Memphis Reach and Harbor.

Statement of expenses for work done from November 1, 1885, to January 7, 1886-Continued.

APPENDIX G.

REPORT OF CAPTAIN WILLIAM T. ROSSELL, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, UPON OPERATIONS IN THE THIRD DISTRICT.

UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE,
Memphis, Tenn., July 26, 1886.

COLONEL: I have the honor to inclose herewith report on third district, Improving Mississippi River, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Col. Q. A. GILLMORE,

WM. T. ROSSELL,
Captain of Engineers.

Corps of Engineers, President Mississippi River Commission.

REPORT.

During the past fiscal year the third district, Improving Mississippi River, was in charge of Capt. Clinton B. Sears, Corps of Engineers, until May 14, 1886. On this day he was relieved by Capt. William T. Rossell, Corps of Engineers, by virtue of S. O. No. 89, Par. 2, Headquarters of the Army A. G. O., Washington, April 16, 1886.

I.-LAKE PROVIDENCE REACH.

This reach is thus described. It extends from Carolina Landing, 517 miles below Cairo, to the foot of island No. 95, a distance of 35 miles.

For an account of the physical character of this reach the proposed improvement and work done previous to June 30, 1885, reference should be made to the reports of the Mississippi River Commisson for past years.

During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, all the work done, except care of public property, has been repairs to the Baleshed system of dikes and the building of an additional dike across the chute on range 66, the whole work consisting in closing the gaps left in Stack Island cross dike and in dike No. 11 the previous season; building a new dike across the chute on range 66, and extending the dike on range 69 across the chute to the bar on the Mississippi shore.

Dike No. 10, on range 66, was constructed of four rows of piles securely braced, with a heavy footmat sunk between the rows of piling. Dikes 11 and 13, on ranges 67 and 69, were of two rows of piles braced, but without footmat.

The repairs to the Stack Island cross-dike were made by re-enforcing the ends with three rows of piles and driving three rows across the gap in front of the dike, the whole well braced and a heavy footmat sunk across the gap.

These repairs were begun November 17, 1885, and finished January 11, 1886. The amount of the allotment was $13,500, and the amount expended $12,881.34. The small amount of work done was due entirely to lack of funds. The methods used were those heretofore described.

CONDITION OF WORKS.

Duncunsby system of dikes.-This system has nearly disappeared, only portions of cross dikes 6, 7, and 8 remaining. They have, however, served the purpose for which they were constructed, viz: reducing the volume of water through Skipwith chute, and thereby preventing its enlargement. The contraction has caused an increase of channel depth here.

Cottonwood system of dikes.-This system remained in good condition until April, 18-6. Early in this month the longitudinal dike was broken by a raft or barge, and these breaks have since enlarged, and about 300 feet of cross dike No. 3 has washed away. This system has caused the bar below to increase both in length and height, concentrating the water and fixing the channel near Mayersville Island.

Mayersville system of dikes.—During the last high water a large amount of drift collected in front of the Mayersville cross-dike, and finally broke the piles at about the 20foot stage. There remain, however, large quantities of drift embedded in the sand in front of the dike and extending across the chute.

The Mayersville system of dikes has caused a general shoaling the entire length of the chute.

Baleshed system of dikes.-The gap in the main dike between range 64 and range 66 has increased about 500 feet, due to the breaking of the piles during the last high water. The drift lodged in front of Stack Island. The cross-dikes 10, 11, and 13 were successively broken by the drift during the high water. This system of dikes, together with the Stack Island dikes, have perfectly served their purpose, changing the channel from behind the island and preserving a good, navigable channel at this place.

Stack Island system of dikes.-This system is in good condition, and has suffered no damage. Its admirable effect is seen in the filling up of the chute behind the island. Pilcher's Point revetment.-This revetment was never finished, but a portion of the caving bank slipped, and in the report for 1885 it was estimated that 30 per cent. of the revetment work had disappeared. These breaks, or slips, took place at irregular intervals, and were of varying sizes. During the past year gradual slipping has taken place, and but a small portion of the revetment work can be seen in place-probably about 25 per cent. This is in small and detached pieces of 300 feet in length down, except at the upper end where about 1,500 feet is still in place.

