Amount asked for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1874, $30,000, is deemed moderate, considering the necessities of the case. Amount available July 1, 1871.... $46,429 85 Amount appropriated by act of June 19, 1872.. 30,000 00 76,429 85 Amount covered into Treasury (appropriation Burlington breakwater) by war-surplus fund No. 130, dated June 29, 1872... $6,669 13 Amount expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1872.... 33,826 97 40,496 10 Amount available July 1, 1872..... 35,933 75 Amount desired for fiscal year ending June 30, 1874.. (See Appendix G 2.) $30,000 00 3. Surrey and improvement of Otter Creek, Vermont.-In compliance with the act of March 3, 1871, a survey was made of Otter Creek, from Vergennes to its outlet on Lake Champlain, under the direction of Lieutenant-Colonel Newton, and three estimates presented for the improvement of the navigation to Vergennes; first, by dredging only, 51,000; secondly, a more complete project, by the addition of crib or pile work, with the object of narrowing the channel and securing a more permanent improvement, $106,842; and thirdly, a modification of this by the omission of works of only probable necessity, or of such as may be postponed for the present, $58,146. This last project has been adopted, being deemed sufficient for a material and probably permanent improvement of the navigation. The amount of $10,000 appropriated by the act of June 10, 1872, will be applied to dredging upon the shoals in the creek. Amount required for the next fiscal year, $48,146. (See Appendix G 3.) CONSTRUCTION OF THE ROCK ISLAND BRIDGE-PRESERVATION OF THE FALLS OF SAINT ANTHONY-IMPROVEMENT OF THE MINNESOTA, UPPER MISSISSIPPI, AND ILLINOIS RIVERS, AND OF THE DES MOINES AND ROCK ISLAND RAPIDS. Officer in charge, Colonel John N. Macomb, Corps of Engineers, having under his immediate orders Captains W. H. H. Benyaurd, A. H. Burnham, and A. Stickney, Corps of Engineers. 1. Rock Island bridge.-During the past year this work has been completed, and the officer in charge has accepted the superstructure from the contractors. There remained at the close of the fiscal year a small amount of work to be done upon the wagon-road approaches, and the deepening of that portion of the channel which lies between the drawpier and the island, which will be finished before the close of the working season. Amount available July 1, 1871.... Amount expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1872. Amount available July 1, 1872.. Of which there will be required during current fiscal year, for completing wagon-road, approaches, &c., about.. (See Appendixes H 1, H 9, H 10, and H 11.) $729,087 85 566, 140 39 142,947 46 42,947 46 2. Preservation of the Falls of Saint Anthony.-But little actual progress has been made toward the completion of this work during the past fiscal year, an accurate survey having demonstrated the necessity of much more extensive works than had been contemplated. The major part of the funds expended during the fiscal year have been used in repairing and preserving from destruction the works already existing. The lining of the tunnel has been continued chiefly under the auspices of the "Union Committee" of Minneapolis, and $35,000 of the appropriation for the current year has been set aside to be used for this purpose. The board of engineers called to investigate the subject recommend an appropriation of $200,000 for effecting the preservation of the falls, and improving the river above the same. Amount available July 1, 1871...... Expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1872 Available July 1, 1872 Required for fiscal year ending June 30, 1874 (See Appendixes H 2, H 12, H 13, and H 14.) $38, 574 17 36, 153 64 50,000 00 52,420 53 200,090 00 3. Improving Minnesota River.-The work during the past fiscal year has been confined to the removal of bowlders between the mouth of the Yellow Medicine River and Fort Ridgely, a distance of seventy miles, and the inspector reports the channel clear of bowlders between these points. The work was done under contract. Amount available July 1, 1871 ...... Amount expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1872 Amount available July 1, 1872 ..... Amount required for fiscal year ending June 30, 1874. (See Appendixes H 3 and H 15.) $10,233 91 10,016 51 10,000 00 10, 217 40 20,000 00 4. Improving the Upper Mississippi River.-The steamers Montana and Caffrey have rendered excellent service in keeping a clear channel between the Upper Rapids and Saint Paul. Although the season was one of unusually low water, the boats were able during the greater portion of the time to keep from 3 to 3 feet of water on most of the bars, besides removing numerous snags, &c. The Caffrey's capabilities were limited, owing to her too great draught, she being old and water-logged, and it is desirable to build a new hull of very light draught to receive the Caffrey's machinery. Amount available July 1, 1871 Appropriated by act of June 10, 1872, under head of "dredge and snag-boats Expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1872.. on Mississippi River". Amount available July 1, 1872. Required for fiscal year ending June 30, 1874 Of which $30,000 is for a new steamer to replace the Caffrey, and the balance to meet the current expenses of the two steamers during the year. (See Appendixes H 4 and H 16.) 