number, and extending 3 or 4 miles above and below Morganza, be taken on lines well marked for future reference.

The party engaged in making the survey for the proposed sill-dams in the Atchafalaya was temporarily transferred to the Morganza Reach. Mr. W. J. Hardee was in immediate charge of this party, which was thoroughly organized and equipped, and he is entitled to great credit, no time being lost, and the work being done both accurately and quickly.

The field work of the survey was commenced January 12, 1887, under my personal direction, and was completed January 25, 1887. The actual working time, exclusive of time lost from bad weather, was eleven and one-quarter days, during which time the following was accomplished:

Length of traverse line run, 20.23 miles; length of line chained, comprising measurements to establish initial points of sections, bank distances on sections, and baselines for locating soundings, 11.16 miles; length of level lines run to establish datum at the different sections, and to prolong sections from water's edge on either bank, 16.8 miles; number of soundings taken and located with two instruments on crosssections, 748.

The method of operations was as follows: On arrival in the reach a general reconnoissance was made and the location of the fifteen cross-sections decided on. In locating the sections an endeavor was made to have them cross the river on lines previously sounded by the Commission in the general survey of this portion of the river, made in February, 1883.

A line of levels was run on the right bank the full length of the reach, and benchmarks established at each section. All levels were referred to the Memphis datum. Two and sometimes three iron tubes were driven and located on the line of each section to permanently mark its position and direction. Base-lines for locating soundings were measured at each section. Considerable clearing was necessary to open vistas for the level lines on the sections. A transit and stadia traverse line was run on the right bank the full length of the reach, to connect the sections and locate the shore-line and levees. This was all incidental work to the actual sounding of the cross-sections, and the most of it was done at times when the wind was too strong for accurate sounding.

In sounding the cross-sections the following method was observed: The line of the section was ranged off on either bank with flags, as a guide for the soundings. Two transits were then set up, one on either end of the base-line previously measured. One end of the base was always on the section line. Levels were then taken from the bench-mark previously established, on a measured line from the zero point of the section to the water's edge, and the elevation of the water-surface determined. The lead line was then tested and soundings commenced. To secure plumb soundings in the swift current, the launch was run above the section line, the lead thrown, and the launch and lead allowed to drift together down on to the ranged line, at the moment of crossing which the sounding was taken. Commencing at the right bank the launch was gradually worked across the river, taking about twenty-five soundings, each of which was located, regardless of the ranged line, by two transits. When the left bank was reached a flag was set up at the water's edge and located. The section was then prolonged, by means of measurement and levels, from the flag up to the highwater bank. The launch then commenced the return trip to the right bank, taking about twenty-five more soundings, thus duplicating the section and checking any error of the leadsman. Upon the completion of the section the lead line was again tested, and the party transferred to the next section, where the same routine was followed. About fifty soundings were taken on each section, and in plotting the work but few errors were discovered.

I do not think any difficulty will be experienced in repeating the sections, as the iron tubes marking them are not likely to be destroyed.

The field work of the survey has been plotted, and accompanying this report is a tracing of the chart of Morganza Reach, showing locations of cross-sections and permanent marks; also comparative cross-sections from surveys of February, 1883, and January, 1887.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Capt. DAN. C. KINGMAN,

H. S. DOUGLAS,
Assistant Engineer.

Corps of Engineers.

APPENDIX Z Z.

REPORTS OF THE MISSOURI RIVER COMMISSION.

ᏃᏃ 1.

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MISSOURI RIVER COMMISSION, 1886.

MISSOURI RIVER COMMISSION,

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, 1415 WASHINGTON AVENUE,

Saint Louis, Mo., November 17, 1886. SIR: The Missouri River Commission beg leave to submit herewith their annual report upon the operations in their charge for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886.

SURVEYS.

The survey of the Missouri River, which has been in progress for the last eight years, has been carried on by the Commission mainly with funds allotted from the appropriation for improvement, there having been only a small balance remaining from the last specific appropriation for this work.

