Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... 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. (See Appendix B B 2.) $4,027,922 00 400, 000 00 c. Above the mouth of the Jellico, 110 miles.-For reasons given in former reports no work has been done on this section since 1882, although it is believed that the charter of the company authorized by the State of Kentucky to build locks and dams on this section of the river, and take tolls for use of same, has expired by its own limitation. It is doubtful whether much good could be done with the balance available for the improvement of this part of the river, owing to the existence of eleven mill-dams upon it; the engineer officer in charge of the work therefore recommends that the balance on hand be applied to the section of the river between the head of Smith's Shoals and Nashville. July 1, 1884, amount available. 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 B B 2.) $5,361 56 5,361 56 35,000 00 3. Hiwassee River, Tennessee.-This river is a tributary of the Tennessee. The plan of improvement, based upon an examination made in 1874, consists in removing surface obstructions, &c., so as to secure a channel 40 feet wide and 2 feet deep from the mouth to Savannah Ford, the virtual head of navigation, 33 miles. The total amount expended up to June 30, 1885, is $28,868.47, and has resulted in securing a greatly improved channel from the mouth to Savannah Ford, but all the shoals have not been, as yet, improved according to the project. No work was done during the year. The appropriation herein estimated for and the balance available can be profitably expended in completing the projected work if it be made in one appropriation; with a smaller amount the work cannot be economically done, and there is no commercial necessity for an outlay of money not so expended. July 1, 1884, amount available Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884. $131 53 2,500 00 2,631 53 July 1, 1885, amount available ..... 2,631 53 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. 5,000 00 5,000 00 (See Appendix B B 3.) 4. French Broad River, Tennessee.-This river joins the Holston about 4 miles above Knoxville, forming the Tennessee River. The present plan of improvement is based upon examinations made in 1870, 1875, and 1876, and consists in removing channel obstructions and building wing-dams so as to permit the passage of vessels drawing 23 feet of water during the low-water season as high as Leadvale, 90 miles. Above that point slack-water navigation is the only means feasible. The total amount expended to June 30, 1885, is $21,560, and has resulted in the permanent improvement of several of the more dangerous obstructions, notably Jumping Moses Shoals. Boatmen express much satisfaction with the work. The appropriation herein estimated for can be expended in carrying on work under the existing project. Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884........... July 1, 1885, outstanding liabilities.. July 1, 1885, amount available.... $3,500 00 $2,703 32 356 68 3,060 00 440 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project. (See Appendix B B 4.) 128,000 00 25,000 00 5. Clinch River, Tennessee.—The Clinch River rises in Virginia and is a tributary of the Tennessee, into which it empties near Kingston, Tenn. The plan of improvement is based upon examinations made in 1875 and 1881, and consists in excavating a wide channel through the rock and gravel bars, in removing snags, bowlders, &c., and in building riprap dams where necessary, so as to secure, at ordinary low water, a depth of 2 feet from the river's mouth to Clinton and 14 feet from Clinton to the Virginia State line, a total distance of 230 miles. The total amount expended up to the 30th of June, 1885, was $20,889.85 and has resulted in the improvement of some of the most dangerous shoals, notably Hitchie's, Bear-wallow, Bletcher's and Brushy Bend Shoals; these improvements are practically permanent and are greatly appreciated by the river men. The original estimate for the improvement of this river was $26,400. On account of the small amounts of the annual appropriations it will not be possible to complete all the work that should be done within the estimate; the engineer in charge, therefore, recommends that the estimate be increased to $50,000 and that the additional amount ($23,600) be applied to the completion of the existing project. 