Bench-marks were established to aid in determining uniform high-water grade lines upon the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers and tributaries. Payments for watching and caring for engineer property and current contingent expenses formed part of the expenditures. 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, balance available ... $141.65 10,000.00 10, 141.65 $1,374.49 1,529. 55 8, 612. 10 233,000.00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project (See Appendix C C 5.) (b) Above Nashville.-The obstructions in this section are similar in character to those of the lower river. The present project consists of a radical improvement by a system of locks and dams from Nashville to head of Smith's Shoals. The amount expended to June 30, 1888, was $54,424.20, which has been applied to clearing the channel, repairing dams, etc., and in making necessary surveys, borings, current observations, estimates, and contingencies pertaining to the work of lock-construction; $15,765.67, including outstanding liabilities, were expended during this fiscal year in purchasing lands for sites of lock-keepers' house and lock and dam No. 1. House was built by contract, and completed June 20. In September, contract was made for excavating lock-pit and part construction of lock. Under this contract about 800 linear feet of coffer-dam were built and 865 cubic yards of rock excavated from lock-pit; but unusually high water has greatly hindered operations. Contractor quarried and cut a few stones for the lock-walls. The abutment for dam will be built by contract; bids to be opened August 6, 1889. The sites of lock and dam No. 2, near Beck's Ripple, about 14 miles above Nashville, having been approved, negotiations are in progress looking to the purchase of the lands. A line of levels was run from site of Lock 2 to head of Jones Island, the probable site of Lock 3. A snagging party was fitted out to clear the channel. After repairing the dams at Sand Shoals and Walton's Shoals, the snag-boat moved down-stream from Walton's Shoals to mouth of Caney Fork River, clearing away the surface obstructions. The engineer officer in charge suggests-for the reasons given in his report—that a lock and dam be built just below Burnside, Ky., thus carrying on the work at either end of the projected system of locks and dams. July 1, 1888, amount available.... Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888.. July 1, 1859, 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.... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project..... $3,752, 922. 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 C C 5.) 400,000.00 6. South Fork of Cumberland River, Kentucky.-This stream is a tributary to the Cumberland River, which it joins near Burnside, Ky., about 325 miles above Nashville. An examination was made in 1881, when it was found that the river was greatly obstructed in its upper course by immense bowlders, and in the lower section of 44 miles by rock-reefs and gravel-bars. The project provides for improving the channel from Devil's Jumps to mouth of river, about 44 miles, by rock and gravel excavation, and building wing-dams, so as to secure safe navigation for flat-boats and rafts at a 3-foot stage above low water. The amount expended to June 30, 1888, was $11,968.94, which resulted in improving the lower river for the passage of rafts, etc., to a point about 16 miles above mouth of river. No expenditures were made during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889. July 1, 1888, amount available... $31.06 31.06 50, 803.00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project..... (See Appendix C C 6.) 10, 000. 00 7. Caney Fork River, Tennessee.-This stream, about 200 miles long, is an important affluent of the Cumberland River, which it enters near Carthage, Tenn., about 116 miles above Nashville. Its course is wholly in the State of Tennessee. An examination was made in 1879 to Sligo Ford, about 72 miles, and in 1884 from that point to Frank's Ferry, about 20 miles. The channel was found to be very crooked and greatly obstructed by bowlders, numerous gravel and sand bars, snags, overhanging trees, etc. The project has in view to clear the channel of surface obstructions below Frank's Ferry, and to deepen and straighten the channel by building wing-dams and training walls where necessary, so as to secure safe navigation for rafts and flat-boats, and for light-draught steam-boats during the boating season, usually five months, from February to July. To June 30, 1888, the sum of $19,421.95 was expended in clearing the channel from time to time of snags, drift, etc., brought down by the annual floods, and in reducing the bars, and building wing-dams at the worst shoals, which resulted in obtaining an improved channel below Sligo Ford when the river is at a stage not less than 3 feet above ordinary low-water mark. Operations have been carried on only during the month of June, by snagging below Chandler's Islands, and quarrying stone for proposed dams at that point and near Trousdale's Ferry. The amount expended during the fiscal year, including outstanding indebtedness, was $1,054.72. July 1, 1888, amount available.. Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888 $578.05 2,500.00 3,078.05 July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888.. July 1, 1889, outstanding liabilities. $331.53 1,035.72 2,042. 33 July 1, 1889, balance available.... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... (See Appendix C C 7.) 22, 728.00 5, 000, 00 EXAMINATION AND SURVEY FOR IMPROVEMENT, TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF THE RIVER AND HARBOR ACT OF AUGUST 11, 1888. It appearing from the report of the preliminary examination made by the local engineer of Lower Cumberland River from Nashville, Tennessee, to mouth, to ascertain if necessary to establish locks and dams, that the locality is worthy of improvement, and the public necessity therefor being apparent from the facts and reasons reported, which are concurred in by the Chief of Engineers, Lieutenant-Colonel Barlow was charged with its survey, the results of which will be submitted when received. IMPROVEMENT OF THE OHIO, MONONGAHELA, MUSKINGUM, AND ALLEGHENY RIVERS.-OPERATING AND CARE OF DAVIS ISLAND LOCK AND DAM, OHIO RIVER; LOCK AND DAM NO. 9, MONONGAHELA RIVER, AND THE LOCKS AND DAMS ON THE MUSKINGUM RIVER, OHIO.-CONSTRUCTION OF ICE-HARBOR AT MOUTH OF MUSKINGUM RIVER, OHIO, AND OF LOCK AND DAM AT HERR'S ISLAND, ALLEGHENY RIVER. Officer in charge, Lieut. Col. William E. Merrill, Corps of Engineers, having under his immediate orders First Lieuts. Lansing H. Beach and Cassius E. Gillette, Corps of Engineers. 1. Ohio River.-The general method followed in improving the navigation of the Ohio River is to secure additional depth at islands and sand-bars by the construction of low dams across unused passages, and by building guiding-dikes where the river is so wide and shoal as to make it necessary to confine the current to a smaller cross-section. A snag-boat and two dredges, all of them having iron hulls, are owned by the United States, and find constant employment in taking out snags and wrecks, and in dredging away gravel bars which can not be otherwise removed. The first appropriation for the improvement of the Ohio River was made in 1827, and the total sum thus far appropriated exclusively for $4,756,479.25. In addition to these direct appropriations a portion of several combined appropriations for the Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Arkansas rivers, aggregating $1,997,040.68, has been allotted to the Ohio. The following is a summary of the work done during the fiscal year. Drift-gap at Davis Island movable dam.-Work on this drift-gap was begun in August, 1888, but a constant succession of rises prevented the completion of the structure before winter set in. During the winter the coffer-dam was broken, but it was repaired and work was resumed in April, 1889. The coffer was again broken by the flood of the latter part of May, and owing to continued high water the repairs had not been fully completed at the close of the fiscal year. Dam between Davis and Neville islands.-Work on this dam has been limited to the assembling of materials, the stage of water having been too high to permit any work of construction. Dike at the trap.-Minor damages to this structure were repaired in August, 1888, and it is now in good order. Dam at Marietta Island.-Work on the rebuilding of this dam was begun in May, 1889, but on account of high water nothing could be done beyond placing about 1,500 cubic yards of stone. Dike at Eight-Mile Island.-Work on this dike was begun in May, 1889, and at the close of the fiscal year the crib-work had been built for a length of 150 feet from the shore end. Dike at Bonanza Bar.-Work was begun in May, 1889, and at the close of the fiscal year the dike had been extended and partly completed for a length of 300 feet. Dike at Madison, Indiana.-Work on this dike was begun in May, 1889, and at the close of the fiscal year the piling for the substructure had been driven for a length of 200 feet from the shore, and about 400 cords of brush put in place. Dike at Caseyville, Kentucky.—Work was begun in May, 1889, and at the close of the fiscal year the dike had been extended, but not completed, for a length of 150 feet from the shore. Dike at Middle of Grand Chain.