1890, provided for the appointment of a Commission of United States engineers to ascertain the value of any portion of the channel from Bolivar Channel to the point where the San Jacinto River enters what is known as Morgan Canal, which might have been constructed by the Buffalo Bayou Ship Channel Company, the amount so ascertained and certified to be correct by the Secretary of War to be paid to the shipchannel company out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated. The report of the commission was made December 4, 1890, and approved and forwarded to the proper department for payment in January following. At this date the works have not been transferred to the United States. The estimate of $200,000 herewith is the amount required to complete the excavation to a depth of 12 feet and to maintain it for 1 year there after. 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 .... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1893 200,000.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix U 2.) July 1, 1890, balance unexpended.. Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890 3. Trinity River, Texas.-The natural channel on the bar at the mouth. of the river was narrow and shoal. The project for improvement was adopted in 1873 and modified in 1889, the modification principally consisting in the employment of parallel timber jetties to effect the required deepening to 6 feet on the bar at the mouth of the middle pass. The total amount expended to June 30, 1890, was $46,955.57. It resulted in increasing the depth on the bar from 3 feet 2 inches to 3 feet 6 inches, and also in straightening the channel. The amount expended during the past fiscal year was $5,866.64. It has resulted in maintaining the depth of 3 feet 6 inches. The sum estimated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1893, to be applied to the completion of the jetties. June 30, 1891, amount expended during fiscal year July 1, 1891, balance unexpended.. July 1, 1891, outstanding liabilities.. July 1, 1891, balance available...... 3,954.31 32,500.00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix U 3.) 4. Cedar Bayou, Texas.-A survey of this locality with a view to removal of the bar at the mouth of the bayou was made in 1889. The natural depth on the bar was 3 feet at mean low tide. The cost of improvement to afford a depth of 5 feet was estimated as $18,150, which sum was appropriated by act of September 19, 1890. This sum will be applied this season to dredging and protection of the cut by walls of brush and stone mattress. The officer in charge estimates $14,000 as the sum that can be profitably expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1893, to complete the walls and for dredging. Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890.... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... (See Appendix U 4.) July 1, 1890, balance unexpended Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890. $18, 150.00 18, 150.00 5. Buffalo Bayou, Texas.--The channel between the city of Houston and Simms Bayou, a distance of 11 miles, the extent of bayou under improvement was, in its natural condition, narrow and tortuous and the natural depth in many places was not more than 6 feet. The project for improvement was adopted in 1881, the object being to straighten the channel, and to widen it to 100 feet and deepen it to 12 feet; also to remove such snags, stumps, and overhanging trees as obstruct navigation. The total amount expended to June 30, 1890, was $143,691.73. It resulted in clearing the channel of the most prominent stumps, snags, and overhanging trees, in easing most of the bends and in removing such shoals as obstructed a 7-foot navigation. The amount expended during the past fiscal year was $12,008.63. It has resulted in further easement of bends and in still further relieving the channel and bends of obstructions. The obstructions are renewed in more or less degree every year, through action of floods. The project is not capable of permanent completion. The sum of $50,000, estimated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1893, to be applied to further removal of bars and other obstructions. June 30, 1891, amount expended during fiscal year July 1, 1891, balance unexpended..... June 1, 1891, amount covered by uncompleted contracts. July 1, 1891, balance available .... 14,000.00 14,000.00 $58.27 25,000.00 25,058.27 12,008,63 13,049.64 9, 141.93 3, 907.71 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project 216, 549.75 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30,1893 50,000.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix U 5.) 6. Harbor at Brazos Santiago, Texas.-In its natural state the channel over this bar was shifting, and its depth varied from 6 to 8 feet. The present (original) project for its improvement was adopted in 1881, the object being to fix the position of the channel over the bar at the entrance and to deepen it. The total amount expended to June 30, 1890, was $189,318.57, besides an appropriation of $6,000 in 1878, applied to removing a wreck. It has resulted in no useful effect upon the bar, and the works heretofore constructed have practically disappeared. The amount expended during the past fiscal year was $290. It was applied to the keeping of a record of commercial satistics and incidental engi neering expenses. The officer in charge considers $600,000 as the least amount which should be available before beginning construction of the jetties. Taking into consideration the balance available ($57,891.41), the sum of $540,000, in round numbers, would be needed to make up the amount named. The officer in charge suggests that, if the importance of the port be not considered sufficient to justify so large an ap propriation, the improvement be deferred for the present. July 1, 1890, balance unexpended June 30, 1891, amount expended during fiscal year.. July 1, 1891, balance unexpended $58, 181.41 290.00 57, 891.41 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project...... 1,071, 090. 23 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 to 1867. (See Appendix U 6.) EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEY 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 Allen, and reports thereon submitted through Col. C. B. Comstock, Corps of Engineers, Division Engineer, Southwest Division. It is the opinion of Major Allen, 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. Mouth of Double Bayou in Chambers County, Texas, to remove obstructions. Report transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 117, Fifty-first Congress, second session. (See also Appendix U 7.) 2. Trinity River, Texas, from its mouth to Dallas.-Report transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 275, Fifty-first Congress, second session. (See also Appendix U 8.) 3. Colorado River, Texas, with a view of removing raft at mouth of same.