the navigable water west of Arsenal Island; a slight erosion of the Illinois shore occurred at the higher stages, destroying land of considerable value, and a portion of the west side of Arsenal Island was in need of protection in order to perpetuate the good channel already existing there. The amount expended during the year was $17,581.66. The total amount expended to June 30, 1884, is $58,455.54, and has resulted in very largely decreasing the flow through Cahokia Chute, and in partially protecting the west side of Arsenal Island. It is proposed during the coming year to simply keep in repair the works already existing, for which funds are available from the appropriation for the general improvement of the Mississippi between the Illinois and Ohio. No special appropriation for this work is at present required. July 1, 1883, amount available.. July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883... (See Appendix U 3.) $26,096 06 26,096 06 4. Mississippi River at or near Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and Minton Point, Illinois.-The present project for the improvement of this locality was adopted in 1881, the object being to remove a large and growing bar in front of the Cape Girardeau Landing, and to provide an 8-foot channel between that place and Minton Point. The bar was dry at a stage 16 feet above low water, and the channel depth was liable to be as little as 4 feet. There were no expenditures during the year. The total amount expended to June 30, 1884, is $65,366.55, of which $35,366.55 was added to the special appropriation from the funds provided for improving the Mississippi between the Illinois and Ohio, and has resulted in wholly removing the bar and securing a channel as high up as Minton Point, in which the depth during the year was not less than 8 feet. Further work will be required to perpetuate these results, for which an appropriation is recommended. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project (See Appendix U 4.) $41,820 04 5. Osage River, Kansas and Missouri.-Since the discontinuation of the system of open-channel improvement, begun in 1871, there is no definite project for the improvement of this stream, except to remove overhanging trees from the banks and snags from the channel. Fresh supplies of these obstructions are found annually in uncertain quantities. It is thought that $5,000 will be sufficient to accomplish such of this work as may be required during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. July 1, 1883, amount available.. Miscellaneous receipts $1,660 65 31 66 1,692 31 July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883.. July 1, 1884, outstanding liabilities. $1,493 45 1,548 57 July 1, 1884, amount available.... 143 74 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. (See Appendix U 5.) 5,000 00 REMOVING SNAGS AND WRECKS FROM THE MISSISSIPPI AND MISSOURI RIVERS-IMPROVEMENTS AT VARIOUS POINTS ON MISSOURI RIVER-SURVEY OF MISSOURI RIVER FROM ITS MOUTH TO FORT BENTON, MONTANA-IMPROVEMENT OF GASCONADE RIVER, MISSOURI. Officer in charge, Maj. Charles R. Suter, Corps of Engineers. 1. Removing snags and wrecks from the Mississippi and Missouri rivers.— Mississippi River.-During the past year one snag-boat worked on the Mississippi from the mouth of the Missouri to Waterproof, La., a distance of 860 miles. Operations extended over a period of three months, all that was possible with the small balance remaining over from the previous year's appropriation. During the present fiscal year thirteen months' work is contemplated. The officer in charge recommends that the remaining wooden snagboat, now worn out and useless, be rebuilt and fitted up for working purposes, and submits an estimate therefor. This work is deemed of much importance, as the loss of this boat's services will be severely felt this season. ESTIMATES. For rebuilding one wooden snag-boat and fitting it up for wrecking purposes For working expenses of three boats, ten months each, at $4,000 per month each..... $50,000 00 120, 000 00 Total.... July 1, 1-83, 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 170,000 00 = 19, 290 71 18.390 48 900 23 60,000 00 60,900 23 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. 170,000 00 (See Appendix V 1.) Missouri River.-One snag-boat was employed on this river between Kansas City and the mouth, 375 miles, for a period of 24 months, the longest the funds available would justify. During the present fiscal year five months, work is contemplated, and it is also expected that another snag-boat will be built. The officer in charge renews his recommendation that a stern-wheel snag-boat, to carry the machinery of one of the old boats, be built for especial service on the Missouri River, and submits an estimate therefor. ESTIMATES. $80,000 00 For building light-draught snag-boat..... Total... 188,000 00 July 1, 1883, amount available... 98,338 65 July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883.. 16,693 90 July 1, 1884, amount available.... 81,644 75 Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884.... 50,000 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1885........ 131,644 75 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. 188, 000 00 (See Appendix V 1.) 2. Missouri River from its mouth to Sioux City, Iowa, including such harbors on said river now in the course of improvement as, inthe judgment of the Chief of Engineers, will benefit commerce and navigation.-But little work has been done under this appropriation during the past fiscal year as the balance remaining available from the appropriation of 1882, was deemed insufficient. The work done in 1882 and 1883 at Saint Joseph, Mo., Atchison, Kans., Kansas City and Lexington, Mo., remains in fairly good condition. At Omaha, Nebr., the revetment in front of the city has been completed, as also that at Saint Charles, Mo., unfinished at date of last report. Nothing has been done at other points along the river. The new plant has been completed and equipped and is now ready for service. Under the act approved July 5, 1884, this work now passes into the hands of the Missouri River Commission. July 1, 1883, amount available.. Amount received from sales of fuel to officers July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding ing liabilities July 1, 1883...... July 1, 1884, amount available.... (See Appendix V 2.) $150,200 08 116 98 150,317 06 116, 497 94 33, 819 12 3. Survey of Missouri River from its mouth to Fort Benton, Montana.During the past season a steamboat reconnaissance was made from Fort Pierre to Fort Benton to ascertain the character and extent of the still unsurveyed portion of the river. There still remain about 1,000 miles to be gone over. From the mouth to Fort Pierre, 1,174 miles, the work is finished and the maps have been published. Under the act of July 5, 1884, this work now passes into the hands of the Missouri River Commission. 