5. Clinch River, Tennessee.-The Clinch River rises in Virginia and flows into the Tennessee River near Kingston, Tennessee. The plan of improvement is based upon the examinations made in 1875 and 1881, and consists of excavating a wide channel through the rock and gravel bars, in removing snags, bowlders, &c., and in building rip-rap dams where necessary to provide a channel at ordinary low water sufficient for the demands of the commerce of the river. The amount expended to June 30, 1884, is $15,919.25, and has resulted in the permanent improvement of some dangerous shoals, especially at Bletcher's, Cloud, and Llewellyn shoals, so that rafts and boats can be safely passed at stages of water from 2 to 3 feet lower than formerly. The amount asked for ($5,400) is the unappropriated balance of the original estimate, and can be profitably expended in improving the channel according to the present project. 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 . $535 10 $434 55 19 80 454 35 80 75. 5,000 00 5,080 75 5,400 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project. 5,400 00 6. Duck River, Tennessee.-This stream joins the Tennessee about 143 miles above Johnsonville. An examination was made in 1879, upon which the present plan was based, which consisted in removing snags, rock, and gravel bars, and building brush dams, so as to obtain about 3 feet of water from four to six months of the year, which has been practically secured, the total amount expended to June 30, 1884, being $13,000. No work was done during the year. The property pertaining to the improvement has been sold. No appropriation was made by act of July 5, 1884, and the Engineer officer in charge recommends that none be made at present unless Congress deems it best to give at least $10,000. 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.. $119.62 71-40 48 22 119 62 22, 118 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project..... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. 10,000 00 (See Appendix Z 6.) 7. Obey's River, Tennessee.-The Obey's River is a tributary of the Cumberland River, which it enters at Celina, Tenn., near the Kentucky State line. An examination was made in 1879 from head of navigation to its mouth. The total amount expended to June 30, 1884, is $11,500, which has resulted in the removal of channel obstructions so as to secure safe navigation for small steamers not drawing more than 3 feet, and rafts may pass safely during high water. The work of improvement is completed according to the project, and no further plans nor estimates are submitted. July 1, 1883, amount available.. $3,657 35 July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883.. July 1, 1884, outstanding liabilities.. 3,632 74 3,657 35 (See Appendix Z 7.) 8. Caney Fork River, Tennessee. This is a tributary of the Cumberland, which it enters at Carthage, Tenn. An examination was made in 1879 from its mouth to the head of navigation, at Sligo's Ford, a distance of about 80 miles. The obstructions were found to be gravel reefs, logs, snags, and overhanging trees, a crooked channel, with about 3 feet 5 inches of water at numerous shoals at a stage of 3 feet above low water. The effect of these was to' make navigation insecure at all seasons. The present plan is to clear and straighten the channel, and build necessary wing-dams to secure 3 feet of water during the five months when the Cumberland River is at a good boating stage. The amount expended to June 30, 1884, was $13,996.71, and has secured a comparatively safe channel from the mouth to the head of navigation, so that steamers now ascend and descend with confidence on a 3-foot stage of water, whereas three years ago it was thought unsafe to ascend more than a few miles at less than a 10-foot stage. Some outlay from year to year will be required to maintain a channel clear of the snags, logs, &c., brought down by heavy floods. During the year the improvement of Hall's Rock Island and Trousdale's Ferry Bar were completed, securing an increased depth of about 5 inches at low water. Snag-boat work was done along 58 miles of the river. The amount available and that herein asked for can be profitably expended in continuing the improvement as projected. July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of July 1, 1883, amount available.. outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883 July 1, 1884, outstanding liabilities $3,033 93 $3,012 64 3,030 64 3 29 3, 000 00 3, 003 29 13, 228 00 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 Z 8.) 13, 200 00 9. Coosa River, Georgia and Alabama.-This river, which is formed by the confluence of the Oostenaula and Etowah rivers, near Rome, Ga., by its confluence with the Tallapoosa in Alabama forms the Alabama River. Examinations were made in 1870, 1872, and 1875. The present improvement was begun with the appropriation of 1876, at which time the river was navigable for boats drawing 2 feet from Rome to Greensport, Ala., a distance of 164 miles, except during very low water, when there was but 14 to 18 inches at several shoals. Below Greensport there is a succession of very broad and shallow reefs, extending over 5 miles, and having a total fall of 24 feet. These and reefs at other points obstructed navigation. A plan was adopted in 1875 to provide a channel not less than 80 feet wide and 3 feet deep at low water between Rome and Greensport, and the improvement of the shoals and reefs below Greensport by channel excavation and locks and dams. The amount expended to June 30, 1884 ($334,177.49), has resulted in securing a fair navigable channel through the Greensport reefs. The masonry of two locks and the dams connecting these locks with the shore are completed; the lock-gates for the upper lock are finished; for the third lock the stone is cut and foundation excavated. The work done during the year was confined to the Ten Islands Shoals Canal, and channel excavation at Hart's and Rock Island reefs, below Lock No. 3; the lock-gates for Lock No. 1 have been completed; and the title to the land on which Lock No. 3 is located was perfected during June, 1884. The funds available and the appropriation asked for can be profitably expended in completing Lock No. 3, putting in lock-gates, and continuing the improvement at other points between Rome and the Selma, Rome and Dalton Railroad bridge. 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 133,647 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project..... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. 100,000 00 (See Appendix Z 9.) 10. Oostenaula and Coosawattee rivers, Georgia.