(b) Above Nashville. The present project provides for the complete canalization of the river from Nashville to head of Smith Shoals, a distance of 337 miles. The project is based on an instrumental survey made in 1883, the estimates as approved covering the construction of thirty locks and dams, at an aggregate cost of $4,077,922, which esti mate is now revised and increased to $7,500,000 by the engineer officer in charge for the reason that locks of larger dimensions have been adopted than were originally estimated for. The amount expended on account of locks and dams, including outstanding indebtedness, to June 30, 1890, was $47,762.13, which sum was applied to payments for purchases of sites, construction of lock-keepers' house, work at Lock No. 1, and the contingencies pertaininging to operation under the new project. Fifty thousand dollars appropriated by act of July 5, 1884, had been expended in channel work, building wingdams, and the removal of surface obstructions. At Lock No. 1 the work of construction was carried on under contract during the first four months of the fiscal year, but in November high water caused a total suspension until May, when work was again resumed. A second contract was entered into October 17, 1890, for the completion of the lock masonry. The Board of Engineer Officers constituted for the consideration of the projected dam at Lock No. 1, having withdrawn their contingent approval of a bear-trap dam, submitted a recommendation for a fixed dam, which has been approved. A contract for building the abutment of this dam was entered into May 30, 1891. Provision will be made for building the dam as soon as the lock-work is sufficiently advanced. At Lock 2, the lock site was bought in 1889 and the site of the abutment of the dam was acquired by condemnation on May 2, 1891. Contract was entered into February 24, 1891, for the masonry of the lock, complete, including cofferdam and necessary excavation for foundation. The construction of the cofferdam was progressing at the close of the fiscal year. The amount expended, including outstanding indebtedness, during the fiscal year was $31,680.26. The United States snag boat Weitzel was employed in the channel since January, snagging, reducing sand bars, etc., by virtue of the act of September 19, 1890, providing for the expenditure upon such work "above Nashville" of $5,000 of the act of August 2, 1882, remaining in the Treasury to the credit of the appropriation for improving Cumberland River above mouth of the Jellico, Kentucky. Good work was done at more than seventy places between Burnside and Double Island, a distance of about 276 miles, and costing $4,189.98, including outstanding indebtedness. July 1, 1890, balance unexpended .... June 30, 1891, amount expended during fiscal year July 1, 1891, balance unexpended. July 1, 1891, outstanding liabilities.. July 1, 1891, amount covered by uncompleted contracts July 1, 1891, balance available................ $459.05 231,207.84 $229, 539.81 250,000.00 479, 539.81 31, 221. 21 448, 318. 60 231,666. 89 216, 651. 71 (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. (c) Above mouth of the Jellico, Kentucky.-In accordance with the provisions of the act of September 19, 1890, $3,374.46 of the appropriation of August 2, 1882, has been expended in the removal of snags and sand bars in the Cumberland River above Nashville. July 1, 1890, balance unexpended, and made available by act approved June 30, 1891, amount expended during fiscal year. July 1, 1891, balance unexpended.. $6,975, 000.00 1,000,000.00 July 1, 1891, balance available (See Appendix E E 5.) 6. Caney Fork River, Tennessee.-This stream, after a course of about 200 miles wholly in the State of Tennessee, empties into the Cumberland River at Carthage, Tenn., about 116 miles above Nashville, Tenn. It is one of the most important branches of the Cumberland River. Examinations were made in 1879 as high up as Sligo Ford, about 72 miles, and in 1886 it was extended 20 miles farther to Frank Ferry, the head of navigation. $5,000.00 3,374.46 The present project is to improve the river below Frank Ferry 92 miles, by removing drift and other surface obstructions, and in building the wing dams and training walls necessary to insure safe navigation for small steamboats and flatboats during the boating season, usually about 5 months in duration, from February to July. 1,625.54 815.52 10.02 The amount expended to June 30, 1890, including outstanding indebtedness, was $22,441.99, which was used in removing surface obstructions, in reducing sand and gravel bars, and in repairing and building dams. The channel from Sligo Ford to mouth of river has been greatly improved at a 3-foot stage above low water, especially at Trousdale Ferry and Chandler Island. July 1, 1890, balance unexpended Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890. In June work was carried on in the channel from Frank Ferry to Mine Lick Shoals, a distance of about 37 miles. Eight fish-trap dams, 49 snags, and 439 cubic yards of rock were removed, and 4,787 overhanging trees cut down. A dam 75 feet long was built at Darkey Eddy Islands. June 30, 1891, amount expended during fiscal year July 1, 1891, balance unexpended July 1, 1891, outstanding liabilities.... July 1, 1891, balance available Amount expended, including outstanding indebtedness during the fiscal year, was $930.50. