step to revetting the bank. Dredging is used to close auxiliary channels and obtain desirable alinement at critical localities. The allocation of fiscal year funds will be applied first to those localities where there is danger to main-line levees. The Cairo-Memphis, Memphis-Arkansas River, Arkansas River-Vicksburg, Vicksburg-Old River, and Old River-Baton Rouge are being stabilized under a definite plan. Progress will continue on these reaches with funds requested. The rate at which the work can be carried on has a direct bearing on the costs involved due to the large expense in mobilizing and demobilizing the construction plant required for this seasonal operation. Failure to continue work on the definite plan in the manner proposed will have an adverse effect on the revetment completed, and thus delay the completion and increase the cost of the channel improvement project as well as greatly increase the annual maintenance costs. Fiscal year 1965.-The requested amount of $24,500,000 will be used to initiate and continue the following work: Revetments_ Dikes_-_ Dredging-. $17, 800, 000 4, 200, 000 2,500,000 Revetments.-The planned program consists of items of work for which funds The proposed revetments at the locations listed above are for the extension of existing revetments or new revetments required to assure the continued effectiveness of the work completed and also to prevent loss of or damage to existing revetments which would result in high costs of replacement and repair. The continued construction of these items in fiscal year 1965 is necessary to minimize the loss of revetment and preserve the existing desirable alinement of the banks. Dikes: The planned dike work consists of the following: Funds will be used in fiscal year 1965 (1) to initiate dike construction at Forked Deer, Prairie Point, Refuge, Racetrack Towhead, island No. 86, and rock fill in dikes to stabilize the channel and close off flow down secondary channels, and (2) continue construction at the following locations: Dismal Point: The dikes will promote the building of a downstream bar to deflect the river current from its attack upon the main line levee and retard bank caving. Leland Neck: The dikes are being constructed to close off the secondary channel and improve flow conditions in this reach. Island No. 86: The dikes are required to close off the secondary channel and improve the main channel down the east bank. Baleshed Landing: The proposed dikes will promote closing the secondary channel along the left bank and assist in stabilization of the navigation channel through the reach. Robinson Crusoe: The extension of the dike system at this location is a portion of the planned stabilization of the Brandywine to Memphis reach and the extension is required to maintain channel development along the left bank. Dredging: The planned dredging work consists of the following: The funds scheduled for Armstrong will be used to initiate improvement dredging through this reach. Dredging will assist the river in the development of the channel from Josie Harry Towhead to Armstrong Point, and provide fill in the existing dike system in this vicinity. Initiation of dredging at Mounds, Cottonwood, and Racetrack to assist in the formulation of a more favorable alinement and to provide fill in dike fields. The funds scheduled for island No. 8 will be used to continue dredging through this reach. Dredging will promote the development of the channel leading through the chute of island No. 8. The funds scheduled for island No. 40-Loosahatchie will be used to continue channel improvement through this reach. The work is required to promote and assist the river in obtaining a suitable alinement for navigation and the stabilization of the Brandywine to Memphis reach. The funds scheduled for Star Landing will be used to continue the improvement dredging through this reach. Dredging is needed to promote the development of a channel along the left bank of a more desirable alinement for stabilization and navigation, and to reduce the maintenance costs required to maintain a navigable channel. The funds scheduled for island No. 63 will be used to continue the improvement dredging through this reach. Dredging is required to further the development of the channel along the planned alinement and reduce the navigation difficulties through this reach. The funds scheduled for Ensley will be used to continue the channel improvement through this reach. The work will assist in the elimination of the divided low water flow and concentrate the flow in the left-hand channel along the Ensley revetment and provide an improved navigation channel adjacent to the access to McKellar Lake. Non-Federal costs.-None. Status of local cooperation.-Not required. Comparison of Federal cost estimates.