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completed, except the gates. Lock 2, 263 miles above Charleston, had been commenced.

The amount expended in the year ending June 30, 1885, was $136,915.84, which has been applied to work at Lock 2 and Dam 6, both having been brought well forward. If the season be favorable, Dam 6 may be completed in 1885. If a new appropriation be made early in the session of Congress, Lock and Dam 2 may both be completed in 1886; otherwise, not until 1887.

The development of commerce on this river has been remarkable since its successful improvement by the United States, with great consequent benefit to the whole section with which it is connected.

July 1, 1884, amount available

Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884..

$126,260 85

200,000 00

July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884..

326,260 85

$122,348 27

July 1, 1885, outstanding liabilities.

14,567 57

136,915 84

189,345 01

July 1, 1885, amount available....

Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project..
Amount that can be profitably expended 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 D D 1.)

.1,857,500 00 500,000 00

2. Elk River, West Virginia.-The Elk is one of the chief tributaries of the Great Kanawha. Its course is tortuous, as is shown by the fact that the distance from its mouth to Braxton Court-House is 54 miles in a straight line, but 100 miles by the windings of the stream. The average low-water width is about 200 feet, with narrows at the rapids of about 150 feet in width, and occasional portions of about 300 feet in width. The pools vary in depth from 3 to 10 feet, and are separated by rapids over shoals of cobble-stones and gravel, on which there has been, at low seasons, a depth of but a few inches of water. The average fall per mile in the river from Braxton Court-House down is about 2 feet, but is not uniformly distributed, being greatest (about 4 feet per mile) in the central section and less (about 2 feet) in the upper and lower sections. Freshets of small height are of frequent occurrence, but rapidly pass off. The annual rise in the spring is about 10 or 12 feet. An extraordinary rise is sometimes had of 25 or 30 feet, but the duration is not great.

The approved project of improvement has been the removal of rocks, snags, overhanging trees, &c., and the cutting of narrow sluices through the rapids and shoals. The principal interests to be served are those of lumbering and rafting, but much country produce is also carried downstream in small boats, which return with merchandise, &c. The cost of the improvement was originally estimated as $100,000.

The amount expended to June 30, 1884, was $15,820.77. The available balance at that date, viz, $1,179.23, has been expended in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885, according to the approved project. The country through which this stream flows is rich in minerals and well fitted for agriculture and grazing. The improvement already done has been of great benefit to that as yet comparatively undeveloped section.

There are several obstructions to the navigation of this river, due to the action of private parties or corporations, which should be removed if the improvement is to be continued by the United States.

July 1, 184, amount available..

July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884 .....

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 D D 2.)

$1,179 23

1, 179 23

3,000 00

3. New River, from the Mouth of Wilson, in Grayson County, Virginia, to the mouth of Greenbrier River, West Virginia.-As has been stated in previous reports, but is here repeated to save trouble in referring to other volumes, the appropriations have been made in such a manner as to divide this portion of the river into three sections, as follows:

Upper, or Lead Mines

Middle, or New River Bridge.
Lower, or Greenbrier..

Miles.

62

43

861

Throughout this distance the navigable channel consisted of natural chutes through the ledges and shoals of varying widths, rarely over 1 foot in depth, in some places so tortuous as to render navigation extremely difficult and dangerous.

The original project adopted for the improvement of these natural channels was to widen them to 30 or 50 feet, as might be required, deepen them to 2 feet, and straighten such as needed it. This was for bateau navigation, the improvement, however, to be made in such a manner as to aid the work should a greater depth and width be required in the future.

A small steamboat, draught 12 inches when light, having been built at Hinton in the fall of 1878, rendered it necessary to make the channel in that section 50 feet wide at all points, and in many from 75 feet to 100 feet, the depth of 2 feet being retained. This steamboat was not adapted in dimensions and power to the navigation of the river, and has been withdrawn.

The original plan of improvement has been adhered to, except that the width of channels on the middle and upper divisions has been reduced to 20 feet, and on the former to 10 feet for several miles, to allow iron to be shipped from the furnaces above.

