be made, which will permit navigation at higher stages. So far as is contemplated for the present, the first part of the project is completed. The principal work done during the year was excavation in the lockpit and foundation for the masonry of the lower gates, which was practically finished; also excavation in the lower tail bay, cutting granite and basaltic dimension stones for this masonry, and laying up the dry stone side-walls of the lower tail bay. The amount appropriated for this work is $1,442,500, of which sum $1,361,987.66 has been expended, including amounts covered by existing contracts, leaving at the end of the present fiscal year $80,512.33 available for the further prosecution of the work. With this it is proposed to continue the cutting of the stones for the masonry of the lower gates and to commence at once the construction of this masonry now that the foundation is prepared. The construction of the lower bay sidewalls will be continued. The construction of the masonry of the lower gates will be pushed forward as rapidly as practicable and as available funds will permit, with the view to placing against this a temporary bulkhead, which will keep river-water out of the lock-pit to a higher stage than the present arrangement admits of, in that advantage can be taken of a longer and better season for carrying on the work. The amount now available will be practically exhausted in these operations about the end of November next. In order that the work may be economically continued and the time hastened when some return can be had for the large amount of money already expended on this project, and to avoid the expense which is a necessary incident to every suspension of operations, additional funds should be made available at the earliest practicable moment. July 1, 1888, amount available.... Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1-88. July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 188.. July 1, 1889, amount covered by existing contracts. July 1, 1889, balance available..... $2,347.59 300, 000, 00 302, 347.59 $200, 555. 38 221, 835. 26 80,512.33 (Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project...... 1,250,000. 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 T T 2.) 700, 000, 00 3. Chehalis River, Washington Territory.--The project for the improvement of this river consists in removing logs, snags, and other obstructions from its bed and banks, so as to provide a navigable channel-way during its medium and higher stages for steam-boats from Claquato to its mouth in Gray's Harbor. This distance is between 80 and 100 miles. Montesano, 12 miles from its mouth, is the head of coasting navigation. Eighteen feet at high water can be carried to this point. The head of tide-water is at Elma, 16 miles above Montesano. Between these points navigation is obstructed by snags and fallen trees, by the removal of which a good all-the-year-round channel can be provided from Elma to the mouth. Above Elma the river is practically blockaded during the summer and fall by snags, shoals, and principally a want of water. At this time the river bed is a succession of shoals and pools; the depth of water on many of the shoals is reported to be but from 6 to 12 inches. No attempt has been made to improve these shoals. A light-draught vessel with crew was hired for this work last fall and operated about two weeks between Elma and the mouth of the river. Rains set in, the river rose, and work had to be discontinued. Since that time the water has not fallen to a good snagging stage. Sixty snags and five overhanging trees were removed. The work will be resumed early this fall, and continued until the small balance of the appropriation is exhausted. The amount appropriated for this work is $10,000, of which $8,667.14 has been expended. It is estimated that $3,000 could be profitably expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891. 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..... $39.17 2,000.00 2,039. 17 706.31 1,332.86 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 T T 3.) 3,000.00 4. Skagit, Steilaquamish, Nootsack, Snohomish, and Snoqualmie rivers, Washington Territory. The project for the improvement of these rivers contemplates the removal of logs, snags, trees, and other obstructions to their navigation. There is provided for this purpose a snag-boat, with an outfit of tools and appliances, which passes from one river to the other, doing service in each as far as the necessities of commerce require and the funds appropriated will admit. The aggregate navigable length of the rivers is about 250 miles. During the year 1,527 snags and 449 overhanging trees were removed. A cabin was placed upon the boat for the better accommodation of the crew, the capstan machinery was overhauled and put in order, and sundry needed articles of outfit supplied. The boat was in service from October 1, 1888, to May 10, 1889. At this latter date the funds avail able for snagging operations being practically exhausted, the boat was laid up in ordinary in charge of a watchman. Fifty-seven thousand five hundred dollars have been appropriated for the improvement of these rivers. July 1, 1888, amount available.... $101.33 Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888. 15,000.00 15,101.33 July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888.... 10,983.43 July 1, 1889, balance available........ 4, 117.90 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1891 12, 000. 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix T T 4.) 5. Gauging waters of the Columbia River, Oregon.-The object of these gaugings is to ascertain and keep a record of the fluctuations of the Columbia River with the view to gathering information that may be useful in works of improvement on the river, and also by gauges es tablished at various points to indicate to pilots, captains, and those interested in navigation, the stage of water on crossings and places of difficult navigation. On the 1st of November the automatic self-registering tide-gauge was re established in Astoria, Oregon; since that time it has been continually in operation. Daily sheets are exhibited on a bulletin board in Astoria which indicate to pilots and others interested in the condition of the bar at the mouth of the Columbia River the stage of water and the degree of roughness on the bar. These are of great service to commerce. Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888. July 1, 1889, amonnt expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888............ July 1, 1889, balance available..... 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 186€ and 1867. (See Appendix T T 5.) $2,500.00 414.83 2,085. 