The project for improvement, adopted in 1879, contemplated building 16,700 feet of diking to form a tidal basin, which, by filling and discharging through the main channel, would maintain a channel depth of 6 feet or more at mean low water after once dredging; the bottom is soft mud. The estimated cost of this work was $173,500. A modification of the project, made in 1888, omits part of the diking. The present length of the dike is 4,663 feet; it is not proposed to extend it further. The total amount appropriated for this improvement is $105,000. During the past fiscal year the dike has been partly filled with riprap, and a contract has been made for dredging, to begin early in the ensu ing year. Further appropriations will be applied to dredging to widen and maintain the channel. July 1, 1890, balance unexpended.......... Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... (See Appendix D 26.) $2, 143. 41 20,000.00 22, 143. 41 6,643.39 15, 500. 02 112. 10 15, 387.92 68,500.00 35,000.00 27. Patchogue River, New York.-This is a shallow tidal inlet extending about a mile northward from the shore of Great South Bay, Long Island, to the village of Patchogue. The natural depth in the stream and over a bar at the mouth was from 2 to 3 feet at mean low water, and the rise of tide is about 1 foot. In 1880, and again in 1886, examinations were made by order of Congress, and subsequently a project was adopted for making a channel 6 feet deep at mean low water and 60 feet wide up to the village wharves, to be protected at the mouth by a jetty on the west side, at an esti mated cost of $40,000. Fifteen thousand dollars has been appropriated for work under this project. About 150 feet of the jetty has been constructed under a contract in progress and the available balance of the appropriation will be applied to dredging during the current year. Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890. July 1, 1891, balance unexpended $15,000.00 156. 18 14, 843. 82 July 1, 1891, outstanding liabilities July 1, 1891, amount covered by uncompleted contracts. $1,385.00 8, 525.00 July 1, 1891, balance available Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project (See Appendix D 27.) 28. Brown's Creek, Sayville, New York.-This is a narrow stream, extending northward from Great South Bay to the Sayville highway bridge, above which it is wholly a fresh water creek. The natural depth in the creek is from 1 to 3 feet at low tide, and on a bar at the mouth it is less than 1 foot. A survey was made by order of Congress in 1889, and a project was adopted for making the creek 100 feet wide and 4 feet deep at mean low water, the entrance channel to be protected by riprap jetties on either side, at a total estimated cost of $46,000. Twelve thousand dollars has been appropriated for work under this project, and under an existing contract the shore ends of the jetties will be built this season, after which the available funds will be applied to deepening the entrance channel. Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890. July 1, 1891, balance unexpended July 1, 1891, amount covered by uncompleted contracts.. July 1, 1891, balance available Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... (See Appendix D 28.) $12,000.00 70.84 11,929. 16 5,600.00 6, 329. 16 34,000.00 20,000.00 EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENT, TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF RIVER AND HARBOR ACT APPROVED SEPTEMBER 19, 1890. The required preliminary examination of Stony Creek River at Stony Creek, Connecticut, was made by the local engineer in charge, Colonel Houston, and report thereon submitted. It is the opinion of Colonel Houston, based upon the facts and reasons given, that this locality is not worthy of improvement. This opinion being concurred in by me, no further survey was ordered. The report was transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 124, Fifty-first Congress, second session. (See also Appendix D 29.) The required preliminary examinations of the following localities were made by the local engineer in charge, Colonel Houston, and reports thereon submitted. It is the opinion of Colonel Houston, based upon the facts and reasons given, that these localities are worthy of improvement. The reports of the preliminary examinations containing sufficient information to indicate to Congress the probable cost of the work required, no further surveys appear to be necessary at this time. 1. Shaw's Cove, New London Harbor, Connecticut.