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(Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30,

1893...

Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867.

(See Appendix X X 2.)

$1,745,500.00

1,500,000,00

3. Columbia and Lower Willamette rivers below Portland, Oregon.The object of this improvement is to make and maintain a navigable channel from the city of Portland, Oregon, to the sea, having a low-water depth of 20 feet. There is included in this reach 12 miles of the Willamette River and 98 miles of the Columbia, measured along the deep. water channel. Before the commencement of the improvement the lowwater depth of channel at the shoalest places was between 10 and 15 feet. During some part of the last season a depth of 20 feet was at tained at each of these places by the aid of the contraction works thus far constructed assisted by temporary dredging; but at no time could it be said that there was more than 19 feet at the extreme low water throughout the whole distance.

The original project under which this improvement is now being carried on was adopted in 1877, but has been extended and modified somewhat since that time. It contemplates that a navigable low-waterchannel, having a depth of 20 feet, shall be maintained by means of permanent construction which shall protect the banks, contract the water way, direct the currents, and control the amount of water that shall pass through sloughs having a detrimental influence upon the main channel. While these constructions are being put in place and until their influence is fully developed dredging has been resorted to in several localities to give a temporary relief to commerce.

The amount expended by the United States since the adoption of the present project, July 1, 1877, is $606,053.03. It appears that previous to that date $221,780.46 had been expended in various operations looking to the improvement of the Willamette and Columbia rivers from Portland to the sea. The aggregate of the appropriations and allotments, including proceeds from sales of property to other appropriations, is $889,745.71. The average for the 25 years since 1866, when the first appropriation was made, is $35,500. In addition to the amount above mentioned the citizens of the city of Portland have in various ways expended a considerable sum, the exact amount of which can not now be ascertained, in assisting to keep open a channel to the sea.

The work done during the year under the project consisted in dredging 13,880 cubic yards of material at St. Helen Bar, leaving a good navigable channel with a depth of 20 feet at low water. A cross dike 1,157 feet long was built behind the present dike to shut off a large quantity of water flowing in that direction and utilize its scouring force over the bar. It is believed that no further dredging to maintain a 20-foot channel will be required at this point. At Post-Office Bar 19,220 cubic yards was dredged. The permeable dams at the head of Martin and Burke sloughs were strengthened and made more compact. It was found that a large body of water was still passing through these sloughs, by stopping which an improvement could be made in the channel over Martin Island Bar.

In connection with the preparation of a project and estimate of cost for obtaining a low-water channel depth of 25 feet from Portland to the sea required by Congress, surveys of the Willamette River from Portland to its mouth, and the Columbia River from Cathlamet to Tongue Point, near Astoria, were made. The maps in preparation from these surveys

are now practically finished. The project and estimate for the improvement will be submitted when completed.

With the funds now available for work under the present project it is proposed to close the chute on the south side of Swan Island and do such dredging on the bars between Portland and the sea as the necessities of the commerce at low-water stages may require; and also to build such permanent structures required by the project as the funds will admit of after paying the expenses of the urgent dredging.

To continue work on the present project for obtaining a low-water depth of channel of 20 feet from Portland to the sea the officer in charge estimates that $100,000 can be advantageously expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1893; but, if the project for obtaining a 25foot depth throughout this distance be approved, this sum should be increased to $700,000.

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

$7,780.21 100,000.00

107, 780, 21

45, 67.99

61, 912. 22

Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1893 100, 000.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and

harbor acts of 1866 and 1867.

(See Appendix X X 3.)

4. Willamette River above Portland, Oregon.-The project for this improvement was adopted in 1878. It consists in snagging operations, bar scraping, contraction of water over shoals, and rock removal, with the object of giving easy navigation for light-draft boats from Portland to Eugene City, Oregon, a distance of 172 miles. The mouth of the Yamhill River, 10 miles above Portland, was the head of an inconvenient low-water navigation in a draft of 24 feet; only 1 foot could be carried above.

The total amount appropriated for this work since present project was adopted is $124,000. At the commencement of the fiscal year there was a balance on hand of $199.21.

