Portage has been completed. The result has been an increased depth of navigation wherever the works have been applied. There is not now, nor has there been any regular navigation of the Wisconsin River, due to the prevalence and shifting nature of the sand bars, and the conse. quent lack of any defined channel for considerable distances. The general subject of the improvement of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers bas been referred to the Board of Engineers, who have not yet announced any final conclusions. The necessary additional observations are now being taken for the Board. During the past year the following work has been done: 1. Wisconsin Rirer.—No work has been done towards completing the improvement. Eight of the dams were repaired, and brush and stone collected for the repair of the remainder of the dams on the improved section below Portage, preparatory to the work of the observation party thereon. 2. Fox Ricer.-On the Upper Fox the work was restricted to timely repairs to plant and to maintaining existing navigation by timely repairs to mechanical structures and the dredging of bars, and operating the locks. On the Lower Fox operations during the year were confined to making repairs to locks, dams, and canal banks; to deepening channels by rock excavation and dredging; to quarrying stone for locks and dams, and to making repairs to boats and dredges. Navigation was maintained during the season of navigation in 1881, except at Menasha, where the lock was necessarily closed for repairs October 23, 1884. Navigation was resumed May 11, 1885, throughout the live and maintained to the close of the fiscal year. The work on the Fox and Wisconsin rivers during the last fiscal year has been under the river and harbor act of August 2, 1882, and un. der section 4 of the act of July 5, 184, providing for the operating and care of canals and other works of navigation. The specific appropriation contained in the river and harbor bill approved July 5, 1881, has not been made available, awaiting the result of legal proceedings under the proviso attached to the act, authorizing the purchase of the necessary sites for the Menasba Dam, which matter is still pending with a prospect of immediate settlement. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, it is proposed to apply the funds available and to become available under the specific appropriations to the purchase of sites for the Menasha Dam, and for carrying out the provisos attached to the river and barbor acts of August 2, 1882, and July 5, 1884, items, Fox and Wisconsin rivers; to the reconstruction of the Menasha Dam and widening of the Neenah Channel as recommended in the report of the Board of Engineers dated September 17, 1844, approved by the Secretary of War December 10, 1884; to deepening by rock excavation and dredging the channel at the entrance to the Menasba Outlet to Lake Winnebago, and to deepening and widening the Menasha Canal. The funds asked for the year ending June 30, 1887, are for the fur. therance of the approved project as far as it relates to the Fox River below Montello, Wis. Under the continuous appropriation for operating and care of canals and other works of vavigation, it is proposed to thoroughly repair the old locks on the Upper Fox; to maintain existing navigation by timely repairs to old locks until replaced by new, and to continue the repairs of works that have already been completed and used, injured by the extraordinary flood of 1881. July 1, 1884, amount available $66, 903 31 105 00 160, 000 00 227.008 31 July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1084... 51,332 93 July 1, 1885, amount available.... 175, 675 38 ( Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... r 1,965), 663 (10 | Amount that can be profitably expended fiscal yearending June 30, 1887 300, 000 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. Operating and care of canals and other works of navigation applied to Fox and Wisconsin rivers, Wisconsin. Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884... ... Indefinite, July 1, 1885, awonnt expended during tiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884 $46, 087 40 Approved estimate for expenditure in fiscal year ending June 38, 1886 42,304 00 (See Appendix I l 6.) IMPROVEMENT OF THE HARBORS OF CHICAGO AND CALUMET, ILLI NOIS-IMPROVEMENT OF ILLINOIS AND CALUMET RIVERS-SURVEY FOR HENNEPIN CANAL, AND FOR THE ENLARGEMENT OF THE ILLINOIS AND MICHIGAN CANAL. Officer in charge, Maj. W. H. H. Benyaurd, Corps of Engineers (temporarily in charge of Capt. Thos. H. Handbury, Corps of Engineers, from December 19, 1884, to end of the fiscal year). 1. Chicago Harbor, Illinois.