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 V 3.) $15, 612 04 5,221 70 10,390 34 4. Gasconade River, Missouri.-Nothing except office work was done on this improvement during the past season, the balance remaining from the previous year's appropriation being too small. During the present fiscal year it is proposed to continue snagging operations on the lower 70 miles of the river from the mouth to Indian Ford. July 1, 1883, amount available.. July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883. Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1866. (See Appendix V 4.) $508 62 508 62 5,000 00 20,000 00 20, 000 00 IMPROVEMENT OF THE MISSOURI RIVER FROM SIOUX CITY, IOWA, TO FORT BENTON, MONTANA-IMPROVEMENT OF THE YELLOWSTONE RIVER, DAKOTA AND MONTANA. Officer in charge, Capt. James B. Quinn, Corps of Engineers. 1. Missouri River from Sioux City, Iowa, to Fort Benton, Montana.During the year work was limited to the portion of the river between Bismarck and Fort Benton, and has consisted in the removal of rock obstructions from the channel, and the construction of wing-dams to contract the channel at shoal places. The work is of a comparatively permanent character, and has resulted in an extension of the low-water navigation to Coal Banks Landing, and a prolongation of over two months in the possible navigation to this point. The system of improvement has proved to be quite successful, and its continuance is greatly desired by steamboat men. The sandy portion of the river below that under improvement has as yet received no attention, though greatly in need of it. Under the act of July 5, 1884, this work now passes into the hands of the Missouri River Commission. 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 W 1.) $63,917 36 47,474 92 16, 442 44 2. Yellowstone River, Montana and Dakota.-During the year work was limited to the repair of dikes opposite Glendive, and the completion of the reconnaissance of the river, from Diamond Island to its junction with the Missouri. The improvement of the river between Glendive and the Missouri would afford a short down-stream navigation for freights to Buford, from the railroad at Glendive, instead of the 300 miles of up-stream navigation from Bismarck as at present. 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 $5,284 77 4.428 55 856 22 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. 50,000 00 (See Appendix W 2.) IMPROVEMENT OF THE NAVIGATION OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER BETWEEN SAINT PAUL AND THE MOUTH OF THE ILLINOIS, INCLUDING IMPROVEMENTS AT SPECIAL LOCALITIES BETWEEN THOSE POINTSOPERATING AND CARE OF THE DES MOINES RAPIDS CANAL. Officer in charge, Maj. A. Mackenzie, Corps of Engineers. 1. Upper Mississippi River, operations of snag-boats, &c.During the year the snag-boat General Barnard was employed as heretofore in removing snags, wrecks, and other obstructions. In November, 1883, she made a trip to New Orleans and the jetties with the special Senate Committee on Mississippi River, and in April, 1884, was employed in distributing supplies to sufferers from overflow of the Lower Mississippi. In June, 1884, the Barnard removed from the channel the wreck of the Grand Pacific, a large stern-wheel steamer, sunk below Burlington Bridge. The new snag-boat J. G. Parke was employed July and August, 1883, in construction work at Marion City and Hannibal. In September she performed excellent service in removing snags from the channel between Saint Paul and Hastings, her light draught making her especially serv iceable in this section of the river. In April and May, 1884, she was. engaged in connection with the work of construction at Quincy, Ill. The officer in charge submits an estimate of $30,000 for operating the snag-boats during fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, and an additional estimate of $30,000 for a dredging plant to be used as an adjunct to the snag-boats in removing wrecks, &c., in cutting temporary channels, and in aiding the formation of permanent ones in hard bottoms. 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 July 1, 1883 $10,187 86 9,213 48 974 38 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. 60,000 00 (See Appendix X 1.) 2. Mississippi River from Saint Paul to the Des Moines Rapids.—During the year the work of improvement was carried on in the construction of brush and stone dams and shore protections between Saint Paul and Hastings, between Homer and Queen's Bluff, near Winona, at Fort Madison and Montrose. A small island below Minneiska, very troublesome to raft navigation, was removed by dredge. On account of the small amount of money available no extensive works could be prosecuted. Though the river reached a very low stage during the year the large boats were able to reach Saint Paul throughout the season, owing to improvements made in former years. The work is no longer experimental but certain of good results, and the Government is now provided with several equipments in the way of steamboats, barges, &c., and can expend to great advantage, in conjunction with contract work, the amount, $1,000,000, recommended by the officer in charge. The construction of a dredging outfit is also recommended. July 1, 1883, amount available... July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883 $103,749 96 97 89 103,847 85 $80,245 61 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... 652 21 80,897 82 22,950 03 250,000 00 272,950 03 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. 500, 000 00 (See Appendix X 2.) 3. Mississippi River from Des Moines Rapids to mouth of Illinois River.During the year works of improvement by means of brush and stone dams and shore protections were carried on at Louisiana, Quincy, Gilbert's Island, Alexandria, Marion City, Hannibal, Canton, Denmark Island, and Dardenne Island. All the work except that at Marion City and Haunibal had been commenced in previous years, the amount available being too small to inaugurate any new work. Further experiments in construction of gravel dams were made at Howard's Bar and with very satisfactory results. The work of former years has been productive of excellent results, and the Government being now provided with a large and well-equipped plant will be able to expend to great advantage the amount asked for. |