Before work could be commenced upon the Willamette River above the falls extensive repairs were necessary to the plant with which this is carried on. A new hull was made for the snag boat Corvallis, and a cabin provided. Such of the old machinery as could be used was transferred to this hull and supplemented by new parts. The proportion of the cost of this work charged to this appropriation was $2,073.63. These repairs and additions could not be completed and the boat gotten ready for work before the 10th of February. After shipping up a crew the boat left Portland on the 12th, her captain being under instructions to proceed up the Willamette as far as Harrisburg, removing only the most troublesome obstructions found on the way up, and then drop back, clearing out all snags in the channel as she came down. About this time the rainy season commenced and the river began to rise, so that on reaching Harrisburg there was a 12-foot stage of water. There being no immediate prospect of a fall to a stage favorable for work, the boat was ordered back to Portland at the end of the month and laid up in ordinary, with all hands discharged. During the time that she was out 35 snags and 20 overhanging trees were removed.

During the latter half of November the snag boat Willamette worked in the Willamette River at Clackamas Rapids, widening the chute in ENG 91-27

the old dam through which the river at that place rushes during low stages. The velocity here is sometimes too great for the power of the boats. The chute was widened 60 feet, with an appreciable benefit to navigation. The expenses of this work, which were $980.50, were paid from the $5,000 allotted in the river and harbor act. No further work could have been done here with a prospect of additional benefit unless at an expenditure which would far exceed even the total of the amount appropriated. In order to produce the radical changes in the character of the river here and at Ross Island that the growing commerce of the Willamette River below the falls will soon make imperatively neces sary, a larger amount than is now available will be necessary for either of the localities. At Clackamas Rapids provision must be made for taking care of the heavy sand and gravel coming from the Clackamas River before any permanent improvement can be expected; and at Ross Island retaining dams of considerable extent are necessary to rectify the course of the river, and a large amount of coarse, heavy material must be dredged. Special projects are being prepared and estimates made for the improvement of these two localities, as required by the last river and harbor act.

The river in the vicinity of Ross Island has been carefully resurveyed with a view to its improvement in this locality. There are large iron, stone quarry, and other interests located from 4 to 5 miles above this obstruction, which makes the improvement here very desirable. There is now a low-water depth of 8 feet across this bar.

It is proposed to devote the balance of the funds now available for work on the Upper Willamette to closing chutes, scraping bars, and removing snags as far up as Harrisburg. This will be done with the snag boat Corvallis and her crew during the months of July and August. With this work it is expected that a navigable channel at least 2 feet in depth can be maintained during the low-water season as high up as the town of Corvallis.

With a view to the construction of more permanent works than have heretofore been used for contracting the low water of this river, the officer in charge suggests that if $60,000 be made available in one sum and afterwards yearly appropriations of $10,000, low-water navigation can be permanently maintained.

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...........

$199.21 11,000,00

11, 199.21 4,734,79

6. 464.42

Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1893 60,000. 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867.

(See Appendix X X 4.)

5. Cowlitz River, Washington.-The project for the improvement of this river contemplates a removal of the sand bars, snags, overhanging trees, rocks, and other obstructions in the channel from its mouth to a distance of about 50 miles above. Work has been done to Toledo, 30 miles above the mouth. The ruling depth prior to improvement was 14 inches over this reach. It is now 30 inches. The total amount that has been appropriated for this work is $19,000.

As soon as the funds last appropriated became available a small party was organized and sent to the shoal on this river at the mouth of Toutle

River, which gave the most trouble at low-water stages. By scraping away the gravel and concentrating the scattered water into one channel by means of cheaply constructed wing dams, a channel with a depth of 2 feet was obtained where there was virtually nothing before. In these operations about 1,200 cubic yards of gravel were removed. This party also removed 130 obstructions of the nature of logs, stumps, rock heaps, etc., from the navigable channel of the river. These operations covered the river from its mouth to Toledo.

Work of this character can be prosecuted to best advantage on this river from about the middle of September to the 1st of December, when the winter rains commence. To provide for future work upon this stream $2,500 was expended on repairs to the snag boat Corvallis. This boat will be available for work here during the low-water season of this fall.

