section th6 Cedar river
could be used as a feeder with little ezpenie ; soil is muck and
sandy loam.
27,231 cubic yda of excavation, at 13 eta. per vd 03,540 OS
12,071 "" embankineni,at lOcts. do 1,207 10
Grubtung and clearing, 887 00
05,184 18
Section 77,
Contains 81 chains ; this section passes mostly throuffh swamp
and marsh, and has suitable cutting fpr the banks, and is in the
valley of the Cedar ; swamp is timbered with elm, ash and basih
wood ; soil, muck and loam. It will require
2Qr761 cubic yds. of excavation, at 11 cts. per yd •2;288 71
4,652 ** embankment, at 10 cts. per do 405 20
Grubbing and clearings 420 00
One farm bridge^ 424 00
•8i502 91
Section 78,
Contains 81 chains, and has an even surface Ihtelvpersed with
marsh, swamp, and timbered land, is in the valley of the Cedar ;
soil, muck and clay loam ; has suitable cuttings and will require
104
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
Ml HOUSfi DOCUMBNTa
27,841 cubit yds. of excavatioD, at 1 1 ctt per yd, ft^0e2 51
Orubbtng and cleariDg, 4S2 00
fa,494 51
Section 79,
Cootaioi 81 chains ; passses over some marsh and oak openiiiga»
and crosses the Grand river road, near John M. Fowler's houoQ,
and terminates five chains west of Cole brook» which will require
a culvert of six feet span of arch to pass its waters. This section
hfs a good Ioci^tioi;i;,t^e soil is naucK and clay loam. It will lo-
quire
35,939 cubic yds of excavation, at 12 cts. per yd. $4,312 68
.5,368 "* embankment, at 10 cts per yd. 536 80
One culvert of 6 feet chord, 230 perches, at $4 50
per perch, . 1,035 00
One road bridge, 700 00
Grubbing and clearing, ' " 2:^5 " W
; * #6,839 48
SectionSO,
Contains 81 chains, and is located over ground gently incIiniDg to
the south, of a sandy loam and gravelly soil. This section pass-
es through oak opebings near Indian camp* It has
J9,789 cubic yards of excavation, at 11 cents per yd. 93,276 79
10,830 ** embankment, at 10 cts per yd. 1,038 00
One culvert 6 feet chord, 236 perches, at 94 50, 1,062 00
Crrubbtng and clearing* 414 00
One &rm bridge, 424 00
•6^58 79
Section 81^
Contains 81 chains ; surface, undulating and some broken by im-
vines. It passes through oak openings, and terminates in edge
of mar^ ; soil is sandy loam, gravel and mucL On this seetioa
is proposed to drop a lock of 8 feet It has
17,691 cubic yards of excavationi at 12 cts per yd.
27,682 " embankment, at 14 cts per yd.
One lock 8 feet lift, at $1,170 per foot Hit,
One lock-house.
One drain,
Grubbing: and clearing,
One farm bridge,
•3,122 03
3.875 48
9,360 00
450 00
62 00
4S8 00
424 00
•16,752 40
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
liOtfSB tXX}l|MiSNTS. 94a
SedimS2,
CoQtaips 81 cbakis. The first 27 chains past throu^ a oMnhf
aod tamarack swamp, the surface of whien is from one to two
feet below the level, and will require two banks; the residue is
through timbered land ; timber, white and yellow oak, beech* mar
pie, eiRi, cherry and basswood ; soil, a rich sand and gravelly
loam. . It has
90,783 cubic yds of excavation, at 12 cts per yard, $3,699 96.
28,563 " embankment, at 15 cts^ 4,284 45
One drain, 62 00
Grubbing and clearing, 570 00
98,610 41
&c/ton83,
Contains 81 chains ; it crosses over low ground for the first half
of the section, and crosses the big marsh near the Grand river
road. . This marsh lies from two to six feet below the level, and
from levels taken up the marsh, it is possible a feasible route
might be obtained across the valley of the Lookinglass river.
Tte last half of the section is located on the side of a ridge bor^
dering upon the Cedar river, and terminates near Cold spring,
i^inst an Indian camping ground. The first half ^f this section
is on heavy timbered land, and the last half is in openings ; soil,
muck^ sandy bam, gravel and stone ; it has
22,242 cubic yards of excavation, at 12 cts per yard, $2,669 04
50,800 •* embankment, 13, 6^604 00
One culvert of 6 feet chord, U36 porobes, at $4 50,* l,0«d 00
Ohe road bridge, 700 OA
Grubbing and clearing, 498 00
$11,533 04
Section 84, ; . , ,
Contains 81 chains ; has an. even suriace, ^nily indiniog to ttm
south, and mostly through openings, leaving the river baok'Aft^
the first twenty chains. &e)tl> sandy loam and ^ravai; it biift
86,807 eubie yards of eipoa vation, at 12 cts per yd* ^MIO M
t^t95 *' embankment, at 12 cts.