-The improvement asked for is a channel 100 feet wide and 12 feet deep at mean low water, extending from the drawbridge along the north and west side of the cove a total length of about 2,000 feet; and an anchorage basin in the bend of the channel of the same depth and about 400 by 800 feet. The estimated cost of this work is $48,000. Report transmitted to Congress, and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 73, Fifty-first Congress, second session. (See also Appendix D 30.) 2. Connecticut River, Connecticut, from Long Island Sound to Hartford, with a view to such improvement as will keep the channel from shifting its course at certain places.—Colonel Houston states that in his opinion Connecticut River from Long Island Sound to Hartford is worthy of improvement. The estimates for work required were submitted in annual report on Connecticut River for fiscal year ending June 30, 1890, and are as follows: Annual cost of maintaining channel from Hartford to Long Island Sound by dredging... 10,000 Report transmitted to Congress, and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 86, Fifty-first Congress, second session. (See also Appendix D 31.) 3. Connecticut River, Connecticut, below Hartford.-The report on this locality is included in that for Connecticut River from Long Island Sound to Hartford. Printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 86, Fifty-first Congress, second session. (See also Appendix D 31.) 4. Saugatuck River, Connecticut.-The following estimates for improvement are submitted: 1. For improvement of the natural channel: a. To secure a width of 100 feet and depth of 6 feet... Annual cost of maintenance.... b. To secure a width of 60 feet and depth of 4 feet. 2. For enlarging the canal (or short cut) to make a channel 100 feet wide and 5 feet deep.... Annual cost of maintenance. $40,000 2,000 10,000 21,000 2,500 In the opinion of Colonel Houston the improvement of the natural channel should precede any work on the canal or short cut. Report transmitted to Congress, and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 179, Fiftyfirst Congress, second session. (See also Appendix D 32.) 5. Mattituck Bay, Suffolk County, New York, for breakwater.—The improvement proposed contemplates construction of parallel jetties 400 feet apart at the entrance of the bay, extending to the 9-foot curve in Long Island Sound; and formation of a channel 7 feet deep at low tide. up to the tide mill and 7 feet deep at high water thence to Mattituck, and 100 feet wide at the entrance and 80 feet wide from there up. The cost of the work is estimated at $83,000. (See Appendix D 33.) The required preliminary examinations of the following localities were made by the local engineer in charge, Colonel Houston, and reports thereon submitted. It is the opinion of Colonel Houston, based upon the facts and reasons given, that these localities are worthy of improvement. This opinion being concurred in by me, Colonel Houston was charged with and has completed their survey and submitted reports thereon. 1. Stamford Harbor, Stamford, Connecticut.-The improvement proposed contemplates enlarging the channel heretofore improved by the United States to a width of 150 feet and depth of 7 feet at mean low water, and dredging out the basin at the head of the harbor to the established harbor lines and to a depth of 7 feet. The estimated cost of this work is as follows: Dredging channel 150 feet wide and 7 feet deep Total...... $46,000 49,000 95,000 In addition it is desired that the outer harbor be protected by the construction of a breakwater extending about 1,800 feet southwesterly from Shippan Point, at an estimated cost of $77,000; this would shelter from easterly storms an anchorage of about 50 acres area with 12 feet depth at mean low water. Colonel Houston states The dredging in the upper harbor is the more urgently needed and should be the first improvement undertaken. (See Appendix D 34.) 2. Cos Cob or Miamus River, Connecticut.-The improvement proposed contemplates the formation of a low-water channel 8 feet deep and 150 feet wide up to the railroad bridge, and 100 feet wide from the bridge to Miamus, at an estimated cost of $36,000. (See Appendix D 35.) 3. Peconic River, Suffolk County, New York.-The following plan and estimate for improvement are presented: For channel 75 feet wide and 6 feet deep at mean low water up to the head For turning basin in Merritt Bay, 250 feet by 400 feet and 6 feet deep... To extend the channel 2,000 feet above Merritt Bay, with a width of 75 feet for the first 1,000 feet and of 50 feet for the remainder.... Contingencies, etc (See Appendix D 36.) $22,500.00 5, 100.00 3,400.00 31,000.00 11, 100.00 1,900.00 44,000.00 4. Sag Harbor, Suffolk County, New York, for breakwater.