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pended on the removal of obstructions, and $7,000 for purchase of land, &c., at site of lock and dam at Grand Rapids.

At that time the navigation below Grand Rapids was greatly im proved, but at that point no benefit had as yet been derived.

During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885, $1,756.07 was spent on repairs to New Harmony Dam and removal of obstructions, and $2,824.54 on the lock and dam, and the result was increased facilities for navigation below the dam.

With the funds now on hand, as much stone for the lock and dam will be purchased as possible.

With the amount, $190,000, which it is thought can be profitably expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, it is proposed to spend $80,000 in continuing the work on lock and damn at Grand Rapids, and $110,000 in making improvements at Widow Goss and Skidmore bars, Grand and Little Chain Rapids, the protection of the bank above Grayville, repairs to the New Harmony Dam, and snagging, general repairs. and maintenance of plant, all of which it is intended shall place the channel in a better condition.

It is estimated that it will require $70,000 more to complete the work as laid out, but additional appropriations may be required as new ob structions appear.

July 1, 1884, amount available

Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884.

July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884.......

July 1, 1885, amount available..........

$1,756 07

30,000 00

31,756 07

4,580 61

27, 175 46

Amount (estimated) required for completion of works indicated..
Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1887
Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and
harbor acts of 1866 and 1867.

260,000 00 190,000 00

b. Above Vincennes.-The project for the improvement of this portion of the river was the removal of obstructions and the construction of wing-dams where necessary.

In addition to the amount, $304,996.19, expended on the whole river to July 1, 1880, $53,021.14 was spent on improving this portion of the river to June 30, 1884. This resulted in giving a fair navigable channel the principal obstructions having been removed.

During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885, $8,701.77 was expended, and the work done consisted in the removal of snags and the completion of the dam at Horseshoe Bend, whereby increased depth of water and a clearer channel was obtained.

At present it is not deemed advisable that any more money should be expended on this portion of the river until the lock and dam at Grand Rapids is completed, when an estimate for this portion of the river will be prepared.

July 1, 1884, amount available....

Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884..

July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of

outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884.

July 1, 1885, outstanding liabilities..

July 1, 1885, amount available......

(See Appendix W 4.)

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5. White River, Indiana, in charge of Maj. J. A. Smith, Corps of Engineers, to July 11, 1884, and of Capt. J. C. Post, Corps of Engineers, to September 10, 1884.-The channel of this river was difficult to navigate in many places on account of rock reefs, sand-bars, and obstructions in the shape of snags, logs, &c.

The project adopted for its improvement was to obtain a depth of 31 feet, and a channel 100 feet wide at low water, by the removal of rock at the reefs, the construction of wing-dams, and the removal of obstructions, and the first appropriation was made in 1879 for that purpose. The amount expended to June 30, 1884, was $81,110.01. This money was spent in removing snags, building wing-dams, and in removing obstructions. A partial result was only obtained, however, as the funds would not permit of finishing the work at Kelly's Ripples, near the mouth.

During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885, $12,338.57 was further expended on the work at Kelly's Ripples, and the amount of material moved was 17,701 cubic yards. A channel of the required depth, but only 50 feet wide, was obtained.

With the appropriation asked for fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, it is proposed to finish this cut to the required width, to the great benefit of navigation.

The completion of this work will give good navigation to Hazleton; above that point it is not deemed advisable to spend any money as long as the railroad bridge at that point remains an obstruction to naviga tion.

July 1, 1884, amount available.............

$3,889 99

Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884..

10,000 00

13,889 99

July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884...

12,838 57

July 1, 1885, amount available.....

1,051 42

(Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.
Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1887
Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and
harbor acts of 1866 and 1867.

15,000 00

15,000 00

(See Appendix W 5.)

EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENT, TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF THE RIVER AND HARBOR ACT OF JULY 5,

1884.

