It is proposed to continue the observations upon the gauge-rods until the lowest water is ascertained. Information supplied by these observations is also useful in determining the average stage of the river upon any day when any one of the gauges is observed. The distance from Fort Gibson to Fort Smith is 95 miles, and from Fort Smith to Little Rock the distance is 194 miles-the entire distance being 299 miles. These distances were largely overestimated by steamboat men. The difference of level, when the water is at a stand, between Fort Gibson and Fort Smith is 104 feet; between Fort Smith and Little Rock it is 160 feet; the total difference between Fort Gibson and Little Rock being 264 feet. The fall per mile varies from of a foot to one foot and 30 .100 The width of the river between banks varies for different stages of the water from the dimensions of a small creek to that of a majestic river 1,500 to 2,000 feet wide. Snags are numerous, and become very dangerous when the river falls to four feet above low water. The low-water season occurs in November, and other low-water periods at irregular intervais during the summer and fall, the river responding to the meteorological vicissitudes of the extensive area drained by its tributaries. The average condition of the river from the day the surveying party entered it (January 24th) until it again re-entered the Mississippi (July 3d) was very favorable to navigation. During the low-water stage the shoals and bars are considerably modified by the concentrated action of the water, which cuts out the sand to a depth of two or more feet. The survey having been made during the continuance of high water, it is impracticable to represent the condition of the river at the interesting period of low water. The following table represents the height of the river above low water during the months named: This favorable condition appears to have prevailed during the winter for several successive years, yet the general opinion that this prevalence of high water was unusual at these periods deserves consideration. The most noted flood, known as the "June rise," comes from the Upper Arkansas, and is remarkable for its red color." Ordinary high waters range from eighteen to twenty-five feet, but extraordinary floods average, throughout the entire year, from twentyseven to thirty-five feet. At twenty-six feet the floods cause considerable damage to the crops. Although not strictly separable into two terraces, the valley of the Arkansas may be generally described in that way. The upper terrace contains the larger and most productive part of the river bottom. The lower is frequently overflowed, but the higher terrace has not been covered since 1844. The winter of 1868 and '69 was a period of general high water upon all the western rivers. Had the floods, which occurred in succession, happened more closely together, we should have had to record a year of extraordinary devastation to the crops. When the survey closed at Little Rock, according to your instructions, the river was still rising and reached the height of twenty-six feet on 8th July. Here bench-marks were established and the lines of the transit and solar compass parties were fixed by permanent marks. During the progress of the work each day's operations were plotted, the shore lines being laid down by the natural sines and cosines. Notes were also taken of the geology of the valley, and the proper authorities were consulted in reference to the trade upon the river. FINAL REPORT AND METHOD OF WORKING UP THE NOTES. In the preliminary report the results of the survey have been intentionally excluded in order to bring them together in the final report. The final report will supply the results of the survey under the heads of the physics, geology, and hydraulics of the river. It will also include a statement of the obstructions to navigation and the method of improving the river. The resources of the valley of the Arkansas and the statistics of trade will be stated, so far as the facts relating to these subjects can be ascertained. The following maps are in preparation : I.-Eighty-one sheets of the original field maps, upon a scale of two hundred feet to one inch, exhibiting the topography of the banks, position of shoals, and the soundings, reduced to a plane of three feet above low water. II.-Reduced maps of the above upon a scale of two miles to the inch. III.-An index map upon a scale of about six miles to one inch, showing the position of each sheet. IV. Small topographical sketches of special localities to accompany the report. V. Sketches of the localities of proposed improvements. The following profiles are in progress: I.-A profile of the entire line, showing the high and low water lines, and the bed of the river, on a horizontal scale of about one inch to ten miles. II.-Profiles of the cross section of the river and valley at all points where discharge measurements were taken. The following diagrams are in preparation: I.-Showing section, velocities, with statements of the divisional and aggregate discharges of all the cross sections. II.-Diagrams representing the horizontal and vertical parabolas of sub-surface velocities. III.-Diagrams representing the horizontal parabolas of velocities. IV.-Daily oscillations of the river. Tables of oscillations, velocities, levels, and discharge measurements will be prepared. The above statement includes the principal subjects of the report nearly in the order in which they will be taken up. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Colonel J. N. MACOMB, Corps of Engineers U. S. A. K. S. T. ABERT, Assistant Engineer. The following is a statement of the amounts disbursed by Colonel J. N. Macomb, Corps of Engineers, during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1869, under the several heads of appropriation named: Snag-boats and apparatus for clearing western rivers..... $49, 130. 28 Examinations and surveys on western and northwestern rivers, &c... Improving Mississippi, Missouri, Arkansas, and Ohio rivers, Repairs, preservation, extension, and completion of certain public works, &c.... Total... 13, 014. 67 141, 903. 79 88, 019. 35 292, 068. 