Amount expended on project to June 30, 1890, was $130,695.75. The results obtained to June 30, 1890, consisted in the removal of many bars and the improvement of most of the bad rapids, and geu erally in obtaining the required depth below the datum assumed at the time the project was adopted. Amount expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, was $3,746.48. No work was done during the year, and consequently no additional results have been obtained. Though the work already done has lessened the dangers of navigation, it has not, particularly on the Snake River, increased the navigable depth and capacity for the water surface as well as the bed of the river has been lowered. There has been appropriated up to date for the Upper Columbia and Snake rivers, embraced within the limits of what is now officially known as the Upper Columbia and Snake, $256,000, in thirteen appropri ations. There has never been any complete and connected survey of the Upper Columbia and Snake rivers to determine the extent of their nav. igability and the country tributary to them which would use the rivers were they opened to the sea. The Board of Engineers having under consideration the obstructions at The Dalles and Celilo Falls, under date of December 18, 1888, state that the character of the future navigation of the river above Celilo is an element upon which details either of a boat railway or of a canal and locks depend; that no complete project for the river improvement has been made, and none could be made without a proper survey; that a survey is indispensable to determine the possibilities of navigation of the upper river, and that the estimated cost of this survey is $40,000. July 1, 1890, balance unexpended.... Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890. Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1893 ($10,000 for work, $40,000 for survey) Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix W W 8.) 50,000.00 9. Columbia River between head of Rock Island Rapids and foot of Priest Rapids, Washington.-This portion of the Columbia, about 60 miles in length, flows generally through a deep cañon with banks of precipitous basaltic bluffs from 1,000 to 3,000 feet high. Three principal obstructions to navigation are Rock Island, Cabinet, and Priest rapids. At Rock Island Rapids the channel, which has cut around both sides of a large island of rock, is very much obstructed with reefs, rocks, and points sharply projecting from the shore. This restricted waterway dams up the waters so that they escape over lines of very steep slope. Extensive deposits of gravel nearly choking the channel at low water are caused by a great reef a short distance above the island. The river has a fall of 10 feet in 3,000 feet and 124 feet in 8,000 feet at a stage of about 4 feet above low water. At Cabinet Rapids a mass of basaltic rock projects from the left shore, nearly two-thirds across the channel of the river, deflecting the current and causing it to impinge upon the vertical rocks of the right bank. Masses of rock exist in the channel in and about the main rapids. The fall here is 10 feet in a distance of about 8,000 feet. Priest Rapids are a collection of seven principal rapids extending over a length of 10 miles of river. The total fall in this distance is at low water 72 feet, and at high water about 634 feet. In all these rapids the river runs through and over hard, rough, and ragged basaltic rocks. Under date of February 15, 1890, Maj. W. A. Jones submitted a report and project for the improvement of the river at Rock Island, Cabinet, and Priest rapids, which involved the removal of the worst rocks obstructing navigation, and also the furnishing auxiliary power for assisting boats over the rapids. The auxiliary power recommended was to be obtained by anchoring scows with current wheels at the heads of the principal rapids, and with these, and the necessary lines, to haul the boats up. Under date of October 1, 1890, Captain Symons submitted a plan for the removal of much more rock than contemplated in the above proj ect, and for putting in at convenient locations iron posts and ringbolts, to which ascending boats could make fast and wind themselves over the rapids, using their steam capstans. The estimated cost of the work proposed was $550,000. In addition it was proposed to continue the survey of the Columbia from the head of Rock Island Rapids to the international boundary line. This project was approved by the Secre tary of War, October 8, 1890. Amount expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, was $31,291.13, of which $2,691.91 was used for survey of river from boundary line to Rock Island Rapids. The work so far done at Priest and Cabinet rapids has not produced any results of a marked nature. All rocks removed would benefit navigation on the river if there were any, but there is not. The survey is nearly done from the boundary line to the mouth of the Spokane. There has been one appropriation for this work of $70,000. The officer in charge recommends the abandonment of further work at Priest Rapids under the existing project, being convinced that on account of the great fall and condition of the bed and banks practicable navigation can not be obtained under it. Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890 (Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1893 ($50,000 for work and $10,000 for survey)... Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix W W 9.) $70,000.00 31, 291. 13 38, 708.87 1,531.33 37, 177.54 60,000.00 10. Chehalis River, Washington.-The navigable portion of the Chehalis River is about 90 miles in length from Claquato to its mouth. This may well be considered in three sections. First, from the mouth to Montesano, a distance of 12 miles, there is about 18 feet of water at high water, and coasting vessels traverse this portion of the river. Second, from Montesano to Elma, 16 miles, the river is affected by the tides, and has sufficient water for a channel all the year round, but navigation is obstructed by logs and fallen trees, and in summer by a scarcity of water. Third, above Elma the river is practically blockaded during the summer and fall by snags, shoals, and lack of water. At this time the river is a succession of shoals and pools On many of the shoals the depth is reported to be only from 6 to 12 inches. The plan of improvement contemplates removal of snags, overhanging trees, jams, drift heaps, shoals, and other obstructions to navigation. Amount expended to June 30, 1890, was $9,673.91. During the year ending June 30, 1890, 56 snags were removed and navigation to this extent improved. From the nature of the work no results of a permanent character affecting the regimen of the river were obtained. Amount expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, was $940.69. During the year 51 snags, 9 trees, 45 piles, 6 stumps, 4 roots, and a quantity of drift were removed, the river between Montesano and Grays Harbor being thereby cleared of obstructions. There has been appropriated for the improvement of the Chehalis River, up to date, $13,000 in five acts. July 1, 1890, balance unexpended................ Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890. June 30, 1891, amount expended during fiscal year.. July 1, 1891, balance unexpended July 1, 1891, outstanding liabilities.. July 1, 1891, balance available ... (See Appendix W W 10.) $326.09 3,000.00 3,326. 09 940.69 2,385.40 112. 13 2,273,27 11. Skagit, Steilaquamish, Nootsack, Snohomish, and Snoqualmie rivers, Washington. The waters of these rivers all rise in the Cascade Range, and flow to the west into Puget Sound, between the forty-eighth and forty-ninth parallels of latitude. In their original condition they carried water enough for the purpose of steamer navigation, but were ob structed by snags, fallen trees, and log-jams. They were the great highways of the country, traveling on land being almost impossible on account of the heavy timber, dense underbrush, and fallen logs. The Snoqualmie is a branch of the Snohomish. The aggregate length of all is estimated to be about 250 miles. The plan of improvement contemplates the removal of snags, logs, trees, and other obstructions to navigation. For this purpose a snag boat with an outfit of tools and appliances has been provided. This boat passes from one river to another, doing service in each as far as the necessities of commerce require and the amount of the funds ap propriated will admit. Amount expended to June 30, 1890, was $54,195.17. The results obtained were to keep the rivers open for navigation by the removal of many obstructions. Amount expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, was $7,923.34. The snag boat removed during the year a large number of snags, etc., from the Snohomish, Skagit, and Steilaquamish rivers. The results obtained were to greatly benefit navigation. Sixty-nine thousand five hundred dollars has been appropriated for these rivers, in six acts. July 1, 1890, balance unexpended.... Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890. $3,304.83 12,000.00 15, 304.83 7,923. 34 7,351.49 160.00 7,221.49 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1893 30,000.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix W W 11.) EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENT, TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF RIVER AND HARBOR ACT APPROVED SEPTEMBER 19, 1890. The required preliminary examinations of the following localities. were made by the local engineer in charge, Captain Symons, and reports thereon submitted through Col. G. H. Mendell, Corps of Engineers, Division Engineer, Pacific Division. It is the opinion of Captain Symons, and of the Division Engineer, based upon the facts and reasons given, that these localities are not worthy of improvement. The conclusions of these officers being concurred in by me, no further surveys were ordered. 1. Alsea Bay and River, Oregon.-Report transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 85, Fifty-first Congress, second session. (See also Appendix W W 12.) 2. Clark's Fork of the Columbia River (by whatever name called) from the international boundary line to the mouth of the Big Blackfoot River, in the State of Montana.-(See Appendix W W 13.) 3. Puyallup River, Washington.