July 1, 1888, amount available.... Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1858. $102.26 6, 000, 00 6, 102.26 July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888 July 1, 1889, balance available..... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. (See Appendix R 3.) 1, 521.64 4,580.62 8 000.00 8,000.00 4. Noxubee River, Mississippi.-The present project for the improvement of this river was adopted in 1880, the object being to afford a channel for small river steamers from its mouth up to Macon, Miss., of navigable width and depth when the water is above ordinary low-water stage. The amount expended to June 30, 1888, was $43,463.80, and resulted in obtaining a channel, partially improved, from the mouth of the river up to Macon, and a wholly improved channel (according to project) from Macon down to a point 28 miles below, and from the mouth of the river to a point 35 miles above, giving a river 65 miles wholly improved and 26 miles partially improved. The amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, is $4,063.72, and resulted in the completion of the improvement of the river below Macon. All work hereafter will be for the maintenance of the improvement. July 1, 1888, amount available.. Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888. July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888. July 1, 1889, balance available................ Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1891 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix R 4.) $1,536.20 5, 000, 00 6, 536. 20 4,063. 72 2, 472.48 3,000,00 5. Pascagoula River, Mississippi.-The present project for the improvement of this river was adopted in 1886, the object being to afford a channel of navigable width and minimum depth of 12 feet at mean low water, from Moss Point to the anchorage in the bay, and to maintain the river above Moss Point in its improved condition. The channel, before the improvement commenced, had a least depth of 3 feet. This was increased to 7 feet with a width of 180 feet by dredging, from 1878 to 1880, at a cost of about $45,000. From the light-house near the mouth of the river throughout the entire length there is a navigable channel, obtained by the removal of snags and overhanging trees from 1881 to 1884, inclusive, at a cost of about $15,000. The amount expended to June 30, 1888, is $23,117.70, and resulted in obtaining a channel by dredging through the bar at the mouth of the river with a minimum width of 135 feet and a maximum width of 205 feet and a minimum depth of 9.5 feet at mean low water. The amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, is $483.48, for examination of channel, etc. The officer in charge reports that it has been necessary to increase the estimate for completion of this work owing to the hardness of a portion of the material to be dredged. The amount available and the appropriation asked for are to be expended in the further improvement of the channel, according to project, and in the removal of such obstructions in the river above Moss Point as have lodged during the suspension of work. July 1, 1888, amount available.... Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888.. July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888...... July 1, 1889, balance available................ $487.55 27,000.00 27,487.55 483.48 27, 004.07 89,000.00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project. (See Appendix R 5.) 6. Harbor at Biloxi, Mississippi.-The present project for the improvement of this harbor was adopted in 1882, the object being to afford a channel of entrance from Mississippi Sound to the wharves at Biloxi of navigable width and 8 feet deep; the channel before was 4 feet deep at the shoalest part. The amount expended to June 30, 1888, was $17,153.41, and resulted in dredging a channel 8 feet deep throughout at mean low tide, and 126 feet wide from the 8-foot curve outside in Mississippi Sound, for a distance of 2,150 feet, thence 84 feet wide for a further distance of 2,000 feet, and thence 124 feet wide a further distance of 1,030 feet to the 8foot curve in Biloxi Bay. The amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, is $298.78 in examination of channel, etc. July 1, 1888, amount available...... Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 18-8.. July 1, 1859, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888.. $346.59 18,500.00 18,846.59 298.78 July 1, 1889, balance available... 18, 547.81 (Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project. Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1891 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. 19,000,00 19,000.00 (See Appendix R 6.) 7. Pearl River, Mississippi, between Edinburgh and Carthage. The project for the improvement of this portion of the river was adopted in 1884, the object being to obtain a good high-water channel throughout for the use of steamers for six or eight months of the year. Before the improvement was commenced navigation was only possible during very high water, and was even then troublesome. The amount expended up to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1888, was $4,695.63, and resulted in the improvement of the river from Edinburgh to Carthage, 243 miles, so that boats of 33 feet draught conld navigate safely on a 5 foot rise above ordinary low water. The amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, is $560.79, and resulted in the full improvement of 6 miles of river from Edinburgh down, so that light-draught boats can navigate that portion on a 4-foot rise above ordinary low water. July 1, 1888, amount available...... Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888... July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888..... July 1, 1889, balance available.... Amounted (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... (See Appendix R 7.) $54.92 5,000.00 5,054.92 560.79 4, 494. 13 5,000,00 5,000.00 8. Pearl River, Mississippi, from Jackson to Carthage.-The present project for the improvement of this portion of the river was adopted in 1880, the object being to obtain a channel of 5 feet depth and of navigable width throughout. Before the improvement was commenced navigation, even during high water, was difficult on account of snags and overhanging trees. The amount expended to June 30, 1888, was $20,749.02, and resulted in such improvement of 62 miles of river from Carthage down that boats of 3 feet draught of water could navigate this distance on a 4-foot rise above ordinary low water. The amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, is $2,207.71, and resulted in the improvement of 89 miles of river from Carthage down, so that light-draught boats can navigate this distance with comparative safety on a 3-foot rise above ordinary low water. July 1, 1888, amount available..... $0.98 Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888. 