to extend or modify them as required. The jetties and training wall are in need of much repair. During the year ending June 30, 1889, $10,507.57 has been expende in maintaining the existing improvement, excavating rock shoals, an in procuring new plant to replace that worn out. July 1, 1888, amount available, including liabilities outstanding.... $2,884. 20,000. 22,884. July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888.. $10,507.57 July 1, 1889, outstanding liabilities... July 1, 1889, amount covered by existing contracts. 3,400.00 14,637. July 1, 1889, balance available..... 8, 246. 182.247. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project........ (See Appendix Q 9.) 10. Tallapoosa River, Alabama.-The condition of this river when fir examined was such that navigation was entirely suspended at lo water, owing to the great accumulation of logs, snags, sunken and falle in timber, a large number of overhanging trees obstructing the cha nel, gravel and sand-bars, and at some points reefs of rock crossing t river, thus rendering navigation dangerous if not impracticable. T river presented generally long reaches of fine open navigable water wi a width of 200 to 300 feet and a depth of 6 to 12 feet, and when th width was exceeded to any extent shoal water was found with gray and island bars. The original project adopted pursuant to an examination and part survey of this river, made under an act of Congress approved June 1880, contemplated obtaining a navigable channel from the mouth the river to the foot of the Tallassee Reefs, 2 miles below the town Tallassee, a distance of 48 miles, with a least depth of 3 feet and width of 60 feet at low water, by the removal of logs and snags fr the channel and of all overhanging timber from the banks where th interfere with navigation, by cutting through the soft rock that structed the river at several points, by contracting the channel at rious shoal places with dams, jetties, and dikes, and also building su shore protection as might be found necessary. The present proje approved September 13, 1888, provides for a detailed survey of t river with permanent stations and bench-marks at intervals of ab 1 mile, in connection with the original project, but has not yet be made on account of insufficiency of funds. The expenditure of $30,700.86, up to June 30, 1888, resulted in cle ing out all logs and snags from the river channel, and in improving of the rock-reefs, so as to admit of navigation at a moderate stage water for a distance of 48 miles from the mouth of the river. The amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 18 was $5,136.48, and resulted in clearing the channel from its junct with the Coosa to the foot of Tallassee Reefs, a distance of 48 miles all snags and logs brought in during the winter freshets, and the moval of a considerable amount of overhanging timber from the ba rendering the river navigable for small boats of 20-inch draught dur the entire year. July 1, 1888, amount available, including liabilities outstanding. 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 $1,817. 14 7,500.00 9, 317. 14 $5, 136.48 5,524.00 3,793. 14 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, (See Appendix Q 10.) 10,000.00 11. Cahaba River, Alabama.-Under the act of Congress approved June 23, 1874, and an act approved June 14, 1880, examinations and a partial survey of this river were made in 1874 and in 1880, pursuant to which the present plan of improvement was adopted. This contemplates a channel 60 feet wide and 3 feet deep at low water from the mouth of the river to Centreville, Ala., a distance of 88 miles, by the removal of logs and snags from the channel, cutting overhanging trees from the banks, protecting caving banks from further erosion, removing rock-reefs, gravel-bars, and sand-bars, by excavation, and by works of contraction and widening the narrow portions of the river at certain specified points. The expenditure up to June 30, 1888, of $29,698.15 had resulted in clearing the river channel of logs and snags, and removing overhanging trees from the mouth of the river to Centreville, and in maintaining this degree of improvement up to close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. Since that time no work has been done because of a proviso in the river and harbor act of August 5, 1886, that "no part of said sum ($7,500 appropriated for this work) shall be expended until the officer in charge shall have reported that the railroad and other bridges across said river have been provided with good and sufficient draw openings." These bridges continue to obstruct the navi gation of the river, not having been provided with draw openings. The working plant of the Cahaba River has been transferred to the Escambia and Conecuh improvement. July 1, 1888, amount available.... $7,801.85 7,801.85 157,500.00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project...... (See Appendix Q 11.) 