$35,000,00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project (See Appendix P 8.) 9. Withlacoochee River, Florida.—This river is 120 miles long and has a normal width varying from 75 to 180 feet, though at numerous points a defined channel is almost lost in broad marshy lakes and cypress swamps. The low-water depth varied from 1 to 7 feet. Before improvement the river was so obstructed by loose rocks, snags, fallen trees, floating grass islands, and bars as to be practically impassable excepting in isolated reaches. The river was examined with a view to its improvement in 1879. The approved project calls for the removal of snags, overhanging trees, loose rocks, and some of the worst shoals between the Gulf of Mexico and Pemberton Ferry, a distance of about 77 miles, so as to permit boats of 2 feet draught to navigate the river during one-half the year. Up to June 30, 1888, $13,361.23 had been expended on this project. Some of the worst obstructions had been removed from the lower river, and the reach from Pemberton Ferry to Panasoffkee had been opened to navigation. During the past fiscal year $981.67 was expended for current expenses and plant. Work will be commenced at an early date, when the services of the United States steam suag-boat recently constructed in the Suwanee River will be available. The officer in charge states that the growing commercial importance of the Withlacoochee River fully warrants the extension of the project so as to provide for navigation during the entire year, at an estimated cost of $22,400. 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.... (See Appendix P 9.) $138.77 5,000.00 5, 138. 77 981.67 4,157. 10 5,400.00 5,400.00 10. Harbor at Cedar Keys, Florida.-The improvement of this harbor has been carried on from time to time, under various appropriations made since 1872. It was obstructed by a shoal locally called the Bulkhead or Middle Ground, lying between Way Key and the main shipchannel; at several points in the main ship-channel the rock, which everywhere underlies the harbor at a slight depth, by its outcropping, has decreased the general 12-foot depth of the channels to from 7 to 9 feet. The present project for the improvement of the harbor was adopted in 1883, and contemplates the formation of a channel 200 feet wide and 103 feet deep through these shoals. An appropriation of $5,000 was made in 1884 for work under this project. With this a cut was made partially across one of these shoals. This cut has remained clear. In act approved August 5, 1886, $7,000 was appropriated for continuing this improvement. This amount was applied to reopening a cut through the Middle Ground, and changing its direction so as to insure greater permanence. The cut made in June, 1889, was 70 feet wide and 10 feet deep. The last examination made showed that the cut had been well maintained by the tidal currents; $11,894.41 had been expended on this project up to June 30, 1888. During the past year 8378.95 was expended. Field-work was limited to the necessary examinations. A contract has been made for widening the cut with the funds now available. July 1, 1888, amount available Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888.. July 1, 189, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888 July 1, 1889, amount covered by existing contracts July 1, 1889, balance available ..... $105.59 7,500.00 7,605.59 $378.95 6,500.00 6, 878.95 726.64 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... (See Appendix P 10.) 46,500.00 5,000,00 11. Suwanee River, Florida.—A project for this improvement was adopted in 1880. It contemplates the formation of a channel 150 feet wide and 5 feet deep from the Gulf (through the bars at the passes) as far up the river as New Branford (Roland's Bluff). From there to Ellaville the channel is to be 60 feet wide and 4 feet deep. Up to June 30, 1886, $17,940 had been expended under contracts in dredging in the east pass. A channel 5,835 feet long, 60 feet wide, and 5 feet deep at mean low water had been cut. By act of August 5, 1886, $5,000 was appropriated for this work. This was expended on the channel between New Branford and Luraville, which was cleared and opened to the full size and width, excepting at one or two places where a small amount of work remains to be done. Up to June 30, 1888, $22,556.34 had been expended. In the act of August 11, 1888, $15,000 was appropriated for improving the Suwanee River, of which $10,000 was to be expended for a self-propelling steam snag and dredge boat for use in the rivers of western Florida. This boat and a flat for a tender were built and equipped dur ing the winter of 1888-'89. Early in May work was begun on the Derrick Island Pass at the mouth of the river. It was straightened and the channel was clearly marked with stakes. The boat was then taken to the upper river, and work was carried on above Luraville. During the past fiscal year $12,689.12 has been expended. The remainder of the funds available will be expended between New Branford and Hudson. July 1, 1888, amount available...... Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888....... $443.66 *15,000.00 15, 443. 66 July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1898 July 1, 1889, outstanding liabilities.... $12, 689. 12 13, 234.78 July 1, 1889, balance available ...... 2,208.88 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project. (See Appendix P 11.) Of this the sum of $10,000 was to be used for the purchase of a snag-boat for use in the rivers of western Florida, 27, 158. 00 5,000.00 12. Removing sunken vessels or craft obstructing or endangering navi gation. An examination made in March, 1888, showed that obstructions endangering navigation existed at the following points, viz: (1) Wreck of a United States transport, 18 miles south of Palatka. (2) Portion of wreck of steamer Maple Leaf, 15 miles south of Jacksonville. (3) Wreck of German brig near jetty channel, St. John's River, Florida. Authority to take the necessary steps for the removal of these obstructions, at an estimated cost of $5,890, was granted April 23, 1888. On May 2, 1888, application was make to postpone the work of removal till fall. This application was approved by the Department on May 10, 1888. In November a contract for the removal of the wrecks was made. Work under the contract was begun in January. The obstructions at the sites of the wrecks of the transport and of the Maple Leaf were removed promptly. Work on the wreck of the Neva was interrupted by stormy weather. A portion of the cargo of logwood of the Neva was recovered and will be sold. At the close of the fiscal year the wreck had not yet been removed, and an extension of time had been asked for by the contractor. (See Appendix P 12.) EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENT, TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF THE RIVER AND HARBOR ACT OF AUGust 11, 1888. The required preliminary examinations of the following localities were made by the local engineer in charge, Captain Black, and reported by him as not worthy of improvement, with facts and reasons for such opinion. The Chief of Engineers, concurring in the conclusions reached in these instances, has given no instructions to make further survey with the view to their improvement: 1. Homosassa River and bar at its mouth, Florida.-(See Appendix P 13.) 2. Crystal River and bar at its mouth, Florida.-(See Appendix P 14.) Captain Black also submitted a report of preliminary examination of Alafia River and bar at its mouth, Florida, provided for in the act, and the locality was reported by him to be in his opinion worthy of im provement, provided the detailed estimate does not show the cost of the work to exceed the sum of $10,000. Having carefully considered the report made by the local engineer, in my opinion this locality is not at present worthy of improvement no instructions were therefore given for the survey proposed. (See Ap pendix P 15.) At the following localities, reported by the local engineer as worthy of improvement, and this conclusion being concurred in by the Chie of Engineers, the result of the preliminary examination containing in formation sufficient to indicate to Congress the probable cost of th work required, no further report or survey appeared to be necessary = 1. Ocklawaha River from its mouth to Lake Griffin, Florida.-The im provement proposed consists of removal of snags, sunken logs, an overhanging trees, and of cutting off the worst bends; estimated cost $50,000. (See Appendix P 16.) 2 St. Mark's River and Bar at its mouth, Florida.-The improvement proposed consists of straightening the channel at the Devil's Elbow; removing rock obstructions and sand-bars, and deepening the channel through the bar opposite the mouth of Wakulla River, and removal of bowlders from channel in the immediate vicinity of Newport. Estimated cost, $39,000. (See Appendix P 17.) 3. The Channel between Tampa Bay and Old Tampa Bay, Florida.The improvement proposed at this locality is for connecting the deep waters of Old Tampa Bay and Tampa Bay by dredged cuts 200 feet wide and 20 feet deep at mean low water, at an estimated cost of $63,000, of which amount $25,000 was appropriated by the river and harbor act of August 11, 1888. (See Appendix P 18.) It appearing from the report of the preliminary examination made by the local engineer that Sarasota Bay, Florida, 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, Captain Black was charged with its survey, the results of which will be submitted when received. IMPROVEMENT OF CERTAIN RIVERS IN THE STATES OF FLORIDA, GEORGIA, AND ALABAMA, OF APALACHICOLA BAY, AND OF HARBOR AT PENSACOLA, FLORIDA. Officer in charge, Capt. R. L. Hoxie, Corps of Engineers, until January 17, 1879, since which date Capt. P. M. Price, Corps of Engineers. Division Engineer, Col. C. B. Comstock, Corps of Engineers. 