2,500.00 2,500.98 July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888.... 2,207.71 July 1, 1889, balance available ... 293.27 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project. 26, 500,00 5,000.00 (See Appendix R 8.) 9. Pearl River, Mississippi, below Jackson.-The present project for the improvement of this portion of the river was adopted in 1880, the object being to obtain a channel 5 feet deep at ordinary low water, and of navigable width from the mouth of the river up to Jackson. Before the improvement the river was not navigable at all at low water, and difficult at high water. The amount expended on the work to June 30, 1888, was $92,115.45, and resulted in the complete improvement of that section of the river from the head of the cut-off near the head of West Pearl River down to the mouth at the Rigolets, a distance of 51 miles, and the partial improvement of the river from Jackson down to the cut-off, a distance of 264 miles, The amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, is $7,239.51, and resulted in the thorough repair of the plant, in reworking part of Homes Bayou; in closing West Pearl or Old River with willows, and the partial improvement of 25 miles of river from the head of the cut-off to Pool's Bluff, so that light-draught boats can navigate a distance of 76 miles from the mouth up all the year round. July 1, 1888, amount available Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888 July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888.... July 1, 1889, balance available Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... (See Appendix R 9.) $9.55 15,000.00 15, 009.55 7, 239.51 7,770.04 55, 000, 00 30,000. 00 EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENT, TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF RIVER AND HARBOR ACT OF AUGUST 11, 1888. The required preliminary examination of Gulf Port Harbor, Mississippi, was made by the local engineer in charge, Major Damrell, and reported by him as not worthy of improvement, with facts and reasons for such opinion. The Chief of Engineers concurring in the conclusion reached in this instance, has given no instructions to make further survey with the view to its improvement. (See Appendix R 10.) At the following localities, reported by the local engineer as worthy of improvement, and this conclusion being concurred in by the Chief of Engineers, the result of the preliminary examination containing infor mation sufficient to indicate to Congress the probable cost of the work required, no further report or survey appeared to be necessary: 1. Bluff Creek, Mississippi, from its mouth to the head of navigation.— Estimated cost of improvement $1,000, to be applied to removal of logs and other obstructions from channel, and the removal of leaning trees. (See Appendix R 11.) 2. Leaf River, Mississippi, from its mouth to the mouth of Bowie Creek, near the New Orleans and Northeastern Railroad.-The improvement proposed contemplates the removal of snags, logs, and gravel-bars at an estimated cost of $25,000. (See Appendix R 12.) 3. Chickasahay River, Mississippi, from its mouth to Enterprise.—This river is considered worthy of improvement by the removal of logs, snags, and overhanging trees from its mouth up to railroad bridge near Shubuta, at an estimated cost of $30,000. (See Appendix R 13.) 4. Bayou Chitta [Bogue Chitto], Louisiana.-Estimated cost of improvement $55,000 (not including necessary changes to seven bridges crossing the stream), to be applied to securing a channel for steam boats by removal of snags, logs, overhanging trees, and fish traps, and the closing of the west mouth. (See Appendix R 14.) The required preliminary examinations of the following rivers have been made by Major Damrell, and they are considered worthy of improvement. The surveys provided for by the act have not been completed; the reports will be submitted when received: 1. Sipsey River, Alabama, from the Tombigbee River at Vienna to Texas, with a view of easy transportation of coal. 2. Warrior River, Alabama, from Tuscaloosa to Demopolis, for deepening and widening the channel with a view of the easy transportation of coal. 3. Tombigbee Kiver, Alabama and Mississippi, between Vienna and Cotton Gin, with a view of obtaining continuous navigation. INSPECTION OF THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE SOUTH PASS OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. Inspecting officer, Capt. W. L. Fisk, Corps of Engineers. The inspecting officer in his annual report states that the principal work undertaken during the year is the renewal of the concrete capping of the east jetty. The channel required by law has been maintained during the year except for eight days, when there was a deficiency between 8,000 and 10,000 feet below East Point, rendering dredging necessary. The least depth during the year from river to sea was 27 feet, and the least width of the 26-foot channel was 210 feet. At the head of South Pass the least depth during the year was 30.4 feet; this is the present depth and at no time has the width of the 30foot channel been less than 490 feet. Beyond the ends of the jetties the most direct 30-foot channel became barely closed in May in consequence of a slight shoaling, but the one turning to the eastward maintained during the year and has a depth of 33.8 feet, the 26 and 30 foot channels being 430 and 200 feet wide, respectively. No vessels have had any trouble in the pass or jetties during the year. Numerous violations of the rules regulating the navigation of South Pass were reported to the War Department during the year. The cases were taken into court, but as yet no decision has been rendered. July 1, 1888, amount available... Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888. July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888 ... July 1, 1889, balance available (See Appendix S.) $4.41 10,000.00 10, 004. 41 8,962. 14 1,042. 27 IMPROVEMENT OF VARIOUS WATER-COURSES IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA-IMPROVEMENT OF SABINE PASS AND OF SABINE AND NECHES RIVERS, TEXAS. Officer in charge, Capt. W. L. Fisk, Corps of Engineers. Division Engineer, Col. C. B. Comstock, Corps of Engineers. 1. Tchefuncte River and Bogue Falia, Louisiana.-The river is navigable for steamers drawing 5 feet to Old Landing, about 10 or 12 miles above its mouth, and then for lighter draught schooners to Covington, about 2 miles further up on the Bogue Falia. The bar at the mouth of the river had a depth of 42 feet on it at the lowest stage of the water. The project for the improvement of the river was made in 1880, and contemplated the removal of overhanging trees, logs, etc., in channel, and the dredging of the bar at its mouth. The obstructions, such as overhanging trees, logs in beds, etc., were removed, but the bar at the mouth was not dredged, as it would be likely to reform. |