GG 5. IMPROVEMENT OF WAUKEGAN HARBOR, ILLINOIS. CONDITION OF THE WORK JUNE 30, 1884. The condition of the work and the progress made during the year are given in the accompanying report of Assistant Engineer W. H. Hearding, and is shown also in the map herewith. PROPOSED APPLICATION OF FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR EXPENDITURE DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1885. It is proposed to expend these funds in extending the north pier as far as the means will admit. PROPOSED APPLICATION OF FUNDS ASKED FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1886. It is proposed to expend these funds in completing the pier-work, and in dredging the entrance and inner basin, shown on the plan herewith. The work as yet has not advanced sufficiently to be of any advantage to commerce. The prospective commercial importance of this harbor is shown by the Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers for 1882, page 2165. The object to be attained by the construction of this harbor and the desires of the citizens in reference to it are stated in the Report of the Chief of Engineers for 1880, pages 1940 to 1947. At present there is but little transportation to and fro by water. The nearest collection district is Chicago, Ill. The nearest port of entry is Chicago, Ill. Amount of revenue collected at the nearest port of entry during the last fiscal year was $3,860,220.95. Money statement. July 1, 1883, amount available... $8,678 21 July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883.... 7,879 67 July 1, 1884, amount available 798 54 Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884... 20,000 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1885 .... 20,798 54 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.............. 91,000 00 75,000 00 REPORT OF MR. W. H. HEARDING, ASSISTANT ENGINEER. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, SIR: The following report upon Waukegan Harbor, Ill., is respectfully submitted. As stated in report of date June 30, 1883, the work of pile-driving was resumed on the 7th day of that month, and at the date of that report piles had been driven for the extension of the south pier for a distance of 47 feet. Work upon this extension was continued by purchase of materials in the open market and hired labor under the inspection of Mr. Samuel Whitney. Two hundred and twenty-six running feet of pier extension was completed as proposed. The general condition of the work at the present time is good, it being about the same as it was left at the close of last season. On the 20th instant I took a sufficient number of soundings to show the general depth of the water in and around the basin and the advance of the material brought by the sea from the northward of the north pier. The riprap of stone which was placed along the east side of the breakwater, and upon which there was a depth of from 3 to 6 feet of water last year, is now covered with the drifted material (sand and gravel) so that the water, when reduced to datum, is but from 1 to 2 feet in depth for the greater part of its length. The coustruction of the north pier as proposed will check the advance of the shore drift and provide a better entrance to the basin. The breakwater now provides shelter for a few fishing boats, one of which is a small steamer. The number of steamers and sailvessels which arrived and discharged cargoes at the bridge pier during the year was 82; the number of departures, 82. The receipts and shipments of merchandise and products are chiefly conducted by railroad. I have the honor to subscribe myself, Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Capt. W. L. MARSHALL, Corps of Engineers, U. S. A. W. H. HEARDING. GG 6. IMPROVEMENT OF THE FOX AND WISCONSIN RIVERS, WISCONSIN. CONDITION OF THE WORK JUNE 30, 1884. The condition of the work is as given in the last annual report of the Chief of Engineers, with the additional work done during the year, accounts of which are to be found in the accompanying reports of Assistant Engineer C. A. Fuller and of J. W. Allen, jr., overseer. No work was done on the Wisconsin River during the past year, and none is contemplated for the next year except the maintenance of existing dams, the appropriation being insufficient to meet the pressing requirements of existing navigation on the Fox River. On the Fox River the work done has been such work of maintenance and repair on the Upper Fox as necessary to maintain navigation from Portage to Lake Winnebago, including repairs to lock gates at Fort Winnebago, Governor Bend, Princeton, Berlin, and Eureka, and minor repairs to embankments and dams. A general overhauling of boats and dredges is in progress preparatory to beginning work of dredging and repairs on this part of the river. On the Lower Fox the following