Page images
PDF
EPUB

called the "Roughs," in facilitating and cheapening the bringing to market of millions of feet of lumber of the most valuable and varied kinds.

The river and harbor act of August 11, 1888, appropriated $3,000 for cleaning out the channel. The project approved for the expenditure of this small sum contemplated the removal of ledges of solid rock, and the making of channels through eighteen shoals of loose rock and bowlders, commencing at Scramble Creek, about three-fourths of a mile above the mouth, and extending to the pool above Rich Creek, a distance of 10 miles. The work was carried on by the hire of labor and the purchase of materials in open market, the circumstances not permitting contract work from considerations of economy and advantage.

Of the $3,000 appropriated, $1,266.42 has been expended towards improving the channels in accordance with the project above mentioned, and the balance will be applied in the same work as soon as circumstances permit.

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 ....

Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project...
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 F F 4.)

$3,000.00

1,266. 42

1,733.58

7,000.00

7,000.00

5. New River, from the mouth of Wilson, in Grayson County, Virginia, to the mouth of Greenbrier River, West Virginia.-The appropriations have been made in such manner as to divide this portion of the river into three sections, as follows:

Upper, or Lead Mines....

Middle, or New River Bridge.
Lower, or Greenbrier..

Miles.

62

43

864

Throughout this distance the navigable channel consisted of natural chutes through the ledges and shoals of varying widths, rarely over 1 foot in depth, in some places so tortuous as to render navigation extremely difficult and dangerous.

The original project adopted for the improvement of these natural channels was to widen them to 30 or 50 feet, as might be required, deepen them to 2 feet, and straighten such as needed it. This was for bateau navigation; the improvement, however, to be made in such a manner as to aid the work should a greater depth and width be required in the future.

A small steam-boat, draught 12 inches when light, having been built at Hinton in the fall of 1878, rendered it necessary to make the channel in that section 50 feet wide at all points, and in many from 75 feet to 100 feet, the depth of 2 feet being retained. This steam-boat was not adapted, in dimensions and power, to the navigation of the river, and was withdrawn.

The original plan of improvement has been adhered to, except that the width of channel on the middle and upper divisions has been reduced to 20 feet, and on the former to 10 feet for several miles, to allow iron to be shipped from the furnaces above.

There was no appropriation for this river in 1883, 1884, and 1885. July 1, 1886, there was a balance remaining unexpended of $3,000 from

the appropriation of August 2, 1882. This pertained by special desig nation of the law to the portion of the river above Foster's Falls, which are not passable. The balance remained unexpended because of the impassability of these falls. As the disconnection with routes of transportation caused by these falls would practically disappear on the completion of the railroad up Cripple Creek, and as boats could then ship to the railroad their freight at Porter's Ferry above the lead mines and the falls, it was concluded to improve the condition of Williamson's ledges and shoals. This work was continued as late as the season allowed, a small balance of funds being left unexpended, but not large enough to justify the resumption of operations in the summer of 1886. There was an appropriation of $10,000 in the law of August 5, 1886, applicable only to the portion of the river above the lead mines. When the money became available it was too late to commence operations in 1886. For more than one reason it seemed inexpedient to expend this appropriation in the year ending June 30, 1888. The portion of the river to which it is applicable is above Foster's Falls, and these can only be passed by one or two locks at a cost much greater than Congress is likely to authorize. There is also strong reason for doubt whether, considering the present development of that section of the country, the construction of such locks would be justifiable even if the money were available. The construction of railroads near this stream has, for the present, diminished very much the importance of the improvement of the portion above Foster's Falls. After a careful re-examination of the subject and a reconnaissance of the river and its vicinity, it was decided to postpone the expenditure of the appropriation until the will of Congress could be further ascertained.

In the river and harbor act of August 11, 1888, it was directed that the balance should be spent in improving the river between Ivanhoe Furnace, in Wythe County, and the mouth of Wilson Creek. Operations in accordance with this direction have commenced.

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.....

Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project. Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867.

(See Appendix F F 5.)