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project...... (See Appendix E E 6.) $77.01 2,500.00 2,577.01 41.77 2,535.24 888.73 1,646.51 20, 228,00 20, 228.00 7. South Fork of Cumberland River, Kentucky.-This stream empties into the Cumberland River near Burnside, Ky., about 325 miles above Nashville. By an examination made in 1880 its upper waters were found to be so obstructed by immense sandstone bowlders as to render its improvement impracticable. For a distance of about 44 miles, from its mouth to Devil Jumps, however, it was considered practicable to improve the channel by deepening the water on the sand and gravel bars by the use of wing dams and the removal of surface obstructions. The present project provides for this improvement to an extent that will allow of safe navigation for flatboats and rafts at a 3-foot stage above low water. The amount expended to June 30, 1891, was $11,968.94, which has resulted in obtaining safer navigation for rafts, etc., for a distance of 16 miles above its mouth. No expenditures were made during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891. July 1, 1890, balance unexpended July 1, 1891, balance unexpended July 1, 1891, balance available ... Amonnt (estimated) required for completion of existing project $41.03 41.03 9.97 31.06 50, 803.00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30,1893 15,000.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and barbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix E E 7.) 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, Lieutenant-Colonel Barlow, and reports thereon submitted. It is the opinion of Lieutenant-Colonel Barlow, based upon the facts and reasons given that these localities are not worthy of improvement. This opinion 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. Little Pigeon River, Tennessee, from mouth to Sevierville.-Printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 159. (See also Appendix E E 8.) 2. Harbor of Smithland, Kentucky.-Printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 107. (See also Appendix E E 9.) The required preliminary examination of Obion River, Tennessee, from its mouth to the crossing of the Louisville and Memphis Railroad in Obion County, was made by the local engineer in charge, Lieutenant-Colonel Barlow, and report thereon submitted. It is the opinion of LieutenantColonel Barlow, based upon the facts and reasons given, that this locality is worthy of improvement. This opinion being concurred in by me, Lieutenant-Colonel Barlow was charged with and has completed its survey and submitted report thereon. The improvement proposed contemplates the formation of a navigable channel not less than 3 feet deep at the lowest stages, by clearing the river of obstructions and snags, constructing dams, etc.; the cost of the work is estimated at $50,000, including plant for snagging and pile-driving. (See Appendix EE 10.) IMPROVEMENT OF TENNESSEE RIVER BETWEEN CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE, AND FOOT OF BEE TREE SHOALS, ALABAMA. Officers in charge, Lieut. Col. J. W. Barlow, Corps of Engineers, to March 18, 1891, with Lieut. Geo. W. Goethals, Corps of Engineers, under his immédiate orders; and Lieut. Geo. W. Goethals, Corps of Engineers, since that date; Division Engineer, Col. C. B. Comstock, Corps of Engineers, since April 3, 1891. 1. Tennessee River between Chattanooga, Tennessee, and foot of Bee Tree Shoals, Alabama.-The original condition of the river from Chat tanooga to Brown's Ferry, when examined in 1867 and subsequently, was found to be obstructed by rock reefs, bars, bowlders, and projecting rocky points, permitting navigation from 6 to 9 months in the year. From Brown's Ferry to Florence it was not navigable except at unusually high water stages because of the Muscle Shoals obstructions. From Florence to Riverton, Colbert and Bee Tree Shoals limited navgation to about 6 months in the year. The present project consists in: (a) Removing obstructions by blasting and dredging in "The Suck" and at Bridgeport and Guntersville, Ala. (b) Building a canal 14.5 miles long, 70 to 120 feet wide, and 6 feet deep around the Big Muscle Shoals, having 9 locks, each 60 by 300 feet, and an aqueduct over