No Rails Over Dry Falls

Charles S. Bihler, Northern Pacific Division Engineer, Tacoma, Wash., to Edwin H.
McHenry, Chief Engineer, St. Paul, Minn., February 7, 1900.

I beg to hand you herewith, report of Mr. Van Arsdol of his
reconnaissance from Coulee City to the Columbia River, via Crab Creek,
and from there to Ellensburg, together with maps and profiles.
The prospects of a favorable line from Coulee City to the Columbia
River are unexpectedly favorable. Mr. Van Arsdol reports that the main
coulee, below Coulee City is impracticable on account of the falls, but
there is a sort of a by-pass leading over into a side coulee which in
general, is somewhat higher than the Grand Coulee, and which would
permit construction without excessive cost.