-These streams are tributaries of the Coosa River in Northwestern Georgia. Examinations were made in 1872 and 1874, and the improvements then projected have been practically finished. No work has been done since August, 1881, and no appropriation was made by act of July 5, 1884. The amount expended to June 30, 1884, is $24,858.14, which has resulted in removing the most dangerous channel obstructions and in reducing the gravel bars. Good channels were obtained for about nine months in the year; that on the Oostenaula having a depth of 3 feet, and on the Coosawattee a depth of 2 feet of water. The available funds will probably be expended near the mouth of the Oostenaula, and perhaps in some slight repairs and extensions of work already done. No commercial necessity exists for any further appropriations for these rivers. July 1, 1883, amount available July 1, 1884, outstanding liabilities. July 1, 1884, amount available (See Appendix Z 10.) $1,163 71 21 85 1,141 86 11. Ocmulgee River, Georgia.-The Ocmulgee and Oconee rivers form the Altamaha. These three rivers constitute the principal water highways of the State, and furnish a natural outlet for the lumber, cotton, and other products of Central Georgia. During the first half of this century Georgia appropriated at least $60,000 for the improvement of this river. The present plan of improvement is based upon an examination made in 1875, when the obstructions were found to be snags, sand and gravel bars, rock reefs, overhanging trees, and submerged rafts, in a shifting and tortuous channel, with a varying depth of from 22 inches to 4 feet 5908 EN-17 at low water. The project for the improvement of the river contemplates the removal of these obstructions. The amount expended up to June 30, 1884, was $53,987.86, which has resulted in securing a tolerably straight, clear, and useful channel, having about 3 feet depth at low water between Hawkinsville and the junction of the Oconee, while many of the most serious obstructions have been removed. Steamboatmen and raftsmen report the river as having been greatly improved by the work already done. A small force will be required from time to time to remove recently formed obstructions. During the year snags and overhanging trees were removed from 65 miles of channel. The amount available and the appropriation asked for can be profitably applied in continuing operations with the snag-boats, removing surface obstructions, and building booms or crib-work at a few points to assist rafts in keeping the main channel. July 1, 1883, amount available... July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883.. July 1, 1884, amount available..... Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884... Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1885. $1,159 19 1, 147 05 12 14 3,000 00 3,012 14 24,240 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project...... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. (See Appendix Z 11.) 10,000 00 12. Oconee River, Georgia.-The State of Georgia appropriated during the first quarter of this century over $35,000 for the improvement of this river. The first examination made by the United States was in 1874. The obstructions to navigation were found to consist of snags, overhanging trees, and bars formed by sunken logs. The channel depth at the shoalest places varied from 18 inches to 24 feet at low water. The adopted project for the improvement of the river is to remove obstructions from the channel, blasting through rock reefs where necessary, in order to secure a depth of about 3 feet at low water. The total amount expended to June 30, 1884, was $20,047.76, which has resulted in greatly improving navigation, securing a comparatively clear channel from the head of Carr's Shoals to the junction with the Ocmulgee, with an increased depth of about 3 feet at low water. The improvement of Carr's Shoals was completed during the year, giving a channel depth of over 24 feet at low water. The appropriation available and that herein asked for can be profitably expended in continuing the proposed improvement of the river channel. 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... $2,228 81 $1,756 57 20 00 1,776 57 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 Z 12.) 452 24 3,000 00 3, 452 24 26,500 00 10, 000 00 13. Red River, Tennessee.-This river is a tributary of the Cumberland, which it enters near Clarksville. An examination was made in 1880 below Port Royal, a distance of about 38 miles. The approved plan was to remove channel obstructions and build wing-dams. The total amount expended to June 30, 1884, is $5,000, and has resulted in giving an increased depth of about 4 inches at the improved shoals. No appropriation has been made since 1881. The commerce being limited, and the several bridges spanning the lower river being serious obstructions, it is not deemed advisable or necessary to recommend any further expenditure of money upon this stream at present. July 1, 1883, amount available..... July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of (See Appendix Z 13.) $43 57 19 98 23 68 43 57 14. Little Tennessee River, Tennessee. -The Little Tennessee River rises in the Blue Ridge; is a tributary of the Tennessee River, which it enters at Lenoir's. Three examinations have been made of this stream, the highest point reached being at Rabun's Gap, Georgia. In 1882 the examination extended from its mouth about 13 miles to mouth of Jellico River. The total amount expended to June 30, 1884, is $4,935.87, and has resulted in clearing the channel of surface obstructions and greatly improving six of the most difficult shoals. Rivermen express much satisfaction at the results so far obtained, especially in the increased length of the season for navigation. The appropriation asked for ($10,000) can be profitably expended in carrying on the work under the approved project. 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.... $2,799 46 $2,692 83 42 50 2,735 33 64 13 18,724 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. 10, 000 00 (See Appendix Z 14.) 15. South Fork of Cumberland River, Kentucky.-This is a tributary of the Cumberland, and enters it at Burnside, Ky. An examination of the river was made by the United States in 1881. The obstructions, from the Kentucky and Tennessee boundary to its mouth, consist of reefs, bowlders, gravel-bars, &c. The river has a width of from 200 to 400 feet, and a slope of 76 feet in the last 31 miles. The plan of improvement contemplates the removal of obstructions, so as to secure safe navigation when there is a tide of at least 3 feet above low water. The total amount expended up to June 30, 1884, was $1,744.72, and has been applied in fitting up and caring for the necessary boats and materials and in the partial improvement of Sloan's Shoals. No work has been done since May, 1883. The balance available and the additional sum asked for can be applied to carrying forward the present plan of improvement from the mouth of the river to the Kentucky State line. |