09 Respectfully submitted. J. N. MACOMB, Colonel Engineers, But. Col. U. S. A., Gen'l Sup't U. S. Snag-boats and Western River Improvements, &c. Brevet Major General A. A. HUMPHREYS, Brig. Gen'l and Chief of Engineers, U. S. A. Estimates to accompany the annual report of Colonel J. N. Macomb, Corps of Engineers and Brevet Colonel U. S. A. IMPROVEMENT OF THE WESTERN RIVERS, EXCEPT THE OHIO RIVER. Officer in charge, Colonel J. N. Macomb, Corps of Engineers, brevet colonel United States Army, assisted by Brevet Major C. R. Suter, captain Corps of Engineers, United States Army. The operations have been carried on under the several heads, as set forth below, in the detailed estimates for continuing the works during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1871. a The most sanguine expectations, as to the success of the boats in this service for the past year, have been fully realized; but it is to be regretted that no specific appropriations were granted, in accordance with previous estimates, for adding to the boats and machinery for pushing forward more rapidly this useful work. I.-Construction of snag-boats and machinery. There being no new appropriation under this head, it became necessary, after building one light-draught snag-boat, to apply the remainder of the original appropriation to meet the current expenses of running and working the boats in the service, as authorized to be done in the act grant ing the appropriation. The original fund will be thus exhausted during the current fiscal year, ending June 30, 1870. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1871, there will be required the following amounts, viz: For repairs and painting of the four snag-boats and one dredging boat, and for keeping up the snag-lifting and the dredging machinery in a state of efficiency, for these five boats, $9,500 each... $47, 500 For building three additional boats, with all the machinery and apparatus for destroying snags, blowing up and removing wrecks, rocks, and any other obstructions to the navigation of the western rivers-two large boats, at $75,000 each.... 150,000 And one boat of light draught, to be fully equipped as a dredging boat..... Office expenses, pay of assistants, &c., applicable to this appropriation. 59, 000 14, 000 270, 500 II-Examinations and surveys. The funds under this head remaining on hand will be all absorbed in the current year, in finishing the maps and reports of the surveys of the Missouri, Mississippi, and Arkansas Rivers, that have thus far been made. As additional surveys will be required in extending the field of operations of the snag-boats, a new appropriation of $25,000 is respectfully recommended, as applicable to the "Improvement of the Western Rivers, &c.," in the charge of Colonel Macomb, Corps of Engineers, during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1871. III.—Improving the Mississippi, Missouri and Arkansas Rivers. The work under this head has consisted of removing and destroying snags, cutting trees to prevent the forming of snags, and in dredging bars in these rivers, and has been pushed forward vigorously during the last fiscal year, by laying out the field into districts, and keeping the boats at work, as nearly together as possible, so as to admit of more easy supervision. In this way, a large amount of work was done on the Mississippi River during the winter and on the Missouri during the summer. The work on the Arkansas, requiring a boat of very light draught, was begun as soon as the boat was ready for the service, and has been continued, with good progress, since the month of May, 1869. The tabular statements accompanying the annual report upon these improvements are confidently referred to, as showing a satisfactory exhibit of what was accomplished during the last fiscal year. Should a further appropriation be granted for these works, it is proposed to continue the same system of operating, and to extend the field of these improvements in proportion to the means made applicable thereto. The following is an estimate of funds required under head' III: For working the five boats now owned and actively employed by the government in these improvements, viz: four snagboats and one dredging boat, current expenses for the months of March, April, May and June, 1870, being the latter part of the present fiscal year, $4,000 a month for each boat, five boats. $80,000 Which it is hoped may be granted at an early day, soon enough to avoid the necessity of laying up these boats, now so usefully employed. And for the current expenses of these five boats during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1871.. For office expenses, and pay of assistants.. The above estimate is for the active and useful employment of the boats now owned for the improving of these western rivers, to the end of the fiscal year, June 30, 1871. If money for building the other three boats should be granted, there will be required for the current expenses of running and operating them during the last eight months of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1871.. $240,000 15, 000 120,000 Making under the head of "Improving," &c., a total of 455, 000 RECAPITULATION. Amount asked for under the several heads, as follows: For construction and repairs of snag-boats, &c... $270, 500 For examinations and surveys on the works under the charge of Colonel Macomb,.. 25,000 For improving Mississippi, Missouri, and Arkansas Rivers,.. 455,000 Total.... 750,000 All of which is respectfully submitted by your most obedient servant, J. N. MACOMB, Colonel Engineers, Bvt. Col. U. S. A., Gen'l Supt. U. S. Snag-boats and West'n Riv. Imp'ts. Bvt. Maj. Gen. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Brig. Gen'l and Chief of Engineers, U. S. A., Office of Chief of Engineers, Washington, D. C. M 1. OFFICE OF WESTERN RIVER IMPROVEMENTS, No. 4, PUBLIC LANDING, Cincinnati, Ohio, November 2, 1868. GENERAL: I beg leave herewith to lay before you the report of Brevet Major C. R. Suter, captain Corps of Engineers, in relation to the Kansas City bridge, and, at the same time, to express the hope that the course which he suggests in regard to charters for bridges over the great navigable rivers of the country may be adopted. I remain, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, Colonel of Engineers, Brevet Colonel U. S. A., Bvt. Maj. Gen. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Chief of Engineers United States Army, Headquarters Corps of Engineers, Washington, D. C. |