mouth to the mouth of the Osage River, a distance of 141 miles. The improvement of the first reach was begun in the summer of 1891, near the head of the reach, and has since been continued under the subsequent appropriation acts. To obtain a proper heading for the work it was found necessary to go about 14 miles above the mouth of the Osage, to the head of Murrays Bend, from which point the work thus far done extends about 45 miles downstream, or to the mouth of the Gasconade River. For convenience of administration, these 45 miles have been divided into the Osage division and the Gasconade division. The Osage division extends from the head of Murrays Bend to Isbell Station; the Gasconade division from the latter point to the mouth of the Gasconade River.

The Commission's annual reports for 1895 and 1896 contain a general description of the works, whether then finished or proposed, for the improvement of the river within the above 45 miles.

OSAGE DIVISION.

The work of the year has been done under an allotment of $164,000 from the appropriation of June 3, 1896, for continuing the systematic improvement of the first reach, and in accordance with project approved by the Chief of Engineers August 26, 1896.

Junction of Osage and Missouri rivers.-The project for bringing the Osage into the Missouri above Dodds Island and closing the chute south of the island was adopted in accordance with a resolution of the Missouri River Commission of July 17, 1896. This work necessitated a cut for a new channel for the Osage River through Osage Point; the degrading of Dikes 25 and 26; the closing of the breach on Dike 19 B; the construction of Dike 19 A; the removal of a portion of Dike 19 B; the degrading of the inshore portion of Dike 19 B, the Osage Dam, and the Osage Point revetment, and other minor works, the nature of which would be dependent upon these above described.

Cut through Osage Point.-The only work done on this part of the project was the acquisition of the right of way, and the quarrying of about 11,093 cubic yards of rock for revetment of the left bank of the new channel.

Degrading Dike 25.-Between the 3d and 6th of December the outer 42 feet of dike and 50 feet of its trail were cut down to an elevation of 2.2 feet above standard low water.

Degrading Dike 26.-This work was accomplished between the 4th and 8th of December.

Dike 19 B.-The closing of gap at shore end was commenced October 13 and completed October 23. The removal of that portion which lay within proposed Osage Channel was begun December 3 and continued throughout the winter as weather and stage of river would permit. The degrading of that portion of the dike beyond the limits of low water was begun at the same time.

Dike 193 A.-This structure is intended to constitute (with an earthen embankment) the left bank of the Osage River from Osage Point to its junction with the Missouri. It was begun on October 16 and completed November 28. The winter floods did it considerable damage, that of January injuring 310 feet of curtain, and the April rise developing a breach in the dike, and scouring a waterway around the west end of the structure. These damages were repaired and the dike extended to 19 A by June 25 of the present year.

OTHER DIKE WORK.

Sheer Dike 29A.-The purpose of this dike is to ward off drift from Dike 29A. The structure, which consists of clusters of three piles each, spaced 25 feet apart, and located at an angle of 60 degrees with the dike, was constructed between October 23 and October 30. This *dike served its purpose perfectly, and, although it suffered some injury from drift, it protected entirely the main dike.

Degrading Dike 29 A.-Three hundred feet of this dike was lowered to 2.6 feet above standard low water at outer end, 5.4 feet above at inner end. This work was done between November 25 and December 3. Dike 34.-Extended 191 feet between October 31 and November 24. Dike 35.-Extended 247 feet between November 2 and November 25. Dike 36.—A breach 109 feet long was repaired.

Dike 29 B.—A small breach in this dike was closed between April 17 and April 20.

REVETMENT REPAIRS.

Murrays Bend.-Various small breaches in this revetment, which occurred at different times during the year, were repaired.

DAMAGE TO WORKS.

Damages of a more or less serious nature were caused by the floods to Dikes P, 19A, 191A, 19B, 30, 32, 29A, 29B, and I.

PLANT.

The plant underwent no extensive repairs during the year, but a considerable amount of small repairing was done. In accordance with instructions from the Secretary of War, dated April 20, the steamers Golden Gate and Alert were sent to the Lower Mississippi on flood-relief duty. They left the boat yards April 23, and returned, the Alert May 19 and the Golden Gate May 23.

SURVEYS.