The following locality was examined by the local engineer in charge, Maj. C. R. Suter, Corps of Engineers, and not recommended for improve

ment:

1. Nish-na-botna [Nishnabotana] River with a view to increasing the depth of channel in the Missouri River.-(See Appendix W 6.)

And the following localities were examined by the local engineer in charge, Capt. J. C. Post, Corps of Engineers, and also not recommended for improvement:

1. Kankakee River, Indiana.-(See Appendix W 7.)

2. Wabash River, Indiana, from Logansport to Delhi.-(See Appendix W 8.)

The reports on the above were transmitted to Congress, and printed in House Ex. Doc. No. 71, Forty-eighth Congress, second session.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER COMMISSION.

This Commission, organized under the provisions of the act of June 28, 1879, reports to and receives instructions from the Secretary of War through this office.

Information regarding the progress of the Commission in its duties was transmitted to Congress, as required by the above act, in a report dated December 19, 1884, which was printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 64, Forty-eighth Congress, second session. This report embraces the following subjects and subdivisions, viz:

1. Progress of surveys and examinations since December 1, 1883. 2. Construction.

3. Remarks on the subject of levees and outlets.

4. General discussion of the problem of the rectification of the Red and Atchafalaya rivers.

5. Legislation.

6. Financial statements and estimates of funds for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, for "surveys and expenses of the Commission and for improving Mississippi River."

(See Appendix W W 1.)

The Commission also submitted to the Secretary of War, July 15 1885, a report embracing the subjects and subdivisions specified below. viz :

1. Progress of surveys and examinations from October 1, 1884. to June 30, 1885.

2. Progress of construction from October 1, 1884, to June 30, 1885. 3. Plan and methods of improvement discussed.

4. The Atchafalaya Outlet.

5. Vicksburg Harbor.

6. Legislation recommended.

7. Financial statements and estimates of funds for the fiscal year end ing June 30, 1887.

(See Appendix W W 2.)

MISSOURI RIVER COMMISSION.

This Commission, organized under provisions of the river and harbor act of July 5, 1884, reports to and receives instructions from the Secre tary of War through this office, and, under his direction and with his approval, is required to superintend, control, and expend all appropria tions heretofore made for the improvement of the Missouri River, and which may be hereafter made therefor.

It is required to submit annually, for transmittal to Congress at the beginning of the regular session in December, a full and detailed report of all its proceedings and actions, including estimates of the cost of works of improvement devised and matured, and statements of all ex penditures made.

In compliance therewith the first report of the Commission was transmitted to the Senate January 7, 1885, and printed as Senate Ex. Doc. No. 24, Forty-eighth Congress, second session.

(See also Appendix X X 1.)

The second report of the Commission contains, in detail, the progress of surveys and of works of construction carried out from December 1. 1884, to October 13, 1885, with recommendations in regard to the con tinuation of the work; financial statements of expenditures made, and estimates of funds for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887; for which (See Appendix X X 2.)

IMPROVEMENT OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER BETWEEN THE MOUTHS OF THE ILLINOIS AND OHIO RIVERS-IMPROVING HARBOR AND MISSISSIPPI RIVER AT ALTON-MISSISSIPPI RIVER OPPOSITE THE CITY OF SAINT LOUIS, AND AT OR NEAR CAPE GIRARDEAU AND MINTON POINT.

Officer in charge, Maj. O. H. Ernst, Corps of Engineers, having under his immediate orders, until August 5, 1884, First Lieut. F. V. Abbot, Corps of Engineers.

1. Mississippi River between the Illinois and Ohio Rivers.-No work in the field was done during the year under the direction of the Chief of Engineers. A portion of the small balance, $5,354.51, available at the beginning of the year was employed in caring for the public property until the works were transferred to the Mississippi River Commission in accordance with a provision of the act of July 5, 1884. The remainder of this balance was used in continuing the works under their direction. The action of the works previously constructed by the Engineer Department continued to be favorable.

July 1, 1884, amount available..........

July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884.

(See Appendix X 1.)