-During the year the stage of the water was such that only ten days' work could be done by the contractor. About 1,900 feet of the dike is finished out of 3,008 feet. Ice-piers.-The inner section of the ice-pier at Pomeroy and both sections of the piers at Middleport have been completed except the sheeting of the up-stream slopes. The pier at Ironton has been completed. Work on the Portsmouth ice-pier has not yet been begun, owing to lack of cession of riparian rights. Rock obstruction at mouth of Licking River.-Bids for removing this obstruction were opened on June 20, and the contract was awarded to the lowest bidder, John F. King, of Belpre, Ohio. Improving channel of Big Hocking River.-On account of high water, which continued until the close of the fiscal year, work on this river has been impracticable. It will be undertaken as soon as the stage of water will permit. Great Miami embankment.-The track of the Cincinnati, Indianapolis, St. Louis and Chicago Railway has been raised to 3 feet below the flood of 1884, from Hardentown to the Fair Grounds in Lawrenceburgh, Ind., and the allotment made by act of August 11, 1888, is to be expended in carrying the levee to the foot of Elm street, in that city. Embankment at Shawneetown. -A contract has been made for the necessary earthwork, and at the close of the fiscal year about 8,600 cubic yards of earth had been put in place. A contract for paving will be made during the summer. Rock reef at Brooklyn, Illinois.-Bids for the removal of this reef were opened on the 20th of June, and the contract was awarded to the lowest bidder, H. S. Brown, of Quincy, Ill. Dredging. During the year 1888, the United States dredges Ohio and Oswego worked on the Muskingum River till June 13, and on the Ohio River from September 24 to December 17. While at work on the Ohio River they removed 15,189 cubic yards at the foot of Blennerhassett's Island; 28,852 cubic yards of miscellaneous material, 151⁄2 tons of rock, and part of a wrecked bridge from Wheeling Bar; and 1,051 cubic yards from the mouth of the Muskingum. One of the dredges lifted the blockade at Brown's Island, in March, 1888, by destroying eight wrecked coal boats and barges. Work was greatly hindered by continuous high water. Snagging. The snag-boat E. A. Woodruff worked on the Ohio River in 1888 from September 13 to October 31, when she was temporarily transferred to the Mississippi. While at work on the Ohio she removed 329 snags and 24 wrecks. The fiscal year was remarkable for the long continuance of navigable water, and the absence of very high water in the Ohio River, as is shown by the tables in the report of the officer in charge. 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 and of amount covered by contracts July 1, 1888..... July 1, 1889, outstanding liabilities.. July 1, 1889, amount covered by existing contracts July 1, 1889, balance available.... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1891. 600, 000.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and har bor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix D D 1.) 2. Operating and care of Davis Island Dam, Ohio River.-This dam was built to test the adaptability of the system of movable dams to the peculiar conditions of the Ohio River, and to the special character of the commerce that navigates it. It was intended, if successful, to be the first step in the radical improvement of the Ohio River designed to give a minimum depth of 6 feet at all times except when ice is running. Incidentally this dam has been of great value to the city of Pittsburgh, by securing an ample depth of water in its harbor throughout the lowwater season. The year just ended was remarkable for the steady continuance of navigable water throughout the year, and in consequence of this favorable condition the dam was only up during 57 days. During this time 352 lockages were made, passing 836 vessels. During the year the operation of the lock was very satisfactory, and the only difficulty with the dam came from the bad condition of the steel cross-heads of the navigable pass. Nearly half of these have been replaced with wrought-iron cross-heads. The flood of July, 1888, carried away the bridge of weir 2, but this casualty did not interfere with the working of the dam. After further study, the officer in charge decided that it was possible to work the dam during ice floods, by placing the maneuvering boat below the dam and pushing the wickets up-stream until the props were tripped, thus making it unnecessary to go to the expense of introducing Chanoine trippers. Amount expended during the year, $14,958.81; amount required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1890, $13,618. (See Appendix D D 2.) |