—The improvement proposed, with a view to the protection from northeast storms, of the water front where the wharves are located, contemplates the construction of a riprap breakwater, with a height of 8 feet above mean low water, top width of 5 feet, side slopes of 1 on 1, and total length of 3,180 feet, extending from Conklins Point north by west about 1,330 feet, and thence nearly northwest 1,850 feet to the 9-foot curve; the estimated cost of this breakwater is $71,000. (See Appendix D 37.) IMPROVEMENT OF HUDSON RIVER; OF HARBORS AT SAUGERTIES AND RONDOUT, AND WAPPINGER'S CREEK; OF NEW YORK HARBOR AND RIVERS IN ITS VICINITY, NEW YORK; AND OF RARITAN BAY, NEW JERSEY. Officer in charge, Lieut. Col. G. L. Gillespie, Corps of Engineers, with Lieut. Harry Taylor, Corps of Engineers, under his immediate orders. 1. Hudson River, New York.-The improvement of this river has been restricted by the wording of the appropriation acts to that part of it lying between Troy, at the head of navigation, 6 miles above Albany, and New Baltimore, about 14 miles below Albany. Before the improvement was begun, the navigable depth in the channel between New Baltimore and Albany was 74 feet at mean low water; between Albany and Troy, 4 feet. The plan of improvement adopted in 1867 proposed making the navigable depth between New Baltimore and Albany 11 feet, and between Albany and Troy 9 feet. This was to be accomplished by the construction of longitudinal dikes to direct the currents, and by dredging. The estimated cost of making this improvement, prepared in 1882, subject to be increased annually, was $1,078,304. In 1889 the estimated cost was $1,424,435. ENG 91-6 The amount expended to June 30, 1890, inclusive of outstanding liabilities, was $1,074,485.69, of which sum a large part has, however, from the necessity of the case, been applied partly to the repair of decaying dikes. At that date the dikes provided for in the project of improvement, so far as built, have resulted in securing a channel depth of 10 feet nearly all the way from New Baltimore to Albany, and of 8 feet nearly all the way from Albany to Troy. The shoal spots make the navigable depths on those parts of the river 93 feet and 75 feet respectively. The amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, inclusive of outstanding liabilities, was $96,172.36, and was applied to the repair of the dikes; to the construction of new dikes; to dredging at Fish House, Bogart Light, Winnies, and Washington Bars; and to the removal of Dittingers Rock, opposite Van Wies Point. In compliance with the provisions of the river and harbor act approved September 19, 1890, a Board of Engineers, consisting of Lieut. Col. G. L. Gillespie, Maj. Amos Stickney, and Maj. C. W. Raymond, Corps of Engineers, was constituted by the Secretary of War to examine the obstructions to navigation in Hudson River, and submit project and estimate for its improvement. The report of the Board will be submitted when received. 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 $11, 023.84 July 1, 1891, balance available..... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project. (See Appendix E 1.) $63, 491.23 150,000.00 213, 491, 23 85,148, 52 128, 342. 71 70, 703. 62 57,639.09 145,000.00 145,000. 00 2. Harbor at Saugerties, New York.-This harbor is formed by the mouth of Esopus Creek, which empties into the Hudson River, on the west bank, about 100 miles above New York City. The bar at the entrance at the time of original examination, made in November, 1883, with the view of preparing estimates for improvement, had a navigable depth of 3 feet only at mean low water, and the distance between the 6-foot curves across it was 1,100 feet. The harbor could therefore be entered only at high water even by the smallest class of vessels. The plan of improvement which was adopted in 1887 provided for securing a depth of 8 feet, mean low water, from the entrance to the head of navigation, 13 miles, by the construction of two parallel dikes, each 2,300 feet long, 260 feet apart on the inside, and 280 feet apart on the outside, and by dredging, if found necessary, 30,000 cubic yards of material from the channel between the dikes. The estimated cost of the improvement was $52,000; the amount expended upon the project up to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1890, inclusive of outstanding liabilities, was $31,278.07. At that date the South Dike had been completed, and its length by actual |