—The project of improvement now in course of execution at this harbor was adopted in 1870 and modified in 1878. The objects sought are, first, the formation of an outer harbor adjoining the entrance to the Chicago River, and designed also to furnish increased commercial facilities by relieving the river from its overcrowded condition ; second, the creation of a barbor of refuge, affording a good anchorage in deep water, and safe access to the harbor and river. The amount expended upon the work for barbor at Chicago since 1870 is $1,316,549.87, and has resulted in the completion of the outer harbor (excepting the dredging necessary to afford the contemplated depth of 16 feet) and the completion of 3,836 feet of the exterior breakwater, with the exception of the superstructure on the easterly end thereof. In addition to needed repairs the material now on hand and contracted for will complete the superstructure on the easterly end of the breakwater, and will be sufficient for the construction of ten addi. tional cribs. To carry on the work of building and sinking these ten cribs, raising the superstructure of the entire work, and dredging in the outer har. bor, the sum of $225,000 will be required. July 1, 1884, amount available $7,104 69 Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884... 100,000 00 Received Decembor 4, 1884, on account of judgment, schooner Two Fanpies 77 76 July 1, 1875, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of 107, 182 45 outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884. $79, 127 07 July 1, 1885, outstanding liabilities.. 23, 632 00 102,759 07 July 1, 1885, amount available.... 4,423 38 (Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... $284, 000 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in tiscal yearending June 30, 1837 225, 000 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix J J 1.) 2. Calumet Harbor, Illinois. The present project for the improvement of this harbor has for its object the creation and maintenance of a channel 300 feet wiile and 16 feet deep, from Lake Michigan to Calumet Rirer. The amount expended in the execution of this project to June 30, 1885, is $380,774.41; 5,360 feet of pier-work have been completed, and 384,376 cubic yards of material bave been dredged from the channel. During the past season the south pier was extended 200 feet, and 748 linear feet of revetment was rebuilt. The appropriation of $21,400 asked for is to be applied to extending the south pier, and to the repair and preservation of the existing piers. The officer in charge in a communication to this office of December 3, 1884, which was transmitted to Congress, printed in House Ex. Doc. No. 36 of the last session, called attention to the extension of the north shore-line caused by deposits of slag, &c., from the works of the North Chicago Rolling Mills. These deposits, if continued, will call for a further extension of the piers, and additional appropriation will have to be made by Congress. Whereas if they were discontinued, it is believed that no further appropriation need be made except that now called for, and small amounts occasionally to preserve the work, and maintain the dredged channel in good condition. Joly 1, 1824, amount available...... $245 61 Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884. 20, 000 00 20, 245 61 July 1, 1-85, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884... 19, 920 02 July 1, 1885, amount available... 1, 225 59 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... 21,400 00 Amount that can be protivably expended in tiscal year ending June 30, 1887 21,400 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix J J 2.) 3. Illinois River, Illinois.-Previous to the adoption of the present project the inprovement of the Illinois River, as carried on by the General Government, consists chiefly in constructing wing-dams and dikes and in dredging through the worst bars. The amount expended in that way up to.june 30, 1880, was $550,450.55. The State of Illinois bas constructed two locks, each 75 feet wide by 350 feet long between gates, situated at Henry and Copperas creeks. The present project contemplates the extension of this slackwater system 100 miles below by the construction of two more locks and dams, situated, respectively, at La Grange and Kampsville. It is also proposed to dredge the channel of the river where needed from the State lock, at Copperas Creek, to the mouth of the river. At Kampsville the foundation of the lock is completed, butt' e cofferdam and works have been flooded, as there were no appropriations for a continuation of operations. At La Grange the foundation of the lock and the east dam abutinent are finished; the main lock walls, except the upper short courses, are completed, aud several sections of damn have been put in. With the funds now available the lock walls will be completed. The amount required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, will be expended in completing work at La Grange and in purchasing material and operating at Kampsville. July 1, 1884, amount available..... $6, 135 14 Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884 100, 000 00 106, 135 July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884 $63, 992 64 July 1, 1885, outstanding liabilities.. 23, 349 76 87,542 40 July 1, 1885, amount available.... 18,592 74 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... 700), 000 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30,1887 350, 000 00 Submitted in compliance with requireineuts of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix J J 3.) 