water channel. A vigorous opposition to the change was made by the Pittsburg Coal Exchange, and work was suspended and a board of engineer officers convened to examine the site and report upon the plans. The board recommended the construction of the cross-dike in place of the upper part of the training dike, and one other spur dike, but, in view of the strong opposition of the coal-boat operators, considered it advisable to omit from the plans the work that was intended for improving the low-water channel.

Ice pier at Kerrs Run.-This work was completed during the year. Dikes at Eight Mile Bar.-Supplementary works were constructed at this point, for the purpose of improving the channel opposite the dike built in 1885-'86. Two loose stone spur dikes were constructed, one 450 feet and one 210 feet in length. They were located at right angles to the current, and carried up to an elevation 4 feet above low water. Observations taken subsequently indicated a considerable improvement in the channel, as regards depth, width, and general direction.

Rock bar at mouth of Licking River.-A steam drilling scow for the removal of the rocky bar in the mouth of Licking River, by blasting and subsequent dredging, is now in process of construction.

Cullums Ripple.-A hired dredge was employed from November 15 to November 20, 1892, in removing snags and small drift, which had become so tightly packed as to form an obstruction in the channel opposite the dike at Cullums Ripple. Sixteen snags and seventeen cords of drift were removed and disposed of in such a manner that no further danger to navigation could result.

Great Miami Embankment.-Enlargement of this embankment has been completed, so far as funds under the allotment would permit, and the work may be considered completed.

Rising Sun.-A hired dredge with towboat and barges was employed, from November 11 to November 30, in widening and straightening the channel opposite the upper dike on the Indiana shore at Rising Sun. Three thousand three hundred and twenty cubic yards was removed by dredging, and by this removal a very much larger quantity was scoured out by the current, so that a greatly improved channel resulted.

Dike at Madison, Ind.-This work was completed during the year. Embankment at Shawneetown.-This was enlarged and the work under the allotment completed in May, 1893.

Brooklyn Harbor.-By the river and harbor act of July 13, 1892, the sum of $10,000 was allotted for the purpose of improving the harbor at Brooklyn, Ill. The work of improvement was a continuation and extension of that done in 1884 and 1888. The United States dredges commenced work in October, 1892, and continued until December 17, 1892, when they were stopped by high water. Thirty-nine thousand two hundred and eighty-six and four-tenths cubic yards of pudding stone, gravel, and mud was removed during this time.

Dike at middle of Grand Chain.-This dike, which has been a long time in building on account of unfavorable stages of the river, was completed with a total length of 3,008 feet.

Operations of United States dredges.-The dredges after undergoing repairs started down the river from Cincinnati August 16, 1892. Dredging was done at French Island, Bowlesville, Caseyville, Sisters, resulting in the removal of 24,230.6 cubic yards of sand, 16,805.5 cubic yards of loose rock, sand, and gravel, one wreck, and eight snags. After performing this work the dredges were employed at Brooklyn Harbor.

Gauging low-water discharge of Ohio River.-Measurements were made of the low-water discharge below the mouths of the principal streams tributary to the Ohio River. This was accomplished during the low-water stage of the river which prevailed during the month of October and early portion of November, 1892, and furnishes valuable information.

Surveys. Special surveys of the river were made at Clusters, Rising Sun, Scuffletown, and at Eight Mile Bar.

The amount expended up to close of fiscal year ending June 30, 1892, was $5,081,947.33.

July 1, 1893, amount covered by uncompleted contracts.... 79,979. 17

July 1, 1893, balance available.....

Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30,
1895
Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and
harbor acts of 1866 and 1867 and of sundry civil act of March 3, 1893.
(See Appendix F F 1.)

106, 787.29

311, 528.55

95,810.48

215, 718. 07

1,000,000.00

2. Operating snag-boat on Ohio River. The repairs made to the snag boat E. A. Woodruff were only those of the most urgent character. The boat worked from August 8 to December 16, 1892, 131 days, and in this time removed 532 snags, 1 rock, and 45 wrecks. The total distance traveled was 2,121 miles. The officer in charge earnestly recommends an increase of the amount of money to be made applicable to this work each year, as the amount of $25,000 per year now provided by permanent annual appropriation made by act of September 19, 1890, is not sufficient to keep the snag boat fully employed and in repair. An increase to $50,000 per year would, it is believed, permit this service to be so thorough as to add largely to the safety of navigation and make the service entirely satisfactory.

