depth of water of at least 2 feet from Little Rock, Ark., to Fort Gibson, Ind. T. Before operations were begun at Fort Smith the old jetty at that place, built in 1877 and 1878, had so far disappeared as to render no service, and the river was about to throw a bar along the wharves of the town. 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. 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, 1889, $6,044.09 has been expended at Pine Bluff in the erection of a new dike and repairing one of the light ones. At Dardanelle $2,944.62 was expended erecting 200 additional feet of dike. So far the results obtained have been in every way satisfactory. At Van Buren, Ark., $3,432.47 was expended in erecting a permeable spur-dike, above and opposite the town, for the purpose of deepening the channel next to the wharf. From Fort Gibson, Ind. T., to the mouth $23,513.95 has been expended according to projects. This erected one dike and repaired another above the Baring Cross Bridge with very successful results in bringing the channel of the river back to the draw-span. It also erected two dikes below the Little Rock and Fort Smith Railway Bridge at Little Rock, accumulated material, and prepared plant. Continued low water prevented an early examination of the river, delaying projects. Everything is in readiness to push the work during the next low-water season. The results from the general work have been satisfactory wherever the dikes have been erected a sufficient time to produce results. The work done at White Bluff and Eagle Bend in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1888, is in every way a success. It has been difficult to work advantageously with so small an appropriation. If prompt economical results are expected at least $250,000 should be made available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, and it will require according to this plan $3,651,479 to complete the improve ment. July 1, 1888, amount available.... Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888 $10, 009. 54 150,000.00 July 1, 1889, outstanding liabilities.... July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888 July 1, 1889, balance available..... 37, 713.72 122,295.82 3,651,479.00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... (See Appendix X 4.) 5. Petit Jean River, Arkansas.-Before improvement this river was obstructed by snags, logs, masses of driftwood, overhanging trees, and shoals. The original project for improvement contemplated rendering it navigable during high and medium stages of water, as high as Danville, Ark., by cutting the overhanging trees and cutting up the snags, logs, and drift; $8,500 were expended in the execution of this to June 30, 1888. The appropriation made by act approved August 11, 1888, amounts to $2,500 and limits the work to below the bridge at Rocky Crossing. The new project for this 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, 1889, no work was done because of the near approach and the continuance of high water, rendering it more advantageous to wait until about September 1, 1889. The recommendation for the balance required on the original project, $3,500, is renewed. Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888.. July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888... $2,500.00 49.48 July 1, 1889, balance available...... 2,450.52 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... 3,500.00 3,500.00 (See Appendix X 5.) 6. 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, though the shoals and now and then a snag that has washed in since work was suspended in December in 1882, still offer serious obstacles to navigation at medium stages of water. 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. As no appropriation was made by the act of August 11, 1888, no work was done during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project. (See Appendix X 6.) $7,650.00 7,500.00 7. White River, Arkansas.-Prior to improvement 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 originally adopted project consisted in snagging operations and blasting of 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 ap. proved July 5, 1884. Provision for a survey of the river from Forysthe, Mo., to its mouth, was added to the original project. At that time 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 Forsythe, 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. Up to June 30, 1888, $51,359.65 had been expended. This completed the survey, plotted the notes, published the maps, effectively improved the most dangerous shoals between Buffalo Shoals and Batesville, removed the more dangerous snags from Batesville to the mouth, and left a small balance, $1,652.35. It was deemed advisable to reserve this small balance, as it could be used more effectively for permanent improvement. By the act of August 11, 1888, $25,000 was appropriated; $58,000 was specified as the sum which could be properly expended the first fiscal year. The present plan 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 wingdams and some rock excavations. From Newport to the mouth is to be accomplished by the erection of low permeable spur-dikes to give the necessary depth of water to the shoals, yet not to remove the shoals to a point below, or to cave the opposite banks. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, $10,066.12 was expended in the construction and equipment of six barges, a floating pile-driver, repairs to the quarter-boat, care of property, and snagging operations between Batesville and the mouth. The season at which low water occurs precluded any additional work advantageously and economically. Everything is in order to begin work when next low-water season ar rives. Great commercial interests due to inexhaustible mineral resources are concentrated upon the immediate improvement of this river. The improvements will be of a very permanent character. To save all expense of caring for plant and repairing the same during the interval of two or more appropriations, it would be more economical and advantageous to make all the balance available in one season. At least $60,000 should be made available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891. July 1, 1888, amount available.... $1,652.35 Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888... 