and 1876, was $3,745,663, since which time there has been appropriated $1,780,000, leaving for completion of the adopted project $1,965,663. The general subject of the improvement of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers was referred to The Board of Engineers, which, after systematic observations of the effect of the dams on the improved section of the Wisconsin River, submitted a report contained in House Ex. Doc. No. 65, Forty-ninth Congress, second session, recommending that no further work be done on wing-dams in the Wisconsin River with a view to improving its navigation. The original project, therefore, as far as it relates to the Wisconsin River, has been abandoned, and the work confined to the Fox River, under the modified project of a Board of Engineers submitted September 17, 1884, published in the Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers for 1885, approved by the Secretary of War, December 10, 1884, as further modified by authority of the Chief of Engineers, May 14, 1886. The modified project applies only to the Fox River and its needs, and contemplates the renovation of eleven old locks and the deepening and widening the channel of the Fox River from Montello to Green Bay to 6 feet depth and 100 feet width, the estimate for which is $602,000. The amount expended on the improvement of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, from 1867 to date, including outstanding liabilities and $145,000 paid to the Green Bay and Mississippi Canal Company for works of improvement under act of June 10, 1872, is $2,754,873.13. The result of this expenditure has been: On the Fox River.-The construction of 14 new locks of stone; 13 dams, 4 of which are temporary; 12 cut-offs; 10 miles of canals dredged and deepened. Over 2,000,000 cubic yards of material has been dredged from the Upper Fox, and all temporary structures repaired and maintained in working order. The navigation has thus been continuous throughout the season from Portage to Green Bay, there being at an ordinary stage of water 24 feet navigation on the Upper Fox, and 5 feet on the Lower Fox, except at the entrance of Lake Winnebago, where there is only 45 feet. During the season from July to November, 1888, navigation was partially suspended from Lake Winnebago to Appleton, due to the mills drawing more water than the discharge of the Fox River, thus lowering the levels of the Lake Winnebago and Little Butte des Morts pools. Under the modified project there remains to be done 2,800,000 cubic yards of dredging and rock excavation, mainly upon the Upper Fox, and one dam at Appleton, with sluice-ways, the old works to be manitained under the continuous appropriation. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, the following work has been done: On the Upper Fox.-The work was confined to the maintenance of the channel by dredging, and to timely repairs to locks, dams, and embankments. On the Lower Fox.-Dredging was continued in the Menasha Chanuel, to connect the deep-rock cut with deep water in the lake. The various works on the Lower Fox were maintained in serviceable condition. Extensive repairs were made to dredging plant, and to Rapid Croche and Menasha locks. Good progress was made in the construction of the Appleton lower dam, and general repairs made to locks, dams, and canal banks. Fuel sold to officers, deposited to credit of appropriation. July 1, 1888, amount available..... $19,939. 61 190, 50 100, 000, 00 July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1868. 120, 130. 11 $61, 869.51 July 1, 1889, outstanding liabilities.. 1.25 61, 870.76 58,259.35 446,000.00 July 1, 1889, balance available.... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project..... (See Appendix II 19.) 20. Operating and care of locks and dams on the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, Wisconsin.-In charge of Capt. W. L. Marshall, Corps of Engi neers, until September 19, 1888. Under the continuous appropriation for operating and care of canals and other works of navigation, it is proposed to maintain existing navigation by timely repairs to old locks until they are replaced by new, and to continue the repairs of works that have already been completed and used, injured by the extraordinary flood of 1881. The amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, is $48,329.62. (See Appendix II 20.) EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENT, TÓ 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, Major Davis, 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. Centreville Creek, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin.-(See Appendix II 21.) 2. Kenosha Harbor, Wisconsin, for refuge.-(See Appendix II 22.) 3. Oconto Harbor, Wisconsin, channel 16 feet deep and 75 feet wide from piers to first contour in river at Spies Slough.