—Report transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 138, Fifty-first Congress, second session. (See also Appendix U 9.) 4. Aransas Bay, Texas, to remove Half-Moon Reef.-(See Appendix U 10.) 5. St. Charles Bay, Texas, with a view of removing obstructions at mouth of same. (See Appendix U 10.) The required preliminary examination of West Galveston Bay, Texas, from Christians Point, with a view of reopening the channel through West Bay, was made by the local engineer in charge, Major Allen, and report thereon submitted through Col. C. B. Comstock, Corps of Engineers, Division Engineer, Southwest Division. It is the opinion of Major Allen, and of the Division Engineer, based upon the facts and reasons given, that this locality is worthy of improvement. This opinion being concurred in by me, Major Allen was charged with its survey, the report on which will be submitted when received. Major Allen was charged with the required preliminary examination of Brazos River, Texas, from its mouth to Waco, and the reports of its results will be submitted when received. WESTERN RIVERS. IMPROVEMENT OF CERTAIN RIVERS AND WATER-WAYS IN LOUISI ANA, TEXAS, ARKANSAS, MISSISSIPPI, AND TENNESSEE, TRIBU TARY TO MISSISSIPPI RIVER; WATER GAUGES ON MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND ITS PRINCIPAL TRIBUTARIES. Officer in charge, Capt. J. H. Willard, Corps of Engineers; Division Engineer, Col. C. B. Comstock, Corps of Engineers. 1. Red River, Louisiana and Arkansas.-This improvement was begun in 1828, and appropriations aggregating $535,765.50 were made between 1828 and 1852. Between 1841 and 1852 no appropriation was made, and a longer interval elapsed between 1852 and 1872, during which period the results of former work were lost. The present improvement, from Fulton, Ark., to Atchafalaya, commenced in 1872, at which time navigation above Shreveport, La., was almost impossible on account of the great raft. The falls at Alexandria were impassable at low stages. Navigation below Shreveport to Grand Ecore was affected seriously by the gradual enlargement of Tone Bayou Outlet, which depleted the main channel; and the entire river was obstructed by snags, sunken logs, wrecks, and leaning trees. The project contemplated the removal of raft, snags, wrecks, leaning timber, etc.; closing Tone Bayou; opening a channel through the falls at Alexandria, and deepening the channel at sand bars. Also protection of caving banks at Alexandria. Owing to the nature of the work it must be continuous for many years, and no estimate of cost was made on this account. The amount expended to June 30, 1890, was $888,783.69 (including liabilities $20.02), resulting in great benefit to navigation. A channel was opened through the great raft in 1873, and operations since, aided by the current, have secured an enlarged channel-way with greater depth everywhere, continually widening and scouring, and but little water is diverted from the river proper at ordinary stages. The work of removing obstructions and clearing the banks and prompt removal of jams has prevented new formations of raft. No work has been done at Tone Bayou since 1882, when the dam under construction was destroyed. This outlet is filling up gradually with drift, and this, in connection with the work in the old raft region above, is causing the main channel to widen and scour. The rock excavation and dam at the falls of Alexandria were completed in 1885, increasing the period of navigation about 2 months, and as a general thing permitting boats to pass the falls the year round. The dam and training wall, built at Alexandria in 1884-'85 for protecting the caving bank, accomplished the purpose for which intended. The removal of snags and clearing the banks for the general improvement of the river were not begun until 1878, but since 1885 operations have been confined to that class of work. The survey of Red River was carried from Fulton, Ark., to Grand Bend, La., near Alexandria, a distance of 406 miles. Under the act of 1888, work was extended into Cypress Bayou and Bayou Dor cheat, tributaries of Red River. In the past fiscal year a large steam snag boat and a small handpropelled snag boat continued removing obstructions whenever the stage of water would permit. The work of these boats was of great benefit to navigation, and no vessel was lost in the river during the year, and no serious accident reported. Boats from New Orleans ran through to Shreveport on regular time when the gauge at the latter place read only 2 feet, a condition previously unknown. With the exception of discharge and sediment observations between Shreveport and Alexandria, and level connections with high-water marks, field work of the survey has not been resumed. Work upon the maps was continued during the year. The allotments by the act of 1890 for work at Alexandria, closing Sale and Murphy Outlet, and widening and deepening the "Little River" below Scopini Cut off have not been used, with the exception of the amounts required to examine the outlet and to make a reconnoissance and survey of the stretch of river from Scopini Cut-off to Knox Point. The amounts expended during the past year were: For general improvement For Cypress Bayou, etc For examination of Sale and Murphy Outlet.... For examination and survey of Little River from Scopini Cut-off to For survey of Red River.... Total...... The estimates for the fiscal year 1893 are · $29, 346.36 285.94 101. 20 2,323.99 4,773.90 36, 831.39 For general improvement, repairs, and additions and care of plant ...... $81,000.00 Repairing and enlarging levees to confine the river to the adopted channel, thereby improving and giving ease and safety to navigation.... Closing outlets..... Establishing and maintaining gauges. Completing survey of river Local surveys and examinations of caving banks for revetment works, etc. Total..... 158, 000, 00 50,000.00 3,000.00 97,000.00 3,500,00 7,500.00 400,000.00 Red River frequently is jammed in a few hours with acres of drift, and raft formation is prevented only by prompt service of snag boats. Should jams occur when funds are exhausted it is probable that new rafts would form, diverting the river from the bed upon which thousands of dollars have been spent to lose itself in the low lands and bayous, destroying by the way a fertile country that has been reclaimed from overflow by the improvement and the construction of levees by the State of Louisiana. In view of the above it is recommended that a permanent appropriation be provided for the purpose of securing the uninterrupted work of operating the snag boats, not to exceed in the aggregate for each year the sum of $25,000. 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 400, 000. 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix V 1.) 2. Red River above Fulton, Arkansas.-In charge of Capt. H. S. Taber, Corps of Engineers, to November 24, 1890. The project for this |