work has been done: The Appleton First Lock was completed; sluice ways and gates were built in Appletou Upper Dam; water on bars and in canals was deepened by dredging, and extensive repairs were made to lock gates, canal embankments, and dams. Navigation was continued throughout the season until suspended by ice, except for a short time, consequent upon the breaking of the canal bank at Little Kaukauna. Three feet depth of navigation was maintained on the Upper Fox and 5 feet on the lower river save at Menasha, where 4 feet depth was maintained. The dams on the Lower Fox being unprovided with sluices, as a rule, have met with injury at the abutments from high water and wash, and require extensive repairs in some cases amounting to entire rebuilding of abutments. Sluices are also necessary as safeguards against damages to canal banks by high water, especially because the canals are not as yet provided with guard-gates. PROPOSED APPLICATION OF FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR EXPENDITURE DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1885. The funds available are to be used as above indicated, and to complete the remodeling and construction of the dam at Menasha, begun in 1882, but stopped by injunction at the instance of property owners, claiming that their property would be damaged thereby, Congress having made provision for the settlement of this injunction suit and claim. A new lock will be built at Governor Bend and navigation maintained by dredging. PROPOSED APPLICATION OF FUNDS ASKED FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1886. The funds asked for are to be used in replacing the old constructions as they become unserviceable and to the furtherance of the general project of improvement. It is to be noted that the cost of maintenance of the existing mechanical constructions on the Fox River absorbs a large part of the annual appropriations, fully 20 per cent., when of the magnitude of the sums voted by Congress for the past four years, leaving balances applicable to work of improvement so small that the money cannot be advantageously or economically applied. It is hoped that the works already in use may be maintained under the standing appropriation and the entire current annual appropriations be made available for improving the navigation of the river. The estimate submitted is for continuing the work on the plan already adopted, which contemplates works of construction on the Wisconsin River to improve by scour the natural channel, and locks and dams on the Fox for slackwater navigation. The object of this improvement is to secure a cheap water-route from the Mississippi River to the great lakes and Atlantic seaboard. The arguments in its favor have been set forth in many previous reports, and especially in the report of Maj. G. K. Warren, Corps of Engineers, in report of Chief of Engineers for 1868, page 357, and in the report of the Select Committee on Transportation Routes to the Seaboard, United States Senate, 1874. The subject of the improvement of this route is being considered by the Board of Engineers to which it has been referred. Original estimated cost of work as now being carried on.. $3,745, 663 00 1,780,000 00 1875 1,565, 709 62 Amount exclusive of former appropriations required for entire and permanent completion of work.... 1,965, 663 00 The nearest collection district is Milwaukee, Wis. The nearest port of entry is Milwaukee, Wis. The amount of revenue collected at the nearest port of entry during the last fiscal year was $193,073.40. The following papers accompany this report: No. 1. Annual report of Mr. C. A. Fuller, assistant engineer, on Lower Fox River. 5908 EN-118 Money statement. July 1, 1883, amount available.... Fuel sold to officers deposited to credit of appropriation... $134,767 07 108 50 134,875 57 July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883..... 67,972 26 July 1, 1884, amount available.... 66,903 31 Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884. 160,000 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1885.... 226, 903 31 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project...... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886... 1,965, 663 00 500,000 00 FOX RIVER. REPORT OF MR. C. A. FULLER, ASSISTANT ENGINEER. UNITED STATES FOX RIVER IMPROVEMENT, Engineer Office, Appleton, Wis., July 10, 1884. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report of operations on the improvement of the Lower Fox River for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884. Operations during the year were confined principally to completing the construction of Appleton First Lock; to placing Taintor sluice-gates in Appleton Upper Dam; to dredging bars and deepening canals, and to making extensive repairs to locks, dams, and canal banks. Navigation was continued until closed by ice on the 28th of November, 1883, with exception of a suspension of three weeks, caused by a break in the left bank of canal at Little Kaukauna. It was resumed on the 17th of April, 1884, and maintained to the present date. Boats drawing 5 feet of water could run from Green Bay to Menasha, and 4 feet thence to Lake Winnebago, during the whole season of navigation. The following outline of operations at each point on the Lower Fox River is respect fully submitted: 1. DE PERE DAM (NEW). No work was done on this dam during the year. To complete it the flume cribs should be planked and a backing of clay and gravel on a layer of willow mats filled in 2. DE PERE LOCK AND CANAL (OLD). The capstan platforms were leveled up and repaired, and new spars attached to the gates. The canal banks were raised and strengthened by placing 2,179 cubic yards of clay and gravel excavated from the basin by Dredge No. 2. 3.-LITTLE KAUKAUNA DAM (NEW). A filling of clay and rubble-stone was placed near the north abutment of this dam, and 67 cubic yards of large stone were transported from Kaukauna and placed below and in close proximity to both abutments. These abutments are in a dangerous condition, and should be rebuilt. To strengthen the dam it is proposed to put in an apron 15 feet wide its entire length, covered with 3-inch plank, and resting upon three rows of oak piles 10 feet apart, and on one row 5 feet apart from center to center. Before the planking is laid the lower side of the dam is to be riprapped. 4.—LITTLE KAUKAUNA LOCK AND CANAL (Old). Slight repairs were made to this lock and two new spars placed on the gates. A break 150 feet in length in the left bank of the canal was repaired by sinking cribs, driving 2 rows of piles, and filling with brush, rubble-stone, and clay. Both banks of the canal were raised and strengthened; 500 linear feet of the left one was paved with stone, and the bank between the head of the canal and the left shore was riprapped; 5,721 cubic yards of clay were dredged and placed by Dredge No. 2, and 102.5 cords of rubble-stone were brought from Kaukauna and laid along the banks. There were purchased and expended here 19,481 feet, B. M., of pine lumber, 8,431 linear feet of oak piles, 797 pounds of iron, and 2 kegs of spikes. 5.-RAPID CROCHE DAM (NEW). No further cutting of the river bank at the south end of the dam has taken place. It is proposed to make the required repairs, including new abutments, during the coming lower water season. 6. RAPID CROCHE LOCK AND CANAL (OLD). A washout on the left side of the lock was filled in, and the gate hangings were repaired. The canal banks near the head of the lock were raised and strengthened. 7.-KAUKAUNA FIFTH LOCK (OLD). Repairs were made to this lock as follows: 560 linear feet of pine coping timber, sixty-nine posts, and fifty-two cross-ties were framed, placed, and bolted; 3,920 feet, B. M., of old plank were removed and replaced by new; 149 cubic yards of dry stone walls were laid; four capstan platforms rebuilt; three new snubbing posts put in; one new diamond block was placed and bolted, and the gates were repaired. 8.-KAUKAUNA FOURTH LOCK (NEW). Slight repairs were made to the gates; two new spars put on, and 43 cubic yards of clay filled in near the head of the lock. 9.-KAUKAUNA THIRD LOCK (NEW). A new gate was built and put in, to replace one carried out, and the other gates were repaired. 10.-KAUKAUNA SECOND LOCK (OLD). The gates were repaired; two capstan platforms built, and two repaired; two new capstans were put in and two new snubbing posts set; 664 linear feet of pine coping, seventy-four posts and fifty-three cross-ties were framed, placed, and bolted; 7,740 feet, B. M., of old pine plank were removed and replaced by new, and 1,500 superficial feet of plank respiked; 55 cubic yards of dry stone wall were laid and 65 cubic yards built on lower wing-walls. 11.-KAUKAUNA FIRST LOCK (NEW). Eighty cubic yards of clay embankment were put in rear of wall near the head of the lock; six iron snubbing posts were placed and bolted, holes were drilled in the coping and dowels put in and secured with lead and antimony. 12.-KAUKAUNA DAM (NEW). Slight repairs were made to embankments at both abutments. 13.-KAUKAUNA CANAL. Repairs were made in first, second, third, and fifth levels; 205 cubic yards of clay were used in raising and strengthening the banks, and 479 cubic yards of rubble-stone were placed along 1,943 linear feet of the right banks in first and fifth levels. 14.-KAUKAUNA QUARRY. No stone was quarried here during the season. Stone was dressed for constructing Appleton first lock and for piers to sluice ways in Appleton upper dam. The dressed stone, together with backing and rubble-stone, were hauled to the canal wharf for transportation to Appleton. |