12. Alabama River, Alabama.-The original condition of the river channel during the low-water season was such that commerce was much restricted, the smallest class of steam-boats only running, navigation being difficult and dangerous. These restrictions were caused by the innumerable bars, shoals, reefs, and collection of sunken logs and snags, at many of which points the low-water depth was reduced to 34 feet, and at some points to 2 feet. The width of the channel varies with the width of the river. The general width of the river from the mouth of the Coosa down to Gainestown ranges from 500 to 600 feet; below that point the width increases to 700 and 800 feet; wherever these widths are exceeded to any extent are found the bars, shoals, and reefs. the open reaches of the river ample water is found. That portion be low the Cut-Off, 20 miles in length, was absolutely inaccessible during low water, and all the landings situated thereupon were deprived o reliable service during that season. The plan of improvement adopted pursuant to an examination and partial survey of this river, made under an act of Congress approve March 3, 1875, contemplated obtaining a channel 200 feet in width and 4 feet in depth at low water from the mouth of the Alabama, 50 mile above Mobile, to Wetumpka, Ala., a distance of 387 miles, by the r moval of snags, logs, etc., from the channel, cutting overhanging tree from the banks, protecting caving banks from further erosion, remov ing rock-reefs, gravel and sand-bars by blasting, dredging, and work of contraction at certain specified points of the river. The present pro ect, approved September 13, 1888, provides for a detailed survey of th river, with permanent stations and bench marks at intervals of about mile, in connection with the original project, but has not yet been mad on account of insufficiency of funds. The expenditure of $142,712.56, up to June 30, 1888, resulted in clea ing the river of all dangerous snags, overhanging timber, in the in provement of the worst bars, in opening 20 miles of the river below th Cut-Off, before inaccessible during low water, in an increased safer to navigation, greater regularity and reduction in time of trips, and e abling boats to carry larger loads. During the year ending June 30, 1889, $8,882.52, was expended maintaining the existing improvements. July 1, 1838, amount available, including liabilities outstanding. $2,287. 20,000. 22, 287. July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888 July 1, 1889, outstanding liabilities $8,882.52 9,773. 12, 513. July 1, 1889, balance available.. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project (subject to revision)... 200,000. Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1891 40,000, Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866, and 1867. (See Appendix Q 12.) 13. Removal of sunken vessels or craft obstructing or endangering na gation. A fragment of wreckage from the middle-ground entrance Pensacola Harbor was removed by the contractor, Mr. William Hugh of Warrington, Fla. The work was completed in November, 1888. (See Appendix Q 13.) EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENT, TO COMPLY WI REQUIREMENTS OF THE RIVER AND HARBOR ACT OF AUGUST 1886. The river and harbor act of August 5, 1886, provided for the resur of outer and inner bars at Pensacola, Florida, and the following pa graph in reference thereto is quoted from my annual report for the cal year ending June 30, 1888: the provisions of section 6 of the river and harbor act approved Augus in Hoxie was charged with resurvey of outer and inner bars at Pensac has not yet been completed owing to insufficient amount of the allotm practicable for this purpose from the appropriation for examinations and surveys made by the act. The officer in charge, in a communication to this office dated March 7, 1888, recommended a specific appropriation of $5,000 for the purpose of making proper survey and examination of this locality, and his communication was transmitted to Congress from the War Department March 15, 1888, and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 226, Fiftieth Congress, first session. The appropriation asked for was not granted, and the resurvey was therefore completed as thoroughly as practicable with the small allotment available, and the results submitted in report of Captain Price, successor to Captain Hoxie, in charge of the work, dated February 8, 1889. (See Appendix Q 14.) 