In spite of this apparent loss, the result obtained has been satisfactory. Where the revetment was built the bank, in its general line, is very nearly where it was at the completion of the work.

Mayersville Island revetment.—The head of this island has continued to cut away under the direct action of the current until it is now opposite the Mayersville cross-dike. Nearly the entire revetment has been washed away. I cannot state that any result whatever is directly attributable to the Mayersville Island revetment.

Retained percentage paid on previous contract deliveries for subsistence.-.

1,458 10

1,652 21

Miscellaneous-Includes office expenses (except services) mileage, telegrams, medicines and medical services, transportation and traveling expenses..

2,938 34

Total.

43, 516 56

The original condition of the channel along this reach was bad. The channel was flat, badly defined, and often, in extreme low water, only five feet deep. The original project for improvement was the narrowing of the water way to 3,000 feet by closing the chutes and creating artificial banks through depositions, and the preservation of the natural curves of the river by revetting the caving banks. No important changes have been made in the general plan.

To June 30, 1886, the total amount expended on the reach was $2,217,643.67. The results are shown in the table inclosed, giving depths of water over the three shallow crossings of the reach for 1884, '85, and '86. Previous to work the depths found were often as little as 5 feet.

8872 ENG 87——172

The low water stage of 1886 has not yet been reached, and up to the present no less depth than 20 feet has been found on any of the crossings. The results then show that the improvement on this reach has been successful.

During the past fiscal year the extreme oscillation has been 32.37 feet. Lowest water, October 26, 1885, 5.54, Lake Providence gauge; highest water, May 7, 1886, 37.91, Lake Providence gauge.

II. VICKSBURG HARBOR.

The work here consists of the improvement of the harbor proper (Centennial Lake, in front of the town), and the maintenance of Delta Point, opposite Vicksburg. The former is entirely local in character, and would add nothing to the general improvement of the river.

An examination of the basin dredged in front of the city of Vicksburg, and the canal leading thereto, was made in January, 1886, by Assistant Engineer Coppée. It was found that the average level of the bottom of the basin was plus 5 feet of the gauge for a width of about 300 feet, and in the canal plus 7 feet. The basin was dredged in 1883 to the zero of the gauge for a width of 160 feet, and to plus 5 feet of the gauge for a width of 160 feet. The canal was dredged to the zero of the gauge for a width of 80 feet..

Examination shows, then, that the average fill in the basin to January, 1886, was only 24 feet, and in the canal 7 feet. Dredging the basin may be regarded as permanent, or as requiring work only at long intervals, but to keep the canal open will require yearly work.

The holding of Delta Point is deemed essential to prevent further recession of the river from Vicksburg and to maintain the regimen of the river immediately below. This has been held by mattress and riprap revetment for nearly four years. During the past year no work whatever has been done, and the revetment has fulfilled its purpose well. One small break in the upper revetment was reported on July 3, 1886, but is in no way dangerous.

The total amount spent on Vicksburg Harbor up to June 30, 1886, was $373,894.41. Of this, $203,229.87 was spent prior to the creation of the Mississippi River Commission, and under the Commission $170,664.54 has been spent.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

Vicksburg Harbor (Delta Point).

Available balance, June 30, 1885..

Transferred from general service-...

Total

Expended.-

Balance, pledged. .

Expended:

For services

For material, supplies, and subsistence*.

Miscellaneous (includes mileage, traveling expenses, and telegrams).

Total

LEVEES.

No work has been done on levees during the past fiscal year. Yazoo Front. The levees heretofore constructed, those by the Government, and by other means, have been kept up and in good repair by the State authorities, and during the past high water controlled the flood, no breaks occurring..

*This amount was the total of bills of supplies, &c., indebtedness of Lake Providence Reach, to offset material, supplies, and subsistence stores furnished from Lake Provi dence surplus stores for the work at Delta Point.