July 1, 1884, amount available. $632 82 5,000 00 $5,632 82 Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1881... July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884. July 1, 1885, outstanding liabilities.. July 1, 1885, amount available.... (See Appendix V 11.) $5,074 52 5,084 52 548 30 12. L'Anguille River, Arkansas.-This river, like all the streams in eastern and southeastern portions of Arkansas, before being improved was obstructed by logs, snags, and overhanging trees, and the shoals, incident to the accumulation of snags and logs. The original plan of improvement, begun in 1879, contemplated the removal of these obstacles, and up to June 30, 1884, $13,850.53 had been expended with this object in view, and was so judiciously used that during the fiscal years ending June 30, 1884-'85, the small balance, $3,149.47, held to further clear the channel, was not drawn upon. There begins to be need of some work, and during the year ending June 30, 1886, it is proposed to use as much of this balance as may be requisite to meet the demands of commerce. For the present no further appropriation is needed. July 1, 1984, amount available.. July 1, 1885, amount available. (See Appendix V 12.) $3,149 47 3,149 47 13. Survey of the Arkansas River, Arkansas, from Little Rock to its mouth. The original plan for this survey contemplated covering the river with a series of triangles, determining the shore-line, both at high and low water, the position of the bars and islands, the general topography of the valley to the bluffs, when these are not too far from the river, the depth of the water, the gauging of the river at various points and principal tributaries, the nature of the soil and character of the river-bed, cross-sections to be made at frequent intervals, the slope to be accurately determined, and all other attainable data to be collected that will bear upon the problem of the permanent improvement of the navigation of the river. The above project has been substantially carried out. Work was begun in December and successfully completed in April, and completes the survey of the Arkansas River for the entire navigable reach. It will be possible with the funds available to put the maps in shape for ready reference, but additional appropriation will be required to finish them. 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 liabilities. July 1, 1885, amount available... $19,000 00 $17,069 29 292 50 17,361 79 1,638 21 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix V 13.) 500 00 14. Continuation of survey of Arkansas River from Wichita, Kansas, to Fort Gibson, Indian Territory (provided for in the river and harbor act of August 2, 1882).-There was expended up to June 30, 1884, upon this $6,545.44, which had carried the survey well down towards Tulsa, in the Indian Territory. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 18 there was expended $2,575.43, which completed the field work in an different way and plotted the notes so as to make them available. The maps will answer for the present necessity, but will require m than the available balance on hand to complete them. The officer charge estimates that $1,500 will be required for this purpose and completing the maps of the survey of the lower river, for which an a propriation was made in the river and harbor act of July 5, 1884. 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 ... (See Appendix V 14.) $2,754 2,575 179 1,500 1,500 EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENT, TO COMPLY WITI REQUIREMENTS OF THE RIVER AND HARBOR ACT OF JULY 5, 1884. It appearing, after preliminary examination by the local engineer, that the localities were worthy of improvement by the General Government, Captain Taber was charged with and completed the following, the results of which were transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 75, Forty-eighth Congress, second session: 1. Little Red River, Arkansas. (See Appendix V 15.) 2. Red River above Fulton, Arkansas. (See Appendix V 16.) 3. Petit Jean River, Arkansas. (See Appendix V 17.) REMOVING SNAGS AND WRECKS FROM THE MISSISSIPPI AND MISSOURI RIVERS-IMPROVEMENT OF OSAGE RIVER, MISSOURI AND KANSASGASCONADE RIVER, MISSOURI-WABASH RIVER, INDIANA AND ILLINOIS-AND WHITE RIVER, INDIANA. Officer in charge, Maj. A. M. Miller, Corps of Engineers. 1. Removing snags and wrecks from the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, in charge of Maj. C. R. Suter, Corps of Engineers, to December 1, 1884.(For his report of operations upon this and other works in his charge for part fiscal year ending December 1, 1884, see Appendix W 9.) Mississippi River.-The channel of this river was greatly obstructed by the presence of snags and other obstructions in the bed of the stream and overhanging timber on the banks, thus materially interfering with navigation on the river. For the removal of these obstructions appropriations were made as early as 1824, and the project consisted in the building of boats suitable for pulling the snags. &c., and these boats were almost continually employed during favorable boating stages in pulling the snags, &c., and cutting the leaning timber. The total amount expended for this purpose cannot be definitely given, as previous to the appropriation made by act of March 3, 1879, no stated amount was set aside for this improvement, but a general amount was appropriated to be applied to several steamers, as their needs required. From the time, March 3, 1879, when the first specific amount was appropriated up to June 30, 1884, $439,099.77 was expended for this purpose. The navigation of the river has been very materially improved by this method and the danger of accidents to boats has been lessened. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885, $45,395.27 was expended on this improvement. Two snag-boats were employed between the mouth of the Missouri River and Vicksburg, Miss., removing obstructions. In all both boats worked eleven and a half months, removing 1,693 snags, cutting down 16,900 leaning trees, and traveling a distance of 5,342 miles. All the worst obstructions to navigation were removed and commerce was greatly benefited thereby. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, it is proposed, with the small balance available, to do five months' work in the river. This amount of work is entirely inadequate to the needs of commerce, but owing to a failure of appropriation no more can be accomplished. With the appropriation asked for fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, it is proposed to continue the snagging operations and rebuild one of the wooden snag-boats for wrecking purposes. Should this be done the navigation will be greatly facilitated during the low-water season. No definite amount can be stated as required to complete this project. During every high-water season new snags and other obstructions are brought down and lodged in the channel; the banks are also continually caving in the river, and it is necessary to cut the timber where this is threatened to prevent the trees being caved into the river and forming new obstructions. For this reason an annual appropriation is required to properly carry on this improvement. July 1, 1884, amount available..... Amount allotted 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...... $900 23 72,950 63 73,850 86 45, 395 27 28,455 59 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1887 161,000 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1877. (See Appendix W.) Missouri River.