EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENT, TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF THE RIVER AND HARBOR ACT OF AUGUST 5, 1886. The required preliminary examination of the following locality was made by the local engineer in charge, Major Ernst, and reported by him as not worthy of improvement: 1. Cedar Bayou, Texas, where it empties into Galveston Bay.-(See Ap pendix T 10.) WESTERN RIVERS. IMPROVEMENT OF RED RIVER AND OF CERTAIN RIVERS IN THE STATES OF LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, AND TENNESSEE, TRIBUTARY TO THE MISSISSIPPI-WATER GAUGES ON THE MISSISSIPPI AND ITS PRINCIPAL TRIBUTARIES. Officer in charge, Capt. J. H. Willard, Corps of Engineers. 1. Red River, Louisiana and Arkansas.-The present improvement of the river was begun in 1872. At that time navigation above Sbreveport, La., was almost impossible on account of the great raft. Lowwater navigation between Shreveport and Grand Ecore, La., was seriously affected by the gradual enlargement of the Tone's Bayou outlet, which depleted the main channel below without giving another navigable route. The entire river from Fulton, Ark., to its mouth was greatly obstructed by snags, logs, wrecks, leaning trees, etc.; and the navigable channel at Alexandria, La., was insufficient for the demands of commerce. The project has contemplated the removal of the great raft, the closure of Tone's Bayou, the removal of snags and other obstructions, opening a channel through the falls at Alexandria, and increasing the depth of water at shoal places. The work from 1872 to the end of the fiscal year 1886 consisted of the removal of the raft and clearing about 150 miles of river above Shreveport of obstructions. The work of excavation at the falls of Alexandria was practically completed. The work for the protection of Alexandria Harbor was completed according to the project, as far as the funds available would permit. This work, in connection with the dam at the lower falls, has been of some benefit to the river-bank at Alexandria. The amount expended to June 30, 1886, was $725,049.10. During the fiscal year 1887 four snag-boats were engaged in removing obstructions, their operations extending from Garland, Ark., to the mouth of Atchafalaya. Besides improving navigation, a resurvey of the river for a consid-' erable distance above and below Alexandria, La., was made in December, and it was found that the caving had not increased. No further work is recommended at this point until after completion of the survey from Fulton to the mouth, now in progress, except the straightening and widening of the dredge cuts through the upper falls, the passage of which is now somewhat difficult at extreme low water. For the reasons given in his report the officer in charge states that the cost of the survey will be considerably increased. The amount expended during the fiscal year for improving the river, repairs, and care of plant was $34,040.48, and for the survey $24,665.12; total, $58,705.60. 8872 ENG 87--13 With the balance available and the amount asked for the survey, and operations with the snag boats, and other work in accordance with the approved project will be continued. No estimate for permanent improvement can be presented, as new obstructions are continually forming. The amount appropriated to June 30, 1887, was $802,000; the amount expended to that date was $783,754.70. July 1, 1886, amount available...... Amount appropriated by act approved August 5, 1886 July 1, 1887, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1886.... July 1, 1887, amount available $1,950, 90 75,000.00 76,950.90 58,705.60 18, 245.30 = Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1889 100,000.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix U 1.) 2. Cane River, Louisiana.-The only appropriation for this work was made by river and harbor act of 1884 ($2,500). The amount expended to June 30, 1886, was $2,425.31, and resulted in freeing the channel of obstructions to a great extent, increased the depth of water during the navigable season, and enabled steamboats to make quicker trips. work was done during the year. July 1, 1886, amount available.... July 1, 1887, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1886... (See Appendix U 2.) $74.69 74.69 3. Survey of Bayou Pierre, Louisiana.-This was required by the river and harbor act of 1884, the object being to ascertain the advisability and cost of opening a navigable channel from Red River through Tone's Bayou and Bayou Pierre, to the point where the waters of the latter again join Red River. The survey was begun in October, 1884, but owing to several unforeseen circumstances, which combined to make the cost exceed the original estimates, it was only about two-thirds completed during that season. The appropriation of August 5, 1886, for improving Red River provided for the completion of this survey, and it has been done in connection with the survey of Red River. The balance available July 1, 1886 ($138.05), has also been expended upon the survey. (See Appendix U 3.) 