has thus been made continuous throughout the season from Portage to Green Bay, on the Upper Fox there being 3 feet navigation, and on the Lower Fox 5 feet except at the entrance to Lake Winnebago, where there is 43 feet. The old locks are fast becoming unserviceable, some of them tumbling down, demanding immediate replacement. There remain to be built 12 locks, 8 dams, 5 guard-locks, sluices, or weirs in all dams not provided with them, deepening navigation by dredging and rock excavation to 6 feet throughout, and widening the channels to 100 feet, erecting lock-fenders, dwellings, and slope-walling or paving canal banks. On the Wisconsin River.-The method adopted has been to contract the channel-way by wing-dams of brush and stone to gain increased depth by scour due to the increased current produced by contraction. To date, 108,312 linear feet of wing-dams have been constructed over a distance of 50 miles, of which a section of 9.2 miles below Portage is completed. The result has been an increased depth of navigation wherever the works have been applied. There has not been and is not now any navigation on the Wisconsin, due to the prevalence of sand-bars and the lack of a defined channel for considerable distances. The general subject of the improvement of the Fox and Wisconsin. rivers has been referred to the Board of Engineers, who have not yet announced their conclusions. During the past year the following work has been done: Fox River.—On the Upper Fox the work was confined to the maintenance of existing navigation by timely repairs to mechanical structures, to operating the locks and to repairs to plant. On the Lower Fox.-Appleton first lock was completed sluice-ways and gates placed in Appleton Dam, canals and water over bars deepened by dredging; and general overhauling and repairing of old locks, dams, and canal banks made. Navigation was maintained during the season except for a short time, three weeks, when navigation was suspended on account of the breaking of the canal bank at Little Kaukauna. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885, it is proposed to apply available funds for the Fox and Wisconsin rivers to the maintenance of existing navigation, to current repairs to mechanical constructions, to purchasing sites for Menasha Dam, to making alterations in that dam recommended by the Board of Engineers and approved by the Secretary of War in 1882, and to the construction of a new lock at Governor Bend on the Upper Fox. The funds asked for, for the year ending June 30, 1886, are to be applied to the furtherance of the approved project and the maintenance of existing navigation. It is necessary to call attention to the fact that the appropriations for this work are altogether inadequate to meet the pressing demands of the case. The old structures are fast degenerating, a large part of the money is absorbed in repairs, and consequently diverted from the main project, and the balance is insufficient to forward successfully and economically the work on permanent constructions. The appropriations for several years have been almost entirely absorbed in maintaining old works, which are fast rotting to pieces. The money expended upon them is wasted, inasmuch as their life cannot be materially lengthened by repairs. July 1, 1883, amount available Fuel sold to officers deposited to credit of appropriation.. July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883.... July 1, 1884, amount available...... Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884.. Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1885.... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. (See Appendix G G 6.) 1,965, 663 00 500,000 00 EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENTS, TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF THE RIVER AND HARBOR ACT OF AUGUST 2, 1882. The following locality was, after preliminary examination, reported by the local engineer as not worthy of improvement for purposes of navigation and the work not a public necessity: Wisconsin River from Portage to Merrill. (See Appendix G G 7.) IMPROVEMENT OF THE HARBORS OF CHICAGO AND CALUMET, LAKE MICHIGAN-IMPROVEMENT OF ILLINOIS AND CALUMET RIVERSSURVEY FOR HENNEPIN CANAL AND FOR THE ENLARGEMENT OF THE ILLINOIS AND MICHIGAN CANAL. Officer in charge, Maj. W. H. H. Benyaurd, Corps of Engineers." 1. Chicago Harbor Illinois.-The project of improvement now in course of execution at this harbor, was adopted in 1870 and modified in 1878. The objects sought are, first, the formation of an outer harbor, adjoining the entrance to the Chicago River, and designed also to furnish increased commercial facilities by relieving the river from its over. crowded condition; second, the creation of a harbor of refuge affording a good anchorage in deep water and safe access to the harbor and river. The amount expended upon the work for harbor at Chicago since 1870 is $1,226,982.64, and has resulted in the completion of the outer harbor (except the dredging necessary to afford the contemplated depth of 16 feet) and the completion of 3,236 feet of the exterior breakwater, with the exception of the superstructure on the westerly end thereof. In addition to needed repairs the material on hand and funds now available will complete the superstructure on the westerly end of the breakwater; will allow the building and sinking of 6 cribs; also dredging operations in the outer harbor and the purchase of additional material for next season's work. There will then remain to be completed about 1,600 feet of the exterior breakwater, the raising of the entire structure, and the dredging of the outer harbor. For carrying on these operations the sum of $225,000 will be required. July 1, 18-3, amount available July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883 July 1, 1884, outstanding liabilities.... July 1, 1884, amount available..... Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884. Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1885 $45,651 40 $28,106 55 38,546 71 7,104 69 100, 000 00 107, 104 69 5908 EN- -19 284, 000 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project. Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. 225, 000 00 (See Appendix H H 1.) 2. Calumet Harbor, Illinois.-The present project for the improvement of this harbor has for its object the creation and maintenance of a channel 300 feet wide and 16 feet deep from Lake Michigan to Calumet River. The amount expended in the execution of this project to June 30, 1884, is $361,754.39; 5,160 feet of pier-work have been completed and 384,376 cubic yards of material have been dredged from the channel. During the coming season, with the funds now available, the south pier will be extended a further distance of 250 feet, and certain repairs will be made to the old work. The appropriation of $21,400 asked for is to be applied to extending the south pier, and to the repair and preservation of the existing piers. With the completion of this work it is believed that no further appropriation will be needed, except for maintaining the dredged channel, and for keeping the work in good condition. July 1, 1883, amount available... July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883..... July 1, 1884, amount available Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884 .. Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1885 .. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... (See Appendix H H 2.) $6,372 38 6, 126 77 245 61 20,000 00 20, 245 61 21,400 00 21,400 00 3. Improving Calumet River, Illinois.-The project for the improvement of this river was recommended by a Board of Engineer officers in accordance with certain requirements of the river and harbor act of August 2, 1882. It is proposed to dredge a channel 200 feet wide and 16 feet deep, from the harbor to the forks of the river at Lake Calumet; no work to be undertaken, however, until the right of way shall have been conveyed to the United States free from expense, and the United States released from all liability for damages to adjacent property owners. Arrangements are being made to obtain the releases required, aud upon the approval thereof by the Secretary of War, as required by the act, the work will be commenced and carried on as far as the funds available will permit. For continuing the improvement, including the purchase of plant, the officer in charge submits an estimate of $100,000. $50,000 00 175,000 00 Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884 4. Illinois River, Illinois.-Previous to the adoption of the present project the improvement of the Illinois River, as carried on by the General Government, consisted chiefly in constructing wing-dams and dikes, and in dredging through the worst bars. The amount expended in that way up to June 30, 1880, was $550,450.55. The State of Illinois has constructed two locks, each 75 feet wide by 350 feet long between gates, situated at Henry and Copperas Creek. The present project contemplates the extension of this slackwater system 100 miles below by the construction of two more locks and dams, situated respectively at La Grange and Kampsville. It is also proposed to dredge the channel of the river where needed, from the Statelock, at Copperas Creek, to the mouth of the river. The foundations of both of the locks are now completed, and the masonry of the lock walls at La Grange is raised to a height of 4 feet 4 inches. With the funds now available it is expected that at the end of the present fiscal year these walls will be finished, and the gates and other fixtures will be in position. The amount of $350,000, required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, will be expended in purchasing stone for the Kampsville lock, and in the construction of the same, also in the purchase of material for the dams at both places. The officer in charge states that it is necessary to have sufficient funds on hand, as the material for the lock walls and dams has to be contracted for a season in advance. July 1, 1883, amount available July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883 July 1, 1884, outstanding liabilities.... July 1, 1884, amount available... Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884... Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1885 ...... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. (See Appendix H H 4.) 6, 135 14 100,000 00 106,135 14 447, 150 55 350, 000 00 5. Surveys for the Hennepin Canal, and the enlargement of the Illinois and Michigan Canal.-Work was carried on in the office upon the maps, which were not completed at the time the reports were rendered, and certain level lines were run in the field for the purpose of obtaining the difference of level between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi, at the terminal point of the survey. July 1, 1883, amount available July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883.... July 1, 1884, amount available .... (See Appendix H H 5.) $10,083 79 1,072 87 9,010 92 EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENT, TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF THE RIVER AND HARBOR ACT OF AUGUST 2, 1882. The following locality was, after preliminary examination, reported by the local engineer as worthy of improvement, but the work not at present a public necessity: Calumet River, Illinois and Indiana. (See Appendix H H 6.) Upon a favorable report from the preliminary examinations made by him, Major Benyaurd was charged with and completed the following, the results of which were transmitted to Congress and printed as Senate Ex. Doc. No. 134, Forty-eighth Congress, first session : 1. Sangamon River, Illinois, from its mouth to Petersburg. (See Appendix H H 7.) 2. Illinois and Des Plaines rivers between La Salle and Joliet, Illinois. (See Appendix H H 8.) IMPROVEMENT OF THE HARBORS AT MICHIGAN CITY AND NEW BUFFALO, LAKE MICHIGAN. Officer in charge, Maj. Jared A. Smith, Corps of Engineers. 1. Harbor at Michigan City, Indiana-Outer Harbor.-The pier east of entrance has been extended 100 feet, making an entire length of 250 feet. The design is essentially the same as that for the breakwater, but it has been found necessary to make the foundation more secure, by close piling under the outer walls and outer end of each crib. A large amount of repairs have been required upon the superstructure of the breakwater. A large quantity of stone which the sea had drawn from compartments of the pier has been replaced. The undermining and settling of end of pier caused by the unprecedented gale of April 2, 1884, has been repaired. The contract for timber outstanding at last report was satisfactorily completed in July, 1883, and the balance on hand June 30, 1884, will construct 150 feet of breakwater or pier. The improvements thus far have transformed into a harbor capable of admitting all classes of lake vessels, in all weathers, a place which was formerly a small creek, obstructed by bars. There has been expended in construction, maintenance, and repairs, from June 30, 1872, to June 30, 1884, the sum of $465,404.58. The act of July 5, 1884, appropriates $40,000 for this improvement; since it will require $425,000 to complete the work as a harbor of refuge according to the project it would be an ultimate economy to appropriate $200,000 for the year ending June 30, 1886. It is proposed to apply the appropriation of July 5, 1884, to completion of present breakwater, and towards the extension of the pier or the new breakwater, as may be found most expedient. July 1, 1883, amount available July 1, 1854, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883 July 1, 1884, amount available... Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884. Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1885...... $19,467 45 14,838 98 4,628 47 40,000 00 44,628 47 425,000 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. 200,000 00 Inner Harbor.-The upper winding basin has been completed and the channel has been further extended 100 feet. Various points where the water had shoaled have been deepened to 17 feet. The heaviest loaded vessels can pass without obstruction to any part of the inner harbor. The entire amount expended to June 30, 1884, for construction and maintenance, has been $84,482.15. The act of July 5, 1884, appropriates $10,000 for this work, and the additional amount required to complete the project is $5,000. July 1, 1883, amount avallable.. $9,308 55 July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883... 8,790 70 July 1, 1884, amount available..... Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884.. 517 85 10,000 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1885...... 10,517 85 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project....... 5,000 00 |