25,000.00 26,652. 35 July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888. July 1, 1889, outstanding liabilities.. $10, 066. 12 10,394.45 July 1, 1889, balance available 16, 257.90 Amount estimated) required for completion of existing project....... 83, 815.00 8,000.00 60,000.00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1891 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix X 7.) 8. Cache River, Arkansas.-The appropriation available is the first ever made for this reach of river. Prior to the work its channel was choked with logs and snags, overhanging trees interfered with the smokestacks of steamers, and several shoals obstructed the low-water navigation. The present project proposes the removal of the logs, snags, and overhanging trees, from the town of Riverside, Ark., to the mouth of the river. This operation will incidently improve the shoals, as they are caused in the majority of cases by an accumulation of logs. Seven thousand dollars was the amount appropriated, $3,000 for the construction of a snag-boat, $4,000 for its operating expenses. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, $3,970.06 was expended building the snag-boat Riverside, equipping the same, and carrying out the provisions of the project. Continuous low-water season beginning late in the fiscal year, little time was had for removing obstructions. Work done being within the estimate, it is expected that the work required will be completed with the present appropriation. Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888 July 1, 1859, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888.. Jaly 1, 1889, outstanding liabilities.. July 1, 1889, balance available... (See Appendix X 8.) $7,000,00 $3,970.06 4,378.70 2,621.30 9. Black River, Arkansas and Missouri.-Before any improvements were made upon this river its channel was choked with logs and snags, and obstructed by overhanging trees, and in many places shoals interferred with its navigation at low water by any but very light-draught boats. The original plan for its 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 so as to confine the water to the main channel. Up to June 20, 1888, $56,242.40 had been expended for these purposes, and good progress made toward connecting with some detached work near Poplar Bluff, Mo., i. e., only 60 miles of unworked river intervenes. By act of August 11, 1888, $5,000 was appropriated. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, $2,121.19 was expended in carrying out the original project. The stage of water being too high for effective work, the balance is held for the next low-water season, which occurs in July and August. It is hoped that this balance with that for improving Black River, Missouri, will open in a general way the reach specified. Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888.......... July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888 July 1, 1889, balance available...... $5,000.00 2, 121. 19 2, 878.81 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project, annually (See Appendix X 9.) 8,000.00 8,000,00 10. Black River, Missouri.-The first improvements attempted upon this reach of river were made in the years 1881 and 1882. Prior to this work its channel was choked with logs and snag, and obstructed by overhanging trees, and in many places shoals interfered with its navigation at low water by any but very light-draught boats. The original plan for its 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. Owing to the difficulty in getting suitable appliances up to this reach, it was carried on under great disadvantages. During fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, the snag-boat Henry Sheldon (specially constructed for use on this river) was worked to Poplar Bluff from below and operated from there down the river, expending $6,562.30, rapidly and effectively clearing the reach worked of obstructions, erecting a strong dam (at the head of Dan River, a chute of the Black River), raising the water in the other chute, and carrying the work to the Arkansas State line, removing the greater part of the dangerous snags and making a good beginning upon overhanging timber. Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888.......... July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888. July 1, 1889, outstanding liabilities.. July 1, 1889, balance available...... Amount (estimated) required annually $7,000.00 $6,562.30 6,800.80 199.20 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix X 10.) 8,000.00 11. St. Francis River, Arkansas.-The first appropriation was made March 2, 1833, prior to which this river was choked with drift-piles, 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. Appropriations for this river having been united with the White River, exactly how much had been expended upon the St. Francis River to June 30, 1884, can not well be stated. July 5, 1884, the first separate appropriation was made, amounting to $12,000. August 5, 1886, $8,000 more followed. By act of August 11, 1888, $4,000 was appropriated. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, $1,888.77 has been expended in the continuance of the original project. July 1, 1888, amount available.. Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888 July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888.... July 1, 1889, balance available.... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project, annually (See Appendix X 11.) $3.38 4,000.00 4,003. 38 1,888.77 2, 114.61 8,000.00 8,000.00 12. St. Francis River, Missouri.-The appropriation available is the first ever made for this reach of river. Prior to the work done in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, its channel was choked with logs and snags; overhanging trees interfered with smoke-stacks, and several |