$10, 147. 29

1, 411.05

8,736. 24

159,000.00

IMPROVEMENT OF TRADEWATER, KENTUCKY, AND LICKING RIVERSOPERATING AND KEEPING IN REPAIR LOCKS AND DAMS ON THE GREEN AND BARREN AND KENTUCKY RIVERS, KENTUCKY-IMPROVEMENT OF BIG SANDY RIVER, WEST VIRGINIA AND KENTUCKY, AND OF GUYANDOTTE, LITTLE KANAWHA, AND BUCKHANNON RIVERS, WEST VIRGINIA.

Officer in charge, Maj. D. W. Lockwood, Corps of Engineers, with Lieut. W. L. Sibert, Corps of Engineers, under his immediate orders. Division Engineer, Col. O. M. Poe, Corps of Engineers.

1. Tradewater River, Kentucky.-This work was in charge of Maj. Amos Stickney, Corps of Engineers, until September 5, 1888, when it was transferred to Maj. D. W. Lockwood, Corps of Engineers.

This river was practically closed by a rock-bar near its mouth, and higher up by logs, snags, drift-piles, leaning trees, and bars.

The present project, adopted in 1881, provides for clearing the river and its banks of obstructions, and opening up a channel 40 feet wide and 23 feet deep during six months of the year, the improvement to extend 41 miles up-stream.

Up to June 30, 1888, $10,128.46 were expended, resulting in clearing a channel through the rock-bar near the mouth of the river, removing the obstructions in the river for a distance of 243 miles, clearing the banks for a distance of 14 miles and deadening the timber on the banks for the remaining 27 miles.

During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, $67.10 was expended in caring for property.

No work was done during the year on account of high water.

The amount available will complete the work.

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

(See Appendix G G 1.)

$371.54 6,000.00

6, 371.54

$65.00
2.10

67.10

6, 304.44

2. Operating and keeping in repair the locks and dams on the Green and Barren rivers, Kentucky.-When the United States assumed charge of these improvements, December 11, 1888, the condition of the work was as follows: 1st. The river wall of Lock No. 3 was down. 2d. The. land-wall of No. 1, Barren, and both walls of No. 3, Green, were in a dangerous state and liable to yield at any time. 3d. The channel was almost closed by snags, trees, and other obstructions. 4th. The buildings, grounds, approaches to locks, and in fact everything connected with the improvements, were in a generally dilapidated condition. 5th. The dams were much in need of extensive repairs.

During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, $46,557.77 was expended, resulting in the removal of the fallen wall at No. 3, Green River, excavating in rear of the land-wall at No. 1, Barren River; the construction of a crib to sustain river-wall at No. 2, Green River; the building of two derrick-boat hulls, two stone barges, one hull for dredge, and general repairs to dwellings, dams, etc.

The amount estimated for operating and care of locks and dams for fiscal year ending June 30, 1890, is $256,221.35.

It is proposed to complete repairs to Locks Nos. 2 and 3, Green River, and No. 1, Barren River; to rebuild and repair dams where necessary; to build lock-keepers' dwellings; to construct a snag-boat, and put in guide-cribs at entrance to locks and grade and pave ground about locks. The snag-boat will be put to work as soon as completed. (See Appendix G G 2.)

3. Kentucky River, Kentucky.-The condition of the river when the United States assumed charge of its improvements, April 30, 1880, was as follows:

The five locks and dams with their approaches, built by the State, were in a dilapidated condition. The channel was much obstructed by snags and leaning trees.

Up to June 30, 1888, $891,379.19 were expended, resulting in restor

ing the locks to a navigable condition, clearing the channel and banks of obstructions, and the commencement of two new locks.

During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, $229,207.57 was expended, and resulted in quarrying for the new lock at Beattyville 10,419 cubic yards of dimension stone, and in cutting 929 cubic yards of dressed face, 374 cubic yards special, 1,097 cubic yards pitch or quarry face, 837 cubic yards squared and 3,646 cubic yards backing stone; 65,475 cubic yards of earth and rock was excavated in stripping and extending quarry.

