APPENDIX W. IMPROVEMENT OF MISSOURI RIVER FROM SIOUX CITY, IOWA, TO FORT BENTON, MONTANA-IMPROVEMENT OF YELLOWSTONE RIVER. REPORT OF CAPTAIN JAMES B. QUINN, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, OFFICER IN CHARGE, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1884. IMPROVEMENTS. 1. Missouri River from Sioux City to Fort 2. Yellowstone River, Montana and DaBenton. kota. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, Saint Paul, Minn., July 11, 1884. GENERAL: I have the honor to forward herewith my annual report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, The CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. A. JAMES B. QUINN, W 1. IMPROVEMENT OF THE MISSOURI RIVER FROM SIOUX CITY, IOWA, TO FORT BENTON, MONTANA. Early in May, 1883, preparations were under way for the commencement of operations upon that portion of the river above Bismarck, known as the Rocky River. The steamer Emily was put in good order, and on the 5th of June started up the river with working parties on board. By the time it arrived at its destination the river was at its highest stage, but no loss of time occurred on this account, since a good deal of work was necessary to put the working plant in order, as also for the accumulation of material upon the banks in the vicinity of the proposed jetties. The force was divided into two portions: one portion was to begin at Bird's Rapids and work from there up to Gallatin Rapids, the other portion to extend the work on up the river, and if possible improve the crossing at Shonkin Bar, a short distance below, Fort Benton. The party left at Bird's Rapids constructed a riprap jetty 470 feet long just below the shoal, and removed a quantity of obtruding rocks from the channel, resulting in an increase in the depth of water upon this shoal of nearly a foot at low water. As soon as the work at Bird's Rapids was completed the party removed to Gallatin Rapids and completed the work for so long a time under way at this place. During the remainder of the season it was occupied in the removal of rocks from the channel at McGaney's Bar, Sliding Bluff Rapids, and Magpie Rapids, at which places a very great improvement was effected. The second party proceeded to Shonkin Bar, to make an attempt at its improvement. As this bar is composed of gravel and sand, it was believed it might be induced to scour out under the influence of suitably disposed jetties, but upon arrival at this point no suitable material with which to build the jetties could be found in the vicinity. An attempt was then made to get rock from the quarries above Fort Benton, but the steamer was unable to get within less than 9 miles of the quarry on account of shoal water, and further attempts to improve Shonkin Bar were for the time abandoned, and the party withdrawn to Kipp's and Pablo's Rapids, at which places a number of jetties, aggregating over 3,000 feet in length, were built; some rock was also removed from the channel, the entire work resulting in an increase of nearly 2 feet of water in the channel at these places. The improvement of the last two rapids extends the low-water navigation to Coal Banks Landing. Previous to the commencement of work in the river steamers could not ascend further than Cow Island during the low-water season. The navigable channel at low water had, therefore, been extended a distance of 84 miles, and the season of navigation to Coal Banks prolonged over two months. The work so far gives perfect satisfaction to the steamboatmen, who greatly desire its continuance. The steamboat business is again on the increase, a healthy downstream and local trade rapidly developing under the influence of the rapidly increasing population of the country tributary to the river. Below Bismarck, where little if any attempt has been made to improve the river, the local trade has caused a revival of the steamboat interest, and this interest appears to be flourishing in spite of the serious difficulties which it encounters in the snags and shifting sand-bars of this sandy portion of the river. The improvement of this portion of the river before the banks are thickly settled is very desirable, since it will be much less expensive to carry out any plan of improvement now than it will be when the question of damages to the property-holders along the banks demand consideration. In this connection I respectfully invite attention to a discussion of this subject in my last year's report, the estimates and recommendations of which are renewed. During the season of 1883 there was transported upon the river under my charge 23,595,144 pounds of freight and an unknown number of passengers. A large percentage of this freight was Government goods and supplies. Money statement. July 1, 1883, amount available July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883 $63,917 36 47,474 92 July 1, 1884, amount available..... 16, 442 44 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. 400,000 00 |