-The current Federal cost estimate of $717 million is an increase of $34 million over the latest estimate ($683 million) submitted to Congress. This change includes an increase of $30,710,000 for higher price levels; $379,000 based on more detailed planning of construction; and $2,911,000 for engineering and design and supervision and administration based on reanalysis of requirements. Summary construction program (PB-1), fiscal years 1964 and 1965 Location. The project lies along Tennessee chute (McKellar Lake) and on the islands lying between the main channel of the Mississippi River and Tennessee chute, known as Presidents Island, and Vice Presidents Island, or islands Nos. 45 and 46. Tennessee chute was formerly a bypass channel diverging to the left of the main channel at about mile 731 AHP, flowing southerly about 4 miles, then westerly about 3 miles, reentering the main channel of the Mississippi River at about mile 722 AHP, or at the foot of Presidents and Vice Presidents Islands. Nonconnah Creek, referred to in some earlier reports as Noncon nah River, is a left-hand tributary and enters Tennessee chute about 2 miles below its head, within the limits of the improvement area. Authorization.-1946 Flood Control Act. 1 In addition, local interests have expended approximately $6,000,000 for dock facilities, roads, and drainage in the project area. PHYSICAL DATA Levees: Average height, 20 feet. Other: Closure dam and approach fill across head of chute to elevation 240.2 mean sea level, industrial fill on island to above flood stage, revetment and protective work at the head of islands and Nonconnah Creek sewer extension. Pumping plant: 1 pumping plant for interior drainage. Channels: Approximately 7 miles of new channel 12 by 300 feet in Tennessee chute. Realinement of Nonconnah Creek as required. Memphis, Tenn., is a distribution center for the Midsouth and is served by several railroads, many highways, and the Mississippi River. The increasing use made of the Mississippi River for transporting products in large quantities to Memphis for distribution by rail and highway has accentuated the need for additional harbor facilities. The acute need for adequate harbor space will be accommodated by the construction of an offriver harbor in Tennessee chute by building a closure dam at the upper end of the chute, dredging channels, and providing for adequate terminals and industrial sites having both flood protection and direct access to water transportation. The dredged spoil from the channel excavation has been placed on the adjacent island to form a land area above high water. This area is being rapidly developed and operated by the Memphis and Shelby County Port Commission to provide a river-rail-highway terminal with public facilities open to all on equal terms. Private concerns which use waterborne transportation primarily for moving their products are permitted to develop their own terminal facilities. The construction of this project will provide approximately 7,760 acres of flood-protected land suitable for industrial development. A total of 960 acres is now available. It is estimated that the average annual benefits to be derived from the project are $4,250,000. The completion of this project is vitally needed to provide flood protection to an additional 6,800 acres of land in Ensley Bottoms which are available for industrial development and will have access to water transportation. Fiscal year 1965.-The requested amount of $600,000 will be applied as follows: Initiate and complete levee item L-717R____ Continue Pumping plant___ Gravel on roads_. Supervision and administration___. $80, 600 424, 000 5, 400 90,000 600,000 Total___ Funds will be used to initiate and complete Ensley levee item L-717R. Res toration of the levee is necessary to prevent further damage and to complete the work so that local interests can maintain the works. Funds will be used to continue construction of the Ensley pumping plant. The item is required in order that the project levees may function as designed. Funds will be used to continue placing gravel on levees. The roads on levees are necessary for access during high river stages. Non-Federal cost. The initial investment required of local interests for constructing the authorized project is estimated at $410,000 for lands and easements. In addition, local interests advise that they have incurred costs of approximately $6 million for lands, easements, public terminal, access roads, streets. sewers, lights, gas, and water service. Status of local cooperation.-The Boards of Commisisoners of the City of Memphis and Shelby County have furnished the necessary assurances of local cooperation. They have provided the rights-of-way necessary for all construction to date including that scheduled in the fiscal year 1963 and fiscal year 1964 programs. Comparison of Federal cost estimates.-The current Federal cost estimate of $19 million is an increase of $700,000 over the latest estimate ($18,300,000) submitted to Congress. This change includes increases of $64,000 for higher price levels, $491,000 in channels and levees based on more detailed design and $145.000 for engineering and design and supervision and administration based on recent analysis of requirements. Summary construction program (PB-1), fiscal years 1964 and 1965 Location. The project is located in the lower portion of the Red River backwater area between the Red and Mississippi Rivers and above the Pointe Coupee north levee in Louisiana. Authorization.-Flood Control Act approved May 15, 1928, as amended. |