there were many troublesome snags, and from Batesville to Buffalo Shoals there were numerous bad shoals, rendering navigation very uncertain. From Buffalo Shoals to Forsyth, Mo., there were many fine reaches of river, but the depth of water on Buffalo Shoals and others prevented any navigation at ordinary stages of water. The appropriations for this river have been united so often with those of the St. Francis, with the Black and St. Francis, and the Black and Little Red, that the amount expended on the White River alone to June 30, 1884, can not be exactly stated. The approximate amount is not under $170,000. The present project provides for removing snags, bowlders, and other obstructions to navigation, building wing-dams to improve shoals, and a survey of the river with a view to its permanent improvement from Forsyth, Mo., to the mouth. Up to June 30, 1886, $27,063.16 had been expended. This had carried the field-work of the survey from Forsyth, Mo., to Newport, Ark., a distance of 248 miles, and had removed some of the worst snags from Batesville to the mouth, and had improved the river from Batesville to Calico Rock, rendering material, though temporary, aid to navigation for very light-draught boats. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, $19,512.08 were expended between Calico Rock and Buffalo Shoals, and in completing the fieldwork and partially plotting the notes of the survey from Newport to the mouth. A snag-boat was operated a short time below Newport, rendering much assistance by removing many dangerous snags. A yearly sum of $8,000 will be required for snagging for one or two years. July 1, 1886, amount available...... $7,936.84 6.00 Received from sale of fuel to officer.... Amount appropriated by act approved August 5, 1886 18,000.00 25, 942.84 July 1, 1887, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1886 July 1, 1887, outstanding liabilities $19, 234. 14 19, 512. 08 July 1, 1887, amount available...... 6,430.76 8,000.00 Amount (estimated) required for snagging, annually... (See Appendix V 9.) 8,000.00 10. Black River, Arkansas and Missouri.-Before any improvements were made upon this river its channel was choked with logs and snags, and obstructed by overhanging trees, and in many places shoals interfered with its navigation at low water by any but very light-draught boats. Its banks caved but little, and except at the shoals, it had greater depth of water than is found in streams generally in its vicinity. The original plan for its improvement contemplated the removal of the obstructions and the improvement of the shoals, the latter by wingdams. A few sloughs were to be closed so as to confine the water to the main channel. Up to June 30, 1886, $50,732.12 had been expended for these purposes. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, $4,903.39 were expended in the running expenses of a snag-boat, operated to open a fair channel through the snags to Black Rock, working over old ground, and also made good progress towards connecting with some detached work that was done in former years near Poplar Bluff, Mo. Great numbers of snags and logs were removed, and only some 60 miles of unworked river now remain. It will require $8,000 annually for two or three years to maintain free navigation. July 1, 1886, amount available. Received by sale of fuel to officer.. 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 annually (See Appendix V 10.) $502.78 7.50 5,000.00 5,510. 28 4,903. 39 606.89 8,000.00 8,000.00 11. St. Francis River, Arkansas.-The first appropriation was made March 2, 1833, prior to which this river was choked with drift-piles, logs, and snags, and its waters spread out through a great variety of sloughs, while overhanging trees added to the difficulty of navigation. The originally adopted project was principally for snagging operations, and attempts have been made to close up some of the many sloughs. Appropriations for this river having been united with the White River; exactly how much had been expended upon the St. Francis River to June 30, 1884, cannot well be stated. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, the $12,000 appropri ated July 5, 1884, had been expended. By act August 5, 1886, $8,000 was appropriated, and the plan adopted for its expenditure provided that about $2,000 be expended between the mouth and Wittsburgh; $2,000 from Wittsburgh to Lester's Landing, and $2,000 from Lester's Landing to Saint Francis. This has been carried out during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, except part of the work upon the last reach. The worst places on the river have been relieved, but much remains yet to be done. July 1, 1886, amount available Amount appropriated by act approved August 5, 1866 July 1, 1887, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of $64.37 8,000.00 8,064.37 $6,323.40 7, 131.30 933.07 8,000.00 8,000.00 (Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project, annually 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. (See Appendix V 11.) 12. L'Anguille River, Arkansas.-This river before improvement was obstructed by logs, snags, and overhanging trees, and the shoals incident to accumulation of snags and logs. 8872 ENG 87- -14 The original plan of improvement, begun in 1879, contemplated the removal of these obstacles, and up to June 30, 1885, $13,850.53 had been expended in such a way as to remove all obstructions to navigagation at medium stage of water, leaving a balance of $3,149.47. Up to June 30, 1886, $16,258.33 had been expended, but high water prevented the completion of the work. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, the entire balance, $741.67, was expended. This removed all dangerous obstructions to navigation from Marianna to the mouth of the river, except over the last mile. July 1, 1886, amount available.... July 1, 1887, amonnt expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1886... (See Appendix V 12.) $741.67 741.67 EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENT, TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF THE RIVER AND HARBOR ACT OF August 5, 1886. The required preliminary examinations of the following localities were made by the local engineer in charge, Captain Taber, and reported by him as not worthy of improvement: 1. Little River, Arkansas.-(See Appendix V 13.) 2. Saline River, Arkansas.—(See Appendix V 14.) The following were reported as worthy of improvement and estimates are submitted: 1. Cache River, Arkansas.—(See Appendix V 15.) 2. Little River, Missouri, from Hornersville to its junction with the St. Francis River.-(See Appendix V 16.) 3. St. Francis River, from Greenville, Missouri, to the Arkansas State line. (See Appendix V 17.) REMOVING SNAGS AND WRECKS FROM THE MISSISSIPPI AND MISSOURI RIVERS-IMPROVEMENT OF THE MISSISSIPPI BETWEEN THE MOUTHS OF THE ILLINOIS AND OHIO RIVERS-IMPROVEMENT OF OSAGE RIVER, MISSOURI AND KANSAS, AND OF GASCONADE RIVER, MISSOURI. Officer in charge, Maj. A. M. Miller, Corps of Engineers. 