Washington and its environs: an illustrated descriptive and historical hand-book to the capital of the United States of America . scades, making a descentof 80 ft. in 1| m., the greatest single pitch being 40 ft. At adistance of 4 m. it widens, and its agitated waters quiet intoan unbroken current. About 10 m. below, at the Little Falls^ AQUEDUCT AND GREAT FALLS OF THE POTOMAC. 219 about 3 m. above Georgetown, the stream makes a descent of37 ft. in a series of cascades. Released from tlie mountains,after passing- Georgetown, the river widens into the lake-likestieam which we have seen in front
Washington and its environs: an illustrated descriptive and historical hand-book to the capital of the United States of America . scades, making a descentof 80 ft. in 1| m., the greatest single pitch being 40 ft. At adistance of 4 m. it widens, and its agitated waters quiet intoan unbroken current. About 10 m. below, at the Little Falls^ AQUEDUCT AND GREAT FALLS OF THE POTOMAC. 219 about 3 m. above Georgetown, the stream makes a descent of37 ft. in a series of cascades. Released from tlie mountains,after passing- Georgetown, the river widens into the lake-likestieam which we have seen in front of Washington. Tlie best view of the Falls is from tlie Virginia side, theledges and rugged boulders appearing to better witlt the wild aspect of nature is the cedar, oak;willow, birch, and jessamine. Wild cherries and strawber-ries in season are found in great abundance. The most ven-omous reptiles abound. The scene in winter is enchanting,great masses of ice piled up on either side, and the rocks andtrees frosted with spray, forming a charming surrounding forthe boilinu- tojrent in the channel. !^>m. THK GI4EAT FALLS Olt lUh POIOUAC. Experimental surveys for the supplj^of the city with waterwere made by Major LEnfant, under tlie direction of Presi-dent W^ashington. In 1850 surveys were made by Col. Hughesfrom tiie Great Falls and Ilock creek. The first ground onthe Washington Aqueduct was broken by President Piei-ce onNov. 8, 1853, in the presence of a large assemblage of officials 220 COLUMBIAN UNIVERSITY. and civilians. The length of pipe line is 18 m.; number ofculverts, 26 m.; tunnels 12, the longest 1,438 ft., total, 6,653ft.; bridges 6, viz, cut stone 4, and iron trusses 2. In George-town is a high-service reservoir 120 ft. in diameter. The workwas commenced by Capt. M. C. Meigs, U. 8. Corps of En-gineers, and cost 63,500,000. Tlie aqueduct is tlie third inrank in the United States. Kalorama liesNW. of Washington on the r., after leavingthe P-st.
Size: 1923px × 1299px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookauthorkeimdebr, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, bookyear1874
