chute at Holleman Island was carried out to the left bank by removing the spur dam running from left bank to island and rebuilding the dam on right bank; the new chute was thoroughly cleared of surface obstructions. At Smith Shoals an instrumental survey was begun in July to obtain the data necessary whereon to determine the sites for the projected locks and dams between Burnside and the mouth of Rockcastle River. Detailed examinations have been made and maps nearly finished showing the proposed sites of the two lower locks of the series. The amount expended, including outstanding indebtedness, during the fiscal year, was $119,294.70, of which the sum of $5,773.44 was expended at Smith Shoals. July 1, 1893, amount covered by uncompleted contracts..... 56,063.30 July 1, 1893, balance available $383, 417. 11 250,000.00 633, 417. 11 93, 983. 25 539, 433.86 $25, 311.45 81, 374. 75 458, 059. 11 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project..... 6, 725, 000. 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1895 1, 000, 000.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867 and of sundry civil act of March 3, 1893. c. Above mouth of the Jellico, Kentucky.-Under the provisions of the act of September 19, 1890, the $5,000 appropriated by act of August 2, 1882, has been expended in the removal of snags and sand bars in the Cumberland River above Nashville, of which sum $77.98 was expended during the present fiscal year. For detailed report of work done in channel see Reports of Chief of Engineers, 1891 and 1892. July 1, 1892, balance unexpended.......... June 30, 1893, amount expended during fiscal year. (See Appendix D D 6.) $77.98 77.98 8. Caney Fork River, Tennessee. This stream, after a course of about 200 miles, wholly in the State of Tennessee, empties into the Cumberland River at Carthage, Tenn., about 116 miles above Nashville, Tenn. It is the largest and an important tributary of the Cumberland River. An examination was made in 1879 as high up as Sligo Ford, about 72 miles, and in 1886 it was extended 20 miles farther to Frank Ferry, the head of navigation. The principal difficulties were found to be rock. reefs, gravel and sand bars, a crooked, shallow channel, greatly impeded by surface obstructions. The present project is to improve the river below Frank Ferry, 92 miles, by removing drift and other surface obstructions, and building. the wing dams and training walls necessary to insure safe navigation for small steamboats and flatboats during the boating season, usually about five months in duration, from February to July. The amount expended to June 30, 1892, including outstanding indebtedness, was $24,966.62, which was used in removing surface obstructions, in reducing sand and gravel bars, and in repairing and building dams, and has resulted in a greatly improved channel at the 3-foot stage above low water from Frank Ferry to mouth of river. Work in the channel was suspended August 15, 1891, the appropriation being then nearly exhausted. Amount expended during the fiscal year, including outstanding indebtedness, was $53.38, which exhausted the total amount appropriated. July 1, 1892, balance unexpended... June 30, 1893, amount expended during fiscal year. July 1, 1893, balance unexpended Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project..... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1895 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867 and of sundry civil act of March 3, 1893. (See Appendix D D 7.) $53.38 33.38 20.00 20.00 20, 228.00 20, 228.00 EXAMINATIONS MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH RIVER AND HARBOR ACT APPROVED JULY 13, 1892. The preliminary examinations of the following localities, required by act of July 13, 1892, were made by the local engineer, Lieut. Col. Henry M. Roberts, Corps of Engineers, and reports thereon submitted: 1. Ohio River between Livingston Point and the head of Tennessee Island, with the view of protecting the harbor and marine ways at Paducah, Ky.-Lieut. Col. Robert submitted report of examination under date of August 23, 1892. It is his opinion, concurred in by this office, that the locality is not worthy of improvement by the General Government for the purpose proposed. The report was transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 107, Fifty-second Congress, second session. (See also Appendix D D 8.) 2. Duck River, Tennessee.-Lieut. Col. Robert submitted report of examination under date of October 7, 1892. It is his opinion, concurred in by this office, that the river is worthy of improvement by the United States. No survey will be necessary for preparation of project and estimate of cost of improvement. The report was transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 33, Fifty-second Congress, second session. (See also Appendix D D 9.) 3. Sequatchie River, Tennessee.