Various special observations and surveys were made during the year, the principal being a survey of the locality at the mouth of the Osage River, the low-water survey of the Osage division, and numerous observations upon scouring effect of the current around the ends of the dikes. For details of the work see the report of Assistant Engineers S. Waters Fox and Samuel H. Yonge, Appendices I and H.

GASCONADE DIVISION.

The operations of the year comprised revetment and dike construction, as well as the repairing of both kinds of work, the construction of an experimental bank-head designed as a substitute for revetment, the care and repair of plant, surveying, the preparation of projects and maps with estimates of cost, examinations and special reports on conditions at several points outside of first reach, and miscellaneous incidental work.

The work was done under an allotment of $164,000 for continuing the systematic improvement in first reach, and in accordance with the project approved by the Chief of Engineers August 26, 1896.

REVETMENT.

Heckmann Island No. 3.-The project for improvement of Straubs Bend contemplated the protection of the south bank of the island by a revetment extending from the head of the island well into Boatwrights Chute. Work began August 12 and was completed September 24.

Repairs. The aggregate length of revetment on the Gasconade division is now 8.9 miles, and all in excellent condition. Only a very small amount of repair work has been necessary.

DIKE WORK.

Two entirely new dikes were built in this division, viz, XI A and XI B, their purpose being to fair up the middle section of Chamois Bend. Dike XI A.-Work on this dike was begun June 14 and completed June 27. The structure is 240 feet long. The first four bents are 2-row and the others 3-row work.

Dike XI B.-Work began June 11, and was nearly completed when, on the night of June 24, a severe storm partially destroyed the dike. This was followed by a sudden rise of the river, which suspended operations on June 28.

Dike XXXII.-Work had been commenced on this dike early in the spring, but had been suspended on account of high water.

It was

resumed on the 10th of August and completed on the 26th of the same month.

Dike XXXIV.-Work on this dike had also been commenced in the spring, but was suspended on account of high water. It was resumed October 5 and completed October 31.

Dike XXIII.-Work was begun on this dike on October 5 and completed October 31.

Dike XV.-The extension of this dike to the project line was commenced November 2 and completed December 6.

DIKE REPAIR AND ALTERATION.

Repair work was confined to three dikes, I B, I A, and XX A, which had received injuries from the floods of May, 1896. The new work on the last-mentioned dike was altered from the original plan of 4-row work into 2-row in the outer breach and to 3-row work inshore; that on dikes I B and I A to 2-row from 3-row, as originally planned.

BANK-HEAD.

An experimental device called a bank-head was built at the foot of Chamois Bend, about 3,850 feet below the lower end of the revetment. It is intended, by means of the bank-head, to firmly hold the bank at that point, and it is expected that the stretch of bank between it and the revetment will become stable after a certain amount of recession, and that, these conditions having obtained, there will be no necessity for revetting this stretch of bank, as originally proposed.

The structure was practically completed by March 26. Although it was subjected to a very severe test by a change in the line of approaching flow, due to other influences some 2 miles up river, the structure stood well. Its influence on the conditions of flow was in close accord with expectations. It has so far accomplished the object for which it was built, in that the 3,850 feet of bank above has not receded from erosion beyond a certain line, and the original bank below for a distance

of about 1,800 feet has been protected. The cost of the bank-head complete was $11,265. The 5,000 linear feet of continuous revetment which it has replaced would have cost $35,000. (See report of Assistant Engineer S. Waters Fox, Appendix J.)

REMOVAL OF OBSTRUCTIONS.

The snag boat belonging to the Commission began the work of removing snags at the mouth of the Missouri River on August 8. It proceeded upstream as far as Lexington, Mo., turning back from there September 15 and working downstream to Jefferson City.

The boat was taken from this point to St. Louis on an inspection trip September 21-25.

The boat returned to the Missouri September 30 and worked upstream to New Frankfort, Mo., turning back on October 24 and working downstream to the mouth, where she arrived November 6. She left the next day for her winter quarters at Paducah, Ky.

She left Paducah March 8 and came to St. Louis, where she underwent some repairs and waited for the high water to subside. On May 13 she resumed snagging in the Missouri River at its mouth and worked upstream to Lexington, Mo., where she removed the wreck of the ferryboat Eagle. She turned back from Lexington June 17, and worked down to Chamois, where she was laid up for the summer. The total number of snags removed during the year was 1,203, weighing 13,087 tons. There were 316 trees cut, 11 drift piles, and 289 dike piles removed, and the total distance run was 2,258 miles.

