Before the work of improvement commenced, the ruling depth between Moorhead and the head of Goose Rapids, at low water, was 14 feet, and below Grand Forks 2 feet, and the channel between Moorhead and Breckenridge was much obstructed by snags and leaning trees. Since the work of improvement commenced a least depth of 3 feet, at low water, has been secured for 80 miles below Moorhead, and of 4 feet for 32 miles below Grand Forks. In addition, snags and other obstructions have been removed from the river for 76 miles above Moorhead, to the improvement of navigation at high and medium stages of water, and snags have been removed also for 152 miles of the stream below Mooshead. Amount expended to close of year ending June 30, 1885, $117,428.15. The sum of $45,000, asked for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, is to be expended in continuing dredging operations, and removal of obstructions generally, below Moorhead and Fargo, and in dredging and removal of snags between those points and Breckenridge. 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.. (Amount (estimated) required for completion of improvement per revised (See Appendix A A 8.) 2,137 39 10,000 00 12, 137 39 6,565 54 5,571 85 56,310 18 45,000 00 9. Constructing lock and dam at Goose Rapids, Red River of the North, Minnesota and Dakota.-The original estimate for this proposed work, 1877, was $219,287.99. Object, to overcome the fall at the worst obstructions near the head of the rapids, so as to connect with the dredg ing improvements of the river above and below the rapids. The acts March 3, 1881, and August 2, 1882, appropriated a total of $50,000 for the work. This sum being small in proportion to the prob able cost of the work, and more detailed information in regard to the entire extent of rapids than was at hand being needed, a survey was made during the season of 1883 in order that a close estimate of the cost of improvement might be available for consideration. The report of the survey which was transmitted to the House of Representatives March 12, 1884, presented three plans, with estimates of cost, as fol lows: 1. Locks and dams at Buffalo Neck and Isabella Island, and necessary 2. Lock and dam at Buffalo Neck and necessary dredging $481, 128 274, 129 30,000 The report suggested the advisability of substituting an improvement by dredging for that by locks and dams, and the consideration of the advisability of rendering the appropriations already made available for the work of dredging. Should, however, the improvement by a lock and dam with dredged approaches (cost $274,128) be decided upon, the sum of $100,000 in addition to the sums already appropriated can be profitably expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, in pre liminaries, excavation, foundations, &c. Amount expended (in examinations) to June 30, 1885, is $3,052.35, which also is the total amount expended. There are no operations to report for the year ending June 30, 1885. July 1, 1884, amount available Amount (estimated) required for completion of projected lock and dam, &c., if ordered to be built.... Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix A A 9.) $46,947 65 46,947 65 224, 128 49 10. Reservoirs at headwaters of Mississippi River.-The object of the reservoirs is to collect surplus water, principally from the precipitation of winter, spring, and early summer to be systematically released, so as to benefit navigation during the season of drought upon the reaches of the several streams below the dams and also upon that of the Mississippi below Saint Paul. This project may be said to have been adopted in 1880, following an appropriation by Congress for the work by act of June 14, 1880. During the fiscal year the following named dams were fully completed, viz: Dam at the outlet of Lake Winnibigoshish; dam at the outlet of Leech Lake; dam at the falls of Pokegama, and work continued upon a fourth on Pine River at the outlet of Cross Lake, Minnesota. This latter dam is more than half completed. The three completed dams had impounded by the close of the fiscal year over and above what was allowed to flow during the fall, winter, and spring months and during June, 24,000,000,000 cubic feet of water, a quantity which equaled expectation for that time. During May the river above Aitken was maintained at a stage sufficient for steamers, and during June the discharge was largely increased. An examination of the river towards the latter part of June, however, showing a plentiful supply of water at and below Aitken, it was deemed best to reduce the discharge from the reservoirs, providing, however, for the needs of navigation on the river below them, and to defer further test until later in the summer. The system as originally reported upon, provided for 41 reservoir dams in Minnesota