ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, May 5, 1996 TAG: 9605040001
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: 3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOHN R. HILDEBRAND
MS. APRIL F. Hoodwink
c/o The Roanoke Times
201 Campbell Ave SW
Roanoke VA 24010
Dear Ms. Hoodwink:
Please refer to your April 1 feature article in the Roanoke Times. The Roanoke River Navigation Co. Preservation and Rehabilitation Foundation is currently investigating the feasibility of redeveloping the Roanoke River as a transportation alternative for conveying commuters and goods between Roanoke and Salem.
As you are probably aware from your Hiramtown research, Salem was the headquarters for the original Roanoke Navigation Co., and we hope that the Hiramtown papers will provide insight into canal design and operation that would be helpful in accomplishing the foundation's objective of developing a Roanoke River canal that would be historically faithful to the original canal. To this end, the foundation would appreciate your advice as to how we might have the oppurtunity to examine in detail the complete plans prepared by Hiram Lincoln.
You may be interested in our progress to date. Roanoke County has indicated its willingness to allow a daily release from the Spring Hollow Reservoir to fill the Salem Sluice, which when opened, would create a crest of water sufficient to convey bateau (prototypes now being developed at Explore Park) from Salem to Roanoke, particularly when the Roanoke River Flood Control Project is complete and the numerous obstacles to smooth river-flow have been removed. This will reduce commuting time by some 5 minutes; we believe this is a very valuable project benefit.
The foundation is, however, confronted with a major problem for which we have been unable to find any solution. All Salemites live in dread fear of being isolated in Roanoke without means to return to Salem. Therefore, until the foundation is able to devise a means of reversing the direction of the Roanoke River for the time needed for the return trip to Salem, our project will not be feasible.
We are very optimistic that this problem can be solved. Congressmen Goodlatte and Boucher and Sens. Robb and Warner have agreed to sponsor legislation for funding a "smart canal" project that will bring untold economic benefit to the Roanoke Valley.
We also see this as a benefit to the transportation researchers at Virginia Tech, who will, with Professor Mooncalf's leadership, be responsible for developing the means to have water flow uphill. The Foundation is confident that Professor Mooncalf and his associates will be successful and the rehabilitation of the Roanoke River as a major transportation facility will become a reality.
The city of Salem has indicated it willingness to share with Professor Mooncalf the archaeological dicoveries of early Native American culture unearthed in developing the city's many fine athletic and cultural facilities. This data could be benefical in his genealogical research.
On behalf of the foundation's Board of Directors and membership, we thank you and Professor Mooncalf for your valuable research into Hiramtown and its most unusual canal system.
John R. H. Gullabyll, CE
President
Roanoke River Navigation Co.
Preservation and Rehabilitation Foundation
Salem VA 24153
John R. Hildebrand of Salem is a retired engineer.
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