It is estimated that $3,000 can be profitably expended upon the im provement of the navigation of this river in accordance with the proj ect during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1893.

Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890
June 30, 1891, amount expended during fiscal year.

July 1, 1891, balance unexpended

Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1893 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867.

(See Appendix X X 5.)

$8,000.00

4,082.73

3,917.27

3,000.00

6. Young's and Klaskuine rivers, Oregon.-The project for this improvement contemplates the removal of snags, sunken logs, and overhanging trees from Young's River as far up as the lower end of the cut-off, a distance of 7 miles; and also from the channel of the Klaskuine as far up as Kamm's Wharf, a distance of about 2 miles. This latter river empties into the former 6 miles above Young's Bay.

A Government snag boat was sent into these streams and worked during the latter half of December, removing 61 snags and logs, which effected a tolerable channel, giving a draft of 7 feet during high tide to the limits named.

The sum of $600 was expended in repairs to the snag boat Corvallis, which will be used for future operations upon these streams.

The total amount appropriated for this work was $1,600. The balance now available, $393.21, will be sufficient to complete the work according to the project. No further appropriation is asked. Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890. June 30, 1891, amount expended during fiscal year

July 1, 1891, balance unexpended

(See Appendix X X 6.)

$1,600.00

1,206.79

393.21

7. Gauging waters of Columbia River, Oregon, and Washington.-The object of these gaugings is to ascertain and keep a record of the fluctuations of the Columbia River with the view to gathering information that may be useful in works of improvement on the river, and also by gauges established at various points to indicate to pilots, captains, and others interested in navigation, the stage of water on crossings and places of difficult navigation.

A self-registering tide gauge has been in operation at Astoria, Oregon, and one at Cathlamet, Wash., during the entire year.

Daily sheets from the Astoria gauge were exhibited on a bulletin

board in that city. These show the stage of water and condition as to roughness on the bar at the mouth of the river, and are of great service to commerce.

July 1, 1890, balance unexpended.....

June 30, 1891, amount expended during fiscal year..

July 1, 1891, balance unexpended

Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1893 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867.

(See Appendix X X 7.)

$1,476, 49

514.17

962.52

1,500.00

8. Removing sunken vessels or craft obstructing or endangering navigation. The wreck of the ship Sylvia de Grasse, sunk in 1849, lies near the edge of the channel in Columbia River in front of Upper Astoria, Oregon. It is an obstruction to the navigation of the river by the river boats. Proposals for its removal, received in response to advertisement of April 30, 1890, were rejected on account of being excessive. The wreck will be removed at a favorable opportunity by the use of hired labor and the Government snag boat and outfit.

(See Appendix X X 8.)

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, Major Handbury, and reports thereon submitted through Col. G. H. Mendell, Corps of Eugineers, Division Engineer, Pacific Division. It is the opinion of Major Handbury, 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. The reports were transmitted to Congress and printed as executive documents of the Fifty-first Congress, second session.

1. Willamette River, Oregon, deepening channel on west side of Swan Island.-Printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 74. (See also Appendix X X 9.)

2. Young's Bay channel from the ship channel of the Columbia River to the head of Young's Bay, Oregon, a distance of 14 miles, with a view to improving the same by dredging, so as to secure a depth of 18 feet at low tide.-Printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 67. (See also Appendix X X 10.) 3. Deep, Skamakawa [Skamokawa], and Crooked Rivers, Washington.— Printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 24. (See also Appendix X X 11.)

The required preliminary examination of Lower Columbia River, Oregon, on south side, between Astoria and Wood's Landing for snagging, was made by the local engineer in charge, Major Haudbury, and report thereon submitted through Col. G. H. Mendell, Corps of Engineers, Division Engineer, Pacific Division. This section of the river is included within the scope of the project for improving Lower Willamette and Columbia rivers, and all obstructions in the nature of snags can be removed by the snag boat provided for such work in the Columbia River. No further survey, therefore, appears to be necessary at this time. The report was transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 61, Fifty-first Congress, second session. (See also Appendix X X 12.)

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