OSAGE RIVER.

The project for the improvement of this stream, adopted in 1871, consisted in the removal of obstructions to navigation, such as snags and leaning timber, in deepening the channel over shoals by means of dredging, and in the construction of cross and wing dams to concentrate the water over the shoal places.

The original estimated cost of the project was $230,000, but afterwards the work was made to cover more ground than was originally intended, and for a number of years past no estimate of the cost of the improvement by this method has been rendered in the annual reports. From the nature of the project, which contemplates only temporary relief from year to year, and the removal of obstructions which are constantly forming anew, no definite time can be fixed for its completion, and no estimate made of its ultimate cost. The improvement must be continuous, and the annual estimates must depend upon conditions as they arise.

The amount expended by the General Government under this project to June 30, 1897, is $230,947.49, of which sum $2,754.39 was expended during the past fiscal year. The result has been a temporary benefit to navigation along the river for a distance of about 245 miles above the mouth.

The operations of the season began August 17, 1896, at Osceola, Mo., and continued downstream to the mouth. The work accomplished includes the removal of 499 snags and 661 drift trees, the felling of 294 trees, and the scraping of 450 yards of gravel from a bar in Kirkman Shoal. The total distance run was 210 miles.

The construction of a lock and dam near the mouth of the river was authorized by the river and harbor act of September 19, 1890. The estimated cost was $200,000.

The approved project for Lock No. 1 contemplated a structure of stone masonry, the interior dimensions being 276 feet between quoins by 52 feet wide. As stated in the last annual report, a material change in the original plans was made necessary in consequence of the effect which the Missouri River improvements had had upon the stage of water in the lower course of the Osage. No satisfactory adjustment of the contract price for the additional work having been found possible, authority was obtained for terminating the contract then in force for the construction of the lock and for the purchase of the contractor's plant and material. The contract was surrendered and the transfer made on the last day of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1896.

Up to this time the work under this project included the acquisition of lands and construction of a dwelling and office, the building of a cofferdam and the excavation of the interior to the amount of 17,000 cubic yards, the opening of a quarry in the bluff back of the lock, and some dredging in the river below the lock.

The above change in the original plan for constructing Lock No. 1 was so important that it was thought advisable to prepare a revised project better suited to the new conditions. A partial project, as revised, was approved by the Chief of Engineers November 23, 1896, and the complete project for lock and dam was approved June 29, 1897. Work under the revised project was begun July 17 and continued until suspended by high water early in January, 1897. Great difficulty was encountered in making the necessary excavation inside the cofferdam, owing to the excessive inflow of water, but the work was finally accomplished, and the driving of the piles for the foundation was com pleted shortly before the suspension of the work.

Gravel was dredged from the bed of the Osage River near the lock, and Missouri River sand from the Osage Chute in quantities sufficient for the entire construction of the lock and dam. Cement, timber, iron, and other materials, sufficient for the construction of the lock have also been purchased, and most of them have been delivered, and everything is in readiness for a resumption of work as soon as the high water subsides sufficiently. Negotiations are in progress for the purchase of additional land for the erection of buildings at the site of the lock.

The amount expended under the project for lock and dam to June 30, 1897, is $112,947.78, of which sum $60,314.81 was expended during the past fiscal year.

For the details of the work see reports of Captain Chittenden and Assistant Engineers Maltby and Seddon, Appendixes K, M, and L.

GASCONADE RIVER.

The project for the improvement of this stream, adopted in 1880, consisted in the removal of snags and logs from the channel and of leaning timber from the banks of the river where necessary, and the construction of wing dams and training walls to concentrate the flow of water upon the shoals to increase the depth over them.

From the nature of the project, which contemplates only temporary relief from year to year, and the removal of obstructions which are constantly forming anew, no definite time can be fixed for its completion, and no estimate made of its ultimate cost. The improvement must be continuous, and the annual estimates must depend upon conditions as they arise.

The original estimated cost of the project was $50,000, and the principal work contemplated by it has been accomplished, but for reasons just stated the work can never be considered completed.

The amount expended under the project to June 30, 1897, is