The International Traction Company may go into the waterworks business. The company, it is understood, is to build a 50-foot dam across 18-mile creek, near Newfane station, now called Burt, in honor of the late Burt Van Horn, Niagara’s war Congressman. This dam will furnish a large amount of power, which will be uthlized by the road for motive power and by manufacturing concerns. One of the engineers connected with the company expresses the belief that it can solve Lockport‘s water problem. The city now depends on cisterns and wells for its fresh water supply. He believes it would be feasible to pump water from Lake Ontario to Lockport, 12 miles, using power developed at Newfane station.
Source: The Daily Cataract, Niagara Falls, NY, 11 December 1899, p. 8, NYS Historic Newspapers.