At Lock No. 6 all the stone required for its construction was contracted for and its cost is included in the amount reported as expended during the year.

To complete the two locks and dams with their abutments, now in process of construction, and to commence work on Locks Nos. 7 and 8, an appropriation of $400,000, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, is recommended.

July 1, 1888, amount available.

Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888.

Received from Tabler and Cogar....

July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive

of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888..

July 1, 18-9, ontstanding liabilities...

July 1, 1889, amount covered by existing contracts..

July 1, 1889, balance available.....

$96, 120.81 180,000,00 500.00

276, 620.81

$133, 018, 79
27,749.53
68,439.25

229, 207.57

Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project. 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 G G 3.)

47, 413. 24 1,854,000.00

400, 000, 00

4. Operating and keeping in repair the locks and dams on the Kentucky River, Kentucky.-The first allotment for this work was for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885, at which time only four locks could be operated; these required extensive repairs at that time, and the dams and approaches were in generally poor condition.

The amount of money expended to June 30, 1888, was $159,151.64, and resulted in placing the locks and dams in serviceable condition, in rebuilding guide-cribs for upper and lower approaches to locks, in building one double and one single lock-keepers' dwellings, and in keeping the channel clear of obstructions.

The amount expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, was $81,703.36, and resulted in rebuilding and extending guide walls and cribs at lock entrances; general repairs to locks and dams, building four new lock-keepers' dwellings, in grading, paving, and sodding grounds about locks, and fencing Government property. The stone for a new abutment at No. 2 was gotten out. The amount estimated for operating and care of locks and dams for fiscal year ending June 30, 1890, is $72,394.80. It is proposed to complete the crib approaches to the locks, build the new abutment at No. 2, build one double and two single lock-keepers' dwellings, and keep the channel free from snags, etc. (See Appendix G G 4.)

5. Licking River, Kentucky, from Farmer's to West Liberty. This stream was originally much obstructed by logs, snags, rocks, and leaning trees, as well as by fish-dams constructed by private parties.

The project for the improvement of this stream was adopted in 1888, and provides for removing the snags, detached rocks, and bowlders from the river bed.

No money was expended or work done during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1888.

. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, $792.51 was expended in providing a suitable outfit for work, and the most pronounced obstructions were removed for a distance of 22 miles from Farmer's, after which the party proceeded to West Liberty to work down stream. Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888...... July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888.

$392.26
400.25

$3,000.00

July 1, 1889, outstanding liabilities..

July 1, 1889, balance available

Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.
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 G G 5.)

792.51

2,207.49

14, 680.00 5,000.00

6. Big Sandy River, Kentucky and West Virginia.-When the United States commenced improving this stream, it and its forks were much obstructed by rocks, bars, logs, snags, and leaning trees. During the low-water season navigation was practically suspended.

Up to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1888, $230,537.62 had been expended, resulting in the clearing out of the Big Sandy and its forks, and in the construction of the masonry of a lock at Louisa, a short distance below the forks, as well as the abutment for the dam.

The

During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, $11,761.36 were expended, resulting in removing 2,000 cubic yards of rock from the lower approach to the lock, and placing most of it behind the abutment. gates and wickets were nearly completed, and the river from the lock to the Ohio cleared of obstructions; $31,145.31 will complete the lock and dam.

July 1, 1888, amount available

$3,462.38

Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888.

31,500.00

July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888

34,962.38

July 1, 1889, outstanding liabilities...

$10,990. 26
762. 10

11,761.36

July 1, 1889, balance available.....

23, 201. 02

Amount (estimat d) required for completion of existing project....
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 G G 6.)

31, 145. 31 31,000. 00

7. Guyandotte River, West Virginia.-This stream was originally much obstructed by snags, logs, and leaning trees; besides, there existed a number of dams owned by private parties which required removal.

The project for the improvement of the stream was adopted in 1878, and provided for the removal of existing obstructions, natural and arti ficial, so as to form a channel 30 feet wide, with a least depth of 18 inches during five months of the year, and extending up the river 122 miles. /

« PreviousContinue »