1. Apalachicola River, Florida.-The approved project for the improvement of this river contemplated securing a channel 100 feet wide and 6 feet deep at low water, by removing snags and overhanging trees as well as widening and straightening Moccasin Slough. The improvement is completed as projected, but at Moccasin Slough and the Upper and Lower Elbows further work is necessary to make good navigation, and it is estimated that this work can be done for $5,000. To preserve the improvement already made, an annual sum of $2,000 is required for the removal of the accumulation of snags and overhanging trees. The balance available will be used for this work during the fall of 1889, and the appropriation of $2,000, asked for, will be applied to the maintenance of the existing improvement during the following year, and that of $3,000 to the improvement of navigation at Moccasin Slough and Upper and Lower Elbows. During the year ending June 30, 1889, the sum of $929.17 has been expended. July 1, 1888, amount available.... 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 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix Q 1.) $687.58 2,000.00 2,687.58 929. 17 1,758.41 5,000.00 2. Apalachicola Bay, Florida.-A bar existed at the mouth of the Apalachicola River, extending from one-half mile below the town of Ap alachicola, Fla., to the lower anchorage. The minimum channel depth of water over this bar was 33 feet. The plan of improvement was the deepening of the channel to 11 feet with a width of 100 feet (see Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers for 1879, pages 823 and 824), at an estimated cost of $100,000. Up to June 30, 1888, the expenditure of $66,756.51 of the amount appropriated for this work had resulted in a channel-way 3,635 feet long, 60 feet wide, and 9 feet deep at mean low water on the 18th of August, 1887. No work has since been done, and the dredged channel is steadily filling up, partly by the deposit of silt from the river and partly by the washing in of material from the sides of the cut by the bay currents. It is not thought that any dredged channel will be permanent, but it is probable that were the cut made 100 feet wide and 11 feet deep at one operation the silting would take place much less rapidly. The act of August 11, 1888, appropriated $20,000, which was insufficient to accomplish this, and it was therefore originally intended to hold this appropriation until another was made. An examination and survey made in March, 1889, however, showed that the channel had shoaled to a depth of 4 feet at mean low water and that the commerce of the port was so seriously inconvenienced that it was decided to expend the amount available. Proposals for dredging were advertised for on April 15, 1889, and opened on May 15, 1889. The only bid received was that of the Alabama Dredging and Jetty Company, of Mobile, Ala., at 243 cents per cubic yard. This bid was accepted, and it is expected that work will begin under the contract in July, and that a depth of 8 feet and a width of 100 feet will be obtained over the bar. During the year ending June 30, 1889, the expenditure has been $568.22 for expenses of survey and examination and for advertising for proposals. July 1, 1888, amount available, including liabilities outstanding. $243.49 20,000.00 20, 243.49 July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888.. July 1, 1889, outstanding liabilities.. $568.22 571.72 July 1, 1889, balance available ... 19,671.77 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. 75, 000, 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1891 40,000.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix Q 2.) 3. La Grange Bayou, Florida.-The plan of improvement adopted was made pursuant to an examination of this bayou in 1881, under an act of Congress approved March 3, 1881, and contemplates the deepening of the channel through the bayou so as to admit of the passage of vessels drawing 4 feet at mean low water, the work to be done by dredg ing, Up to June 30, 1888, there had been expended on this work the sum of $2,000, allotted from the appropriation of $20,000 made by an act approved August 2, 1882, for the improvement of the Choctawhatchie River, Florida. The result was the securing of a channel 5 feet in depth at mean low water, which has since shoaled to 4.9 feet. The act of August 5, 1886, appropriated $2,000 for this improvement. It was decided that this appropriation could be more profitably ex |