places as may be deemed advisable; by gradual level connections with a common reference plane to give the greatest value to the records, and frequent and rigid inspections to prevent errors in the gauges and records, it is recommended that section 6 of the act of August 11, 1888, be amended to grant a permanent appropriation of such amount as may be necessary to do the work, not to exceed in the aggregate for each fiscal year the sum of $12,000. July 1, 1890, amount available (provided by act of August 11, 1888)... $9,600.00 900.00 Amount authorized to be expended for gauging lower Mississippi and tributaries by approved project 8,700.00 Amount of outstanding liabilities of fiscal year 1890 5.19 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1893 12, 000, 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix V 18.) 19. Survey of Cypress Bayou and the lakes between Jefferson, Texas, and Shreveport, Louisiana.-This survey was ordered by the act of September 19, 1890 to ascertain if the navigation of said bayou and lakes can be materially and permanently improved by the construction of such dams and locks and dams as may be necessary, and, if found practicable, the probable cost thereof. The approved project contemplated beginning on the Red River survey at the Shreveport base, crossing the country to the lakes, and then along the hills to Jefferson; precise levels from Shreveport to Jefferson, and search for benches of early surveys to compare the changes since the Red River Raft was removed; examination of outlets to Red River; topography, to include transit and stadia work, banks, lines of bayous and lakes, etc., to determine drainage; and soundings and discharge observations and borings at possible sites of construction. At the end of the fiscal year field work had been completed, though operations were impeded and the cost of the survey increased by high water. The maps are being laid out, and effort will be made to complete them at an early date. Borings were not made, as the water was too high and the funds available are not sufficient for the purpose. The original estimates for this work amounted to $12,000, and it is recommended that the balance, $2,000, be appropriated to make the borings at low water. 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 $10,000.00 9, 897.99 102.01 3.84 98. 17 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... (See Appendix V 19.) $2,000.00 2,000.00 EXAMINATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT, TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF RIVER AND HARBOR ACT APPROVED SEPTEMBER 19, 1891. The required preliminary examinations of the following localities were made by the local engineer in charge, Captain Willard, and reports thereon submitted through Col. C. B. Comstock, Corps of Engineers, Division Engineer, Southwest Division. It is the opinion of Captain Willard, 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. Cane River, Louisiana, with a view of improving the same by locks and dams for the purpose of giving permanent navigation the year round.— Printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 184. (See also Appendix V 20.) 2. Bayou Castor, Louisiana.-Printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 185. (See also Appendix V 21.) IMPROVEMENT OF ARKANSAS RIVER, ARKANSAS, INDIAN TERRITORY, AND KANSAS, AND OF CERTAIN RIVERS IN ARKANSAS AND MISSOURI. Officer in charge, Capt. H. S. Taber, Corps of Engineers; Division Engineer, Col. C. B. Comstock, Corps of Engineers. 1. Removing obstructions in Arkansas River, Arkansas, Indian Terri tory, and Kansas.-Prior to the first improvements in 1833 shifting sand bars, numerous drift piles, and dangerous snags constituted the obstacles to navigation in the lower reaches, and gravel and rock shoals, with a few snags and many overhanging trees, constituted those of the upper. Except for a few special reaches, like the Fort Smith and Pine Bluff, the general plan of improvement has consisted in snagging operations, including the cutting of overhanging trees, in building wing dams to improve the shoals, and in surveys looking towards plans for its permanent improvement. The appropriations to June 30, 1891, amount to $485,251.37. Of this sum there had been expended to June 30, 1890, $391,288.67. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, $9,330.43 were expended in snagging operations at or near low water. The unusually well maintained high water of this year has prevented very extensive operations. Two light-draft snag boats are required similar to the one now in use to take advantage of the low-water season. With $70,000 in hand July 1, 1892, an effective clearance of the Arkansas River could be secured. After that the two snag boats could be utilized as towboats upon the work of "Improving Arkansas River, Arkansas, Indian Territory, and Kansas," being used for snagging purposes whenever necessary. It would be advantageous and economical if in future the appropriations for snagging and for the permanent improvement of the river could be made under one head, and a specific sum set apart for snagging, if deemed best. July 1, 1890, balance unexpended..... June 30, 1891, amount expended during fiscal year.. July 1, 1891, balance unexpended July 1, 1891, balance available $1,674.89 20,000.00 21, 674.89 9, 330.43 12, 344. 46 1,227.55 11, 116.91 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30,1893 70,000.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix W 1.) 2. Arkansas River, Arkansas, Indian Territory, and Kansas.-Work during the past season has been carried on under three different acts of Congress. By the act approved August 5, 1886, $75,000 was appropriated, its distribution being indicated in the following words: Improving Arkansas River, Arkansas: Continuing improvement, $75,000, according to the plan and recommendations in Appendix V 13, Report of Chief of Engineers, 1885, pages 1601 to 1611, of which there are to he expended $,000 at Pine Bluff, $13,000 at Fort Smith, and $10,000 at Dardanelle or so much thereof under those sums, respectively, as may be necessary at those points. This appropriation, except a small sum out of the $10,000 for Dardanelle, was expended prior to June 30, 1890; at Dardanelle the $10,000 was to be expended in erecting a permeable dike above and opposite the town, in such a position as to remove the sand bar in front of the wharves. By act of August 11, 1888, the sum of $150,000 was appro priated for improvement of this river, under plan providing for the formation of a channel at least 200 feet wide and 6 feet deep at low water, from Little Rock to the Mississippi River; and the formation of a channel 2 feet deep at low water and from 200 to 800 feet wide from Fort Gibson to Arkansas City, as contemplated in the report of the Chief of Engineers for the year ending June 30, 1885, and in House Ex. Doc. No. 90, Forty-ninth Congress, first session, and authorized in the act approved August 5, 1886. By act approved September 19, 1890, the sum of $180,000 was appropriated, its distribution being indicated as follows: Improving Arkansas River, Arkansas, Indian Territory, and Kansas: Continuing improvement from Wichita, Kansas, to its mouth, one hundred and eighty thousand dollars. The approved projects for the expenditure of this sum may be summarized as follows: At Pine Bluff $8,000 is to be used in extending and repairing the dikes, for protection of the town front. At Van Buren $4,000, to be expended in erecting a permeable dike at a suitable point a little above the town and upon the opposite side of the river, to contract the channel and prevent it from leaving the city wharves. From Fort Gibson, Ind. T., to the mouth of the river, the balance to be expended in the erection of permeable dikes and in rock excavation at worst places, so far as the amount of the appropriation will permit, looking towards the permanent improvement of the river, to give a channel at least 6 feet deep and 200 feet wide from Little Rock to the mouth of the river, via White River Cut off, as provided under the act of August 5, 1886, and an all-year-round depth of water of at least 2 feet from Little Rock, Ark., to Fort Gibson, Ind. T. Before operations were begun at Dardanelle a bad bar had formed along the town front, cutting off all approach to either wharf at low water or at medium stage. At Pine Bluff, before improvement, a cutoff was threatened at one point, which would change the slope of the river from three-fourths of a foot to 4 feet per mile; at another point a bad bar interfered with navigation at low water; and in the sharp bend in front of the town the river was eroding the banks with a rapidity that threatened the town. (See Annual Report, Chief of Engineers, 1887, page 1515.) From Fort Gibson to the mouth of the river the river consists of alternating bars and caving banks, with crossings more or less troublesome at low water, a few of the latter operating to effectually close the river to navigation at extreme low water for even boats drawing but 2 feet of water. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, $2,116.60 was expended at Pine Bluff out of the 1888 appropriation, in conjunction with the 1890 appropriation, in extending Dike No. 2 and repairing Dikes 3 and 4. From Fort Gibson, Ind. T., to the mouth of the river, $94,201.01 has been expended. There were erected two dikes just above Fort Smith, each 400 feet long, and two dikes, 30 miles above Fort Smith, were well advanced towards completion. Five dikes, aggregating 3,057 feet in length, were erected below Pine Bluff. Ten new barges were built, and additions made to the machinery, and some work done at excavation at Moore's Rocks. July 1, 1890, balance unexpended.. Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890. $71,295. 42 180,000.00 251, 295, 42 94, 194. 61 157, 100.81 3,774.80 153, 326. 01 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... 3, 472, 479. 00 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 W 2.) 1,000,000.00 3. Fourche River, Arkansas.-The improvement of this stream was begun in 1879, under the act approved March 3, 1879. Prior to any improvement its channel was choked with snags, logs, and drift, and heavy timber overhung its banks. Several bad shoals also impeded navigation. Up to June 30, 1886, $21,000 had been expended in removing the greater part of the obstructions. By act approved August 5, 1886, $5,000 was appropriated for removing rock shoals, situated about 4 miles below Perryville. At the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1888, this sum had been expended, completing a channel about 500 yards long, 30 feet wide, and 2 feet deep, at low water through this shoal. By act approved September 19, 1890, $7,500 was appropriated. The approved project for its expenditure provides for the building and equipping of a hand-propelled snag boat, at a cost not to exceed $4,000, to be operated for 4 months at, or near, extreme low water, in removing accumulated obstructions, snags, logs, drift piles, land slides, and bowlders on Piney Shoals, $450 to be expended in making a cut through May Shoal, to provide for high and medium stage navigation. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, $2,448.70 was expended in building and equipping the hand-propelled snag boat Pioneer. After the boat was completed, high water prevented its use during the bal ance of the year. As early in the next fiscal year as the water will permit, the boat will be operated, removing logs, snags, and overhanging timber. The present appropriation will be sufficient to meet present needs of the river. Amount appropriated by act approved September 19,1890. July 1, 1891, balance unexpended.. July 1, 1891, balance available..... (See Appendix W 3.) $7,500.00 2, 448.70 5,051.30 330.28 4, 721.02 4. Petit Jean River, Arkansas.-Before improvement, this river was obstructed by snags, logs, masses of drift wood, overhanging trees, and shoals. The original project for improvement contemplated rendering it navigable, during high and medium stages of water, up to Danville, Ark., by cutting the overhanging trees and cutting up the snags, logs, and drift. Three thousand five hundred dollars was expended in the execution of this project to June 30, 1888. The appropriation made by act of August 11, 1888, was $2,500, and work was limited to the river below the bridge at Rocky Crossing. The new project provides for removing portions of the shoals known as Slaty Crossing and Robinson's Ridge, and certain timber from the low-water channel. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1890, no work was done, on account of continued high water rendering it impossible to begin the work with any certainty of completing it. The fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, was a favorable season for this work, and many obstretions to navigation were removed. The river still needs improvement, as contemplated in the original project, above the bridge at Rocky Crossing. July 1, 1890, balance unexpended.... June 30, 1891, amount expended during fiscal year. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project (See Appendix W 4.) $2,444.52 2, 444.52 3,500.00 3,500.00 5. White River, Arkansas.—Before improvement the channel of this river was choked with drift piles, logs, and snags, in its lower portion, and, from Batesville up, gravel bars, rocky shoals, channel bowlders, and overhanging trees impeded navigation. The original project consisted in snagging operations, blasting ledges and bowlders, and dam building to remove gravel bars or to close chutes. The first separate appropriation for this river was made by act approved July 5, 1884. Provision for a survey of the river from Forsyth, Mo., to its mouth, was added to the original project. At that date the river was in excellent navigable condition, for boats drawing not to exceed 3 feet of water, from its mouth to Newport, Ark. From Newport to Batesville there |