4. Improvement of Ludington Harbor, Michigan.-During the season the south pier was extended 100 feet, and repairs to both piers were made in the way of releveling and reballasting. In the fall the United States dredge removed 6000 yards, of sand from the channel, leaving an available water-way of 13 feet. There is full 12 feet water here now. The appropriation of $15,000 of June 18, 1878, will be expended this season in extending the north pier 100 feet and the south pier 50 feet. Recommendations for pier extension have heretofore been made, and are renewed. The unappropriated balance of $11,000 can be profitably expended during the year ending June 30, 1880. July 1, 1877, amount available.... Amount appropriated by act approved June 18, 1878. July 1, 1878, amount expended during fiscal year $4,043 03 $19, 043 03 3,325 77 July 1, 1878, amount available.... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project...... (See Appendix C C 4.) 15,717 26 11, 000 00 11, 000 00 5. Improvement of Pentwater Harbor, Michigan.-During the season the north pile-revetment was extended 552 feet in an easterly direction, and 14,900 cubic yards were dredged from the bank and channel, leaving a water-way of 12 feet through the middle. The pier-heads were reballasted and some slight repairs made. The shoalest water this spring is 9 feet for a short distance near the shore-line. The appropriation of $10,000 of June 18, 1878, will be expended this season in building 600 feet of pile-revetment, extending the north pier in an easterly direction. The recommendations and estimates of previous years are renewed. The unappropriated balance of $29,200 can be profitably expended in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1880, in completing revetment and pier extension. July 1, 1877, amount available... $3,871 30 Amount appropriated by act approved June 18, 1878.... 10, 000 00 July 1, 1878, amount expended during fiscal year $13,871 30 3, 126 55 July 1, 1878, amount available....... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project...... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1880. (See Appendix C C 5.) 10,744 75 29, 200 00 29, 200 00 6. Improvement of White River Harbor, Michigan.-In September and October the United States dredge removed 8,580 cubic yards of material from the channel, leaving an available water-way of 11 feet. Two hundred feet of pier-work, westward of the shore-line, being the most defective portion, received a new filling of brush mattresses, edg ings, and stone, and pier-heads were reballasted. The available depth of water this spring in the channel and on the bar is 10 feet. The appropriation of $12,000 of June 18, 1878, will be expended this season in extending the south pier 50 feet and overhauling and refilling the pile piers with brush, edgings, and stone. In continuance of improvements here, as suggested in previous reports (pier extension), the unappropriated balance of the estimate of 1873, $19,891.56, together with the estimate of $5,000 for dredging, or $24,891.56, can be profitably expended in the next fiscal year. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project...... (See Appendix C C 6.) $14,929 67 2,802 02 12, 127 65 24, 891 56 24,891 56 7. Improvement of Muskegon Harbor, Michigan.-During the year the south pier has been extended 100 feet. Several openings and defective places in both piers were repaired, and an 88-foot gap in the old slab pier was refilled. The available depth of water between the piers this spring is 14 feet, with no bar outside. No appropriation was required for the fiscal year 1878-79, and none. made. A balance of $4,393.46 of former appropriation will be applied this season to reconstructing the superstructure over outer two cribs of north pier, closing intervals, refilling superstructure, and placing fenders around pier-heads. Of the original estimate for this work there remains unappropriated a balance of $8,898.04, which can be profitably expended in extending the north pier 50 feet and making repairs during the next fiscal year. July 1, 1877, amount available... July 1, 1878, amount expended during fiscal year. July 1, 1878, amount available... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project...... (See Appendix C C 7.) 8. Improvement of Grand Haven Harbor, Michigan.-During the year the north pier was extended 150 feet. In the fall a bar appeared off the entrance, which gradually increased till the necessity for its removal became so great that, for want of funds for the purpose, it was dredged away by the steamboat company, and a channel left about 200 feet wide, with 14 feet water. The deepest water on the bar this spring was 15 feet. The appropriation of $15,000 of June 18, 1878, will be expended this season in extending the north pier 150 feet. There remains unappropriated of the original estimate for the completion of the work at this harbor $29,148.96, which amount can be profitably expended in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1880. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project. 15,000 21 29, 148, 96 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1880. 29, 148 96 (See Appendix C C 8.) 9. Improvement of Black Lake Harbor, Michigan.-During the year the south pier was extended 50 feet, 700 running feet of revetment overhauled and refilled in a manner to effectually stop the action of the sea through it, and 35,775 cubic yards of sand, &c., were dredged from the channel-way. In the fall there was an available water-way of 9 feet in the channel. This spring we find the channel shoaled in one place to 8 feet. The appropriation of $10,000 of June 18, 1878, will be expended this season in extending the south pier 50 feet and the north pier 100 feet. The recommendations heretofore made are renewed, and the unappro priated balance of $22,000 can be profitably expended in extending the piers during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1880. July 1, 1877, amount available............. July 1, 1878, amount expended during fiscal year. July 1, 1878, amount available........................ $10,482 15 10, 000 00 $20, 482 15 9,779 57 10,702 58 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project........ Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1880. (See Appendix C C 9.) 22, 000 00 22, 000 00 10. Improvement of Saugatuck Harbor, Michigan.