Government, Major Heuer was charged with and completed the following: 1. Atchafalaya River, Louisiana, above Berwick Bay.-(See Appendix S 20.) 2. Bayou Pierre, Mississippi, partial improvement recommended.-(See Appendix S 21.) At the following locality no survey appeared necessary: 3. Natalbany River, Louisiana.-The report by Captain Turtle of the preliminary examination of this river was transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 113, Forty-eighth Congress, second session. (See also Appendix S 22.) IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBORS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. Officer in charge, Maj. S. M. Mansfield, Corps of Engineers, having under his immediate orders Lieut. W. L. Fisk, Corps of Engineers, until October 3, 1884, and Lieut. Lansing H. Beach, Corps of Engineers, from December 1, 1884, until June 6, 1885. 1. Entrance to Galveston Harbor, Texas.-The present plan was adopted in 1880, its design being to concentrate by means of jetties the outflowing currents upon a limited extent of bar to effect its removal and increase the depth of entrance. The estimated cost of the work proposed was $1,825,813. The amount expended prior to June 30, 1880, was $618,431, and to June 30, 1885 (including $100,000 of Galveston City funds), the total was $1,576,337.12, of which sum $971,573.15 has been applied under the project of 1880 to constructing a south jetty and a trial section of north jetty; also, the necessary contingencies and superintendence, and the additional expense of caring for the Government property during the past year and more. The last appropriation for this work was in act of August 2, 1882. The last work was done in April, 1884, when the south jetty was left with a total length of 22,551 feet. The work, as far as finished, is now being examined under instruc tions from the Board of Engineers for Fortifications and for River and Harbor Improvements, which has been directed to make a report thereon. This will be made the subject of a future communication. The estimated amount required for the entire and permanent completion of the work of improvement, in accordance with the project of 1880, is $1,000,813. July 1, 1884, amount available $5,477 19 July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884... $3,633 31 July 1, 1885, outstanding liabilities.. 181 00 July 1, 1885, amount available.... 3,814 31 1,662 88 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project. .1,000, 813 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1887 750,000 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix T 1.) 2. Ship Channel in Galveston Bay, Texas.-The project of 1871 (modified in 1877) proposed the deepening and widening of the channel from the head of Bolivar Channel to the cut through Morgan's Point, to afford a channel of 12 feet depth at mean low tide, with a width at bottom of 100 feet. The natural channel had a depth of not more than 7 feet at the shoalest places. The amount expended to June 30, 1885, was $286,629.50, which secured a navigable channel from the Gulf entrance to Morgan's Cut of 8.9 feet at mean low tide. No work has been done since 1883, owing to the reserving of funds for Congressional action at first, and then afterwards and to the present time because of the provision in act of July 5, 1884, that the money in hand should not be expended until the Secretary of War be satisfied that the Buffalo Bayou Ship-Channel Company has relinquished or abandoned to the United States, forever, all its franchises and any and all right to collect or impose tolls or charges from any part of said shipchannel or Buffalo Bayou. The question of this surrender on the part of the Ship Channel Company to the United States is now under consideration by the parties interested, and the available funds will be expended in completing the improvement in accordance with the existing plans and in the manner required by law, upon the actual transfer to the United States of the franchises, &c., required. July 1, 1884, amount available.. (See Appendix T 2.) .$159,870 50 159,870 50 3. Trinity River, Texas.-The project of 1871 (modified in 1873) had for its object the opening of the river to navigation so as to admit the entrance of vessels drawing 5 feet. At the mouth of the river the natural channel was shoal (43 feet) and extremely narrow across the bar. The amount expended to and including June 30, 1884, was $20,695.79, and to and including June 30, 1885, an addition of $13,297.71, or a total of $33,993.50, by which was gained a channel of entrance to the river by Middle Pass of over 6 feet depth, and the opening of the river to Liberty for vessels of 5 feet draught. The improvement is, however, only temporary; and the balance of the estimate, $14,541, is required to continue work during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887. The work is not susceptible of permanent completion. July 1, 1884, amount available... July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884..... July 1, 1885, amount available...... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project. $13,804 21 13, 297 71 506 50 14.541 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1887 14,000 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix T 3.) 4. Buffalo Bayou, Texas.-The project of 1880 proposed the opening up of the channel between Simm's and White Oak bayous for commercial purposes. The original channel-way below Houston in 1880 was navigable for vessels drawing 6 feet of water. The approved project carried an estimate of $385,299.75 for a channel 12 feet deep and 100 feet wide, clear of all obstructions to navigation between the points above named. The amount expended to June 30, 1885, was $95,522.13, which resulted in developing the channel to quite an extent along the bayou; deepen ing and widening the shoalest and narrowest places, and clearing the stream of stumps and sunken logs, &c. One hundred thousand dollars can be profitably expended in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, in deepening and enlarging the present channel to the advantage of commercial interests. July 1, 1884, amount available.... Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884. July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884. July 1, 1885, outstanding liabiltiesi.. $586 39 25,000 00 25,586 39 $19,524 28 1,584 24 21,108 52 4,477 87 285, 299 75 July 1, 1885, amount available.... [Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project..... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1887 100,000 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix T 4.) 5. Channel over bar at mouth of Brazos River, Texas.