1. Removing snags and wrecks from the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. Mississippi River. For the removal of these obstructions appropriations were made as early as 1824, and the project consisted in the building of boats suitable for pulling snags, etc., which were almost continually employed during favorable boating stages. The total amount expended for this purpose can not be definitely given, as previous to the appropriation made by act of March 3, 1879, a general amount was appropriated to be applied to several streams, as their needs required. From March 3, 1879, when the first specific appropriation was made, up to June 30, 1886, $504,542.75 was expended for this purpose. The navigation of the river has been very materially improved by this method, and the danger of accidents to boats lessened. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, $43,583.12 was expended. Two snag-boats were employed between the mouth of the Missouri River and Vicksburg, Miss., removing obstructions. The boats worked for a total of nine and one-half months, and all the worst obstructions to navigation were removed. With the appropriation asked for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, it is proposed to continue the snagging operations and rebuild one of the wooden snag-boats for wrecking purposes. No definite amount can be stated as required to complete this project. During every high-water season new snags and other obstructions are brought down and lodged in the channel; the banks are also continually caving in the river, and it is necessary to cut the timber where this is threatened to prevent the trees being caved into the river and forming new obstructions. For this reason an annual appropriation is required to properly carry on these operations. 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 $8,407.88 56, 250.00 64, 657.88 43,583. 12 21,074.76 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1889 129, 000. 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix W 1.) Missouri River.-The necessity for the improvement of this stream was first recognized in 1832. The plan adopted was the removal of these obstructions by snag-boats, and they have been used to great advantage. The first appropriations being made so as to cover the needs of several streams, the total amount expended on this river for the removal of obstructions cannot be given. Since June 18, 1878, however, when the first specific appropriation was made, up to June 30, 1886, $396,876.11 was expended in that manner, greatly improving navigation during the low-water season. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, $59,430.35 was expended in removing obstructions and in building a new snag-boat for this river, which is nearly completed. One snag-boat only was employed in removing obstructions. With the appropriation asked for fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, it is proposed to complete the outfit of new boat and continue the snagging operations, and it is expected that the worst obstructions can be removed, and navigation rendered comparatively safe. As new obstructions are continually brought down the river, work is required every year, so that an annual appropriation is necessary. 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... $43, 123. 89 22,500.00 65, 623.89 59, 430.35 6, 193. 54 A mount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1889 44,000.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix W 1.) 2. Mississippi River, between the Ohio and Illinois rivers.-Work was carried on at Piasa Island, Horsetail, Twin Hollows, Chesley Island, Jim Smith's, and Sulphur Springs. These works, except the work at Piasa Island, form parts of one connected whole, carried on under a general scheme of making the improvement of the river continuous, beginning at Saint Louis and working down-stream, reducing the river to an ap proximately uniform width of about 2,500 feet, and protecting the banks from erosion. The work between the Illinois River and Saint Louis consists in the maintenance of a channel of 6 feet in depth. Piasa Island.-The work at this point consisted in the removal of a sand-bar, which had formed below the opening made in the dike, to af ford a low-water channel. The work was accomplished at a small expense. Amount expended during fiscal year, $366.75. There is not at this time any definite project for the improvement of this locality. Horsetail, Carroll Island.—The work at this point, which is at the foot of the Horsetail Reach, consisted in the repair of the hurdle intended to close the chute to the east of Carroll's Island. A break of 1,000 feet was made in this hurdle by the ice in February, 1886. The amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, was $9,877.66. The total amount expended to June 30, 1887, on the Horsetail improvement has been $896,147.22; of this amount $225,066.31 was expended before the adoption, in 1879, of the present project. It has resulted in securing a direct navigable channel with a depth of 8 feet. Further work may be required to preserve this result. Twin Hollows, west bank.-The present project for the improvement of this locality was adopted in 1881, the object being to afford a channel of not less than 8 feet; the natural channel was often not more than 4 feet deep in the shoalest parts. The work consisted of a bank revetment 2,633 feet in length. The amount expended during the fiscal year was $19,161.31. The total amount expended to June 30, 1887, was $248,837.82, and has resulted in securing a navigable channel of not less than 8 feet. It is proposed during the coming year to continue the protection as needed. Twin Hollows, cast bank. The present project for the improvement of this locality was adopted in 1881, the object being to stop the caving, which extended over a length of 8,400 feet of bank, and the consequent deterioration of the channel. Before the work was begun the caving was progressing at the rate of several feet per day. The work done here for the fiscal year consisted in the repair of the revetment. The amount expended during the year was $3,460.73. The total amount expended to June 30, 1887, was $128,920.30, and has resulted in the protection of 11,400 feet of bank. Of this about 2,809 feet still requires additional protection to high-water mark. During the coming year it is proposed to complete this protection. Pulltight. The present project for the improvement of this locality was adopted in 1881, the object being to afford a channel not less than 8 feet in depth. The natural channel was often not more than 4 feet deep in the shoalest parts. No work was done during the year at this locality, as it is probable the river is not in a stable condition, and it was thought best to defer work until the channel should become more direct. The least depth in the channel at this place and at Twin Hellows was 8 feet during the season. The total amount expended to June 30, 1887, was $123,600.40. It is proposed during the coming year to resume work at this place, if found expedient. Chesley Island. The present project for the improvement of this locality was adopted in 1881, the object being to stop the erosion of the east side of the island, and the consequent deterioration of the navigation, and also to close the chute west of the island, in order to afford, in con |