-The only work done here during the year was the lightering of some stone from the south to the north pier for ballast at the outer end. In the fall the channel shoaled from the north pier-head, leaving a narrow passage of 50 feet. The appropriation of $2,500 of June 18, 1878, will be expended in filling with brush and stone the north pier for a length of 300 feet. The depth of water is from 9 to 10 feet in the channel and out to deep water. The unappropriated balance of the existing estimate for the completion of the work is $35,958.74. An appropriation of $10,000 is recommended by the officer in charge for pier extension in the next fiscal year. July 1, 1877, amount available...... Amount appropriated by act approved June 18, 1878..... 35, 958 74 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project..... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1880. 10, 000 00 (See Appendix CC 10.) 11. Improvement of South Haven Harbor, Michigan.-The work in hand at the end of the last fiscal year was continued and progressed satisfactorily until funds were exhausted. At the end of the season there was a depth of 9 feet in the channel from entrance to warehouse. This spring the channel has shoaled to about 7 feet for a short distance between the piers. The appropriation of $12,000 of June 18, 1878, will be expended this season in dredging and building 450 feet of revetment on north side. The balance remaining unappropriated, $60,000, is considered sufficient to complete all permanent improvements at this harbor under the present project. The sum of $25,000 can be profitably expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1880, in extending the piers and deepening the channel. July 1, 1877, amount available.... $3,914 92 Amount appropriated by act approved June 18, 1878..... 12, 000 00 $15, 914 92 July 1, 1878, amount expended during fiscal year.. 3, 814 90 12, 100 02 60, 000 00 July 1, 1878, amount available.... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project .... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1880. (See Appendix CC 11.) 25, 000 00 12. Improvement of Saint Joseph Harbor, Michigan.-One crib (50 feet) was added to the north pier, and a portion of this pier leveled up and refilled during the year. The water in the channel holds to a good depth, there being from 15 to 17 feet in the best approaches. The appropriation of $12,000 of June 18, 1878, will be expended this season in extending the north pier 100 feet, and making some necessary repairs. The existing project looks to an extension of this pier. Of the original estimate there remains still to be appropriated the sum of $4,216.71, which can be profitably expended in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1880, and in addition, $15,000 will be required for the improvement in the river at the mouth of the canal leading to Benton Harbor. July 1, 1877, amount available .... $7,007 30 Amount appropriated by act approved June 18, 1878.. July 1, 1878, amount expended during fiscal year.. July 1, 1878, amount available Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project .. EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENT. To comply with provisions of the river and harbor act of June 18, 1878, Major Mansfield has been charged with and is now engaged upon an examination and survey of Portage Lake, Manistee County, Michigan, with a view to its adaptability as a harbor of refuge, the result of which will be duly submitted when received. IMPROVEMENT OF SAINT MARY'S FALLS CANAL-CONSTRUCTION OF HARBOR OF REFUGE ON LAKE HURON-IMPROVEMENT OF DETROIT RIVER. Officer in charge, Maj. G. Weitzel, Corps of Engineers, with Capt. Alexander Mackenzie, Corps of Engineers, under his immediate orders. During the temporary absence of Major Weitzel, from May 15, 1878, these works were under the charge of Captain Mackenzie. 1. Improvement of Saint Mary's Falls Canal, Michigan.-During the year, 128,512 cubic feet of cut-stone have been delivered; 18,683.46 cubic yards of masonry laid in the walls; 6,853 cubic yards of earth have been placed behind the new lock walls; 44,727 cubic yards of earth were removed in enlarging the canal, and 1,070 linear feet of crib-work have been placed; 18,351 barrels of cement have been received.. A shoal near the upper entrance to the canal has been dredged to a depth of 13 feet. For an economical and rapid prosecution of the work, the officer in charge is of the opinion that $395,000 should be appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1880. July 1, 1877, amount available... Amount appropriated by act approved June 18, 1878...... $419, 014 09 July 1, 1878, amount expended during fiscal year.... July 1, 1878, amount available....... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... (See Appendix D D 1.) 395, 000 00 2. Construction of harbor of refuge, Lake Huron, Michigan.-During the past year the superstructure was built over 13 cribs sunk in 1876, and 5 cribs, 65 by 38 feet, were built and sunk. There are now in place 4,230 linear feet of crib-work, and 3,905 linear feet, or nearly one-half of the breakwater, are completed. The wreck of the schooner City of Buffalo and several dangerous bowlders have been removed from the harbor. During the season 637 boats made use of the harbor of refuge. It is estimated that $230,000 is required to complete this work, and for the sake of economy it is recommended by the officer in charge that this sum be appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1880. July 1, 1877, amount available...... Amount appropriated by act approved June 18, 1878......... July 1, 1878, amount expended during fiscal year..... $76, 325 01 July 1, 1878, amount available.... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project...... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1880. (See Appendix D D 2.) 3. Improvement of Detroit River. The funds for this improvement having been entirely exhausted, nothing was done during the year. It is estimated by the officer in charge that $250,000 will be required to complete this work, and it is recommended that the sum of $100,000 be appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1880. Amount appropriated by act approved June 18, 1878. July 1, 1878, amount available.... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. $100, 000 00 100, 000 00 250,000 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1880. 100, 000 00 (See Appendix D D 3.) REPAIR AND PRESERVATION OF SAINT CLAIR FLATS CANAL-IMPROVEMENT OF SAGINAW RIVER AND OF CERTAIN HARBORS ON LAKE HURON. Officer in charge, Maj. Franklin Harwood, Corps of Engineers. 1. Saint Clair Flats Canal.-The damage to the canal banks, mentioned in last report, was repaired during the summer and fall of 1877 at a total cost of $3,603.55. The canal is now in good condition. Minor repairs are needed at the pier-heads, for which estimate is made. Prosecutions against trespassers on the canal banks have resulted in the vindication of the law, and securing respect for the authority of the custodian. |