At the date of the last annual report a surveying party was en route for Fort Benton, Montana. On July 4 they began work at this latter point and by October 1 had progressed down-stream a distance of 240 miles to Trover's Point, where operations were closed for the season. The work of this party was preliminary, and consisted of secondary triangulation, levels, and the establishment of permanent bench-marks. During the winter the triangulation work was adjusted and all computations made, and the base line of the previous year's work at Glasgow, Mo., was measured. It had been intended, during the current season, to complete the work near Fort Benton by filling in the topography and 8872 ENG 87-183

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hydrography, but no funds being available for the purpose, the Commission have decided to continue on the lower river the secondary triangulation and establishment of permanent bench-marks, which work it is hoped may be completed between Fort Leavenworth and Glasgow, a distance of 192 miles, during the present season. There will then remain, to complete the work, triangulation from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to Trover's Point, Montana, 1,501 miles; topography and hydrog raphy from Fort Pierre, Dakota, to Fort Benton, Montana, 1,100 miles; establishment of permanent bench-marks from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to Trover's Point, Montana, and from Boonville, Mo., to the mouth of the river, a total distance of 1,908 miles. The total estimated cost of this much-needed work is $165,000, and at least $50,000 should be devoted to it annually till it is completed.

In the office of the Commission, besides the work incidental to the surveys mentioned, progress has been made on the compilation and tabulation of physical data already collected. Eighteen water-gauges have been maintained during the year. The records of all known gauges have been collected and tabulated. They have been, so far as possible, reduced to a common datum plane, the Saint Louis city directrix, and prepared for publication.

For details of this work, see report of the Secretary of the Commission, Appendix A.

CONSTRUCTION.

IMPROVING MISSOURI RIVER FROM SIOUX CITY, IOWA, TO FORT BENTON, MONTANA.

Work has been confined to the upper portion of the river above Carroll, where rapids and rocks mainly obstruct navigation. At Grand Island dams were constructed, as also at Dauphin's Rapids and below Fort Benton, the object in all cases being either to increase the navigable depth over the rapids by damming the water back or to sweep away shoals of sand by concentrating the force of the current. These works have been successful. The new plant ordered for the work has been completed.

From the close of field work in the fall of 1885 to the end of the fiscal year nothing has been done beyond caring for the public property, the appropriation being practically exhausted.

Under recent legislation this work has passed out of the hands of the Commission.

For details of work done, see report of Capt. James B. Quinn, Corps of Engineers, United States Army, Appendix B.

IMPROVING MISSOURI RIVER FROM ITS MOUTH TO SIOUX CITY, IOWA.

In this district work has been carried on in the vicinity of Saint Joseph, Mo., and Kansas City, Mo. At the first place, the object in view was to extend and complete certain works of bank protection constructed in previous years to prevent the formation of a threatened cutoff, while at Kansas City the work was the commencement of a thorough, systematic, and continuous improvement of the lower portion of the river. In the last annual report of the Commission the methods employed were described at length, together with details of the progress made in the early part of the season.

Saint Joseph, Missouri.-After the subsidence of the June rise work at this place was resumed. From July 15 to 20th, 435 cubic yards of rock were placed on those portions of the Elwood revetment repaired in the

spring, and on July 24 work was resumed on the revetment of the left bank in Bonton Bend. This work progressed steadily till October 8, when the mattress work had been carried down-stream a distance of 9,725 feet and partially covered with stone. The boats employed on the work were then hauled out of water for safety during the winter, and were launched again in the spring when the ice had ceased running. Work was then resumed, and the work of placing the rock covering on the upper portion of the bank was completed. In carrying out this work there were used 7,372 cords of brush and 12,605 cubic yards of rock. In grading the banks above water 83,394 cubic yards of earth were removed by the use of a water-jet.

During the season some 2 miles of badly caving bank was substantially revetted and the caving at once stopped. Below the limits of the work, however, the caving has gone on at the same rate as before. To check this and complete the work the revetment must be extended 10,000 feet farther, which it is expected will be done during the spring of 1887. There will still remain the extension of the Elwood revetment to Belmont, about 18,000 feet, which cannot be undertaken till further appropriations are made.

For details of the work attention is invited to the report of Assistant S. Waters Fox, in local charge, Appendix C.

Kansas City, Missouri.-Work at this point consisted in revetting the caving banks in Kaw and Quindaro Bends. Work on Kaw Bend was begun in the spring, and 3,000 feet had been revetted at date of last report. By the end of July all the plant available had arrived on the ground, and on August 3 work was resumed in Kaw Bend. The first 1,300 feet of mattress constructed had a total width of 90 feet from the top of the graded bank, 60 feet being beyond the line of low water. The remaining 6,400 feet had a total width of 110 feet, of which 75 feet was beyond the low-water line. The upper bank was sloped to an average grade of 33 to 1 by hydraulic graders.