-Lieut. Col. Robert submitted report of examination under date of August 23, 1892. It is his opinion, concurred in by this office, that the river is not worthy of improvement by the General Government. The report was transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 60, Fifty-second Congress, second session. (See also Appendix D D 10.) 4. Hiwassee River, in Tennessee, from its confluence with the Tennessee River to the mouth of the Ocoee River.-Lieut. Col. Robert submitted report of examination under date of August 22, 1892. It is his opinion, concurred in by this office, that the river is worthy of improvement by the General Government. The cost of a survey necessary for preparation of project and estimate of cost of improvement is estimated at $2,000. The report was transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 27, Fifty-second Congress, second session. (See also Appendix D D 11.) 5. Emory River, Tennessee, from its mouth to Harriman.-Lieut. Col. Robert submitted report of examination under date of August 22, 1892. It is his opinion that Emory River is worthy of improvement by the General Government, provided it can be done at a reasonable cost, which can only be determined by a survey, the cost of which is estimated at $600. The report was transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 21, Fifty-second Congress, second session. (See also Appendix D D 12.) IMPROVEMENT OF TENNESSEE RIVER BETWEEN CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE, AND FOOT OF BEE TREE SHOALS, ALABAMA. This district was in the charge of Capt. George W. Goethals, Corps of Engineers; Division Engineer, Col. C. B. Comstock,.Corps of Engineers. 1. Tennessee River between Chattanooga, Tenn., and foot of Bee Tree Shoals, Alabama.-The original condition of the river from Chattanooga to Browns Ferry, as shown by examinations made in 1867 and subsequently, was unfavorable to navigation, the channel being obstructed by rock reefs, bars, bowlders, and projecting rocky points, permitting the passage of vessels from six to nine months annually. From Browns Ferry to Florence it was navigable only at unusually highwater stages, owing to the obstructions known as Big and Little Muscle Shoals. Navigation between Florence and Riverton, Ala., was lim/ited to about six months annually, owing to the obstructions known as Colbert and Bee Tree Shoals. The existing project of improvement is as follows: a. Removing obstructions by blasting and dredging at Ross Towhead, in "The Suck," and at Bridgeport and Guntersville, Ala. b. Building a canal 14.5 miles long, 70 to 120 feet wide and 6 feet deep to permit navigation past the river obstructions known as Big Muscle Shoals; the canal to have nine locks, each 60 feet wide by 300 feet long, and to cross Shoal Creek by means of an aqueduct 900 feet long and 60 feet wide. Constructing a canal 13 miles long, to enable vessels to avoid the obstructions known as the Elk River Shoals; this canal to have two locks, one at each end. c. Blasting a channel through bed rock and building wing dams at Little Muscle Shoals; the project as modified in 1890 contemplates the building of a canal along the north bank of the river 3 miles long, with two locks. d. Constructing a canal 8 miles long, 150 feet wide and 7 feet deep, past the Colbert and Bee Tree Shoals obstructions, with one guard lock at the upper and one lock with 25-foot lift at the lower end; these locks to be 80 feet wide and 350 feet long. The total amount expended to June 30, 1892, including outstanding liabilities, was $3,556,529.70, and resulted in the improvement of the river as follows: Navigation through "The Suck" and the Pan was rendered easier by the removal of bowlders, detached rock, overhanging trees, and projecting rocky points. At Elk River and Big Muscle Shoals the locks, gates, valves, and machinery for properly operating them were completed; the aqueduct and permanent stone dams finished; houses for lock-keepers and assistants, a dredge and towboat for use of the canal built, and the canal opened to navigation the year round. At Little Muscle Shoals the channel was deepened by blasting, and wing dams built in accordance with the original project, giving increased depth. At Colbert and Bee Tree Shoals increased depth was obtained by excavating a channel and contracting the waterway by means of riprap dams; survey of location for proposed lateral canal was completed and center line permanently marked by stone monuments. The amount expended during the fiscal year, including outstanding liabilities, was $167,422.41, for which the following work was done: Chattanooga, Tenn., to Decatur, Ala.-The channels through Tumbling Shoals, Poor Horse and Broad Axe bars were straightened and deepened by blasting, and the low-water fall reduced, making navigation easier. At Ross Towhead and Guntersville a considerable quantity of rock and gravel was removed under contract, resulting in increased depth of channel at these localities. At Bridgeport some of the obstructing rock ledges were blasted and gravel removed from the channel by dredging. The gap in Beards Reef was cleared of obstructing rocks, giving a straight channel 120 feet wide and 3 feet deep. Decatur, Ala., to Florence, Ala.