The amount expended on this work up to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892, was $37,400.

(See Appendix F F 2.)

3. Operating and care of Davis Island Dam, Ohio River, near Pittsburg, Pa.-This dam was built to test the adaptability of the system of movable dams to the peculiar condition of the Ohio River, and to the special character of the commerce that navigates it. It was intended to be the first step in the radical improvement of the Ohio River, designed to give a minimum depth of 6 feet at all times, except when ice was running. Incidentally this dam has been of great value to the city of Pittsburg, by securing an ample depth of water in its harbor throughout the low-water season. It has also been of immense benefit to the coal trade by enabling them to bring loaded boats out of the Monongahela River at any time. The natural harbor room of Pittsburg is very limited, and before the Davis Island Dam was built the great bulk of coal barges were held in the Monongahela. In short rises the amount of coal that could be shipped south was absolutely limited by the number of barges that could be locked through the lowest dam

in the Monongahela during the passage of the rise. Under present conditions this limit no longer exists, and all coal can now be shipped for which towboats are available. During the fiscal year the lock and dam have been successfully operated without interference with navigation, except during the time that necessary repairs were being made to the lower gate. The dam has been raised and lowered two times, and has been up 164 days during the fiscal year. The cost of operating and care of the dam during the year was $12,501.25.

(See Appendix F F 3.)

4. Morable dam in Ohio River below mouth of Bearer River, Pennsylrania. Three hundred and fifty thousand dollars was appropriated for this work by acts of September 19, 1890, and July 13, 1892. temporary buildings were erected, and the plant required in the construction of the permanent work was purchased and placed in position. The cofferdam for the lock was completed November 11, 1892, inclosing 6.3 acres. The permanent foundations for boiler house were completed and the drift chute for lock was completed for a distance of 292 feet. The excavations for foundations of the river wall of lock were commenced October 7, 1892. The cofferdam was injured, but not materially, during the winter.

Movable Dam No. 2, Ohio River.-The river and harbor act of July 13, 1892, provided for the use of so much of the money appropriated for the movable dam at Beaver as might be necessary for making a survey for the location of a dam, No. 2, and for obtaining title to the land. survey has been made.

The

The amount expended on this work up to the close of the fiscal year

550,000.00

Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project for Lock and Dam No. 6 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1895 200, 000. 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867 and of sundry civil act of March 3, 1893. (See Appendix F F 4.)

5. Monongahela River, West Virginia and Pennsylvania.-The seven lower locks and dams on the Monongahela River belong to the Monongahela Navigation Company, and they create slack water from Pittsburg to Dunkard Creek, a distance of 88 miles. Locks and Dams Nos. 8 and 9, belonging to the United States, continue this slack water to Morgantown, a further distance of 14 miles, the distance from Pittsburg to Morgantown being 102 miles. The originally adopted project for the improvement of this river was the construction of two locks and dams to continue slack water to Morgantown, W. Va. This improvement was completed in 1889.

Lock No. 10.-By the river and harbor act of July 13, 1892, the sum of $25,000 was appropriated for beginning work on Lock and Dam No. 10. A survey was made for the purpose of determining the location of the

lock, and from the data thus obtained it would appear that the most favorable site would be at some point on the first mile above Morgantown.

The amount expended on this work up to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892, was $436,541.52.

Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30,1895 100,000. 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867 and of sundry civil act of March 3, 1893. (See Appendix F F 5.)

6. Operating and care of Locks and Dams Nos. 8 and 9, Monongahela River. These locks have been successfully operated during the fiscal year without interruption to navigation, except by the ice, which closed the river from December 26, 1892, to February 2, 1893. The lower entrances to both locks were dredged out and slight repairs made to the locks and dams. Storage sheds were constructed at both locks, and at No. 9 work was begun on two lock-keepers' dwellings. The banks below Lock No. 8 were partially protected by riprap, and at No. 9 a portion of the apron to dam was repaired; a new step was constructed and the top course of masonry at lock repaired:

The cost of operating and care of these locks and dams during the year was $28,170.85.

