ZAMBESI AND NIAGARA FALLS COMPARED.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 17, Issue 59, 27 July 1906, Page 7

ZAMBESI AND NIAGARA FALLS COMPARED.

Some surprise, says the ‘‘Western Electrician,’- has been created in England by Professor Ayrton's recent statement that the dependable power of the Victoria Falls of, the Zambesi is probably only about onetenth of that of the Niagara Falls. We have not heard the discrepancy estimated at so great a proportion before ; but of the general proposi- 't tion that the available all-the-year-round power of Niagara is much greater than that of Victoria Falls American power transmission experts have long been cognisant. Niagara, although smaller in height and width, has a tremendous and steady volume all the year through from an unrivalled series of reservoirs in the * great lakes, and is likely to continue for many years the most useful . waterfall in the world. The minimum Niagara flow represents about 3,000,000 horse-power, the present Victoria flow represents aboutysßo,ooo horse-power, or onlyabout one-fifth. Further, if those are true prophets who predicted ; the ..... flow of the Zambesi would sink to something; like 2,500,000 gallons a minute in November, the Victoria Falhs would then only give out about 1 , 300,000 horse pofwur, or, say, onotenth of the minimum that, Niagara produces. Professor Ayrton was nob very favourably impressed with the) commercial possibilities of power, transmission from Victoria Falls.] He could not recommend a tfansmis-*, sion line from the Victoria Falls to' Johannesburg, because it did not appear to him that along the route there was at present sufficient demand for power to justify so large an expenditure of capital as would bo compatible with a transmissionline 586 miles long as the crow flies and which would be no less than 745 miles in length if made along a railway through Pietersburg ami Gwanha, should a line between these places over be constructed.. As to the probability of a great demand . for power within, say, three miles of Victoria Falls, by building up important industries,. it is difficult In make a forecast. The prospect is a doubtful one.