Nothing was done in the year ending June 30, 1884, nor in the year ending June 30, 1885, and the act of July 5, 1884, contained no further appropriation; neither was there an appropriation at the session of 1884-85. The balance available, $3,000, pertains, by special designation of the law of August 2, 1882, to the portion of the river above Foster's Falls, which are not passable.

Though some anxiety has been manifested by the people interested in that section of the river for the expenditure of this balance, it remains in the Treasury, as the need of it was not apparent until Foster's Falls could be passed. The difficulty about these falls will, however, considerably disappear when the railroad up Cripple Creek is completed, as boats could then ship to the railroad their freight at Porter's Ferry, above the Lead Mines and the falls.

The navigation of the river not being continuous as yet, it is practically a feeder to the railroads which cross it and run along portions of it. It has also been of much use in carrying materials and supplies to the railroads while in process of construction near it. It is probable that when the river is fully improved boats will transport one-third of

the products of the fine agricultural country through which it flows, and seven-eighths of those of the mines, exclusive of coal.

July 1, 1884, amount available

$3,079 08

July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884..

79 08

July 1, 1885, amount available........

3,000 00

Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project
Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1877
Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and

169,000 00 25,000 00

harbor acts of 1866 and 1867.

(See Appendix D D 3.)

4. Examination of models and plans, &c., for movable dams.-To comply with a resolution of the House Committee on Rivers and Harbors of February 13, 1884, that the Engineer Department cause to be examined such models and plans for movable dams and other river improvements as may be placed before it, a Board of Engineer Officers was constituted for the performance of the duty required. The report of the Board upon the subject was transmitted to the House of Representatives, and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 95, Forty-eighth Congress, second session. (See also Appendix D D 4.)

EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENT TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF THE RIVER AND HARBOR ACT OF JULY 5,

1884.

The following locality was examined by the local engineer in charge and not recommended for improvement:

1. Greenbrier River, West Virginia.-The report on this examination was transmitted to Congress and printed in House Ex. Doc. No. 71, Forty-eighth Congress, second session. (See also Appendix D D 5.)

IMPROVEMENT OF KENTUCKY AND TRADEWATER RIVERS, KENTUCKY; BIG SANDY RIVER, KENTUCKY AND WEST VIRGINIA; AND OF GUYANDOTTE, LITTLE KANAWHA, AND BUCKHANNON RIVERS,

WEST VIRGINIA.

Officer in charge, Capt. J. C. Post, Corps of Engineers.

1. Kentucky River, Kentucky.-The present project for the improvement of this river was adopted in 1879, the object being to repair the five locks and dams built by the State of Kentucky, and extend slackwater navigation for a draught of 6 feet, by the construction of additional locks and dams, to Beattyville, a distance of 261 miles from the mouth of the river.

Four of the original locks have been repaired, and three of the dams rebuilt and the fourth partially repaired.

The operations during the past year have consisted of making further repairs to Locks and Dams Nos. 1 and 4 and commencing the repairs to Lock and Dam No. 5. The river between Lock No. 5 and Shaker Ferry, a distance of 44 miles, was also cleared of snags and leaning trees which obstructed the channel.

The purchase of the land for the Lock and Dam No. 6 and the dam at Beattyville was not completed.

During the present fiscal year it is proposed to complete the repairs at Lock 5 and rebuild the dam. The land for Lock and Dam No. 6 and the dam at Beattyville will be obtained, and the work at both of these places commenced. The obstructions in the river channel between

Beattyville and the crossing of the Kentucky Central Railroad, a distance of 80 miles, will be removed.

With the amount asked for it is proposed to complete Lock and Dam No. 6 and commence the construction of additional locks and dams. 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, amount available....

(Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.......2, Amount that can be profitably expended 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 E E 1.)