One lock of 8 feet lift, at $1,170 per foot lift.
One road bridge,
Grubbing and clearing.
One. lock house,
MS, 4a
9,860 oa
7WW
684 W
400 00
•16^16 34
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
M4 HOUSB DOCUMBlfrS.
i85,
OmMmds 81 dHiinfl ; has an even soHkoe, and from two lo four
and a half feet cuttii^; ia interspersed with swamps, marshes and
timbered lands. Tl^ soil is sandy and clay loam. Has
29,802 cubic yds of excavation, at 12 cts per yd.
1,005 "* embankment, at 12 cts.
Grubbing and clearing,
Chie farm bridge.
$8,576 94
120 00
711 OO
434 00
•4^1 84
Has
$5,020 21
189 02
986 00
SecHcnSe,
CoDtaipi 81 chains, and is similar to the last section.
88,617 cubic yards of excavation, at 13 cts per yd*
1,454 «* en)bankmentt it 13 cts.
Ornbbiag and obsaripg,
•6,145 23
Section 87,
CiMitamt 81 chains ; crosses over rising ground, and has from two
to sixteen feet cutting, and terminates on the brow of the rid^
on the east side of the valley of Camp creek. This section
passes through heavy timbered land; timber is beecb* maple,
elm, basswo<xi and ash ; soil, sandy and clay loaotu It will re-
cnihre
110/178 oubic yds of excaratioB, at 14 cts per yd* 915,494 M
5,010 "* einbafikiiien(,at 12 ots. 601 20
Ckl^bbii^ and clearing, 212 17
$17,008 12
SecHonSS,
Contains 81 ohains. This section crosses Camp creek at the
twkSDty<^first diain^ it then eontmnes in the valley of said oveek on
the west side for twenty ohains; then beavs a inore weeterJy di*
leetion over a gently inclined sorfaoe to the aouth, and t#nmMlMi
in a btaek ash swampi in eight feet cutting. This seetkMi is
aM>stly through heavy timber of the oomnon forest trees. Tbe
iDii is sandy loam and muck. It has
t>n24S cubic vds of excavation, at 18 cts per yaid» tM^I ^
Chfobbing and clearing, 661 60
Okie fcim bridge, 4M 60
610286 46
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
H0U8B SOOVMBirrB. ai»
Cookiinfl 61 ohaint ; if heavy timbered for the first sixty^fbuf
chains, and surface inclining to the south and west ; it then ores*
ses the valley of a small hrook which will require a culvert and
an embankment from six to eight feet for a distance of fifteen
chains, and terminates on the west bank of the brook in ten and a
half feet cutting. This section passes^ through an Indian sugar
encampment; timber, mostly maplo $ soil, samiy loam and gra-
vel, it will require
88,948 cubic yards of excavation, at 18 cts per yard, (5,068 59
51,446 '* embankment, at 14 cents, 7,202 44
One culvert of 8 feet chord, 567 perches, at 94 50 per
perch, 2,551 50
Grubbing and clearing, 728 00
915,589 58
SectkmdO,
Contains 81 chains ; bears a more southerly course, and crosset
Grand river road at the forty-seventh chain, th^n curves to the
wisstand terminates on the bank of the Cedar river. Timber is
beech, mapie, basswood, oak and elm ; soil, sandy loam and gra-
vel. The first twenty-one chains has from six to fifteen feet cut-
ting, the residue of the section has suitable cutting, the surface Ia-
clining to the south. It has
47^)5 cubic yards of excavation, at 13 cts per yard,. 96,n5 6^
8,826 "" embankment, at 13 cents, , 1,147 38
One road bridge, at 9700, 700 00
Grubbing and clearing, 889 00
#8,912 08
Section 01,
Contains '81 chains; is located near the bank of the Cedar, ai^
l^t the fifty-fourth chain orotses the valley of Stoney creek, which
wiH require a culvert of ten feet span of arch, aad an einbank*
ment for nine chains, from three to fourteen feet. On thissection
it ii proposed to drop two kicks of ^ight feet each. Timber as
last describtd ; soil, sandy loam and gravel, apd wiU require
86,216 cubic yards of excavation, al 18 eta per yard, #8,408 OB
06,708 cub. yds. of embankment, at 18 cts. • 8,483 74
Two locks of 8 feet lift each, at #1,176 per fool lift^ 18,720 90