-Report transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 21, Fifty-first Congress, second session. (See also Appendix W W 14.) 4. D' Wamish and Black rivers, Washington.-Report transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 27, Fifty-first Congress, second session. (See also Appendix W W 15.) 5. Fora ship channel between Port Townsend Bay, Puget Sound, and Oak Bay, Washington-Report transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 92, Fifty-first Congress, second session. (See also Appendix W W 16.) The required preliminary examination of North River, Washington, was made by the local engineer in charge, Captain Symons, and report thereon submitted through Col. G. H. Mendell, Corps of Engineers, Division Engineer, Pacific Division. From the facts and reasons developed by the preliminary examination it was the opinion of Captain Symons and of the Division Engineer that this locality was worthy of improvement. This opinion being concurred in by me, Captain Symons was charged with and has completed its survey and submitted report thereon. The facts brought out by the survey are entirely at variance with those reported as the result of the preliminary examination, in view of which Colonel Mendell considers the river unworthy of improvement. (See Appendix W W 17.) The required preliminary examination of Shoalwater Bay, Washington, from and including its entrance, to South Bend, about 2 miles up the Willapah River, and from said South Bend, about 10 miles up said river to Woodicard's Landing, with a view to improving the same for navigation, was made by the local engineer in charge, Captain Symons, and report thereon submitted through Col. G. H. Mendell, Corps of Engineers, Division Engineer, Pacific Division. It is the opinion of Captain Symons, and of the Division Engineer, based upon the facts and reasons given, that Shoalwater Bay up to South Bend is not worthy, and that Willapah River from South Bend up to Woodward Landing is worthy of improvement. This opinion being concurred in by me,no further survey of Shoal water Bay was ordered; but Captain Symons was charged with and has completed survey of Willapah River from South Bend to Woodward Landing, and submitted report thereon. The improvement of this river proposed contemplates deepening the shoals so as to secure a minimum depth of 8 feet at mean low water up to Willapah City (Wood. ward Landing), at an estimated cost of $31,350. (See Appendix W W 18.) The required preliminary examination of Nooksack, Skagit, and Snohomish Rivers, Washington, was made by the local engineer in charge, Captain Symons, and report thereon submitted through Col. G. H. Mendell, Corps of Engineers, Division Engineer, Pacific Division. It is the opinion of Captain Symons, and of the Division Engineer, based upon the facts and reasons given, that these rivers are worthy of improvement. The report of the preliminary examination containing sufficient information to indicate to Congress the probable cost of the work required, no further survey appears to be necessary at this time. These rivers have been under improvement by the United States since 1882, and appropriations have been made therefor in all the river and harbor acts since that year. With the appropriation of the $30,000 recommended in the annual report for 1890 everything necessary for their improvement at the present time, consisting of suagging, etc., can be done. The report was transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 38, Fifty-first Congress, second session. (See also Appendix W W 19.) The required preliminary examinations of the following localities were made by the local engineer in charge, Captain Symous, and reports thereon submitted through Col. G. H. Mendell, Corps of Engineers, Division Engineer, Pacific Division. It is the opinion of Captain Symous, and of the Division Engineer, based upon the facts and reasons given, that these localities are worthy of improvement. The conclusions of these officers being concurred in by me, Captain Symons was charged with and has completed their survey and submitted reports thereon. 1. Coquille River, Oregon, for deepening channel from Coquille City to Myrtle Point to four feet at mean low depth.-The improvement proposed. to secure the mean low depth of 4 feet contemplated by the act, consists in overcoming the obstructions to navigation caused by six shoals. between Coquille City and Myrtle Point. The plan presented for the accomplishment of this object proposes the removal of snags from the three lower shoals and the construction of wattled pile dikes at the three upper shoals to contract the channel at those points to a width of 50 feet. The total cost of this work is estimated at $26,000. (See Ap pendix W W 20.) 2. Coos Bay, Oregon, for improving upper harbor by removal of shoals and in dredging.-The work proposed at the present time contemplates the construction of a dredge, and the excavation therewith of channels with a depth of 10 feet at low water and a bottom width of 100 feet through the shoals at the lower end of Marshfield and above the coa bunkers in 1sthmus Slough. The cost of the work is estimated a $27,390. (See Appendix W W 21.) |