-The necessity for the improvement of this stream was first recognized in 1832, as its navigation was rendered difficult and dangerous by numerous snags, &c., in the channel and leaning timber on the banks of the river. The plan adopted for its improvement was the removal of these obstructions by snag-boats, and they have been used to great advantage in securing the result aimed at. The first appropriations were made so as to cover the needs of several streams, a sufficient amount being allotted for each river to do the work required. For this reason the total amount expended on this river for the removal of obstructions cannot be given. Since June 18, 1878, however, when the first specific appropriation was made, up to June 30, 1884, $308,355.25 was expended in that manner. The expenditure of this money resulted in greatly improved navigation during the lowwater season when the snags are very dangerous obstructions. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885, $18,296.04 was expended in removing obstructions and benefiting navigation. One snag boat was employed for this purpose, working two and a half months in the river; 1,041 snags were removed, 11 drift-piles broken up, and 1,353 overhanging trees cut. To accomplish this work the boat traveled 813 miles. A contract was also entered into for the building of the hull of a new snag-boat authorized for this river. During the coming season it is proposed to do six weeks' work in the river, this being all that the funds available will permit, and to complete the new snag-boat. With the appropriation asked for fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, it is proposed to outfit the new boat and continue the snagging operations, and it is expected that the worst obstructions can be removed and navigation rendered comparatively safe. As new obstructions are continually brought down the river, work is required every year, so no amount can be given as required to complete this work. An annual appropriation, however, is very necessary. July 1, 1884, amount available...... Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884. $81,644 75 50,000 00 July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884. 131,644 75 18,296 04 July 1, 1885, amount available. 113,348 71 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1887 56,000 00 harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix W 1.) 2. Osage River, Kansas and Missouri, in charge of Maj. O. H. Ernst, Corps of Engineers, to September 10, 1884.-The navigation of this stream was greatly interfered with by obstructions in the channel and shoal crossings. The original project, adopted in 1871, was to obtain a low-water navigation of 2 feet by means of dam and training-walls, but this was abandoned and no other definite project was adopted. The improvements have consisted in the removal of overhanging trees from the banks and of snags from the bed of the stream and the construction of wing-dams and training walls. The amount expended to June 30, 1884, was $189,856.26, at which time the navigation was in a fair condition, the worst obstructions having been removed. No work having been done on this stream since June 11, 1883, new obstructions have accumulated, thus hindering navigation. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885, $143.74 was expended in keeping up the readings of the water-gauge. With the amount asked for fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, it is proposed to continue the removal of obstructions, and increased boating facilities are expected. An annual appropriation is required to keep this stream in navigable condition by the removal of new obstructions that are brought down during the Bloods. No stated amount can be given as required to com plete the improvement. July 1, 1884, amount available.. July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884 $143 7 143 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1887 Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. 5,000 (See Appendix W 2.) 3. Gasconade River, Missouri, in charge of Maj. C. R. Suter, Corps Engineers, to October 15, 1884.-This river was greatly obstructed snags, logs, and leaning timber, thereby greatly interfering with na gation. Work was commenced on this stream in 1880, and the project adopted for its improvement consisted in the removal of the snags and logs and the cutting of the leaning timber. The amount expended on this improvement to June 30, 1884, was $25,000, and at that time the navigation was improved so much that boats could navigate the stream with but little danger and for longer periods during the year. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885, $3,875.28 was expended in continuing the work as heretofore, thus keeping the channel in a good condition as far as the work extended. This work reached from Indian Ford to the mouth, a distance of 78 miles; 194 snags were removed, a quantity of leaning timber was cut, and repairs were made to wing-dam at Round Island. No work will be done during the coming season, the funds on hand not being sufficient for that purpose. With the amount asked for fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, it is proposed to continue the removal of obstructions, and it is expected that commerce will be greatly benefited thereby. The original estimate for the improvement of this stream was $50,000, of which $30,000 has already been appropriated, leaving an estimated amount of $20,000 to complete the project. This amount will probably be exceeded, however, as new obstructions are continually brought down the river, and it will require a small amount each year to keep the channel open after the principal work has been done. Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884... $5,000 00 July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884 3,875 28 1, 124 72 July 1, 1885, amount available...... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... (See Appendix W 3.) 20,000 00 10,000 00 4. Wabash River, Indiana and Illinois, in charge of Maj. J. A. Smith, Corps of Engineers, to July 11, 1884, and of Capt. J. C. Post, Corps of Engineers, to September 10, 1884.-Commerce on this river was greatly interfered with by shoals, snags, logs, and leaning timber blocking the navigable channel. Appropriations for its improvement were first made in 1872, and the project adopted was first the construction of a lock and dam at Grand Rapids, near Mount Carmel, at which place the river is completely cut in two at ordinary stages of water, and the removal of certain rock ledges, sand-bars, snags, leaning timber, and the closing of chutes, the idea being to obtain a navigable channel of 3 feet in depth from its mouth up to Vincennes. This river has been separated into two portions, in reference to its improvement, the dividing point being Vincennes, Ind., and appropriations were made for each portion. a. Below Vincennes.-In this portion the principal work was the construction of a lock and dam at Grand Rapids, supplemented by the removal of obstructions in the channel and the deepening of the water over bars so as to give 34 feet in depth at low water. Previous to July 1, 1880, the appropriations were made to cover the whole river, and up to that time $304,996.19 was expended on the improvement. Since then and up to June 30, 1884, $88,247.74 was ex |