4. Cypress Bayou, Texas and Louisiana.-This improvement included the whole navigable channel from Shreveport, La., to Jefferson, Tex., via Sodo and Fairy Lakes and Cypress Bayou. The first project consisted in cutting and dredging a good high-water channel from Jefferson, Tex., to Red River, and was completed in 1880. The act of August 5, 1886, appropriated $18,000 "to complete improvement." The project for application of this amount consists in rebuilding the dredge formerly used on this work, and by means of this boat to straighten and mark the present channel, remove stumps therefrom, and reopen the cuts by dredging. It it estimated that the balance available will suffice for about fifteen months' work. It is recommended by the officer in charge that the work be continued and the water-way enlarged at a cost of $7,500. Amount appropriated by act approved August 5, 1886 . July 1, 1887, amount available (See Appendix U 4.) $18,000.00 5, 606. 39 12, 393. 61 5. Loggy Bayou, Lake Bistenau, and the Dorcheat, Louisiana.—The only appropriation for this work was made by river and harbor act of 1884 ($5,000). The amount expended to June 30, 1886, was $4,908.71, which was applied to the removal of snags, logs, stumps, leaning trees, etc., obstructing navigation; and sign-boards indicating the cleared channel were set up in Lake Bistenau. This work gave increased facilities for navigation, and the navigable depth in many places was increased fully 3 feet. No work was done during the year. The commerce of these streams has been greatly diminished by railroad connection with the principal shipping point, and it is doubtful whether the expenditure necessary to lengthen the navigable season would be justified, hence no further appropriation is asked. July 1, 1886, amount available. July 1, 1887, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1886.. (See Appendix U 5.) · $91.79 91.79 6. Ouachita and Black rivers, Arkansas and Louisiana.-The improvement of Ouachita River was begun in 1871. Black River, being the connecting stream between Ouachita and Red rivers, was added under the same head of appropriation by river and harbor act of 1884. The present project contemplates the removal of wrecks, logs, snags, leaning trees, etc., obstructing navigation, and the improvement of shoal places between Camden, Ark., and the mouth of Black River. The amount expended under present project to June 30, 1886, was $176,320.07. Besides the removal of obstructions an increased depth of from 12 inches to over 3 feet was gained at some of the shoal places. During the fiscal year extensive repairs were made upon the snagboat, and it was used upon the Black River, removing snags, etc., between the mouth of the river and Camden, Ark. The small amount available prevented more than two months' work. The amount asked for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, will be applied to continuing operations above Camden to Arkadelphia, Ark. No estimate for permanent improvement can be submitted, as the obstructions are continually forming. July 1, 1886, amount available..... Amount appropriated by act approved August 5, 1886 July 1, 1887, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1886............ $92.06 17,500.00 17, 592.06 17,592.06 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30,1889 20,000.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix U 6.) 7. Bayou D'Arbonne, Louisiana.-The project for this improvement was adopted in 1884, and contemplates the removal of snags, logs, wrecks, leaning trees, etc., obstructing navigation from Stein's Bluff to its mouth, 42 miles, at an estimated cost of $15,000. The amount expended to June 30, 1886, was $4,974.07, which resulted in the removal of obstructions from about one-half of that part of the stream in which improvement is contemplated by the present project. During the fiscal year 17 miles of the bayou were worked over, resulting in the removal of many dangerous obstructions from the lower part of the stream. With the balance available, operations will be resumed in connection with work in bayous Bartholemew and Macon. With the amount asked for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, it is proposed to continue the removal of obstructions to high water naviga. tion according to the project. The work is not permanent, as new obstructions are continually forming. July 1, 1886, amount available.... Amount appropriated by act approved August 5, 1886.. July 1, 1887, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1886...... July 1, 1887, amount available .............. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... (See Appendix U 7.) $25.93 2,000.00 2,025 93 1,356.70 669.23 8,000.00 4,000.00 8. Bayou Bartholomew, Louisiana and Arkansas.-This improvement was begun in 1881, the project contemplating the removal of wrecks, snags, overhanging timber, etc., obstructing navigation between Baxter, Ark., and the mouth, a distance estimated at 213 miles. The amount expended to June 30, 1886, was $17,978.82. Operations were begun at the mouth November 20, 1886, and continued up-stream until January 20, to Point Pleasant, La., about 50 miles. This work has put the bayou in good navigable condition during high and medium stages, so far as it progressed. With the balance available, operations will be carried up-stream from Point Pleasant until the appropriation is exhausted. The amount asked for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, can be profitably applied in accordance with the project. No permanent improvement can be effected, as new obstructions are continually forming. July 1, 1886, amount available..... Amount appropriated by act approved August 5, 1886.. 821.18 5,000.00 July 1, 1887, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1886 5, 021. 18 3, 137.73 July 1, 1887, amount available 1,883. 45 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1889 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. 6,500.00 (See Appendix U S.) 9. Bayou Boeuf, Louisiana.-The project for improvement of this bayou was adopted in 1880, and contemplated the removal of snags, logs, leaning timber, etc., obstructing navigation between Wallace's Landing, La., and its mouth, a distance of 280 miles. An examination of three outlets of the bayou near Point Jefferson, La., was made in 1884, and their closure recommended at a cost of $8,500. The amount expended to June 30, 1886, was $14,995.68; by the removal of obstructions enabled boats to run to Point Jefferson, 19 miles below Wallace's Landing, during high water. The act of August 5, 1886, appropriated $5,000 for continuing improvement and closing Outlet No. 1. Re-examinations of the three outlets near Point Jefferson were made, and it was found that it would not be economical to apply any part of the appropriation to the removal of obstructions before Outlet No. 1 was closed by a high dam. Outlets Nos. 2 and 3 should also be closed to prevent backwater from Bayou Boeuf and water from Bonne Idée from attacking No. 1 in the rear, and also to combine in directing all the water down the main channel. The amount asked for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, can be profitably applied to continuing the work according to the project. No permanent improvement can be secured, as new obstructions are added from time to time. July 1, 1886, amount available Amount appropriated by act approved August 5, 1886.. July 1, 1887, amonnt expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1886 .... July 1, 1887, amount available...... $4.32 5,000.00 5,004. 32 22.91 4,981. 41 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1889 11,000.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix U 9.) 10. Tensas River and Bayou Maçon, Louisiana.-The project for improvement of Tensas River was adopted in 1881, and contemplated the removal of snags, logs, leaning timber, etc., obstructing navigation from Dallas, La., to its mouth, about 180 miles, at an estimated cost of $23,000. Bayou Maçon, a tributary of Tensas River, was added under the same head of appropriation by river and harbor act of 1884, and the project contemplates the removal of the same class of obstructions as in the Tensas, from Floyd, La., to its mouth, about 130 miles, at an estimated cost of $17,000. The amount expended to June 30, 1886, was $7,000, which had been applied to improvement of Tensas River. During the past fiscal year work was done upon Bayou Maçon. This extended from Floyd, the present head of navigation, to the mouth, when it was suspended by high water, and resulted in the removal of the principal obstructions. With the small balance available this work will be resumed in connection with that in Bayous Bartholomew and D'Arbonne. The amount asked for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, can be profitably expended in continuing the improvement. The work is not permanent, as new obstructions are continually forming. Amount appropriated by act approved August 5, 1886. $4,000.00 3,599.61 July 1, 1887, amount available.. 400.39 |