-(See Appendix 1 I 23.) The required preliminary examination of Rucine Harbor, Wisconsin, enlarging and deepening channel, was made by the local engineer, Major Davis, who states that under an existing contract made in October, 1888, it is thought a channel 16 feet deep and 150 feet wide will be dredged the whole length of the piers forming the harbor entrance. This, in his opinion, will give the needed relief by "enlarging and deepening the channel," as contemplated by the act. (See Appendix II 24.) Attention in this connection is invited to the report of the officer in charge of the improvement of this harbor (Appendix I I 16) and to the estimate therein submitted for extension of piers. It appearing from the report of the preliminary examination made by the local engineer that the following localities are worthy of improvement, and the public necessity therefor being apparent from the facts and reasons reported, which are concurred in by the Chief of En gineers, Major Davis was charged with their survey, the results of which will be submitted when received. 1. Harbor at mouth of Fond du Lac River, in Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin. 2. Menomonee Harbor, from the waters of Green Bay to N. Ludington & Company's mill, Wisconsin, for a channel 16 feet deep and 200 feet wide. IMPROVEMENT OF THE HARBORS OF CHICAGO AND CALUMET, ILLINOIS-IMPROVEMENT OF ILLINOIS AND CALUMET RIVERS-LOCATION OF THE ILLINOIS AND MISSISSIPPI CANAL. Officer in charge, Capt. W. L. Marshall, Corps of Engineers, with Lieut. G. D. Fitch, Corps of Engineers, under his immediate orders, until August 24, 1888. Division Engineer, Col. O. M. Poe, Corps of Engineers. 1. Chicago Harbor, Illinois.-The present project was adopted in 1870, and modified in 1878. The project consists in: The formation of an outer harbor or basin, by inclosing a portion of Lake Michigan just south of and adjoining the entrance to Chicago River, for the purpose of increasing the harbor facilities of the port of Chicago. The construction of an exterior breakwater of crib-work filled with stone outside of the outer harbor in deep water to shelter the approach to the river and outer harbor entrances, and to form a harbor of refuge at the southern end of Lake Michigan. There has been expended upon this project since 1870, $1,465,215.43, and has resulted: In the completion of the outer harbor, except 267,000 cubic yards of dredging, to attain 16 feet in depth throughout the basin required. In the completion of 4,644 linear feet of the exterior breakwater. During the past fiscal year the work consisted in: (a) Exterior breakwater.—The completion by contract of 400 linear feet of superstructure over the outer extremity of the exterior breakwater for the harbor of refuge, and in building and placing upon a stone foundation six cribs, each 68 feet long by 30 feet wide, resulting in the extension of the substructure of the exterior breakwater 408 linear feet. Under the present contract eleven additional cribs are to be placed, completing the substructure of the exterior breakwater. (b) Outer basin.-The old crib-work at the gap produced in the southerly breakwater by the storm of December 4, 1885, as far as it would impede the work of repairing this break, was broken to pieces by blasting with forcite, and the débris dredged out of the way. Four cribs, each 100 feet long, 16 feet in width, and 10 feet in height, were built to be placed in this gap; but have not yet been sunk. (e) Dredging in harbor entrance.-Twenty-five thousand two hundred and eighty-two cubic yards of material was dredged under contract, from the entrance to Chicago River, restoring the depth to 16 feet. To complete the work of improvement upon the exterior breakwater and inner basin requires, in addition to the funds now on hand, $52,000. The whole of the superstructure over the easterly breakwater of the outer basin, and over part of the north pier of the entrance to Chicago River is now in an unsafe and rotten condition, and requires renewal. One hundred and twenty thousand dollars is required to build these superstructures. The dredging in the outer basin is not urgent, and can be postponed until the basin is demanded for harbor and dock purposes, when the material will be valuable for filling. It should not be further dredged and wasted. Estimated for the completion of outer basin and exterior breakwater.... $52,000.00 Estimated for superstructure over easterly breakwater, outer harbor, and north pier Total....... July 1, 1888, amount available Received from sale of fuel to officer.. Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888 120,000.00 172,000.00 2,933.30 24.75 200,000.00 202, 958. 05 July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888 $55,568. 41 82, 197.52 137, 765.93 65, 192. 12 July 1, 1889, amount covered by existing contracts.. July 1, 1889, balance available 172,000.00 (Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project..... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1891 172,000.