5. Improving the Illinois River.-The work upon the Illinois River improvement is fully set forth in the report of Colonel Macomb's assistant in the operations, by which it will be seen that the amount available at the beginning of the last fiscal year, $73,729.90, has been expended chiefly under a contract for work upon the lower portion of the river. There being no funds for the continuance of the work, the engineer force has been discharged or transferred. An annual appropriation of $12,000 is recommended for maintenance of the improved channel, and an estimate is presented, for the completion of the improvement from Henry to the mouth of the river, amounting to $350,000, including the work necessary to restore those portions of the excavated channel where there has been shoaling. Required for fiscal year ending June 30, 1874, $150,000. (See Appendixes H 5 and H 17.) 6. Improving the Des Moines Rapids.-During the past fiscal year work has been done on the lower and middle locks, and on the prism of the canal. Lower lock. The construction of this lock was pushed on with great vigor as long as the funds available would allow, both the weather and stage of water being favorable, not only to progress, but to the execu tion of superior workmanship. Middle lock.-Work ceased on this lock September 9, 1871, from want of funds. Section-work.-Only one month's work was done upon this portion of the canal, during July, 1871, owing to want of funds. A good deal of time was taken up in closing leaks in the embankment, which hindered the progress of construction and threatened the safety of the portion constructed. During the fall of 1871, a careful resurvey and remeasurement of the improvement were made, the results of which confirmed the accuracy of former surveys. Amount on hand at commencement of fiscal year ending June 30, 1872 .. Expended by authority, toward close of fiscal year ending June 30, 1871. Balance required over previous appropriations to complete the work........ $400, 000 00 288,843 41 110,944 06 400, 000 00 400, 212 53 1,323, 481 19 Of which the sum of $1,000,000 could be advantageously used during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1874. (See Appendixes H 6 and H 18.) The cost of the construction of the Des Moines Rapids Canal has materially exceeded the original estimate of the officer in charge and of the board of officers that revised the project. The causes of this increase are stated in the joint reports of Colonel Macomb, now in charge of the work, and Major-General J. H. Wilson, formerly in charge. (See Appendixes H 19 and H 20.) 7. Improving the Rock Island Rapids.-During the fiscal year the work has been carried on under contract. The improvements have been completed at the opening of Smith's Chain, at Smith's Chain, at the patches between Sycamore and Smith's Chains, and at Crab Island, and the work at Saint Louis Chain is in an advanced state of progress, and will be completed during the present working season. It is contemplated before the close of navigation to improve the channel at Winnebago Island, and to remove certain patches between Saint Louis and Campbell's Chains, as well as others between Campbell's Chain and Winnebago Island. Proposals for this work have already been invited under the appropriation of June 10, 1872, which being completed, the improvement will be finished from the head of the rapids to the head of Duck Creek Chain. There will remain, for completing the entire improvement, about 9,000 cubic yards of rock to be removed at the Lower Chain, at the foot of Moline Chain, and at the head of Duck Creek Chain, for the accomplishment of which, and meeting all probable contingencies in closing the work, the officer in charge asks for an appropriation of $108,000. Amount appropriated by act of July 11, 1870... $150,000 00 150,000 00 Amount appropriated by act of June 10, 1872 Amount expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1872 Amount available July 1, 1872.. Amount required for fiscal year ending June 30, 1874 (See Appendixes H 7, H 21; and H 22.) EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENT. $50,000 00 191,513 29 130, 197 43 108,000 00 The work under this head, during the fiscal year, consisted of a survey of a few miles of the Mississippi River immediately above the Falls of Saint Anthony, of an examination of the bridge over the Saint Croix River at Hudson, and a reconnoissance of the Chippewa River between Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire. Colonel Macomb is charged with the following examinations and surveys, directed to be made by the act of June 10, 1872, viz: 1. Of Chippewa River up to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. 