graph 24, local interests expressed their willingness to cooperate in the project in this way. 44. Water power.-As the waterway under consideration is tidal, there is no question of water-power development. 45. Shore-line changes.-The proposed improvement would have practically no effect upon the configuration of the shore line. 46. Recommendation.-It is recommended that the existing project for St. Andrews Bay, Fla., be modified to provide for a channel 10 feet deep and 100 feet wide from St. Andrews Bay to the head of navigation in Watson Bayou, substantially as shown on the accompanying map, at an estimated increase in the approved annual cost of maintenance for St. Andrews Bay of $1,000, provided local interests furnish assurances satisfactory to the Secretary of War that they will provide spoil-disposal areas where needed for future maintenance dredging and assume responsibility for all damages incident to the improvement. CARL R. SHAW, Major, Corps of Engineers, [First endorsement] Acting District Engineer. OFFICE, DIVISION ENGINEER, GULF OF MEXICO DIVISION, To the CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, UNITED STATES ARMY. 1. The division engineer is in concurrence with the district engineer that the small cost of the proposed improvement of Watson Bayou as an integral part of the harbor at Panama City, Fla., is justified for the convenience and safety of existing commerce. 2. Accordingly the division engineer recommends that the existing project for St. Andrews Bay, Fla., be modified to provide for a channel 10 feet deep and 100 feet wide from St. Andrews Bay to the head of navigation at Watson Bayou, substantially as shown on the map accompanying the basic report, at an estimated increase in the approved annual cost of maintenance for St. Andrews Bay of $1,000, provided local interests furnish assurances satisfactory to the Secretary of War that they will provide spoil-disposal areas where needed for future maintenance dredging and assume responsibility for all damages incident to the improvement. R. G. POWELL, о 3d Session No. 556 MIDDLE RIVER AND DARK HEAD CREEK, BACK RIVER TO CHESAPEAKE BAY VIA HART ISLAND NARROWS, AND A CUT-OFF CHANNEL FROM GUNPOWDER RIVER TO CHESAPEAKE BAY VIA SPRY ISLAND NARROWS, MD. LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY OF WAR TRANSMITTING A LETTER FROM THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, UNITED STATES ARMY, DATED DECEMBER 11, 1939, SUBMITTING A REPORT, TOGETHER WITH ACCOMPANYING PAPERS AND AN ILLUSTRATION, ON A PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION AND SURVEY OF MIDDLE RIVER AND DARK HEAD CREEK, BACK RIVER TO CHESAPEAKE BAY VIA HART ISLAND NARROWS, AND A CUT-OFF CHANNEL FROM GUNPOWDER RIVER TO CHESAPEAKE BAY VIA SPRY ISLAND NARROWS, MD., AUTHORIZED BY THE RIVER AND HARBOR ACT APPROVED AUGUST 26, 1937 JANUARY 11, 1940.-Referred to the Committee on Rivers and Harbors and ordered to be printed, with an illustration WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, January 8, 1940. The SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. DEAR MR. SPEAKER: I am transmitting herewith a report, dated December 11, 1939, from the Chief of Engineers, United States Army, on preliminary examination and survey of Middle River and Dark Head Creek, Back River to Chesapeake Bay via Hart Island Narrows, and a cut-off channel from Gunpowder River to Chesapeake Bay via Spry Island Narrows, Md., authorized by the River and Harbor Act approved August 26, 1937, together with accompanying papers and illustration. Sincerely yours, 203227-40 HARRY H. WOODRING, WAR DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, WASHINGTON, December 11, 1939. Subject: Middle River and Dark Head Creek, Back River to Chesapeake Bay via Hart Island Narrows and a cut-off channel from Gunpowder River to Chesapeake Bay via Spry Island Narrows, Md. To: the Secretary of War. 1. I submit, for transmission to Congress, my report with accompanying papers on preliminary examination and survey of Middle River and Dark Head Creek, Back River to Chesapeake Bay via Hart Island Narrows and a cut-off channel from Gunpowder River to Chesapeake Bay via Spry Island Narrows, Md., authorized by the River and Harbor Act approved August 26, 1937. 2. Middle River is an estuary on the west side of Chesapeake Bay 8 miles above the mouth of the Patapsco River. It is 4.5 miles long and has a width of 1 mile at the mouth, gradually decreasing to 400 feet at the head. A natural channel 8 feet deep extends to a point one-half mile below a fixed highway bridge 500 feet below the upper end of the river. Depths in the vicinity of the bridge are from 1 to 4 feet. Dark Head Creek, which joins Middle River 3 miles above its mouth, is 1 mile long and 600 feet wide. Depths range from 8 feet at the lower end to 4 feet near the head. Hart Island Narrows, 4.5 miles south of Middle River, separates Hart Island from the mainland, and connects Hawk Cove at the mouth of Back River with Chesapeake Bay. The average depth in the Narrows is 2 feet. Spry Island Narrows is at the mouth of Gunpowder River about 3 miles east of Middle River, and separates Spry Island from the mainland. The average depth in this narrows is 2 feet. None of the channels under consideration has been improved by the United States. One industrial establishment has constructed a seaplane ramp and has done some dredging at the head of Dark Head Creek. Local interests desire a channel 10 feet deep and 200 feet wide in Middle River from its mouth to the vicinity of the fixed highway bridge near the head, a similar channel in Dark Head Creek to its head, and a channel of the same depth and 100 feet wide through Hart Island Narrows. No interest has developed for improvement of Spry Island Narrows. 3. The area that would benefit from the desired improvements includes the towns of Middle River and Essex, with a combined population of 10,000, and contains a few industrial and commercial establishments. The region contains numerous summer residential colonies and resort activities, and the waterways are extensively used by recreational craft. In the past some commerce moved over the waterways, but at the present time there is practically no traffic other than small boats. 4. The plant of the Glenn L. Martin Co. is located at the head of Dark Head Creek and uses the creek for towing its seaplanes to open water for testing. This plant has recently been greatly expanded and is engaged in a large program of manufacture of flying boats for commercial use and for the military services of the United States. The plant is served by a major railroad and by improved highways, but expects to receive some of its raw materials by water and to |