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 liabilities. July 1, 1885, amount available.... $80 75 5,000 00 5,080 75 $4,944 26 4,970 60 110 15 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... (See Appendix B B 5.) 29, 000 00 15,000 00 6. Duck River, Tennessee.-This stream empties into the Tennessee about 144 miles above Johnsonville. The present plan of improvement, based upon an examination made. in 1879, consists in removing snags, rock, and gravel-bars, and building wing-dams so as to secure about 3 feet of water from four to six months in the year. This result has been practically obtained, the total amount expended to June 30, 1885, being $13,000. No work was done during the year. The property pertaining to improvement has been sold. No appropriation was made by act of J 5, 1884, and the engineer officer in charge recommends that none made at present unless Congress deems it best to give at least $10,00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project .. 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. (See Appendix B B 6.) $22, 118 10,000 7. Caney Fork River, Tennessee.-This stream is a tributary of th Cumberland River, which it enters near Carthage, Tenn. An examination was made in 1879 from the mouth of the river to the head of navigation, at Sligo's Ford, about 80 miles. The obstructions were found to be gravel-bars, logs, snags, overhanging trees, and a crooked channel with about 3 feet 5 inches of water at numerous shoals at a stage of 3 feet above low water, making navigation insecure at all seasons. The present plan is to clear and straighten the channel and build necessary wing-dams to secure 3 feet of water during the five months when the Cumberland is at a good boating stage. The total amount expended up to June 30, 1885, was $16,569.28, and has secured a comparatively safe channel from the mouth to the head of navigation, so that steamers now ascend and descend with confidence on a 3-foot stage of water. Some outlay will be necessary from year to year to maintain a channel clear of the logs, snags, &c., brought down by heavy floods. During the year work of a special kind has been done at six localities, and snag-boat work along 77 miles of the river. The appropriation herein estimated for can be profitably expended in continuing the improvement as projected. July 1, 1884, amount available..... Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884 .. $3.29 3,000 00 July 1, 1885, outstanding liabilities.. July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884. 3,003 29 $2,556 32 16.25 2,572 57 July 1, 1885, amount available..... 430 72 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project. (See Appendix B B 7.) 13, 228 00 8. Little Tennessee River, Tennessee.-The Little Tennessee River rises in the Blue Ridge, and is a tributary of the Tennessee River, which it enters near Lenoir's. Three examinations of this stream have been made. The last, in 1882, extended from the mouth to the mouth of the Jellico River, 13 miles. The plan of improvement is to remove surface obstructions and build wing-dams, so as to secure 2 feet of water at low water, inoa channel 40 feet wide, between the mouth and the Jellico River, 13 miles. The total amount expended to June 30, 1885, is $5,000, and has resulted in clearing the channel of surface obstructions, and greatly improving six of the most difficult shoals. River men express much satisfaction with the results so far obtained, especially the increased length in the season for navigation. No work was done during the fiscal year. The appropriation herein estimated for can be profitably expended in carrying on work under the approved project, as just outlined. July 1, 1884, amount available $64 13 July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884...... 64 13 18,724 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. (See Appendix B B 8.) 10,000 00 9. South Fork of the Cumberland River, Kentucky.-This is a tributary of the Cumberland River, which it enters at Burnside, Ky. An examination of the river was made in 1881. The obstructions, from the Kentucky and Tennessee boundary to its mouth, consist of reefs, bowlders, gravel-bars, &c. The plan of improvement is to remove the obstructions so as to secure safe navigation when there is a tide of at least 3 feet above low water, and applies to the lower 31 miles of the river only, the improvement of the upper portion at reasonable cost being impracticable. The total amount expended up to June 30, 1885, was $6,867.30, and has been applied to fitting up and maintaining the necessary boats and materials, and in the improvement of Sloan's Shoals and vicinity. The appropriation herein estimated for can be applied to carrying forward the present plan of improvement from the mouth of the river to the Devil's Jumps, near the Kentucky State line. July 1, 1884, amount available.... Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884. July 1, 1885, amonnt expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884... July 1, 1885, outstanding liabilities.. July 1, 185, amount available.... ..... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... (See Appendix B B 9.) 55,803 00 10,000 00 EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENT, TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF THE RIVER AND HARBOR ACT OF JULY 5, 1884. The following localities were examined by the local engineer in charge, and not recommended for improvement: 1. Elk River, Tennessee and Alabama.-(See Appendix B B 10.) 2. Little River, Kentucky.—(See Appendix B B 11.) Reports on the above examinations were transmitted to Congress and printed in House Ex. Doc. No. 71, Forty-eighth Congress, second session. And it appearing, after preliminary examination by the local engi neer, that the localities were worthy of improvement by the General Government, Major King was charged with the following: 1. Condition of the Cumberland River above the mouth of the Jellico, in Kentucky. (See Appendix B B 12.) 2. Holston River, Tennessee.-(See Appendix B B 13.) 3. Extension of the survey of Caney Fork River to Frank's Ferry, Tennessee. (See Appendix B B 14.) IMPROVEMENT OF THE OHIO, MONONGAHELA, AND ALLEGHENY RI ERS-OPERATING AND CARE OF THE LOUISVILLE AND PORTLAN CANAL, OF DAVIS ISLAND LOCK AND DAM, AND OF LOCK AND DA ON MONONGAHELA RIVER-CONSTRUCTION OF ICE-HARBOR A MOUTH OF THE MUSKINGUM, AND HARBORS OF REFUGE NEAR CIN CINNATI AND AT MOUTH OF THE GREAT KANAWHA. Officer in charge, Lieut. Col. William E. Merrill, Corps of Engineers having under his immediate orders First Lieut. George W. Goethals, Corps of Engineers. 1. Ohio River, Davis Island Movable Dam.-This work will be finished and opened to navigation during the present season. Dike at Merriman.-Has been built to a length of 170 feet. Dam at Black's Island.-The rebuilding of this dam has just been begun. The new work extends 75 feet. Dam at Brown's Island.-Some minor repairs were made in 1884. Dam at Captina Island.-Work just begun. Dam at Fish Creek Island.-Work just begun. Dam at Three Brothers.-At the close of the fiscal year 609 feet of dam had been built. Dike at Sand Creek.-At the close of the fiscal year 200 feet of the dike had been built. Dike at Eight Mile.-The timber work has been completed for a distance of 550 feet. Dike at Rising Sun.-The substructure has been built to a distance of 720 feet. Dikes at Grand Chain.-The upper dike has been completed; its length is 3,000 feet. A new dike has just been begun at Grand Chain Landing, intermediate between the upper and lower dikes. Dredging. The dredges Ohio and Oswego were employed during the year in dredging at Licking River Bar, Cullom's Ripple, Rising Sun, Warsaw Bar, Centre Rock, Carrsville, Brooklyn Rock, and Jackson Rock. A total of 44,368 cubic yards of excavation was made during the season, and five wrecks and seven snags were removed from the channel. The average cost of dredging was 18 cents per cubic yard of gravel, and 47 cents per cubic yard of rock. The new iron dredge Oswego was completed and put into commission. Snagging. The snag-boat E. A. Woodruff began on August 14, and went into winter quarters on December 24. The Kentucky River snagboat Kwasind worked on the Ohio River from October 8 to December 8. The sum of the season's work was 1,034 snags and 59 wrecks removed. The snag-boat E. A. Woodruff is now on the ways at Saint Louis, where she is being lengthened 45 feet. It is expected that her draught will be lessened and her efficiency increased. Removal of rocks.—At Merriman 478 rocks of various sizes were broken up by blasting. The steamboat Iron King removed a total of 846 tons of rocks from various localities; about 1,100 tons were removed from the bar at the mouth of the Licking, and 4,700 tons from the vicinity of the Little and Grand Chains. Falls of the Ohio, Indiana Chute.-The season proved unusually fav orable and excellent results were obtained. The channel was widened 40 feet, all isolated rocks were blasted out, and the much dreaded rocky islet known as Rubel's Rock was totally destroyed. A guiding dike 500 feet long was built on the north side of the chute, and two 50-foot |