by the numerous snags, logs, etc., which were lodged in the channel, and to which a new accession was brought down on each rise of the river, thus constantly adding new and unknown obstructions to those already there. A large number of wrecks also occupied the channel and were very dangerous to the safety of passing boats. For the removal of these obstructions appropriations were made as early as 1824, and the project consisted in building boats suitable for removing the snags, etc., and operating them whenever the stage of water was favorable for the work and funds were available. The total amount expended for this purpose can not be definitely given, as previous to the appropriation made by act of March 3, 1879, a general amount was appropriated to be applied to several streams as their needs required. From March 3, 1879, when the first specific appropriation was made, up to June 30, 1888, $565,428.16 was expended for this purpose. The navigation of the river has been very materially improved by this method, and the danger of accidents to boats lessened. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, $67,511.37 was expended. Three snag-boats were employed between the mouth of the Missouri River and Natchez, Miss., removing obstructions. The boats worked for a total of nine and one-half months, removing 1,864 snags, cutting down 9,102 trees, removing 34 drift piles and 8 wrecks, and traveling a distance of 6,030 miles, thereby greatly benefiting navigation and com merce. Much needed repairs were also made to the snag-boats and they are now in good condition to resume work as soon as the stage of water will permit. An annual appropriation having been made for carrying on this work no further estimate is submitted. July 1, 1888, amount available.... Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888. July 1, 1889, amount expended during the fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888.. July 1, 1889, outstanding liabilities.. July 1, 1889, balance available... (See Appendix Y 1.) $3,772.47 100,000.00 103, 772. 47 $67, 511.37 70, 800, 52 32, 971.95 Missouri River.-The necessity for the improvement of this stream was first recognized in 1832, as its navigation was rendered difficult and dangerous by numerous snags, etc., in the channel, and leaning timber on the banks of the river. The plan adopted for its improvement was the removal of these obstructions by snag-boats, and they have been used to great advantage. The first appropriations having been made so as to cover the needs of several streams, the total amount expended on this river for the removal of obstructions can not be given. Since June 18, 1878, when the first specific appopriation was made, up to June 30, 1888, $459,751.75 was expended in that manner, greatly improving navigation during the low-water season. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, $765.45 was expended in watching and caring for snag-boats. By the terms of the river and harbor act of August 11, 1888, this work was placed under the Missouri River Commission, and the snagboat C. R. Suter, and other property belonging to the work was transferred to Lieut. Col. C. R. Suter, Corps of Engineers, president Missouri River Commission, on September 28, 1888, by direction of the Secretary of War. July 1, 1888, amount available.... July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888.... July 1, 1889, balance available...... (See Appendix Y 1.) $2,748.25 765.45 1,982.80 2. Mississippi River, between the Ohio and Illinois rivers.-The original condition of the navigable channel of this portion of the Mississippi River, before the work of improvement was begun, was such that the natural depth at low water was in many cases from 3 to 4 feet and the water was scattered by islands which formed sloughs behind them, thus wasting the water available for low-water navigation. The project for improvement adopted consisted in closing these sloughs and by contraction works to concentrate the water between banks 2,500 feet apart, the object being to thus obtain a depth of 8 feet in the channel between St. Louis and Cairo and 6 feet between Grafton and St. Louis at standard low water, or at a stage corresponding to a gauge reading of 4 feet on the St. Louis gauge. The amount expended up to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1888, was $3,648,150.11. The condition of the improvement at this latter date was such that a good channel of not less than 8 feet was maintained from St. Louis to Bushberg, a distance of 27 miles, as far as work had been carried up to that time. The amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, was $173,827.34. The work accomplished by this expenditure having been almost entirely done since the beginning of March, 1889, it has not been sufficiently long in place to state as yet what results it has produced in increasing the depth and otherwise benefiting navigation; but reasoning from analogy and from results produced heretofore by the same system and methods, it may be confidently stated that the results will be very beneficial to navigation in increasing the channel depth. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, work was done at the following localities: Horsetail. The work at this locality consisted in the repair of the hurdle, closing the chute to the east of Carroll's Island, which had been damaged by ice and partially burned down by hunters or fishermen during the winter; 450 feet of hurdle was built and the bank revetment at head of island repaired. This work may be considered as completed and has resulted in an average fill of about 12 feet over an area of 1,000 acres, has reduced the river to a width of 2,500 feet, and rendered it navigable for the largest boats, and removed one of the worst bars in the river ("Horsetail"), where trouble was always met with at low water. The amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, was $4,093.58. Twin Hollows.-The work at this locality consisted in the revetment of the artificial bank near the head of the works, which showed a tendency to erosion. The work was done on the west bank, and 115,450 square feet of protection, consisting of brush matress and stone, was placed in position, protecting a length of 1,570 feet of bank. Amount expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, was $7,817.65. Pulltight. The project for the improvement of this locality was adopted in 1881. The river at this point has shown a decided tendency to make a "crossing" above the point originally projected, and a careful study of the locality was made and works laid out in conformity with this tendency. Four hurdles were projected to be built from the east bank, in order to throw the river across the middle bar here existing. Work was begun on the two upper hurdles in March, the two lower having been built the previous year. These hurdles were nearly completed when they were badly broken about the last of May by drift brought down by a sudden rise, and work has since then consisted in their repair. These repairs were nearly completed at the end of the fiscal year. The effect of these hurdles can not be determined till low water, but from present appearances they will accomplish the desired result of eutting away the middle bar; 2,775 linear feet of hurdles were constructed here and extensive repairs made. The amount expended for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, was $104,495.96. Jim Smith's.-The project for the improvement of this locality consists in the construction of contraction works. On account of the existence of a very persistent middle bar it was determined to further extend the hurdles in order to close the chute to the east of the bar, and concentrate the water in such a manner as to remove it; two hurdles were extended an aggregate distance of about 1,500 feet, when the plant was removed to Pulltight to assist in the repairs at that point. Amount expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, was $14,079.66, which also includes amount expended at Sulphur Springs. Sulphur Springs.-The work at this locality is contraction work, the hurdles extending from the east bank. The project for this locality contemplated the extension and repair of the hurdles. The plant being otherwise occupied, the only work accomplished was the wattling of hurdle No. 16 at the head of Foster's Island. The work at this locality has very much improved the lower crossing. Lucas'. The project for work at this locality was adopted in 1888. It consists in contracting the river width to 2,500 feet, and preventing the waste of water now flowing through the chute behind Calico Island. This is a new work; four hurdles were built here whose aggregate length is 7,170 linear feet; they have been constructed since March, 1889, and the effect of the work can not be absolutely stated until low water. It is the continuation of the general project which has succeeded above. Amount expended for fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, was $67,427.60. A reference to the plates accompanying the report of the officer in charge will give a graphic representation of the progress and effect of these works. The amount expended during the year was $173,827.34, and the total amount expended to June 30, 1889, was $3,822,005.54. The original estimated cost of the work, as revised in 1883, was $16,997,100. The aggregate amount appropriated to June 30, 1889, is $4,039,600. The amount expended to June 30, 1888, is $3,648,150.11. July 1, 1888, amount available..... Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888.. July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888..... July 1, 1889, outstanding liabilities.... July 1, 1889, amount covered by existing contracts.. July 1, 1889, balance available.... .$173, 827.34 17, 980.74 32,507, 95 $95, 658. 37 300, 000. 00 395, 658. 37 224, 316. 03 171, 342.34 (Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project....$12, 957, 500. 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1891....... Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix Y 2.) 600,000.00 3. Gasconade River, Missouri.-This river was greatly obstructed by snags, logs, and leaning timber, which materially interfered with navigation. Work was commenced on this stream in 1880, and the project adopted for its improvement consisted in the removal of the snags and logs and the cutting of leaning timber and the construction of contraction works at shoal crossings. The amount expended to June 30, 1888, was $37,438.03, and at that time the navigation was much improved. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, $2,498.06 was expended in removing obstructions from the bed of the river and cutting down leaning timber from the banks, thereby rendering the navigation of the river much safer. The original estimate for the improvement of this stream was $50,000, of which $42,500 has already been appropriated, leaving an estimated amount of $7,500 to complete the project. This amount will probably be exceeded, as new obstructions are continually forming, and it will require a small amount each year to keep the channel open after the principal work has been done. July 1, 1888, amount available Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888. July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888...... July 1, 1889, balance available...... $61.97 5,000.00 5, 061.97 2, 438.06 2, 563.91 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1891 10,000. 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix Y 3.) 4. Osage River, Missouri.-The navigation of this stream was very much interfered with by obstructions in the channel and shoal crossings. The original project, adopted in 1871, was to obtain a low-water navigation of 2 feet by means of dams and training-walls, but this was abandoned and a new project, consisting in the removal of snags and logs, cutting of leaning timber and constructing dams and training-walls at shoal crossings, was adopted. The amount expended to June 30, 1888, was $195,844.52, at which time the navigation was in a fair condition, the worst obstructions having been removed. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, $4,248.52 was expended in extension and repair of dam and training wall at Hoskin's Shoal, in repairing dam at Moore's Flat, and in removing obstructions from 60 miles of the river. This improved the navigation at low water by increasing the depths over the shoals and making the navigation of the river much safer than formerly. No estimate was made for the improvement of this stream under the second project; an annual appropriation is, however, required to keep this stream in navigable condition by the removal of new obstructions that are brought down during the floods. July 1, 1888, amount available Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888. $4, 155. 48 5,000.00 9, 155. 48 July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888.. July 1, 1889, outstanding liabilities.. $4,248.52 4, 650. 02 July 1, 1889, balance available. 4,505. 46 ====== Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1891 10,000. 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix Y 4.) EXAMINATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT, TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF THE RIVER AND HARBOR ACT OF AUGUST 11, 1888. The required preliminary examination of the Grand River, Missouri, was made by the local engineer in charge, Major Miller, and reported by him as not worthy of improvement, with facts and reasons for such opinion. The Chief of Engineers, concurring in the conclusion reached in this instance, has given no instructions to make further survey with the view to its improvement. (See Appendix Y 5.) St. Louis Harbor, Missouri, reported by the local engineer as worthy of improvement, and this conclusion is concurred in by the Chief of Engineers. The information at hand is sufficient to indicate to Congress the probable cost of the work required, and no further report or survey appears to be necessary. The improvement proposed contemplates contraction of the width of the river from a point opposite Bissell's Point to a point 4,500 feet above the bridge to 2,000 feet. Estimated cost $182,000. (See Appendix Y 6.) The required preliminary examination of Missouri River at Miami, Missouri, was made by the local engineer, Major Miller, and his report thereon may be found in Appendix Y 7. The river and harbor act of August 11, 1888, having made a specific appropriation of $25,000 for the improvement of the Missouri River at this place, and as the Missouri River Commission has the work assigned to it by law, it was considered that no further action by this office was required. The act also provides for a survey of Osage River, Missouri, from its mouth to the first shoal, and five miles above the same, and to report an estimate based on such survey of the cost of constructing one lock and dam within the limits of said survey, and the effect upon the navigation of said river of constructing said lock and dam. Major Miller was charged with this survey, the results of which will be submitted when received. IMPROVEMENT OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER BETWEEN THE DES MOINES RAPIDS AND THE MOUTH OF THE ILLINOIS RIVER. Officer in charge, Capt. E. H. Ruffner, Corps of Engineers. Division Engineer, Col. O. M. Poe, Corps of Engineers. The general project consists in contracting the low-water bed of the river to an average width of 1,800 feet. All island chutes are to be closed by dams, and wing-dams and the river contracted where wider than the proposed channel. The works are generally built of brush and rock. Piling is occasionally used. Dredging has been done to remove the sand from the crossings of the worst bars. Work under the present appropriation has been done at Alexandria, Mo., Canton and |