and Wisconsin at an esti mated first cost (omitting that of land, &c., damages) of $1,809,083. No benefit of consequence can accrue to the navigation of the Mississippi River below Lake Pepin, unless the entire system of dams be built. The reservoirs have been ordered by Congress in the interest of river navigation, and they should not be diverted from that purpose. Amount expended to June 30, 1885, $503,776.23. The sum of $140,000 estimated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, to be expended in extending the system at the headwaters of the Mississippi; and the sum of $10,000 is also estimated, in addition to that for continuing construction, as necessary for the expense of operating and guarding the completed dams for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887. 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.... $1, 224, 083 00 150,000 00 $140,000 00 (Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1887...... To be expended in construction To be expended in operating dams.. Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix A A 10.) 150,000 00 11. Surveys for reservoirs at the sources of the Mississippi, Saint Croix, Chippewa, and Wisconsin rivers.-The officer in charge reports that if the reservoir work now begun in Minnesota at the headwaters of the Mississippi river is to extend to the Saint Croix, Chippewa, and Wisconsin rivers, it will be necessary, in order to meet questions constantly arising, as well as to be enabled to make close estimates of cost of dams, &c., to continue hydrological observations, borings, and contouring of proposed dam-sites. The funds available for these surveys in 1878 and 1879 were not sufficient for a thorough examination of all the region with reference to flowage, so that in estimating areas of land liable to overflow from creation of reservoirs, large margins were necessarily taken on the side of safety. He estimates the cost of examinations for one year at $50,000. There having been no appropriation for such work during the past fiscal year, nothing was done under this head. (See Appendix A A 11.) MPROVEMENT OF TENNESSEE AND CUMBERLAND RIVERS, AND OF CERTAIN RIVERS IN EASTERN TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. Officer in charge, Maj. W. R. King, Corps of Engineers, with Lieut. Jas. G. Warren, Corps of Engineers, under his immediate orders. 1. Tennessee River.-a. Above Chattanooga.-Examinations of this river Tere made in 1830 and 1872 from Chattanooga to Knoxville, 189 miles. The present project for the improvement of this section is based upon the latter examination. The obstructious, some twenty-nine in number, were found to consist of gravel-bars, rock-reefs, rapids, and shoals, with about 15 inches of water over them. The project of improvement templates the removal of these obstructions by blasting a channel through the reefs, and building stone wing and retaining dams to scour at the gravel, or deepen the channel by reducing its width, so as to Secure a depth of 3 feet at low water. The total amount expended up to June 30, 1885, is $218,350.36, which has resulted in the removal of many obstructions and greatly improved thers. The improvements are practically permanent when completed. Work as done during the past year at William's Island Shoals, Lyon's Soals, and other minor obstructions near Knoxville, giving an inCreased depth of water and rendering navigation at these points safer. The appropriation herein estimated for can be profitably expended he completion of the existing project, and in repairing and extendsome of the dams already built. 1,1955, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of tstanding liabilities July 1, 1884.. 1, 155, outstanding liabilities.. 1, 1885, amount available $91 55 3,000 00 3,091 55 $2,894 80 47 11 2,941 91 149 64 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project (See Appendix B B 1) $81,500 00 30,000 00 b. Below Chattanooga.-The original condition of this section of the river was as follows: From Chattanooga to Brown's Ferry, 162 miles, about 3 feet of water for nine months in the year; thence to Florence, 39 miles (including the Muscle Shoals obstructions), not navigable; from Florence to the mouth of the river, 255 miles, 10 to 20 inches over numerous shoals, with navigable pools between them. The present project, adopted in 1872 and modified in 1877, consists in building a canal, 70 to 120 feet wide and 6 feet deep, around the Big Muscle Shoals, with nine locks, 300 feet between gates and 60 feet wide, to replace the old canal built by the State of Alabama nearly fifty years ago; and in extending the improvement in a similar manner around Elk River Shoals, where two locks and 14 miles of canal are required. Little Muscle Shoals and minor obstructions between Chattanooga and Paducah