$5,354 51

5,354 51

2. Harbor and Mississippi River at Alton.-By a provision in the act of July 5, 1884, the supervision of this work was transferred to the Mississippi River Commission. Nothing was done during the year under the direction of the Chief of Engineers.

(See Appendix X 2.)

3. Mississippi River opposite the city of Saint Louis, Missouri.-By a provision in the act of July 5, 1884, the supervision of this work was transferred to the Mississippi River Commission. Nothing was done during the year under the direction of the Chief of Engineers. (See Appendix X 3.)

4. Mississippi River at or near Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and Minton Point, Illinois.-By a provision in the act of July 5, 1884, the supervision of this work was transferred to the Mississippi River Commission. Nothing was done during the year under the direction of the Chief of Engineers.

(See Appendix X 4.)

EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENT TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF THE RIVER AND HARBOR ACT OF JULY 5, 1884. The following was examined by the local engineer in charge, Maj. O. H. Ernst, and not recommended for improvement:

1. Osage River, from mouth to Linn Creek, with a view to movable locks and dams.-The report was transmitted to Congress and printed in House Ex. Doc. No. 71, Forty-eighth Congress, second session.

(See also Appendix X 5.)

IMPROVEMENT OF THE YELLOWSTONE RIVER, DAKOTA AND MONTANAIMPROVEMENT OF THE MISSOURI RIVER FROM SIOUX CITY, IOWA, TO FORT BENTON, MONTANA.

Officer in charge, Capt. James B. Quinn, Corps of Engineers.

1. Yellowstone River in Montana and Dakota.-During the year the work of improving the navigable channel by brush-dam constructions

when it was necessary to close chutes or reduce the width of the river's bed has been extended to a point about 26 miles below Glendive, Mont. About 2,504 running feet of dam was built, of which 45 feet was in a very difficult location. The dams have stood very well, and are giving fair satisfaction.

The completion of this work would give a route for the shipment of freight from Glendive to Buford of but 100 miles down-stream haul, which would be of some advantage over the 300 miles of up-stream haul from Bismark, the route which the freight now takes.

July 1, 1884, amount available......

Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884.

$856 22

20,000 00

July 1, 1885, outstanding liabilities..

July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884...

20,856 22

$10,743 90

1,001 79

11,745 69

9, 110 53

July 1, 1885, amount available

125,000 00

Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.....
Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1887 100,000 00
Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river aud
harbor acts of 1866 and 1867.

(See Appendix Y.)

2. Missouri River from Sioux City to Fort Benton.-Under the act of July 5, 1884, this work passed into the control of the Missouri River Commission.

IMPROVEMENT OF THE NAVIGATION OF THE MISSISSIPPI BETWEEN SAINT PAUL AND THE MOUTH OF THE ILLINOIS, INCLUDING IMPROVEMENTS AT SPECIAL LOCALITIES BETWEEN THOSE POINTSOPERATIONS AND CARE OF THE DES MOINES RAPIDS CANAL.

Officer in charge, Maj. A. Mackenzie, Corps of Engineers.

1. Upper Mississippi River, operations of snag-boats, &c.-During the year the snag-boat General Barnard was employed as heretofore in removing snags, wrecks, and other obstructions. In September and October, 1884, she assisted in construction of dams and shore protec tions at Cassville Slough and Fort Madison. .

The snag-boat J. G. Parke was employed in September and October. 1884, in towing barges of material to the sites of the works at Guttenburg and Fort Madison. The total amount expended for snag-boat service on Upper Mississippi River, between Saint Paul and the mouth of the Illinois, to July 1, 1885, is $502,140. The officer in charge submits an estimate of $30,000 for operating the snag boats during fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, and recommends that the appropria tion be made a permanent one, such as those made for the Govern ment canals, in order to do away with the trouble experienced through the failure of the river and harbor bill.

July 1, 1884, amount available

July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884

$974 3

974 3

Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1887 30,000 0 Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and

harbor acts of 1866 and 1867.

(See Appendix Z 1.)

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