iture of this money resulted in greatly improved navigation during the low-water season when the snags are very dangerous obstructions. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, $70,224.82 was expended in removing obstructions and benefiting navigation and in building the hull of a new snag-boat for this river. One snag-boat was employed in removing obstructions, working eight weeks in the river. Five hundred and forty-six snags were removed, the boat having traveled 904 miles. The hull of the new snag-boat was completed and accepted, and contracts for upper works, cabin, &c., and the machinery for the new snag-boat, were entered into. During the coming season it is proposed to outfit the new snag-boat, and, as far as the funds available will permit, continue the snagging operations. With the appropriation asked for fiscal year ending June 30, 1888, it is proposed to complete the outfit of 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, 1885, amount available..... July 1, 186, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of $70,224 82. $113, 348 71 112,858 99 July 1, 1886, amount available.... Amount appropriated by act approved August 5, 1886.. 489 72 22, 500 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1887.. 22,989 72 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1888...... 44,000 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix V I.) 2. Osage River, Kansas and Missouri.-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, 1885, was $190,000, 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. With the amount asked for fiscal year ending June 30, 1888, 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 floods. No stated amount can be given as required to complete the improvement. Amount appropriated by act approved August 5, 1886......... $10,000 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1888 10,000 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix V 2.) 3. Gasconade River, Missouri.-This river was greatly obstructed by snags, logs, and leaning timber, thereby greatly interfering with navigation. 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, 1885, was $28,875.28, 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, 1886, $195.67 was expended in caring for plant, no field work having been done. No work will be done during the coming season, the funds on hand not being sufficient for that purpose, unless a further appropriation is made. With the amount asked for fiscal year ending June 30, 1888, 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. July 1, 1885, amount available... July 1, 1886, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1885 ... July 1, 1886, amount available Amount appropriated by act approved August 5, 1886.. Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1887...... 8,429 05 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1888 Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. 10,000 00 (See Appendix V 3.) MISSISSIPPI RIVER COMMISSION. This Commission, organized under the provisions of the act of June 28, 1879, reports to and receives instructions from the Secretary of War, through this office. The Secretary of War transmitted to the House of Representatives January 15, 1886, a report from the Commission, of December 8, 1885, exhibiting the financial condition of their work on December 1, 1885, and the operations prior to that date and subsequent to June 30, 1885, and also describing, from a recent inspection of the river, the condition of the work of improvement executed by the Commission. This report was printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 38, Forty-ninth Congress, first session. (See also Appendix V V.) The estimates for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1888, submitted by the Commission, are as follows: For improving the Mississippi River below Cairo, Ill $5,000,000 waters Improving harbors on the river below Cairo, Ill., namely: At Columbus, Ky.. At Hickman, Ky. At Memphis, Tenn. Salaries and traveling expenses of Mississippi River Commission, and for salaries and traveling expenses of assistant engineers under them, and for office expenses and contingencies.... 100,000 100,000 At Greenville, Mo.. At New Orleans, La Total 148, 500 608, 600 1,095, 600 6,295, 600 MISSOURI RIVER COMMISSION. This Commission, organized under provisions of the river and harbor act of July 5, 1884, reports to and receives instructions from the Secre tary of War, through this office. The first report of the Commission was transmitted to the Senate by the Secretary of War January 7, 1885, and printed as Senate Ex. Doc. No. 24, Forty-eighth Congress, second session. The second report of the Commission, containing in detail the project of surveys and of works of construction carried out from December 1, 1884, to October 13, 1885, was printed in the last Annual Report of this office. The third report, describing operations under their charge from the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885, to December 1, 1885, being supplemental to that above mentioned, was transmitted to the House of Representatives by the Secretary of War, January 15, 1886, and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 41, Forty-ninth Congress, first session. (See also Appendix W W.) The estimates submitted by the Commission for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1888, are as follows: For improving Missouri River from mouth to Sioux City, Iowa For office and traveling expenses and salaries of Commissioners $1,000,000 120,000 30,000 Total 1,150,000 IMPROVEMENT OF THE MISSOURI RIVER FROM SIOUX CITY, IOWA, TO FORT BENTON, MONTANA. Officer in charge, Capt. C. B. Sears, Corps of Engineers. The supervision of the work in progress on this portion of the river