Scientific American/Series 1/Volume 1/Issue 1/Improvement in Oregon

​Improvement in Oregon.—Already has a canal been commenced around the dangerous falls in the Columbia river, at Willamette, by Dr. McLauglin, an American citizen. Its length will be about half a mile, part of the way through a solid bed of primitive rock, and the fall in the entire distance will be about thirty-five feet. The projector expects to complete the work in two years, at a cost of thirty thousand dollars. His charter, procured from the Oregon Legislature is to twenty-one years. It is said that the improvement which will be effected in the navigation of the Columbia, by this construction of the canal will, of itself, fully reward the community for the privilege conferred by the Legislature.