4. Calumet River, Illinois. - The project for the improvement of this river was recommended by a Board of Engineer Officers in accordance with certain requirements of the river and harbor act of August 2, 1882. It is proposed to dredge a channel 200 feet wide and 16 feet deep from the harbor to the forks of the river at Lake Calumet, - no work to be undertaken, however, until the right of way shall bave been coureyed to the United States free from expense, and the United States released from all liability for damages to adjacent property owners.” The work will be commenced so soon as the necessary releases required bave been approved by the Secretary of War. The officer in charge states that the property owners along the lower section of the river have signed the necessary papers, but as yet few releases have been obtained along the upper section. Should these be obtained, he states that an additional sum of $100,000 should be appropriated for the purpose of purchasing a plant and continuing the work as proposed. July 5, 1824, amount appropriated.. $50,000 00 July 1, 1885, amount available... 50,000 00 ( Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project. 175, 00 00 Amount that can be protitably expended in tiscal year ending June 30,1837 100,000 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1856 and 1867. (See Appendix J J 4.) Surveys for the Hennepin Canal and the enlargement of the Illinois and Michigan Canal.—Some necessary work was done upon the maps of the survey, which were unfinished at the time the reports were rendered. July 1, 1884, amount available... $9, 010 92 July 1, 18-5, annount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884... 739 41 July 1, 18-5, amount available... 8,271 51 (See Appendix J J 5.) EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENT TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF THE RIVER AND HARBOR ACT OF JULY 5, 1881. The following localities were examined by the local engineer in charge and not recommended for improvement: 1. Wolf Lake, Indiana.—(See Appendix J J 6.) 2. For ship.canal from Calumet River to Lake Calumet, Illinois.-(See Appendix J J 7.) Reports on the above were transmitted to Congress and printed in House Ex. Doc. No. 71, Forty-eighth Congress, second session. And it appearing, after preliminary examination by the local engi. peer, that the locality was worthy of improvement by the General Gov. ernment, he was charged with and completed the following: 1. Calumet Rirer, Illinois, from a point half a mile east of Hammond to the forks of the river.-(See Appendix J J 8.) IMPROVEMENT OF HARBORS ON THE EASTERN SHORE OF LAKE MICH IGAN AND OF GRAND RIVER BELOW GRAND RAPIDS. Officer in charge, Capt. D. W. Lockwood, Corps of Engineers. 1. Charleroix Harbor, Michigan.-The average width of the original channel of entrance was 75 feet; the depth raried from 3 to 6 feet. The present project for its improvement, adopted in 1868 and revised in 1875 and 1876, is to dredge a ciannel 100 to 150 feet wide to a depth of 12 feet, and to protect both sides with close piling. This was modified in 1876 by substituting crib work for pile piers. The amount expended to June 30, 1884, was $39,978.63, and resulted in obtaining a channel of navigable width and 12 feet inid-depth between the piers, and about 12 feet in the parrow channel between Round and Pine lakes. The amonnt expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885, was $6,228.47, and resulted in building 705 feet of pile resetment in chan. nel connecting Round and Pine lakes and general repairs to south plank beam revet ment in lower channel. The available depth for navigation is about 12 feet. The amount that can be profitably expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, is to be applied to extending the south pier into Lake Michigan in accordance with approved project, completing the revetment of channel between Round and Pine lakes, and in general re. pairs to piers and plank beam revetments. Jaly 1, 1784, amount available ...... $1,031 37 Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884 10, 000 00 11, 031 37 July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884. July 1, 1085, outstanding liabilities.. $3,003 58 6,228 47 July 1, 1885, amount available.. 4,802 90 (Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. 115, 000 00 1 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1887 50,000 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix K K 1.) 2. Frankfort Harbor, Michigan.—The natural channel of entrance to this harbor was not more than from 3 to 4 feet deep. The present project for its improvement, adopted 1866, was to dredge an outlet through a strip of land separating Lake Aux Becs Scies from Lake Michigan, and to build two parallel piers 200 feet apart, extending from 12 feet soundings in the inner lake to the same depth in Lake Michigan. The amount expended to June 30, 1884, was $235,291.05, and resulted in securing a channel of entrance 195 feet wide with an available depth of 14 feet, the water surface being 1.8 feet high. |