The survey shows but one bar across the channel, Benny's Bar, having a minimum depth in chanel of 4.8 feet. At Ridgefield Park the 8-foot channel narrows to 100 feet, and above the bend at Bogota the channel is but 35 feet in width. Between the wharves at Hackensack there is need of a turning-basin. Owing to the small amount of funds available no borings were taken, but the indications are that Benny's Bar is a clay formation that has resisted the eroding powers, but not of a consistency to make removal difficult. No works would seem necessary to maintain the permanency of a channel through the bar. The narrowing of the channel at Ridgefield Park is caused by a deposit of mud and sand due to the sudden enlargement of the cross-section at this point, and contracting works may be required to maintain a widened channel; to maintain also a channel above Bogota will require deflecting works to prevent the wasting of the flood-tide up the blind channel on the north shore. Below are submitted estimates for a permanent improvement, and a modified improvement. ESTIMATES FOR PERMANENT IMPROVEMENT. For providing and maintaining a channel 10 feet deep at mean low water, 200 feet wide to Gas-works, thence 150 feet wide to the Turnpike Bridge at Hackensack. (a) Ridgefield Park to Benny's Bar: Dredging and rehandling mud and sand, 21,314 cubic yards, at 25 cents Constructing 1,200 feet earthen dike A: Two thousand cubic yards of paving stone, at $1.25.... .... (b) Benny's Bar: Dredging and rehandling clay, mud, and sand, 87,910 (c) Benny's Bar to Turnpike Bridge, Hackensack: at $1.25..... Dredging not included in above rehandling Ten per cent. for engineering and contingencies.... Total cost..... ESTIMATE FOR MODIFIED IMPROVEMENT. $5,328.50 $2,500 3,000.00 26, 373.00 14,947.50 $4,750 250 5,000.00 54,649,00 5, 464.90 60, 113.90 For dredging a channel 8 feet deep at mean low water and 200 feet wide to Gasworks Creek, thence 150 feet wide to the Turnpike Bridge at Hackensack. (a) Ridgefield Park to Benny's Bar: Dredging and rehandling mud and sand, 6,420 cubic yards, at 25 cents. (b) Benny's Bar: Dredging and handling mud, clay, and sand, 38,086 cubic yards, at 30 cents (c) Benny's Bar to Turnpike Bridge: Dredging and rehandling mud and sand, 29,000 cubic yards, at 25 cents... Ten per cent. for engineering and contingencies...... Total cost $1,605.00 11, 425.80 7,250.00 20, 280.80 2,028.08 22, 308.88 Allowance is made in each estimate for five-tenths of a foot over depth in dredging, and 30 per cent. increase in scow measurement over place measurement. Your attention is, furthermore, called to the position of the draw in the bridge at Little Ferry. Being placed close against the west bank, sailing vessels experience difficulty in beating through. By moving the draw opening 60 feet towards the east shore and widening the span to 50 feet in, the full benefit of the channel could be utilized. Respectfully submitted. Capt. THOS. L. CASEY, Corps of Engineers, U. S. A. C. S. KELSEY, Surveyor. |