The completion, early in October, of this 7,700 feet of revetment (10,700 during the season), effected a junction with the work of 1882, and completed the protection of the upper portion of Kaw Bend. The working parties were then transferred to Quindaro Bend, on the opposite side of the river. Work here was begun on September 7, and the mattress work was finished October 27. The Quindaro Bend revetment is 9,760 feet long and 135 feet wide, 75 feet being below low-water line. Five mattress-boats were employed, and the maximum force of men aggregated 822. Owing to the failure of the contractor for rock to fulfill the conditions of his contract much trouble and delay were experi enced. It was finally found necessary to haul most of the stone needed in wagons, and the work of placing it was carried on during the winter and spring. The Kaw Bend work was finally completed on January 2 and the Quindaro work at the end of April. In the execution of this work 14,159 cords of brush were consumed and 34,608 cubic yards of rock. In grading the banks 75,419 cubic yards of earth were removed by the hydraulic graders. The whole work was of the most thorough and satisfactory character, and promises to afford a complete protection against further encroachments of the river. During the month of December all the boats used on the work were hauled out on the bank for safe-keeping, except the tow-boats, graders, and some other pieces, 28 in all, which were sent into winter quarters at Bushberg, near Saint Louis.

When the ice broke up in the spring a gorge formed in the bend in front of Kansas City, and the water backed up above it, forced its way

through the sand-bar to the north of Pest Island. This channel kept on enlarging during the season till it finally carried the bulk of the water. Unfortunately this channel led under one of the fixed spans of the bridge, and as the bar between it and the bend was too shoal for boats to cross, the bridge during the whole low-water season became the head of navigation. Nothing could be done in the matter; the balance remaining in the hands of the Commission being insufficient to defray the cost of the extensive rectification works required.

Funds from the new appropriation became available too late to enable the Commission to resume work this fall, but all needful preparations will be made to begin as soon as the river is clear of ice in the spring. It is expected that the revetment of the right bank below Kansas City, known as the East Bottom, will be completed, as also the revetment of the left bank, in Sharp's Bend, below Randolph. This work, together with the rectification works in Lower Kaw Bend and at Pest Island, will probably exhaust the current appropriation before the end of the fiscal year.

There will still remain to be done in this vicinity revetment work in Parkville and Little Platte Bends to secure the head of the work, and revetment at Wyandotte and Harlem, when the rectification works have accomplished their object. Continuing down the river from Sharp's Bend, Big Blue and Wayne City bends require revetment with rectification works and revetment of the left bank opposite the mouth of Big Blue River. This, with sufficient funds available, can be completed during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1888, and will carry the finished work to Liberty, Mo., 30 miles from the starting point.

For fuller details of this work, see report of Assistant Samuel H. Yonge, in local charge, Appendix D.

OPERATIONS FOR THE COMING SEASON.

The peculiar wording of the act making appropriation for the improvement of the Lower Missouri River, approved August 5, 1886, has caused the Commission much embarrassment in deciding as to the precise wishes of Congress in the matter. The act appropriates the sum of $375,000 for continuing the improvement of the Missouri River, including necessary work at Omaha, Atchison, Saint Joseph, Fort Leavenworth Reservation, Arrow Rock, Kansas City, Plattsmouth, Brownville, and Nebraska City, under the direction of the Secretary of War, in accordance with plans and estimates to be furnished by the Missouri River Commission.

The Commission in previous reports have outlined their plan for the improvement of the navigation of the river, which consists essentially in contracting the width of the stream to comparative uniformity, and in fixing the location and direction of the channel by protecting all banks exposed to the erosive action of the current. This work, to have any value, must be thorough and continuous, and after due consideration the Commission decided to begin the work in the vicinity of Kansas City and to carry it on down-stream from that point to the mouth of the river. This plan was approved by the Secretary of War, and work in prosecution thereof has been in active progress during the past season. To continue this work the Commission in their last annual report recommended an appropriation of $1,000,000. The current act, while materially reducing this estimate, directs that "necessary work" shall also be done at nine specified localities according to plans and estimates to be presented by the Missouri River Commission. What