IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBORS IN THE LOUISVILLE, KY., DISTRICT.

REPORT OF MAJ. J. C. OAKES, CORPS OF ENGINEERS.

FOR DESCRIPTION OF IMPROVEMENTS IN THIS DISTRICT, SEE PAGES 1247 TO 1256.

1-5. OHIO RIVER, LOCKS AND DAMS NOS. 41, 43, AND 48, SURVEYS OF OHIO RIVER, AND OPERATING AND CARE OF LOUISVILLE & PORTLAND CANAL.

For reports on Falls of Ohio River at Louisville, Ky. (Lock and Dam No. 41, Ohio River), construction of Locks and Dams Nos. 43 and 48, surveys of Ohio River, and operating and care of Louisville & Portland Canal, Ky., see report on construction of locks and dams on the Ohio River.

6. OPERATING AND CARE OF LOCK AND DAM AT GRAND RAPIDS, WABASH RIVER.

The work is being carried on by hired labor with Government plant. The subproject and estimate, approved July 30, 1915, provided as follows:

It is proposed to operate the lock and make such repairs as may be necessary to maintain it, the dam, and other Government property in serviceable condition.

In addition to the usual work of passing traffic through the lock and the care of the property, minor repairs were made to the lock buildings, dam, etc. The proposed extensive repairs to the dam

and the renewal of the gates were deferred, pending action by Congress on the recommended abandonment of the project (H. Doc. No. 427, 64th Cong., 1st sess.), and later, pending the result of an advertisement for proposals (to be opened May 6, 1916) contemplating the leasing of the property for power purposes. No proposals were received in response to the advertisement mentioned.

Summary of net expenditures on account of operating and care of the lock and dam at Grand Rapids, Wabash River, fiscal year 1916, showing general items and amounts under each heading.

Net expenditures for operating and care of lock and dam at Grand Rapids, Wabash River, from the permanent indefinite appropriation:

Statement of traffic and commerce passing the locks at Grand Rapids, Wabash River, during the calendar year 1915.

7. OPERATING AND CARE OF LOCKS AND DAMS ON GREEN AND BARREN RIVERS, KY.

The work is being carried on by hired labor with Government plant. The subproject and estimate for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1916, approved July 19, 1915, provided as follows:

It is proposed to operate the locks and make such repairs to them, the dams, guide and guard cribs, and dwellings, storehouses, bank and slope revetments, and other Government property at the several locks as are necessary to maintain the system in good serviceable condition, in connection with which work it will be necessary to operate and keep in repair the snagging and dredging outfits to keep the pools, lock chambers, and entrances thereto free of snags, mud, leaves, and other obstructing matter brought into them by the varying stages of water.

The system now includes seven locks and dams, viz: Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, Green River, and No. 1, Barren River, together with the land and buildings owned by the United States.

The estimate for the fiscal year 1916 is summarized as follows:

Regular force_.

Repairs and renewals

Miscellaneous, supplies, and contingencies__

Total

$44,880 93, 795 5,000

143, 675

A general description of the work accomplished under the foregoing subproject and estimate follows: The locks were kept open to traffic, except for short periods while making repairs or while they were submerged by high water. The locks were submerged for the following periods during the year:

While so submerged traffic passed over the dams. Lock No. 5, Green River, was closed to traffic for repairs from May 22 to 26, inclusive. Silt and drift were cleaned from the lock walls, cribs, and approaches after each high stage of water and the pools were kept free from snags and other obstructions. The lock gates, gauges, flagpoles, rowboats, and metal roofs were repaired and the fences and outbuildings whitewashed once during the year; grass, weeds, and other refuse removed from the reservations as needed; buildings and fences repaired; and other various repairs made from time to time and the system kept in a thorough state of repair.

LOCK NO. 1, GREEN RIVER.

Minor repairs to fences and gates were made by the lock force. Cost of supplies and materials, $58.80.

LOCK NO. 2, GREEN RIVER.

Metal roofs were repainted and minor repairs made to lockmen's dwellings. The rear section of the west porch of the lock master's dwelling was converted into a summer dining room.

Dam.-Replaced 7 pieces of sheathing 6 by 12 inches by 16 feet.

Cost:

Labor

Timber (including that purchased for additional repairs).

Total

$10. 20 372. 24

382.44

Upper guard crib 40-foot section. The top of this crib was removed to pool level and rebuilt with new timber, refilled with stone, and paved.

Miscellaneous. Large quantities of silt were deposited at this lock at each rise in the river. After each rise the deposit had to be scraped from above the upper gates, and on three occasions it was necessary to remove the accumulations from the lock chamber and approaches with a clamshell dredge. The quantity so removed amounted to 6,800 cubic yards.

Two hundred and eight linear feet of drain tile were laid.

Removal of rock reef from lower approach.-Four steam drills were operated from the dredge from September 18 to 30, when the work was interrupted by a rise in the river, and could not be resumed thereafter on account of the demand for the dredge elsewhere. One hundred and forty-six holes, aggregating 368 linear feet, were drilled and blasted and 175 cubic yards of stone removed and placed above the dam. It is proposed to resume the work in July.

Cost, labor (including dredge crew)--.

$242. 72

New section, upper guide wall. This work was begun in the last fiscal year and prosecuted at intervals when river conditions permitted. It was completed in April, 1916. Repeated rises in the river greatly retarded the work and considerably increased its cost. Some difficulty was experienced in obtaining a satisfactory foundation for the 70-foot section adjacent to the lock wall on account of an irregular slate formation encountered and the remains of an old mill race and an old timber crib. This had to be dredged out and a timber-crib foundation framed and placed. The new guide wall is 294 feet long, the 70-foot section adjacent to the lock wall being founded on a new timber crib filled with stone and concrete, and the remainder on slate, cut down to an elevation about 1 foot below upper