(See Appendix F F 6.)

7. Purchase of Lock and Dam No 7, Monongahela River. The river and harbor act of August 11, 1888, made provision for the acquisition by the United States, by purchase or condemnation, of this lock and dam from the Monongahela Navigation Company. Condemnation proceedings for this purpose were instituted. The case was heard in the circuit court of the United States for the western district of Pennsylvania in November, 1890, and the value of the work was fixed at $209,000. The navigation company took an appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States, where the case was argued at the October term, 1892. The judgment of the circuit court was reversed and case remanded, with instructions to grant a new trial.

July 1, 1892, balance unexpended July 1, 1893, balance unexpended.. (See Appendix F F 7.)

$161, 835. 45 161, 835. 45

8. Purchase of Lock and Dam No, 6, Monongahela River.-An appropriation of $162,000 was made by river and harbor act of September 19, 1890, for acquisition of this structure from the Monongahela Navigation Company, after title to Lock and Dam No. 7 shall have been acquired by the United States. As the latter has not yet been obtained, no steps have been taken toward negotiating for Lock and Dam No. 6.

July 1, 1892, balance unexpended July 1, 1893, balance unexpended (See Appendix F F 8.)

$167,000.00 167,000.00

9. Cheat River, West Virginia.-The channel of this river was origi nally filled with rock obstructions, which interfered with the free passage of drifting logs, thereby making the transportation of timber from the head waters of this river to the markets along the Monongahela and Ohio rivers very hazardous. The river has been improved by the removal of rocks, and is now in fair condition between Rowlesburg and Green Island, a distance of 20 miles. As the appropriation for the improvement was exhausted, no further work was done during the past fiscal year.

The amount expended on the project to June 30, 1892, was $12,992.50. July 1, 1892, balance unexpended July 1, 1893, balance unexpended

(See Appendix F F 9.)

$7.50

7.50

10. Allegheny River, Pennsylvania.-The original condition of the Allegheny River as to depth, width, and navigability can not be stated in definite figures, as there is no defined plane from which to measure, both the low-water line and the elevation of the river bed being varia ble. The approved project for the improvement of the river is the removal of obstructions from the channel and the construction of low dams to close double channels, and of dikes to confine the waterway where the river is too wide. Much benefit to navigation has resulted. The late day when the appropriation of July 13, 1892, became available rendered it inexpedient to begin much new work during that season. The amount available will be expended during the coming season in building dikes and dams and removing obstructions.

The following is the condition of the various works:

Log chute at Corydon, Pa., 209 miles above Pittsburg.-Slight repairs were made and the work is now in good order.

Dam at Cornplanter Island, 204 miles above Pittsburg.-The dam is in good condition.

Dam at Hickory, 157 miles above Pittsburg.-Slight repairs are now required by reason of injuries received from the ice of last winter. The dam is otherwise in good condition.

Dam at Pithole, 143 miles above Pittsburg.-This dam is in good condition.

Dam at Red Bank, 64 miles above Pittsburg.-Slight repairs were made to the paving of back slope. The ice of last winter slightly damaged the paving of front slope, which should be repaired. The dam is otherwise in good condition.

Nicholsons Island, 37 miles above Pittsburg.-Slight repairs were made to the paving, and a small quantity of the paving displaced by last winter's ice now requires to be replaced. The dam is otherwise in good condition.

Dam at Six Mile Island, 6 miles above Pittsburg.-This work is in good condition.

Removal of bar at Pithole Ripple, 143 miles above Pittsburg.-The work of removing this bar was continued. During the year 2,740 cubic yards of bowlders and gravel was removed. The work is now completed, with a total removal of 3,240 cubic yards of material, and one of the worst obstructions in the Allegheny River is now out of the way.

Surveys.-A survey and map was made of 2 miles of river at Cowanshannock, Pa., 48 miles above Pittsburg, for the purpose of determining the location and kind of dike best adapted for the improvement of the shoal at that place.