Shoal Creek 900 feet long and 60 feet wide; constructing a canal 1.5 miles long with 2 locks around Elk River Shoals. (c) Blasting a channel through bed rock and building wing dams at Little Muscle Shoals; as modified in 1890, the project contemplates the building of a canal along the south bank, 3 miles long, with 2 locks. (d) Constructing a canal 7.8 miles long, 150 feet wide and 7 feet deep, around Colbert and Bee Tree Shoals, with a combined lock at lower end and guard lock at the head; size of locks, 80 by 350 feet. The total amount expended to June 30, 1890, including outstanding liabilities, was $3,180,876.99, and has resulted in the improvement of the river as follows: Navigation was made easier through the "Suck" and "Pan" by removal of bowlders, detached rock, overhanging trees, and projecting rocky points. At Elk River Shoals and Big Muscle Shoals the locks, gates, valves, and machinery for properly operating them were com pleted, the aqueduct and permanent stone dams finished, the canal trunk nearly in condition to permit its use for navigation. At Little Muscle Shoals the channel was excavated and the wing dams built as originally projected. At Colbert and Bee Tree Shoals an increased depth was obtained by channel excavation and building stone dams to contract water-way. The amount expended during the fiscal year, including outstanding liabilities, was $176,662.35, for which the following work was done: At the "Suck."-A survey party was organized, the necessary instruments and outfit purchased, and the field work begun. At Elk River Shoals.-The construction of a drift sluice in the longitudinal dam above Lock A, to be operated by the Parker automatic gate, was begun and is well under way; a portion of the dam was raised to the level of the lock walls. At Lock A the hydraulic machinery was slightly modified, the filling behind both walls completed, and an office built. Below Lock B the channel was deepened and straightened by dredging and removing bowlders from Gilchrist Chute and Nance's Reef. Land was purchased at both locks as sites for lock-keepers' houses. At Big Muscle Shoals.-The dam across Second Creek was extended 30 feet and another span added to the bridge. Trussed fenders were built on both sides of the aqueduct along its entire length. The canal below Lock 7 was widened 30 feet by blasting off a projecting bluff; the stone thus obtained was used to strengthen and tighten the embankment between Locks 7 and 8. The timber revetment at Lock 8 was completed. The cast-iron miter gears on the shafts of the drop gates were replaced by new ones of cast steel. About 9,000 cubic yards of sediment was removed from various levels, reducing them to proper grade. The railway along the towpath was rebuilt for a distance of 9.5 miles, and two new locomotives purchased. Seven thousand three hundred and thirty-six cubic yards of riprap stone was quarried at Lock 4 for paving the inner slope of the canal embankment. Land for lock-keepers' houses was purchased at Locks 3, 4, and 6. The house for assistant engineer at Lock 6 was practically finished, and foundations for three lock-keepers' houses were completed or under way. A contract was made for a Bucyrus dredge for use in the canal. Having completed the necessary repairs and detailed work required to operate it, the Muscle Shoals Canal was opened to navigation on November 10, 1890. At Little Muscle Shoals.-Plans and estimates for the radical improvement of this portion of the river were submitted to a Board of Engineer officers in October, 1890, and on their recommendation the project was modified as given above. At Colbert and Bee Tree Shoals.-The project for the lateral canal, as recommended by a Board of Engineer officers, was approved, and the survey for location of the proposed canal was begun; 4.5 miles of the line were finished, including borings and examinations of rock for lock foundations. The money statement for this work is consolidated with that for Tennessee River below Bee Tree Shoals, page 279, so as to embrace the entire reach of the river below Chattanooga, as follows: Tennessee River below Chattanooga. 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, amount covered by uncompleted contracts .... $17,369.91 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 aud harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix F F 1.) $35, 501.30 3.91 475,000.00 510, 505. 21 160, 619.65 349,885, 56 44, 955. 51 304, 930. 05 5,565, 762.00 2, 155, 000, 00 2. Operating and care of Muscle Shoals Canal, Tennessee River.-The canal was opened November 10, 1890, and has since been in regular use. The number of steamboats, barges, and miscellaneous craft, exclusive of Government boats engaged on the work, that passed through from the time of opening to the end of the fiscal year was 52, |