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 Price, 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, bas given no instructions to make further survey with the view to their improvement: 1. St. Andrew's Bay, Florida.-(See Appendix Q 15.) 2. Chipola River, Florida, from its mouth to Marianna.-(See Appendix Q 16.) At the following localities reported by the local engineer as worthy of improvement, and this conclusion being concurred in by the Chief of Engineers, the result of the preliminary examination coutaining information sufficient to indicate to Congress the probable cost of the work required, no further report or survey appeared to be necessary: 1. Chipola River, Florida, from its mouth to Wewahitchka and the "CutOff" and "Lee's Slough," running from the Apalachicola River to the Chipola Rirer.-The improvement proposed contemplates the removal of overhanging trees, logs, and snags and the widening of the channel in some places in "Lee's Slough." Estimated cost $7,500. (See Ap. pendix Q 16.) 2. Flint River, Georgia; Rock reefs at Albany and above.-The ob structions consist of nine reefs or shoals situated between Albany and Warwick, but until the effect upon the river above of the removal of the shoals below Albany is determined, it is not considered wise to do any work upon the shoals above further than the removal of loose rock from the channel. (See Appendix Q 17.) 3. Choctawhatchee River, Alabama, for low-water navigation. As the existing project for the improvement of this river provides for a low water channel from its mouth to Geneva, the present examination extended only from Geneva to Newton, and contemplates a low-water channel 3 feet deep and 60 feet wide between those points at an estimated cost of $57,125. No improvement of the river above the Hollis Bridge should, however, be undertaken until that structure is provided with a suitable draw. (See Appenaix Q 18.) It appearing from the report of the preliminary examination made by the local engineer for the location of a channel in and along the Coosa Ricer, Alabama, from the rapids at Wetumka to connect with the improve. ments already completed on said river, above the Ten Islands, etc., that the locality 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 Price was charged with its survey, the results of which will be submitted when received. IMPROVEMENT OF THE HARBOR OF MOBILE, OF WARRIOR, TOMBIGBEE, AND BLACK WARRIOR RIVERS, ALABAMA, AND OF CERTAIN RIVERS IN MISSISSIPPI-IMPROVEMENT OF CHANNEL TO BILOXI BAY. Officer in charge, Maj. A. N. Damrell, Corps of Engineers. Division Engineer since December 3, 1888, Col. C. B. Comstock, Corps of Engi neers. 1. Mobile Harbor, Alabama.-The present project for the improvement of this harbor was adopted in August, 1888, the object being to afford a channel of entrance from the Gulf of Mexico to the city of Mobile of 280 feet width on top of cut, with a central depth of 23 feet at mean low water. The channel had originally a minimum depth of 5 feet through Choctaw Pass and 8 feet on Dog River Bar. This was deepened by dredging, under appropriations from 1826 to 1852 of $228,830.68, to 10 feet through both. In 1860 the channel in Choctaw Pass had shoaled to 7 feet. From 1870 to 1878 the channel was deepened by dredging to 13 feet, under appropriations amounting to $401,000. From 1881 to 1888 the channel was deepened by dredging to 17 feet, under appropriations amounting to $740,000, but this project was not completed when the new project was adopted. Considerable shoaling took place in a portion of this cut and deepening in another portion. Although 14 feet was found as the minimum actual depth, the available depth has never been less than 16 feet, as shown by the constant passage of vessels of that draught up to the present time. The amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, is $119,331.73, and resulted in obtaining a minimum depth of 19 feet for a distance of 12.9 miles, or about half of the entire length of the projected channel. The minimum depth in any portion of the channel is now 15.5 feet; last year it was 14 feet. The estimated cost of the present project is as follows: Completion of 17-foot channel (including removal of material filled in the cut) upon which the estimate for the 23-foot cut was based. Dredging channel 280 feet wide on top of cut, and central depth of 23 feet. 1,500,000 Removing material that will fill in during progress of work on 23-foot channel (three years) ....... $292,000 198,000 1,980,000 The amount available and appropriation asked for is to be applied to continuing the improvement in accordance with the modified 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, outstanding liabilities... July 1, 1889, amount covered by existing contracts.. July 1, 1859, balance available.... |