to be improved by channel excavations, wing-dams, &c. The total amount expended to June 30, 1885, was $2,574,993.72, and has resulted in the improvement of the river as follows: Several of the more serious obstructions between Chattanooga and Decatur have been removed and others greatly improved. On the Elk River Shoals division the channel excavation is completed, one of the locks is ready for the gates, the foundation pit for the other is excavated, and all of the stone for it has been quarried, cut, and transported to the lock-site; the excavation of the canal trunk is well under way. On the Muscle Shoals division the nine locks are completed, ready for the gates; twelve iron lock gates have been constructed, eight of which are in position, though not yet anchored to the masonry; the masonry of the Shoal Creek Aqueduct, 900 feet long, is completed, and the heavy iron beams for its trunk are on hand; permanent bridges have been built across four creeks; the canal trunk is well advanced towards completion. The amount available and the appropriation herein estimated for can be profitably expended in continuing operations at Muscle Shoals and in removing minor obstructions in other parts of the river between Chattanooga and Paducah. Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884.... July 1, 18-5, outstanding liabilities. July 1, 1885, amount available... $350,000 00 $215,372 67 14, 121 05 229, 493 72 120,506 28 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project...... 1,437,500 00 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. (See Appendix B B 1.) 550,000 00 2. Cumberland River, Tennessee and Kentucky.-The States of Tennessee and Kentucky made appropriations for the survey and improvement of the Cumberland in 1830, and in 1870, 1875, 1879, 1880, 1881, and 1883 surveys and examinations were authorized by Congress; the present plans of improvement are based upon these. a. Below Nashville, (192 miles).—The project for the improvement of this section consists in blasting a channel through rock-reefs, and re moving bowlders, gravel-bars, snags, and overhanging trees, and in building riprap dams where necessary, to secure additional depth and prolong the season for navigation. During the year work was done at Race Track, Ingram, and Little River shoals, at Sycamore Bar, Medlock's Bar, Seven Mile Ferry, Palmyra Island, Wells Island and Cumberland Island near the mouth of the river, also snag-boat work between Nashville and the mouth of the river, The entire amount expended on this section to June 30, 1885, was $240,911.23, and has resulted in lengthening the season of safe navigation for steamboats drawing from 3 to 4 feet, and in enabling lightdraught boats to run during the low-water season. The appropriation herein estimated for can be profitably expended in continuing the improvement of the shoals below Nashville, includ ing the bar at the mouth of the river, in accordance with the present plan. July 1, 1884, amount available Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884 $61 14 7,500 00 7,561 14 July 1, 18-5, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884 $5,620 79 July 1, 185, outstanding liabilities.. 351 58 5,972 37 July 1, 1885, amount available 1,588 77 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... (See Appendix B B 2.) 105,500 00 50,000 00 b. Above Nashville (including Smith's Shoals) 335 miles.-During the fiscal year work has been done at Upper Nashville Island, and at Waitsboro' Shoals, also, snag-boat operations between Lower Holliman's Island and Nashville, 144 miles. The original project consisted in blasting a channel through rock-reefs, removing gravel-bars, bowlders, snags, &c., and in building riprap dams to contract the water-way where nec. essary. This plan has been modified by a recent survey, and the present project contemplates a more radical and permanent improvement by a combination of the above with locks and dams. The total amount expended to June 30, 1885, is $297,939.65, and has resulted in securing a cleared channel, having an increased depth of from 6 to 8 inches at the principal obstructions, and therefore a lengthened season of navigation. The appropriation now available and that herein estimated for can be profitably expended in operations above Nashville, in building locks and dams, and in such open channel work as will be needed whether the lock and dam system is carried out or not, the work to be carried on in a tentative manner, so as to ascertain just how far wing and training dams can be used in place of the lock system. Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884 . outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884 July 1, 1885, outstanding liabilities July 1, 1985, amount available.... $50,000 00 $20,274 01 665 64 20,939 65 29,060 35 |