-A large quantity of stone was quarried at both divisions of the canal, and after being broken was placed on the inner slopes of the longitudinal dam and canal embankments throughout their entire length to tighten them; the effect of the broken stone, in addition, is to protect slopes from wash by passing vessels and the embankments from ravages by muskrats. An obstructing towhead which had formed in the channel above Lock A was removed; the channel below Lock B was deepened and widened by dredging; the wooden snubbing posts at the various locks and below Lock 9 were replaced with iron ones; filling and grading were done behind lock walls and lock-keepers' houses where needed; certain Government lands and lock-keepers' houses were inclosed by fences. building to be used as quarters for foremen was completed; a machine shop was constructed and fitted up with necessary machines for repairing lock machinery, tools, and appliances, and arrangements made to operate the machines by steam or water power; quarters were arranged for laborers; a ditch about 1,100 feet long was dug as an outlet for overflow from Six Mile waste weir, and new ties were placed on railway track over Six Mile and Bluewater weirs. A Florence, Ala., to foot of Bee Tree Shoals.-The test pits and examinations needed to determine the nature of foundation for the lock were completed. By a modification of the project it is proposed to substitute a single lock of 25-foot lift for the two locks contemplated in the modified project of 1891. Bids for the construction of this lock were opened May 15, and a contract was awarded just before the close of the fiscal year. Satisfactory arrangements were made and authority granted to purchase 305.35 acres of land needed for canal purposes, and of this amount 82.07 acres was purchased and paid for. The channel opposite Colbert Island was straightened and deepened by the removal of a number of detached rocks and by repairing a break in the longitudinal dam. In order to determine the depth of rock on the site of lock walls a number of borings were made. Four hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars of the appropriation of July 13, 1892, for improving Tennessee River below Chattanooga, was allotted to this reach, making, with the balance already on hand, $626,353.91 available for work. Of this amount $149,027.64 was expended during the year, not including outstanding liabilities, July 1, 1893, $18,394.77, and the amount covered by uncompleted contracts on that date, $38,093.85. The amount estimated as required to complete the existing project for this reach is $5,707,939.81. Two million dollars can be profitably expended in the year ending June 30, 1895. The money statement for this work is consolidated with that for Tennessee River below Bee Tree Shoals, page 300, so as to embrace the entire reach of the river below Chattanooga, as follows: Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project..... 5,837, 939. 81 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1895.... Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867 and of sundry civil act of March 3, 1893. (See Appendix E E 1.) 2,130,000.00 2. Operating and care of Muscle Shoals Canal, Tennessee River.-The canal has been in constant use since it was opened to navigation, November 10, 1890. The number of steamboats, barges and miscellaneous craft, exclusive of Government boats engaged in the improvement of the Tennessee River and care of the canal, that used the canal during the year was 223. A most serious break occurred on the morning of June 1, just above Lock 3, owing to an unprecedented rainfall of 3.6 inches in less than nine hours; without warning a section of the towpath 75 feet in length and extending to bed rock, 23 feet below the railway track, was carried away. By working night and day the damage was repaired in time for two vessels to pass through on the 3d of the month. The accumulation of sediment in the canal required frequent dredg ing; 38,964 cubic yards of material was thus removed during the year, besides about 1,500 logs which had drifted in the channels leading to the canal proper. The total expenses during the year, including outstanding indebtedness, amounted to $55,975.19. (See Appendix E E 2.) IMPROVEMENT OF OHIO, MONONGAHELA, CHEAT, ALLEGHENY, AND MUSKINGUM RIVERS. This district was in the charge of Lieut. Col. Amos Stickney, Corps of Engineers, with Lieut. Harry F. Hodges, Corps of Engineers, under his immediate orders from August 15, 1892, to April 23, 1893; Division Engineer, Col. O. M. Poe, Corps of Engineers. 1. Ohio River.-The following is a summary of the work done during the fiscal year: Logstown.-Work was commenced at this place upon a modification of the old riprap curved dike, so as to place it in a line perpendicular to the shore, and other spur dikes were planned to improve the low *A contract for $305, 766. 60 of this amount has been awarded. |