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 July 1, 1891, balance unexpended July 1, 1891, balance available $1,532.26 30,000.00 31, 532.26 16,505.85 15,026, 41 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.) July 1, 1890, balance unexpended Jane 30, 1891, amount expended during fiscal year. 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. $7.11 7.11 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix W 6.) 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... June 30, 1891, amount expended during fiscal year..... July 1, 1891, balance unexpended... $3,000.00 3,000.00 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 July 1, 1891, balance unexpended.... July 1, 1891, balance available..... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... (See Appendix W 8.) $5,000.00 1,537.28 3, 462.72 177.25 3,285. 47 42,000.00 42,000.00 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 original 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 overhanging 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. During 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.. 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 mouth of the river and the town of Marked Tree, in snagging operations. Twenty-eight thousand dollars can profitably be expended on this river during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1893. 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 $2.42 4, 000, 00 4,002. 42 2,501.52 1,500.90 298. 10 1,302.80 28,000,00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... (See Appendix W 10.) 11. St. Francis River, Missouri.-The first appropriation made for this reach of river was that of act of August 11, 1888, in amount $5,000. Prior to the work done with this sum, logs, snags, overhanging trees, and several shoals interfered with low-water navigation. The estimate, $7,300, proposed the removal of the shoals about 12 miles below Greenville and the removal of snags and other obstructions. The amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888, was inadequate. Up to June 30, 1890, $5,000 had been expended cutting a channel through the Big Drift and carrying out the other provisions of the original project. By the act approved September 19, 1890, $10,500 was appropriated. The approved project for the expenditure of this sum differs from the original project only in the provision that a hand-propelled snag boat be built for use upon this reach and a short reach from St. Francis, Ark., to Kennett, Mo., which lies above the Sunk Lands. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, the snag boat was built and equipped. After it was completed, the water continued too high for effective operations until the close of the fiscal year. Early in the next fiscal year work will be continued. Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1899. July 1, 1891, balance unexpended...... July 1, 1891, outstanding liabilities July 1, 1891, balance available (See Appendix W 11.) $10,500,00 2, 642.68 7,857.32 120.00 7,737. 32 12. Little River, Missouri and Arkansas.-Before improvement this river was obstructed by snags, logs, masses of driftwood, and shoals, and was divided into two chutes. The project for improvement contemplates prolonging medium stage navigation by closing one of the chutes and removing the obstructions enumerated from the other. As stated in my last report, damage to the hull of the snag boat and long-continued overflow prevented very much work until near the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, the first appropriation ever made for this river being that of the act of August 11, 1888, amounting to $5,000. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, operations were vigorously carried on until August 23, when work was suspended on account of low water. This carried the work to within 20 miles of the foot of the lake, and built a dam 300 feet long across the right chute. By act approved September 19, 1890, $3,000 was appropriated. It will be early in the next fiscal year before a boat will be available for this work or the stage of water suitable. The balance on hand will be expended in accordance with the original project, and will be sufficient for the present demands. 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 (See Appendix W 12.) $2,897.59 3,000.00 5,897.59 2,865.69 3,031.90 EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEY FOR IMPROVEMENT, TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF RIVER AND HARBOR ACT APPROVED SEPTEMBER 19, 1890. The required preliminary examination of Current River, from Van Buren, Missouri, to its mouth, was made by the local engineer in charge, Captain Taber, and report thereon submitted through Col. C. B. Comstock, Corps of Engineers, Division Engineer, Southwest Division. It is the opinion of Captain Taber, and of the Division Engineer, based upon the facts and reasons given, that this locality is worthy of improvement. The report of the preliminary examination containing sufficient information to indicate to Congress the probable cost of the work required, no further survey appears to be necessary at this time. The improvement proposed contemplates removing snags and contracting the channel over the shoals by a system of wing dams, at an estimated cost of $10,000. The report was transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 157, Fifty-first Congress, second session. (See also Appendix W 13.) The required preliminary examination at Clarendon and the lower White River, Arkansas, to determine the effect of backwater from the Mississippi River and its cause and the means and cost of preventing injury therefrom, was made by the local engineer in charge, Captain Taber, and report thereon submitted through Col. C. B. Comstock, Corps of Engineers, Division Engineer, Southwest Division. It is the opinion of Captain Taber, 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, Captain Taber was charged with its survey, the report on which will be submitted when received. EXAMINATIONS OF MISSISSIPPI RIVER, AT MEMPHIS HARBOR, TENNESSEE; AND FROM LAKE COUNTY, TENNESSEE, TO FULTON COUNTY, KENTUCKY, NORTH AND WEST OF REELFOOT LAKE. Officer in charge, Capt. S. W. Roessler, Corps of Engineers. The preliminary examinations of the following localities, required by the river and harbor act approved September 19, 1890, were made by the local engineer in charge, and reports thereon submitted through Col. C. B. Comstock, Corps of Engineers, Division Engineer, Southwest Division. It is the opinion of Captain Roessler, based upon the facts and reasons given, that these localities are worthy of improvement; but Colonel Comstock, for reasons stated, does not consider them worthy of improvement. The views of Colonel Comstock being concurred in by me, no further surveys were ordered. ENG 91-17 |