2. Of Minnesota River above the mouth of the Yellow Medicine, Min nesota. IMPROVEMENT OF THE MISSISSIPPI, MISSOURI, AND ARKANSAS RIVERS, AND OF RIVERS IN THE STATES OF MISSOURI, ARKANSAS, AND LOUISIANA-IMPROVEMENT OF THE HARBORS OF SAINT LOUIS AND ALTON. Officer in charge, Lieutenant-Colonel W. F. Raynolds, Corps of Engineers, who has under his immediate orders Major C. R. Suter and Captain C. J. Allen, Corps of Engineers. The snag-boats have worked on the Missouri, from Omaha to the mouth; on the Mississippi, from Keokuk to Vicksburg; and on the Arkansas from Pine Bluff to the mouth; and, under other appropriations, on the White, Black, and Little Red Rivers, on the Saint Francis and on the Ouachita Rivers. They have removed 5,475 snags, (weighing 74,425 tons;) they have cut 25,829 trees; destroyed 92 rack-heaps; and run 21,782 miles. Owing to the length of time the boats have been in service, the repairs consume a large part of the appropriation, and the engineer in charge urges the construction of new iron hulls. Two boats worked for a time in the harbor of Saint Louis, removing wrecks and other obstructions. Amount available July 1, 1871... Amount appropriated by act of June 10, 1872.... Amount expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1872.. Amount available July 1, 1872.. Amount required for fiscal year ending June 30, 1874.. (See Appendix I 1.) 2. Improvement of Osage River, Missouri.-The obstructions to navi gation in this stream are numerous shoals having from 12 to 18 inches of water on them, the intermediate pools being deep. Some of the shoals were deepened by the use of scrapers, and 9,600 yards of material removed, at a cost of 25 cents per cubic yard. Work was done on two other shoals of harder material, after the water had risen, which cost 60 cents per cubic yard. Considerable work was done in the way of rebuilding and extending wing-dams built several years ago by the State of Missouri. The work done afforded decided benefit to commerce during the extreme low water of last season. It is proposed to continue the improvement during the present year by contract. Amount available July 1, 1871, $25,000. Amount appropriated by act of June 10, 1872.. Amount required for fiscal year ending June 30, 1874.. (See Appendix I 2.) $25,000 00 8,215 49 41,784 51 150,000 00 3. Improvement of White, Black, and Little Red Rivers, Arkansas.—A snag-boat was sent into White River, and operated there and in the Little Red and Black Rivers, from the beginning of November last to the end of January, but, owing to the small depth of water, but little could be done in the smaller streams. The amount of work done was 543 snags removed, and 422 trees cut. Amount available July 1, 1871..... (See Appendix I 3.) $10,000 00 8,018 89 1,981 11 4. Improvement of Saint Francis River, Arkansas.-A snag-boat was sent into this stream in January, ascending as far as Cow Island, about thirty-seven miles from the mouth, when a sudden fall in the river prevented her proceeding further. Subsequently the snag-boat Thayer, of lighter draught, operated in the river during the month of April. The amount of work done by these two boats was 431 snags pulled and 151 trees cut. The officer in charge renews his former recommendations for the construction of two snag-boats of light draught for operations in these small streams. Amount available July 1, 1871..... Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1872. (See Appendix I 4.) $10,000 00 10,000 00 5. Improvement of Little Missouri River, Arkansas.-The improvement of this stream was confined to the removal of snags from the channel and leaning trees from the banks, which was done by a party working on a flat-boat provided with requisite shears and hoisting-appliances. Work was performed from the junction with Ouachita, up to the mouth of Antoine Creek, the head of navigation. The appropriation only admitted removing the most serious obstructions. It is proposed to re-organize the party and resume work the present season, and it is hoped that the amount available will complete the improvement in the manner proposed. Amount available July 1, 1871. Amonnt appropriated by act of June 10, 1872.. Amount expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1872. Amount available July 1, 1872.. (See Appendix I 5.) 6. Improvement of the Ouachita River in Arkansas.-This improvement consists in removing snags and cutting timber from the banks. Two parties were engaged from July to December, and it is estimated fully half the obstructions have been removed. A survey was made for lock and dam improvement as high up as Camden, and a report transmitted to Congress in April last and printed in Ex. Doc. H. R. No. 252. (See Appendix I.) It is proposed to employ the light-draught snag-boat in the stream the coming winter, and to purchase the timber for the foundations of the proposed locks. Amount available July 1, 1871 .... Amount appropriated by act of June 10, 1872.. Amount expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1872 $25,000 00 60,000 00 24,002 73 |