Oae lock house, 450 00
One culvert of ten feet span, 468 perches, at #4 60 par «
feecht 2,106 00
QraiUMiv^tMl clearing, 648 00
#28,815 82
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
MS KOUSB DOOUMBNTft
Contafais 81 chafn*. It has a good location, and croMs the val-
leys of two small btooks which will require but one culvert ; con-
tinues near the Cedar. Timber is beech, maple and oak ; soil,
sandy loam and gravel. On this section it is proposed to drop
one lock of 8 feet. It has
28,525 cubic yds. of excavation^ at 13 dts per yd. tStTOS S5
14,767 " embankment, at 18 cts. " 1,918 67
1 lock of 8 feet lift at 1 1,170 per foot lift, 9,860 00
1 culvert of 6 ft. chord, 286 perches^ at #4 50 per perch 1,062 00
1 lock house, 450 00
1 road bridge, 700 00
Grubbing and clearing, 750 00
•17,948 92
Section m^
Contains 81 chains ; continues on a fine table land above the Ce-
dar and Indian improvements and camping grounds, and termi-
nates on the east bank of Eaton creek. Timber, beech, maple,
white oak and basswood ; soil, sandy loaib and gravel, and has
47,018 cubic yds. of excavation, at 18 cts. per yard, t6,112 84
11,845 '^ embankment, at 13 cts. *" 1,539 85
2 culverts, 3 feet chord, each 250, at $4 60 per perch, 1,125 00
1 road bridge, 700 00
Grubbing and clearing, 651 00
•10,128 19
Section 94,
Contains 81 chains. This section crosses Eaton creek, which
will require a culvert of six feet span, and a short embankment ;
it then crosses a ridge a distance of 9 chains, from six to thirteen
feet cutting ; the residue has suitable cutting and good location
toear the bank' of the Cedar, and terminates in the Grand river
road. Timber is white bak, beech, maple, basswood, white ash
and elmr; soil, sandy loam, clajr loam and gravel, and has
42,620 cubic yairds of excavation, at 12 cents per yard, $5,114 40
4,540 ''' embankment, at 12 cts. "* 444 80
One culvert of 6 feet chord, 286 perches, at 94 50 per
perch, 1,062 00
Grubbing «nddeairing, ^598 00
17,249 »
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
W>Uafr DOCUMENTa 849
Contains 81 chains ; is mostly located on the brow of the second
table land above the Cedar* passing through an Indian burring
ground on the bnnk of the river at the thirtieth chain. It Ims &
flfood location, and terminates on sloping gi'ound above the river
bank. Tihiber is beech, maple, oak and tmsswood ; soil, sandy
loam and gravel. It has
17,715 cubic yanis of excavationt at 12 cents per jrard, f2,125 M
17,687 '' embankment, at 13 cts. «• 2,292 81
One enbert of ^ feet chord, 496 perches, at $4 50^ 2^82 00
Grubbing and clearing, '^ 720 00
One farm bridge, 424 00
•7,794 61
Section 96,
Contains 81 chains ; the first thirty of which are on the bank of
the Cedar, and would require some extra excavation in setting
the canal into the bank to secure the outer slope from the wash ot
the river.. It crosses a small brook n^ar the corners of sections
20, 21, 28 and 29. The r^idue of the section leaves the river and
passes over ground gently inclining to the south ; has suitable
cutting is heavily timbered, and terminates in Grand river road ;
soil,, sandy loam and gravel Will require
40»191 cubic yards of excavation, at 12 cents per yard,'*4,222 92
2,400 *' embankment, at 12 cts« "* 288 00
One culvert of 4 feet chordi 125 perches, at 04 50 per
perch, 562 50
One road bridge, 700 00
Grubbing and clearing, 840 00
•7,213 42
Section 97,
Contains 81 chains ; crosses Beech creek near the same point
with Grand river road, and some fifty or sixty rods north of the
Indian council house, which is on the bank of the river. -This
section has a good location, mostly through oak openings : soil is
sandy loam and gravel. It has
23,996 cubic yards of excavation, at 12 cents per yard, 02,879 52
13,«90 •« embankment, at 13 cts " 1,779 70