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix J J 1.) 2. Calumet Harbor, Illinois.-This improvement is to furnish a safe and practicable entrance to Calumet River and the port of South Chicago by parallel piers, 300 feet apart, extending from shore to deep water in the lake, and by dredging between them to 16 feet in depth at low water. The work commenced in 1870, and at the close of the fiscal year 1889 there had been expended $407,393.21, as the result of which 3,640 linear feet of the north pier and 2,020 linear feet of the south pier are completed, and 384,346 cubic yards of material dredged, giving a channel 16 feet in depth instead of 7 feet, as found here before improvement. During the past year two cribs-completing the south pier and the present project, as far as the piers are concerned-have been placed upon pile foundations, and 922.15 cords of stone was placed in the cribs of the north and south piers. The crib-work was done under contract with H. B. Herr & Co., and the stone filling by purchase in open market. Additional dredging is necessary to restore the channel, which has deteriorated, to 16 feet in depth. The superstructure on portions of the north and south piers is rotten for a length of 1,600 linear feet, and requires renewal, The south pier should be extended 800 linear feet, to prevent sands drifting into the channel, and there is a demand to accommodate heavily laden boats carrying iron-ore that the channel be dredged to 18 feet in depth. The funds now available and those asked for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, are to be applied to the following purposes: For dredging in channel For building superstructure $21,000 26,000 all of which can be expended profitably in one year. This work is now urgent. To extend the south pier 800 feet, as herein recommended, will require a further sum of $52,800; but this part of the work may be de layed until the work of maintenance, which has become absolutely necessary, has been appropriated for and done. July 1, 1888, amount available Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888. $777.70 20, 400.00 21, 177.70 July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888.... 16, 170.91 July 1, 1889, balance available .... 5, 006. 79 Amount (estimated) required for maintenance 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 1877. 47,000.00 47,000. 00 (See Appendix J J 2.) 3. Illinois River, Illinois.-The present project contemplates the extension of the work heretofore done by the State of Illinois from the mouth of Copperas Creek to the Mississippi River, a distance of 135 miles, which project includes the building of two locks 350 feet long, 75 feet wide, and with 7 feet at low water over the miter-sills, and dredging the channels where necessary to 7 feet deep at low water. The sites selected for the two locks are, one at Kampsville, 30 miles above the mouth of the Illinois, the other at La Grange, 45 miles above Kampsville. The ultimate object of the improvement is the construction of a shipcanal from the southern end of Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River of sufficient capacity to accommodate large-sized Mississippi steamboats, and for military and naval purposes. The State of Illinois, aided by the United States, has executed part of this project by the construction of two locks of the dimensions above stated, one at Henry, and one at Copperas Creek, completing that part of the improvement between La Salle, Ill., and the mouth of Copperas Creek. The La Grange Lock is now completed, with the exception of guide. piers. The foundation of the Kampsville Lock is completed, and the greater part of the stone cut and delivered. Both dams are still to be constructed, the Kampsville Lock completed, and dredging done amounting to more than 2,000,000 cubic yards. In executing this work the United States has expended up to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, 8807,425.99, exclusive of $62,359.80 expended on the foundation of the Copperas Creek Lock, which was afterwards completed by the State of Illinois. An additional amount of $747,747 was expended by the State of Illinois on Henry and Copperas Creek locks. To complete the present project requires the sum (estimated) of $412, 500. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, the following work was done: (a) La Grange Lock.-Agreements have been made for all the material required for the dam across the Illinois River at this point, and 277,024 feet B. M. lumber and 57,506 pounds of iron have been received under these agreements. The site of the base of the dam has been dredged. The filling at the head wall of the lock behind the land wall has been placed; 3,419 cubic yards has been dredged at the lower end of the lock, and preparations made to construct the dam at this point as soon as the stage of water will allow. ENG 89-19 |