having passed to the Missouri River Commission by provisions of the river and harbor act of July 5, 1884, report of operations here during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, is made by that Commission. The river and harbor act of August 5, 1886, in making appropriations for continuing this improvement, returns its supervision to the Chief of Engineers, as heretofore. Amount appropriated by act approved August 5, 1886...... $60,000 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1888 135, 000 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. IMPROVEMENT OF YELLOWSTONE RIVER, MONTANA AND DAKOTA. Officer in charge, Capt. James B. Quinn, Corps of Engineers. During the past season the work has progressed in accordance with present project and has consisted in the construction of brush-dams, for the closing of chutes and cut-offs in the portion of the river below Glendive. These dams aggregate a total of 1,282 linear feet and were built at an average cost of $5.79 + per linear foot, the lowest average rate as yet reached in the construction of such works on the Yellowstone River. ESTIMATES. For necessary plant to continue operations... For expenses of working parties for one season's operations.. For new barges and dredge-boat.......... $14,000 25,700 5,000 30,000 74,700 Total that may be profitably expended during the next year. Exclusive of repairs to dams the cost of the improvement of the river from Glendive to the mouth will not probably exceed $106,000. July 1, 1885, amount available $10, 112 32 July 1, 1886, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1885 July 1, 1886, outstanding liabilities... $8,402 56 9,418 81 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... (See Appendix W.) 106,000 00 50,000 00 IMPROVEMENT OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER FROM THE MOUTH OF THE ILLINOIS TO THE MOUTH OF THE OHIO. Officer in charge, Maj. O. H. Ernst, Corps of Engineers. The supervision of the work in progress on this portion of the river having passed to the Mississippi River Commission, by provisions of the river and harbor act of July 5, 1884, report of operations here during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, is made by that Commission. The river and harbor act of August 5, 1886, in making appropriation for continuing this improvement, returns its supervision to the Chief of Engineers as heretofore. Amount appropriated by act approved August 5, 1886.......... $375,000 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30,1888 600, 000 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. IMPROVEMENT OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER FROM DES MOINES RAPIDS TO THE MOUTH OF ILLINOIS RIVER. Officer in charge, Capt. E. H. Ruffner, Corps of Engineers. The supervision of the work in progress on this portion of the river having passed to the Mississippi River Commission by provisions of the river and harbor act of July 5, 1884, report of operations here during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, is made by that Commission. The river and harbor act of August 5, 1886, in making appropriation for continuing this improvement, returns its supervision to the Chief of Engineers as heretofore. Amount appropriated by act approved August 5, 1886.... $150,000 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1888 264, 000 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. IMPROVEMENT OF THE NAVIGATION OF THE MISSISSIPPI BETWEEN SAINT PAUL AND DES MOINES RAPIDS, INCLUDING IMPROVEMENTS AT SPECIAL LOCALITIES BETWEEN THOSE POINTS-OPERATION AND CARE OF THE DES MOINES CANAL. Officer in charge, Maj. A. Mackenzie, Corps of Engineers. 1. Upper Mississippi River; operations of snag-boats and dredge-boats, &c.-There being no funds available from this appropriation small allotments were made from the general appropriations for improvement of the river between Saint Paul and the mouth of the Illinois River, by means of which the snag-boat General Barnard was enabled to make one hurried trip over the district named. Only the worst obstructions were removed. The snag-boat J. G. Parke was not in commission during the year. From lack of care during the past year the river is now more obstructed by snags and overhanging trees than for several years. The total amount expended for snag-boat service on Upper Mississippi River between Saint Paul and the mouth of the Missouri to July 1, 1886, is $502,140. The officer in charge submits an estimate of $30,000 for operating the snag-boats during fiscal year ending June 30, 1888, and recommends that the appropriation be made a permanent one, such as those made for the Government canals, in order to do away with the trouble experienced through the failure of river and harbor bills. Amount appropriated by act approved August 5, 1886...... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30,1888 Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix X 1.) $22,500 00 30,000 00 2. Mississippi River from Saint Paul to Des Moines Rapids.-With the small amount of funds available but little work could be done. During the year the work of improvement was carried on in the construction of brush, rock, and pile dams and shore protections at Saint Paul, between Saint Paul and Hastings, in vicinity of Fountain City, and in Coon and Cassville sloughs. A small island below Alma, very troublesome to raft navigation, was removed by dredge. Considerable dredging was done at West Saint Paul to form a basin or harbor there, and a system of buoys was maintained on Rock Island Rapids. Though the river reached a low stage in September, 1885, 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 well provided with equipments in the way of steamboats, barges, &c., and can expend to advantage the amount |