-The project of 1880 has for its object the maintenance of a good navigable channel across the bar; the natural channel afforded a depth of not over 8 feet, being subject to changes due to winds, tide, and stages of water in the river. The amount expended to June 30, 1885, $139,654.47, has been applied to constructing jetties. The result effected by the work accomplished has been that of holding the channel across the bar permanent in position and with a depth of water more constant and certain for navigation. The extent of work in place is not sufficient to effect permanent results so far. One hundred thousand dollars can be profitably expended in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, in continuing jetty construction. July 1, 1884, amount available.... $803 33 Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884. 10,000 00 10,803 33 July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884 10,457 80 July 1, 1885, amount available...... 345 53 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project..... 382,890 44 100, 000 00 (See Appendix T 5.) 6. Pass Cavallo Inlet to Matagorda Bay, Texas.-The project of 1879 proposes the obtaining of a channel of 12 feet depth across the bar and the protection of the head of Matagorda Isiand. The amount expended to and including June 30, 1885, $267,816.95, has been applied to constructing a jetty on the south side of the pass entrance, and has resulted in making a marked improvement in depth of channel across the bar and giving the channel permanency of position in a direction more suitable for navigation. Two hundred thousand dollars can be profitably expended in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, in continuing jetty construction, extending and raising the south jetty in accordance with approved plan. July 1, 1884, amount available Received from sale of fuel.... Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884. $5,744 91 63 00 50,000 00 55, 807 91 July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884 $9,291 05 July 1, 1885, outstanding liabilities 24,332 91 33, 624 86 22, 183 05 749,280 00 July 1, 1835, amount available................ Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... (See Appendix T 6.) 7. Aransas Pass and Bay up to Rockport and Corpus Christi, Texas.The project of 1879 has for its object the maintenance of a 12-foot channel, at mean low water, over the bar and the protection of the head of Mustang Island up to and beyond Turtle Cove. The channel across the bar was maintained at from 7 to 8 feet (only 5 feet during 1879) by natural causes. The amount expended to June 30, 1885 (including $9,938.93 of the fund subscribed by private parties), $383,025.82, has been applied to protecting, by means of groins, the head of Mustang Island up to and above Turtle Cove, in conjunction with a brush and stone revetment along the channel face of Mustang Island, and the partial construction of a south channel-jetty. The effect of this work has resulted in a permanent channel across the bar, wherein is afforded a depth of 11 feet at mean low tide for navigation and commerce. During 1880, in an ever-shifting channel, there was a depth available across this bar of but 5 to 5 feet. This just prior to beginning of work here by the Govern ment. The officer in charge renews his recommendation of previous years, viz, for sufficient funds to complete the south jetty and to commence and hasten the development of the interior channels, to accommodate shipping up to the wharves at Rockport and Corpus Christi. Five hundred thousand dollars can be very profitably expended in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, in constructing jetty at the pass and improving interior channels. July 1, 1884, amount available Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884. July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884.... July 1, 1885, amount available .......... $1,088 62 100,000 00 101,088 62 94, 175 51 6,913 11 820,722 75 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix T 7.) 8. Harbor at Brazos Santiago, Texas.-The project of 1881 (only partly adopted) proposed the deepening of the channel across the bar and the maintenance of a suitable harbor inside the pass. The depth of water over the bar maintained by natural causes alone was 74 feet. The amount expended to June 30, 1885, $184,148.72, has been applied to constructing a jetty on the south side of the entrance channel, and has resulted in maintaining a greatly-improved channel of entrance. Two hundred thousand dollars can be profitably expended in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, in constructing the works originally estimated for. July 1, 1881, amount available.... Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884. July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884.. July 1, 1885, amount available .... $36,687 13 25,000 00 61, 687 13 60,835 85 851 28 493,084 50 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... (See Appendix T 8.) 9. Protection of river-bank at Fort Brown, Texas.-This work was designed to arrest the progress of encroachment which threatens not only to destroy the most valuable buildings at the post, but to break through into the lagoon, which would entirely change the channel of the river and leave the greater portion of the post on the opposite side of the channel. The results The amount expended to June 30, 1885, is $16,996.46. attained have not been commensurate with the expenditure, and (for reasons explained in report of the officer in charge, for which see Appendix T 9) it has been considered best not to attempt to control the Rio Grande at this point by artificial works, and that it would be more expedient to move from time to time such of the buildings as may be in actual danger. No further appropriation for this work is recommended. July 1, 1884, amount available.... July 1, 1885, amount available ..... (See Appendix T 9.) WESTERN RIVERS. $1,230 04 226 50 1,003 54 IMPROVEMENT OF RED RIVER AND OF CERTAIN RIVERS IN THE STATES OF LOUISIANA, ARKANSAS, MISSISSIPPI, AND TENNESSEE, TRIBUTARY TO THE MISSISSIPPI-WATER-GAUGES ON THE MISSISSIPPI AND ITS PRINCIPAL TRIBUTARIES. Officer in charge, Maj. A. M. Miller, Corps of Engineers, to August 1, 1884, since which time Capt. Eric Bergland, Corps of Engineers. 1. Red River, Louisiana and Arkansas.-The present improvement of this river was begun in 1872. At that time navigation above Shreveport, La., was almost impossible, on account of the great raft. Lowwater navigation between Shreveport and Grand Ecore, La., was seriously affected by the gradual enlargement of the Tone's Bayou outlet, which depleted the main channel of the river below, without giving another navigable route. The entire river from Fulton, Ark., to its mouth was greatly obstructed by snags, logs, wrecks, leaning trees |