$74,452 06

250,000 00

324,452 06

59,730 26

264, 721 80

221, 639 26 500,000 00

2. Operating and keeping in repair locks and dams on the Kentucky River, Kentucky.-During the fiscal year the navigation of that portion of the Kentucky River improved by four locks and dams, a distance of 87 miles, was continuous, with the exception of thirteen days when the river was obstructed by ice. One thousand eight hundred and fourteen steamboats, 1,185 barges and flats, 126 rafts, and 297 miscellaneous craft passed through the locks, making a total of 3,422 lockages.

The total expenditure to June 30 was $12,118.60. The estimated amount required for operating and maintaining navigation for the year 1885-'86 is $27,615.

It is proposed to thoroughly repair the up-stream half of Dam No. 4, which was constructed by the State of Kentucky and is now leaking badly. The extent of the work needed cannot be definitely ascertained until the pool is lowered and the dam uncovered. The necessary repairs at the other locks and dams will also be made, and two short crib jetties, will be constructed below the abutment of Dam No. 3 to stop the erosive effect of the reaction. The estimate of the cost of maintaining this navigation for the year 1886-'87 is $12,400.

(See Appendix E E 2.)

3. Tradewater River, Kentucky.-This river is a tributary of the Ohio and empties into it 79 miles below Evansville, Ind.

The present project for improving this river was adopted in 1881. It contemplates removing obstructions, and, by forming a channel with a minimum width of 40 feet and a least depth of 24 feet during six months of the year, rendering navigable for 41 miles a stream that was practically closed.

During the past year the obstructions were removed an additional distance of 12 miles, making 31 miles that are now navigable. The banks were cleared 7 miles, and the timber was deadened upon the banks to Bellville, the point to which it is proposed to extend the work. It is proposed to complete the improvements with the amount asked for. July 1, 1884, amount available

Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884

$58 78

2,000 00

2,058 78

July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884..

2,027 49

July 1, 1885, amount available....

31 29

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 E E 3.)

$8,000 00 5,000 00

4. Big Sandy River, West Virginia and Kentucky.-The Big Sandy River empties into the Ohio River and is the dividing line between West Virginia and Kentucky. The project for improving the natural channels of this river and its forks, by the removal of snags, bowlders, and overhanging trees, and the concentration of the water at low stages in the narrow channels, was adopted in 1878, the object being to form a channel with a minimum width of 50 feet, containing at least 1 foot of water during six months of the year. In 1880 this project was modified and the construction of a lock and dam at Louisa added.

The work upon this river has been continued during the past year, and obstructions have been removed between the mouth of the river, near Piketon, on the Louisa Fork, a distance of 113 miles, and from the mouth of Tug Fork, at Louisa, to Pond Creek, a distance of 58 miles.

The removal of the obstructions has resulted in rendering the river navigable with 1 foot less water than heretofore, and increased the period of navigation at least one month each year. The excavation of the lock-site, commenced during the preceding year, was completed and about two-thirds of the lock constructed. During the present fiscal year the construction of the lock will be continued. It is proposed to apply the amount asked for to the construction of the lock and dam and to continue the improvement of the forks.

July 1, 1884, amount available....

$79,774 01

Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884

50,000 00

129,774 01

July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884.....

108,709 48

July 1, 1885, amount available...............

21,064 53

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.

92,645 31

50,000 00

(See Appendix E E 4.)

5. Guyandotte River, West Virginia.-The Guyandotte River is a tributary of the Ohio, and joins it at the town of Guyandotte, about 12 miles above the mouth of the Big Sandy River.

The project for the improvement of this river was adopted in 1878. This contemplated the formation of a clear channel 122 miles long, with a minimum width of 30 feet and a least depth of 18 inches during five months of the year by the removal of snags, rocks, and other obstructions.

No work was done upon this river during the past year.

The $2,000 appropriated by act of July, 1884, has been retained pending the action of Congress. It is the desire of those interested in this work that Rogers Mill Dam, a dangerous obstruction 13 miles from the mouth of the river, should be purchased and removed. It can be obtained for the amount now available, and it is recommended that Congress grant the requisite authority. With the amount asked for, it is proposed to complete the improvement. This includes the removal of

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