Page images
PDF
EPUB

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.

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

[blocks in formation]

$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 remov ing 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.
June 30, 1891, amount expended during fiscal year................

July 1, 1891, balance unexpended..
July 1, 1891, outstanding liabilities.

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 ...
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 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

were many troublesome snags, and from Batesville to Buffalo Shoals there were numerous bad shoals, rendering navigation very uncertain. From Buffalo Shoals to Forsyth, Mo., there were many fine reaches of river, but the depth of water on Buffalo Shoals, and others, prevented any navigation at ordinary stages of water; $77,010.85 had been expended up to June 30, 1890, and this completed the survey, plotted the notes, published the maps, effectively improved the most dangerous shoals between Buffalo Shoals, and removed the most dangerous snags from Buffalo Shoals to the mouth, partially erected a dike at Newport, and secured the material for the erection of dikes below Newport.

The present plan, based on the survey, provides for the maintenance, at low water, of a channel 2 feet deep between Newport and Buffalo Shoals, and a channel of not less than 5 feet deep, at low water, from Newport to the mouth, and also for a limited amount of snagging operations while these improvements are in progress.

The result between Newport and Buffalo Shoals is to be accomplished by the erection of solid wing dams and some rock excavation. From Newport to the mouth this result is to be accomplished by the erection of low, permeable spur dikes, to give the necessary depth of water on the shoals. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, $16,506.39 were expended in the work of improvement, beginning at a point known as Mount Olive, about 47 miles above Batesville, and extending to the town of Batesville, Ark., and in the completion of a spur-dike at Newport, Ark. Much relief has been afforded navigation.

July 1, 1890, balance unexpended

Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890.

June 30, 1891, amount expended during fiscal year

$1,532.26 30,000.00

31, 532. 26 16,505.85

15,026, 41

[blocks in formation]

1,525. 50

13,500.91

Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project

153,815.00

Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1893 153, 815.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and

harbor acts of 1866 and 1867.

(See Appendix W 5.)

6. Cache River, Arkansas.—The first appropriation made for this reach of river became available August 11, 1888. Prior to this time the river was choked with logs, snags, and overhanging trees, and several shoals interfered with low-water navigation. The project proposes the removal of these obstructions from the town of Riverside, Ark., to the mouth of the river. Up to June 30, 1890, $6,992.89. had been expended carrying out the project. The obstructions encountered were more formidable than was expected, and there are some 35 miles of river yet to be worked over.

During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, the small balance of $7.11 was expended in caring for the property and records. Three thousand dollars will be required to complete the project.

July 1, 1890, balance unexpended

Jane 30, 1891, amount expended during fiscal year.

$7.11

7.11

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 W 6.)

$3,000.00

3,000.00

7. Little Red River, Arkansas.-The only improvements ever attempted upon this river were made in 1872. Prior to this work many overhanging trees and a large number of snags interfered with navigation in the lower reaches, and many bowlders obstructed flatboat and raft navigation in the reach above the present town of Judsonia. Most of the overhanging trees and snags were removed as high as Judsonia, and the bowlders remained untouched to the end of June 30, 1886.

By acts of August 5, 1886, and August 11, 1888, $8,400 was appropriated for removing the bowlders above Judsonia and dredging a channel through the shoals 3 miles below. Of this sum $7,153.33 had been expended to June 30, 1890, removing the bowlders, building a dredge and barges, partial excavation of channel, and caring for property.

Under special project overhanging timber and a few logs and snags were removed between the towns of Judsonia and Heber, Ark., and above.

The present appropriation will complete the present project. July 1, 1890, balance unexpended..

Received by sale of dredge boat, as per letter of Chief of Engineers, dated August 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

(See Appendix W 7.)

$537.86

3,500.00

4,037. 6 2, 140.92

1,896.94 75.00

1,821.94

8. Black River, Arkansas and Missouri.-This river, before any improvements were made upon it, was practically closed to navigation by means of snags, logs, and overhanging trees, the snags and logs in many places forming shoals, and in other places rock and gravel shoals opposed to navigation. The original plan for improvement contemplated the removal of the obstructions and the improvement of the shoals by wing dams.

A few of the sloughs were to be closed up, so as to confine the water to the main channel. Up to June 30, 1890, $61,242.40 had been expended for this purpose, doing thorough work up to a few miles above the mouth of Current River, and from Poplar Bluff, Mo., to Corning, Ark., and just taking up the worst obstructions to get the snagboat through the balance of the distance. Much work was left undone between Poplar Bluff, Mo., and the Arkansas State line.

During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, $1,537.28 was expended in the necessary repairs to the plant and care of property, as there was no boat available for the work after the appropriation was made until the water became too high for effective work. Early in the next fiscal year work will be done between Corning, Ark., and the mouth of Current River. A single appropriation of $42,000 would effectively open up this river, which would need very little attention for its mainte

nance.

A new hull, to cost $8,000, will be required for the snagboat Henry Sheldon, belonging to this river. This is included in the estimate of $42,000.

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.

$5,000.00 1,537.28

3, 462.72 177.25

July 1, 1891, balance available....

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.

3,285.47

42,000.00 42,000. 00

(See Appendix W 8.)

9. Black River, Missouri.-The first improvements attempted upon this reach of river were made in the years of 1881 and 1882. Prior to this work its channel was choked with snags and logs and obstructed by overhanging trees, and in many places shoals interfered with its navigation at low water by any but very light draft boats. The orig inal plan for improvement contemplated the removal of the obstructions and the improvement of the shoals, the latter by wing dams. A few sloughs were to be closed up so as to confine the water to the main channel. Up to June 30, 1888, $6,000 had been expended, which had opened up about 20 miles of river from Poplar Bluff towards the mouth. Up to June 30, 1890, $7,000 more had been expended in removing overhauging trees that had fallen across the channel, and dangerous snags for medium stage navigation from Poplar Bluff, Mo., to the Arkansas State line.

By act approved September 19, 1890, $7,000 was appropriated. Dur ing the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, $3,914.21 was expended over the same reach, removing 406 dangerous snags, 23 piles of drift, and cutting 10,450 overhanging trees. High water prevented the expenditure of the balance, which will be duly applied to the carrying out of the project during the fiscal year. For further remarks, see report for "Improving Black River, Arkansas and Missouri."

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

July 1, 1891, balance unexpended

(See Appendix W 9.)

$7,000.00 3, 914. 21

3,085.79

10. St. Francis River, Arkansas.-Appropriations for this river have been made in connection with those for the White River. The first appropriation was made March 2, 1833, prior to which this river was choked with drift, logs, snags, and its waters spread out through a great variety of sloughs, while overhanging trees added to the difficulty of navigation. The originally adopted project was principally for snagging operations, and attempts have been made to close up some of the many sloughs.

On July 5, 1884, the first separate appropriation was made. From that time to June 30, 1890, $23,997.58 had been expended in carrying out the approved project. By act of September 19, 1890, $4,000 was appropriated. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, $2,501.52 have been expended in continuance of the work and in the care of plant. The river has remained too high since the return of the boat from Little River, Missouri, for effective operations.

The balance will be expended early in the next fiscal year, between the month of the river and the town of Marked Tree, in snagging oper ations.

« PreviousContinue »