17 2,000.00 IMPROVEMENT OF COLUMBIA AND WILLAMETTE RIVERS BELOW PORTLAND, OREGON; OF UPPER WILLAMETIE, UPPER COLUMBIA, AND SNAKE, AND COWLITZ RIVERS, OREGON AND WASHINGTON TERRITORY. Officer in charge, Maj. W. A. Jones, Corps of Engineers; Division Engineer, Col. G. H. Mendell, Corps of Engineers. These works were in temporary charge of Capt. Williard Young, Corps of Engineers, from June 20, 1888, to September 11, 1888, inclusive. 1. Columbia and Lower Willamette rivers below Portland, Oregon.The project for this improvement was adopted in 1877, and modified subsequently, the object being to afford a ship-channel of 20 feet depth at low water by contraction and shore protection works at four bars between Portland and Columbia City, Oregon; by temporary improvement at the bars during construction of the works; by temporary improvement at three shoal places below Columbia City, and by snagging operations. The natural depth of the channel at the shoalest places was about 9 feet, and on six other bars it was from 10 to 15 feet at low water. The amount expended on the project to June 30, 1889, was $511,132.23, and has resulted in maintaining a channel depth of successively 17, 18, and 19 feet at low water from Astoria over the whole reach of 100 miles. Operations during the year consisted of extensive repairs to plant and constructions; the construction of 1,026 feet of extension of the jetty at St. Helen's Bar; the closing of Burkes and Martins Island Sloughs by permanent dams; dredging operations at Swan Island Bar and Skamokawa Bar; the survey of all the bars below Portland, and the preparation of plans for their improvement. The amount asked for the next fiscal year is for continuing the proj ect. July 1, 1888, amount available.... Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888. July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of $1,714.59 100, 000, 00 101, 714.9 $63, 234. 25 857.00 64, 091.25 37, 623, 34 $325,000,00 (Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project......... Amoant that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1891 200,000.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix U U 1.) 2. Willamette River, above Portland, Oregon.-The project for this improvement was adopted in 1878, and extended in later years. The object is to maintain and afford an easy, light-draught navigation from Portland to Eugene City, Oregon, and in 12 miles of tributaries, making in all a distance of 184 miles. The work consists in snagging operations, bar scraping, and for the reach between Willamette Falls and Corvallis, in the contraction of water-way by low cut-off dams, and rock removal. The mouth of the Yamhill, 28 miles above the falls, was the head of an inconvenient low-water navigation in a draught of 24 feet. Only 1 foot could be carried above. Total appropriation to date is $113,000; amount expended, $108,963.52. The operations for the year consisted of snagging operations and wing-dam construction with the snag-boat Corvallis, assisted by the snag boat Willamette, and construction of revetment at threatened cutoff near Corvallis, Oregon, and surveys. The amount asked for is to be applied for snagging, bar scraping, wing dam construction, rock removal, and surveys. July 1, 1888, amount available Amount appropiated 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 that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1891 22,000.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix U U 2.) 3. Upper Columbia and Snake rivers, Oregon and Washington Territory. The plan for this improvement adopted in 1877 consists of rock removal at a number of very swift rapids, to give channel depths at low water of 5 feet on the Columbia, and 43 feet on the Snake, a river length of 266 miles between Celilo on the Columbia and Lewiston on the Snake. The natural channel was narrow, tortuous, and dangerous, with many very difficult rapids. The amount appropriated to date is $131,000. The amount expended to date is $130,094.62, and has resulted in improvement in many localities. The operations during the year consisted of rock removal at various points. It is proposed with the appropriation asked for to continue the work. 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 $10,000.00 $8,704.39 9,094.62 905.38 $16,000.00 Amount required for completion of existing project..... (See Appendix U U 3.) 4. Cowlitz River, Washington Territory. The project for this improvement, adopted in 1880, consists in wing-dam construction, bar scraping, and snagging operations, to secure a light-draught navigation up to Toledo, a little more than 30 miles above the mouth of the river. The original estimate for this work contemplated $3,000 for construc tion in the first year and an annual expenditure thereafter of $2,000 for maintenance by snagging operations. The total appropriation to date is $11,000. The amount expended to date is $11,000. The operations during the year consisted in channel maintenance, wing-dam construction, and shore protection. Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888..... $3,000.00 July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888 .... 3,000.00 Amount required for maintenance of existing project...... 4,000.00 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. 8,000.00 (See Appendix U U 4.) EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENT, TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF THE RIVER AND HARBOR ACT OF AUGUST 11, 1888. The required preliminary examination of North Palouse River, Washington Territory, was made by the local engineer in charge, Major Jones, and reported by him as not worthy of improvement, with facts and reasons for such opinion. The Chief of Engineers concurring in the conclusion reached in this instance, has given no instructions to make further survey with the view to its improvement. (See Appendix U U 5.) It appearing from the report of the preliminary examination made by the local engineer that Upper Columbia River, Washington Territory, between Wallula and British line, is worthy of improvement, and the public necessity therefor being apparent from the facts and reasons reported, which are concurred in by the Chief of Engineers, Major Jones was charged with its survey, the results of which will be submitted when received. EXAMINATIONS, SURVEYS, AND CONTINGENCIES OF RIV. ERS AND HARBORS. For examinations and surveys for improvement, and for contingencies and for incidental repairs of harbors for which there is no special appropriation, an appropriation of $200,000 should be made, of which sum $75,000 for surveys and $125,000 for contingencies, including inci. dental repairs of harbors. |