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SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report on surveys, gauges, and observations under my immediate charge for the year ending May 31, 1892:

Surveys have been confined to personal examinations and reconnoissances of bank lines where existing levees were threatened by caving banks.

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APPENDIX X X.

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MISSOURI RIVER COMMISSION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1892.

OFFICE MISSOURI RIVER COMMISSION,

St. Louis, Mo., June 30, 1892.

SIR: The Missouri River Commission beg leave to submit herewith their annual report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892.

SURVEYS AND EXAMINATIONS.

The office work, computations, etc., connected with the secondary triangulation, which extends from the mouth of the river to the Three Forks in Montana, was completed.

Work in the field below Sioux City consisted in detached surveys to supply information not collected by the general survey of 1890, and to obtain information at special localities. This work was mainly carried on in the fall of 1891, and is described at length in the report of the secretary of the Commission (Appendix A).

In the spring of the current year two parties were placed in the field to run a line of precise levels between Sioux City, Iowa, and St. Charles, Mo., which latter point is already connected with the similar work done by the Mississippi River Commission and the U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey. The work of these parties has progressed favorably, and it is expected that it will be completed during the current season. Work has been continued on the mapping of recent surveys of the river. Twenty-one gauges have been maintained by the Commission, and the study and reduction of physical data has been continued. For details see report of secretary of the Commission, Appendix A.

CONSTRUCTION.

For details see appendices, B, Bi, C, and D.

Sioux City, Iowa.-No field work was done during the year at this locality. The effect of the dikes constructed to protect the town front continues to be good and no further work seems to be needed.

Omaha, Nebraska.-At this locality the revetment of the left bank of the river near Council Bluffs, Iowa, was extended down stream 9,220

feet during the months of August, September, and October, 1891. This work, with that previously constructed, will, it is thought, suthiciently protect this bank, and that nothing more than occasional repairs will hereafter be needed.

Nebraska City, Nebraska.-No work was found necessary at this place during the season, and the plant was transferred to St. Joseph for service at that point. Eight thousand dollars of the balance of allotment for this place was transferred to the work at Bon Ton Bend.

St. Joseph, Missouri.-Work was resumed on the revetment of Belmont bend in the latter part of August, 1891, and was carried on during the fall, and to some extent during the winter and spring. Fourteen thousand two hundred and forty-six feet of revetment was constructed, and a junction effected with the work of previous years near Elwood, Kans. The work was not entirely completed and suffered considerable damage during the high water of the current year. As the original allotment for the work was about exhausted additional funds were transferred from the allotment for Council Bluffs revetment, and such repairs were made as were necessary to prevent further damage, the total extent of which can not be ascertained until the water falls. Repairs were also made to the revetment in Bon Ton Bend, in which the construction of 3,000 feet of new revetment and numerous minor repairs proved necessary. Work was also carried on to some extent on the rectification works, pile dikes, above the St. Joseph Waterworks. The success of this work is not yet assured.

Atchison, Kansas.-No work has been done at this place during the year. The cut-off at Doniphan Point, alluded to in last report, has so far changed the regimen of the river that the works previously put in to direct and control the channel above the railroad bridge have suffered considerable damage, and their entire destruction seems to be only a question of time. Just what the final effect will be can not as yet be determined, but the direction of flow through the bridge still remains favorable.

Kansas City, Missouri.-Work in this neighborhood has been confined to repairing and completing the work of former years and was as follows, viz:

Little Platte Bend.-One thousand four hundred and fifty feet of revetment was constructed at this place, closing an open gap between the dikes at the upper end of the bend and the revetment already built at the lower end. The dikes themselves received slight repairs, and mattress aprons were placed around their outer ends to protect them from scour.

Kaw Bend.-Repairs were made to the revetment constructed in this bend in 1885 wherever weak places had developed themselves, and the work was placed in first-class shape.

Harlem revetment.-About 2,400 linear feet of the left bank above the Harlem system of dikes was protected by revetment during the fall of 1891.

East Bottoms revetment.—Some slight repairs were executed here, and consisted in resetting stone displaced by wave and ice action.

Kansas City and Harlem dikes.-These two systems of dikes are intended to control the flow of the river in front of Kansas City, and until their full effect is developed they will require repairs and extension from time to time. One thousand four hundred and twenty-four feet of dike was built during the past season, the work contemplated not being entirely completed.

SYSTEMATIC IMPROVEMENT OF FIRST REACH.

In compliance with the wishes of Congress, as expressed in the last river and harbor bill, the systematic improvement of the river was begun last season in the vicinity of the mouth of the Osage River. Considerable time was required to close up minor works and get the plant together, and the study of this new locality and preparation of plans also involved much delay; nevertheless a fair start was made last summer, and considerable progress has been made. The extraordinary high water of the present season, which still continues, has been a serious drawback. The plan of work, so far as settled, consists in contracting the river and in confining it against the rocky right-hand shore from the vicinity of Jefferson City to the mouth of the Osage.

It had originally been intended to prolong this direction to Bonnots Mills, which would have involved occupying Osage Chute, but further examination having shown this course to involve considerable difficulties, a location outside of Dodds Island was finally decided on. The work so far consists entirely of pile dikes, of which about 16,500 linear feet have been constructed. So far as the effect of this work can now be observed the results have been very gratifying, though the lowwater season must be awaited before definite conclusions can be reached. With the four-year appropriation provided in the river and harbor bill recently passed by Congress, it is hoped and expected that this work may be sufficiently extended to demonstrate effectually what results may ultimately be expected and what the cost of a thorough improvement of the river will be.

REMOVAL OF OBSTRUCTIONS.

The snag boat belonging to the Commission was set at work August 1, 1891, and continued at work until November 28, when she was laid up for the winter. Work was resumed March 22, 1892, and was carried on with various interruptions from high water, until May 21, when the great flood of this year caused a further suspension of operations. Work will be resumed as soon as the water recedes sufficiently to uncover the snags. During the season the boat worked over that portion of the river between the mouth and Boonville five times; between Boonville and Glasgow three times, and between Glasgow and Kansas City two times. One thousand nine hundred and forty-five snags were removed and destroyed, and great benefit conferred on navigation.

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O. H. ERNST,

Major, Corps of Engineers, Colonel, U. S. A.
GARLAND C. BROADHEAD.
R. S. BERLIN.

The honorable the SECRETARY OF WAR.
(Through the Chief of Engineers, U. S. A.)

LETTER OF THE MISSOURI RIVER COMMISSION SUBMITTING ESTIMATES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1894.

MISSOURI RIVER COMMISSION,

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT,

St. Louis, Mo., August 22, 1892.

GENERAL: The Missouri River Commission beg leave to submit the following estimate of the amounts that can be profitably expended dur ing the fiscal year ending June 30, 1894, on the improvement of Missouri River between its mouth and Sioux City, Iowa:

Office and traveling expenses and salaries of Commission..

Surveys and observations

Gauges, physical data, and publications..

Operating snag boat."

Systematic improvement in first reach..

Total....

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

$20,000

25,000

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CHAS. R. SUTER,
Lieut. Col. of Engineers,
President Missouri River Commission.

The honorable the SECRETARY OF WAR.
(Through the Chief of Engineers, U. S. A.)

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