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Lesson 1Water Power: The Use of Water Resources for Industrial Development in the FL Region
Lesson Introduction
History of Water PowerThe use of water as a source of power dates back thousands of years when the Greeks invented the first waterwheel. The Romans used waterwheels to power mills for crushing grain, sawing wood, and make cloth. Through time, water has powered industry and determined settlement patterns, for where there was water, there was potential to harness its power. During the Middle Ages, engineers built dams to store and develop water pressure and to divert water into power canals and thence onto wheels. By the 1700s mills driven by water power were common throughout Europe. Link here for a history of waterwheels. Physics of MillsMoving water is a potential energy source that converts to kinetic energy. When water is stored behind a dam, or a waterfall, its potential energy exists because of gravitational force. This potential energy is converted to kinetic energy when the dam is opened to allow the water to flow or it flows over the fall. The amount of energy produced from the water is directly dependent on the volume and flow of water stored in the dam or waterfall; the height of the dam or waterfall called the head; and the efficiency of the waterwheel. Link here to see an animated version of these concepts. During the Industrial Revolution the use of water for power was a catalyst for inventors and engineers to improve on the physical nature of harnessing power from waterwheels. Many inventors found new ways to use water more efficiently to produce power for the mill industry that was springing up along waterways in Europe and colonial America. There are a number of ways that water can be "captured" by wheels to produce power. Link here to see an animated discussion of water wheels used for mills. Mill Industry in Seneca FallsIn 1794 Col. Mynderse was the agent of the Bayard Land Company which owned much of the surrounding land area in the Village of Seneca Falls, including a major portion of the water rights to the Seneca River rapids that encompassed a 60 foot fall in elevation between Seneca and Cayuga Lakes. Col. Mynderse built the first grist mill in 1795. In succeeding years the number of mills grew. The Seneca River was dammed to form the upper, middle, and lower falls, to further encourage water power usage and boat transportation along the rapids. The Cayuga-Seneca Canal was built in 1818 and the area known as "The Flats" became a crossroads for transportation. Dwellings were built along the Flats and the mills became more diversified to include pump making, fire-fighting equipment, clock making factories, and distilleries. By the early 1900's there were 116 mills and 60 residences along the Flats. At the turn of the century New York State decided to upgrade the Cayuga-Seneca Canal system into what is now known as the Barge Canal system. The new locks needed more water so the decision was made to flood the area known as the Flats. In 1915 the dwellings and mills along the Flats were demolished or moved, and the area was flooded to make Van Cleef Lake. The Seneca River between Seneca Lake and Cayuga Lake is now known as the Cayuga-Seneca Canal and the dam at Van Cleef Lake provides hydroelectric power. How the Seneca River Was Altered Over TimeThroughout human history river systems have been altered to meet he needs of people and settlements. The Seneca River is no exception. The Seneca River was a transportation system for the Iroquois people that lived in the region before the Europeans arrived. After the Sullivan campaign of 1779 to destroy the Iroquois villages, Revolutionary War soldiers were given lands as rewards for their war services. Veterans of the war and others – lured by the economic potential of the river system - began to settle in what is now known as Seneca County. Job Smith was the first settler upon the Military Tract, erecting a cabin upon the flats at Seneca Falls in 1787. The Native American name for Seneca Falls was Sha-so-onse, meaning running or swift waters. Smith traded with the Native Americans and helped people transport their boats around the falls. Lawrence Van Cleef, a veteran of the war, bought the land from Smith and made a successful business venture out of piloting boats around the falls. His name is now associated with Van Cleef lake. In 1818 the first locks were built by the Seneca Lock Navigation Company to improve the transportation along the river creating the first version of the Cayuga-Seneca Canal. Ten years later the Cayuga-Seneca Canal was connected to the Erie Canal. Improvements were made to the canal system throughout the years; during each successive improvement the river became less free-flowing and more like a canal. By 1915, the State had widened and dredged the old Cayuga-Seneca Canal for the new Barge Canal system, and replaced the old smaller locks with the larger two-lock combination that exists today. Link here for an animated look at how locks work. In each alteration the river system was dammed to slow the flow of water and allow boat passage through the canal. The river was channelized and straightened to allow the dams to be built and control flooding. Maps allow us to see the changes made to the physical structure of what was a free-flowing river to a canal system.
Lesson Outcomes:Students be able to:
Standard for Water Power:
Lesson ObjectivesThe lesson activities are designed to give students the opportunity to understand how the landscape defines human settlement patterns and technological improvements. Students will also gain an understanding of the physics behind water power technology up to the present time and be asked to invent their own technology. By using local examples from two locations in the Finger Lakes, students have the opportunity to put the information into context. Field trip visits are recommended but not required. Field trip suggestions are included at the end of the lesson as a lesson extension.
Link to Activity 1:Activity 1: The students should be broken into teams of 2-3 in each group. Tell students that they are engineers and inventors during the Industrial Revolution in the Finger Lakes region. They live in a town along one of the rivers that connect the lakes: the Seneca River. Their job is to 1) use the historical maps to locate a good location for their mill and explain why they picked this location; and 2) determine what industry they want to start and what type of waterwheel that will work. The teacher may provide supplies or suggest materials or can leave it up to the students to determine what they will need to make their waterwheel work. Other ideas would be to take students on a field trip to an old mill (see below for links to places for field trips). The industry census and photos of mills will give students an idea of what types of mill industry existed in the mid-1800's. Materials needed for Activity 1:
Industry Census for the towns in Seneca County (1850) Source: Delafield's History of Seneca County 1851
Link to Activity2:Activity 2: Students are asked to use primary and secondary sources of information to construct a timeline of alterations to the Seneca River landscape and industry along the Seneca-Cayuga River system. Students are asked to answer questions about the construction of the canal system and how it altered the Seneca River over the time period 1813-1919 and to pinpoint items on the map that relate to the development along the canal system. When using the maps or photos to interpret changes to the landscape over time it is useful to have the students find a focal point or landmark for each photo or map and to place the photos or maps in such a way so that each focal point is aligned in the same direction. For example, to compare the 1873 oblique map and 1919 Seneca Falls Map have students first identify the railroad tracks and Bayard Street to put things into perspective. Materials needed for Activity 2: The Flats: A Brief History by Walter Gable, Seneca County Historian C& S Canal Brief History illustration contained in "The Flats" by Arnold Barben copyright to the Seneca Falls Historical Society Maps:
Photos:
References:For historic topographic maps go to the University of New Hampshire website For current topographic maps, visit the USGS. Special thanks to Bill Hecht and the Seneca Falls Historical Society for access to maps and digital images. Other references include Walt Gable, Seneca County Historian, "The Flats" by Arnold Barden, 1981, Seneca Falls Historical Society, Project Wet, and the Old Sturbridge Village website. "The Industrial Geography of Seneca Falls, New York" Note about the Maps: The Seneca Falls Historical Society has poster size copies of the 1815 and 1873 maps. Another resource is the book "The Flats" by Arnold Barden, 1981 by the Seneca Falls Historical Society. Call: Frances Barbieri, Seneca Falls Historical Society Education Director: 315-568-8412. To print maps print to fit printer margins.
Field Trip Ideas:Seneca Falls Historical Society
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