Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. 600,000 00 (See Appendix M 1.) 600, 000 00 2. Wappoo Cut, South Carolina.-By the river and harbor acts of March 3, 1881, August 2, 1882, and July 5, 1884, respectively, the ag gregate sum of $23,000 was appropriated for the improvement of Wap. poo Cut. Wappoo Cut is a narrow, tortuous tidal stream, separating James Island from the mainland and connecting Stono and Ashley rivers. The project of improvement submitted by the engineer officer in charge contemplates the establishment of a straighter channel, 6 feet by 90 feet, low-water dimensions, at an estimated cost of $34,000. In its unimproved condition only 2 to 4 feet could be carried over the principal shoals at mean low water. The plan of improvement comprised dredging at the entrances from Ashley and Stono rivers and through a portion of the cut; a cut-off through the marsh about 2 miles from Ashley River; closing three small tidal branches; and the construction of a short jetty at both the Stono and Ashley rivers. Prior to July 1, 1883, the sum of $16,704.80 was expended in improving Elliott's Cut, the westerly section of Wappoo Cut, obtaining a lowwater depth of 6 feet on a width of 60 feet. The cut-off through the marsh was made to the same depth, on an average width of 80 feet. Some dredging was done in the shallow reaches between the two places named, resulting in low-water-channel depth of 6 feet and about 50 feet wide. During the past fiscal year some dredging was done for finishing the Marsh Cut, for improving the entrance to Elliott's Cut and upon the bar in Ashley River. A bulkhead of broken stone, resting upon a brush mattress foundation, was built across Pompey's Cut, one of the tidal branches entering Wappoo Cut, and a number of snags and overhanging trees were removed from the channel. Some shoaling has taken place at different points during the year, but there is at present not less than 6 feet depth of water at low tide anywhere, on a general width of 60 feet. To complete the project, the channel-way requires further widening, two lateral streams need to be closed, and a jetty at each end of the cut has to be constructed. With the sum of $3,000 appropriated by act of Congress approved July 5, 1884, it is proposed to enlarge the existing water-way where most needed, and, if possible, close the remaining two lateral streams. The total amount expended to July 1, 1884, is $19,972.16. July 1, 1883, amount available.. $3,295 20 July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883 3,267 36 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. (See Appendix M 2). 11, 000 00 11,000 00 3. Edisto River, South Carolina.-Two appropriations have thus far been made by Congress for improving Edisto River, South Carolina, aggregating $13,000. The first one, amounting to $8,000, was provided by act passed August 2, 1882; the second, of $5,000, by act approved July 5, 1884. The Edisto is one of the principal rivers in South Carolina. It is formed by the junction of the north and south forks, which unite in the southern part of Orangeburg County. The South Fork, commonly known as the South Edisto, is the main river. The obstructions to navigation consist of numerous bends, logs, snags, overhanging trees, and piles; also of shoals, generally of sand, but in some places of hard clay. The plan of improvement contemplates the establishment of a safe navigation channel at all seasons of the year for light-draught steamboats from the sea to the junction of the North and South forks, a distance of 183 miles, and from that point to Guinguard's Landing, 77 miles higher up, for rafts and flat-boats. The plan embraces enlarging and clearing all the new channels now in progress of formation, cutting off bends, shutting off lateral arms of the river, removing shoals, snags, logs, piles, and other obstructions, and building a deflection jetty. The cost of the project is estimated at $33,385. Prior to July 1, 1883, the United States snag-boat Toccoa was employed for some months on the river. The channel was cleared of a considerable number of piles, snags, and overhanging trees. A narrow cut-off, only 18 feet long, through the neck of a bend three-quarters of a mile around, was widened and deepened, and now forms the regular channel of the river at that place. The operations extended from the mouth of the river to Russell's Lake, a distance of 110 miles. The total cost of this work to June 30, 1883, was $1,945. During the fiscal year just closed the snag-boat was employed for a few months from the mouth of the river to Saw-Mill Landing, 75 miles above Jacksonborough, removing from a number of points about 200 snags, piles, and overhanging trees. During the present fiscal year operations will be continued by means of the appropriation of $5,000 made by act of Congress approved July 5, 1884. The total amount expended on this improvement to June 30, 1884, including outstanding liabilities, was $6,139.80. July 1, 1883, amount available.. July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883. July 1, 1884, outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884, amount available Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884. Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1885................ $6,055 00 $3,317 10 877 70 4, 194 80 1,860 20 5,000 00 6,860 20 10,000 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project..... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. (See Appendix M 3.) 10,000 00 4. Salkiehatchie River, South Carolina.-The operations for improving Salkiehatchie River have been thus far carried on by means of an appropriation of $5,000; the first one made for this work by act of Congress passed August 2, 1882. A second appropriation of $3,000 has become available since the beginning of the present fiscal year. The Salkiehatchie, known as the Big Salkiehatchie, to distinguish it from its principal tributary, the Little Salkiehatchie, rises in Aiken County, South Carolina, and flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The two rivers unite about 80 miles from the sea-coast. The lower part of the river is known as the Combahee. Above a point named Hickory Hill, about 44 miles from the sea-coast, the river is obstructed in many places by piles, logs, and sand-shoals. The project of improvement contemplates the establishment of a continuous channel, suitable for flat-boats and rafts, from a point 5 miles above Toby's Bluff down to Hickory Hill, a distance of about 77 miles by river. The work comprises the removal of logs, shoals, and piles, and cutting a navigable channel through two places known as Murdoc Sand Drags, and Weekly Sand Drags, where the river at present is divided into numerous small streamlets, unfit for any kind of navigation. The cost of the project is estimated at $18,000. But little work was done previous to July 1, 1883. The United States snag-boat Toccoa was employed for a few weeks, and removed a number of piles at Hickory Hill, and some snags and overhanging trees for 9 miles higher up. During the past fiscal year the contemplated improvement of the twelve-mile reach of the river, from the Charleston and Savannah Railroad bridge down to Hickory Hill, was completed. From the bridge up to the "Roots," a distance of 32 miles, a large number of snags, trees, and similar obstructions were removed, giving decided relief to raft navigation on this portion of the river. With the new appropriation lately made by Congress for this work, it is proposed to continue operations during the present fiscal year, in conformity to the existing project. It is desirable that the next appropriation made should be of sufficient amount to complete the project. The total expenditures to June 30, 1884, was $3,589.65. July 1, 1883, amount avaliable.. July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883.. July 1, 1884, outstanding liabilities. Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1885..... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project $4,412 50 $2,989 33 12 82 3,002 15 1,410 35 3,000 00 4,410 35 10,000 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fical year ending June 30, 1886. 10,000 00 (See Appendix M 4.) 5. Ashley River, South Carolina.-Ashley River is about 40 miles in length, and runs in a generally southeasterly direction. At its mouth. the city of Charleston occupies its left bank. A general description of the locality will be found in Appendix J 3, Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers, 1880. The only appropriations ever made by Congress for improving this river were those of June 14, 1880, of $1,000; March 3, 1881, of $1,500; and July 5, 1884, of $2,000. The plan of improvement comprised 1. The removal of a shoal at a place known as Accabee, about 8 miles above the city of Charleston, where, according to survey made in 1873, there was then only 9 feet of water at mean low tide; and 2. The removal of a shoal just below the Wando Phosphate Works, where only 6 feet of water was found at low tide. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1882, a channel of about 100 feet width and over 1,000 feet in length was cut by dredging through the shoal, at the crossing near the Wando works to depth of 11 feet at mean low water. In doing this 13,558 cubic yards of material were removed. The channel excavated has thus far remained in good condition, but it is not at all certain that the depth of 11 feet will be maintained by the scouring power of the stream. Dredging from time to time will probably be necessary, unless the stream is contracted by suitable works. No estimate of the cost of such works are submitted by the engineer officer in charge. There are other shoals lower down, where the channel requires deepening. With the funds now available it is proposed, during the present fiscal year, to do some dredging at Accabee Shoal, and, if necessary, at the crossing below the Wando works, to establish a low-water depth of 10 to 11 feet. The total amount expended on this improvement to June 30, 1884, was $2,414.93. July 1, 1883, amount available.... July 1, 1884, amount available...... Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884....... Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1885. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project...... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. (See Appendix M 5.) $85 07 85 07 2,000 00 2,085 07 1,000 00 1,000 00 6. Savannah Harbor and River, Georgia.-During the past fiscal year operations were carried on in conformity to the enlarged project of January 16, 1882. The existing plan of improvement contemplates the establishment of a channel from Tybee Roads to the city of Savannah, navigable for vessels of 22 feet draught, and the widening of the river opposite the city to 600 feet, of uniform depth with the balance of the channel. This is to be accomplished by improving the north channel in preference to the south channel, from the head of Elba Island to the head of Long Island, closing with dams all the lateral channels connecting the north and south channels from Elba Island to Tybee Roads; constructing a low dam across the south channel above Saint Augustine Creek, in order to increase the volume of ebb-flow down the north channel; raising the dam at the Cross Tides, 4 miles above the city of Savannah, to a higher level, possibly to the level of high water; narrowing the river between Savannah and Tybee Roads by wing-dams where the widths are excessive and the navigation poor; constructing a low jetty or training-wall from some point on either Jones or Turtle Island in a southeasterly direction to the Red Light Beacon; and protecting Saint Michael's Channel below that beacon by a similar wall or by some other device. Works of shore protection will be built and dredging done wherever deemed necessary. The estimated cost of the improvement, according to the plan submitted January 16, 1882, is $730,000. Prior to July 1, 1883, the Cross Tides Dam had been built to a height 3 feet above mean low water, but it is now below that level from settlement; a portion of the Old King's Island Jetty was removed; three substantial wing-dams were constructed opposite the lower part of the city and a fourth lower down, near the lower end of Fig Island, for re ducing the width of the water-way; a training-wall was built extending 6,000 feet down stream from the lower end of Fig Island, with its crest about 3 feet above low water, and eleven short spur-jetties added to the wall on its south side; a submerged dam was laid across the south channel near the head of Elba Island, two side channels northwest and southeast of Barnwell Island above Elba Island, and three side channels below that were closed by dams; a wing-dam was constructed to improve the channel between Barnwell Island No. 3 and the head of Elba Island; a pair of wing-dams were built in the north channel at and opposite the foot of Spirit Island, and another pair some distance lower down partly finished. Dredging was done at various places on the river between the Cross Tides Dam and Tybee Roads aggregating 1,509,894 cubic yards. During the past fiscal year the wing-dams below Spirit Island, partly finished in the preceding year, were completed, two new wing-dams opposite each other were commenced near the lower end of Elba Island, and about 2,300 feet lower down a wing-dam was completed for twothirds of its length. The closure dam at Philbrick's Cut, which had settled somewhat, was again raised to the level of high water by putting riprap stone upon it. The quantity of material excavated by dredging aggregated 79,616 cubic yards, of which 67,016 yards were removed from the upper and lower flats, and the balance from the channel at the "Wrecks" and from Garden Bank Shoal. It is found that as the work of improvement progresses, very satisfactory results are beginning to be developed, especially in those reaches where the wing-dams are finished or in a stage approaching completion. At these places the river is now in better condition than it has been at any former time, as far as known. During the present fiscal year operations will be carried on with the appropriations lately made by Congress, and in conformity to the project submitted January 16, 1882. Additional wing-dams will be built and some dredging will be done where most needed. The total estimated cost of the work is $1,212,000. The appropriations made for the improvement since 1874 now aggregate $882,000. The total expenditures from the beginning of operations to June 30, 1884, were $680,926. July 1, 1883, amount available July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of $61,018 95 $58,725 05 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1885.... 59, 944 95 1,074 00 200, 000 00 201,074 00 330,000 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project..... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. 330,000 00 (See Appendix M 6.) 7. Savannah River, Georgia.-Three appropriations, aggregating $55,000, have been made by Congress for improving Savannah River, between the cities of Augusta and Savannah, since the present plan of improvement was adopted. On this section of the river navigation was seriously obstructed at several places during the dry season by exten. sive shoals or sand-bars with only 2 or 3 feet of water over them, and |