The amount of sand moved from an area 1,800 feet long by 600 feet wide, measured from the left bank and between the 3-foot curves, as shown by the survey of September 1, 1883, from the latter date to October 23, 1883, is approximately 84,000 cubic yards, the average depth over that area increasing from 0.6333 foot to 2.7444 feet.

Shore protections on Islands 16, 17, and 18 were repaired and extended, and the work in this vicinity completed for the season September 25, 1883.

Work was then commenced on the shore protection of Island 12. The island is composed of soft sand, rising about 14 feet above low water, and was cutting rapidly. The west bank was graded to a slope of 1 on 2, and protected from the bed of the stream to the top, in some places requiring a width of 50 feet. This work was completed October 5, and the force moved to Island No. 6, which was similar to Island No. 12, and was rapidly disappearing.

The east side was protected to the top of the bank. At the same time shore protection was built at the lower end of Island 7 and extended down to the lower end of Island No. 8. These are now one island at medium stage, the gap between them being filled with sand. This work was finished October 20, after which the shore protections on Islands 3 and 4, commenced early in the season, were completed.

On October 22 work was commenced near Kaposia. Two spur-dams (No. 15, sheet 2, and No. 16, sheet 2) were built from the left bank, forming a continuation of the series of four dams above, built in 1878. The right bank opposite the lower dam was protected for a distance of 482 feet.

The spur-dam (No. 2, sheet 2) from the right bank opposite the foot of Pig's Eye Island (No. 1), built in 1878, was raised to 5 feet above low water.

The rocky point at Kaposia, composed of drift material, from gravel to large bowlders, was removed as far as possible, and the large bowlders under water so broken that it is hoped the ice may level off the point considerably but; a dredge will probably be necessary for its entire removal. The cost of this work was as follows:

Dynamite and tools......
Labor

Total........

$105 54

241 62

347 16

The rock removed was used in the works, and measured, on barges, 650.1 cubic yards; cost per cubic yard, $0.534.

Work near Kaposia was closed November 10. On the 12th the crew were employed at Robinson's Island (No. 9) removing all vegetation and leveling down the island as much as possible, leaving a bare sand-bar, which it is hoped the next high water may

remove.

On November 13 tow-boat No. 1 and the remainder of the fleet were laid up for the winter in Boulanger Slough, and the crews discharged. The river closed that night. In addition to towing material, furnishing supplies, &c., the boat and crew did the following incidental work: Trees cut, 24; snags pulled, 24; boats assisted, 14.

SURVEYS AND EXAMINATIONS.

During the season of 1883 Assistant Engineer G. A. Marr has made the following surveys and examinations:

Work was commenced August 28, about 2 miles above Hastings, and continued to the foot of Island No. 14, reaching that point the last of September. During this time (September 12-14) an examination was made below Minneiska, from the head of Island 49 to the foot of Island 50, having reference to the repair of dams built in 1879. Re-examinations to show the effect of works constructed this season near Nininger were made September 19 and October 23.

On October 2 work was commenced at the head of Frenchman's Bar, 14 miles below Wabasha street bridge, Saint Paul, and continued down the river, connecting with the previous survey at the foot of Island 14. From the head of Frenchman's Bar to the foot of Pig's Eye Island (No. 1) a very thorough survey was made with especial reference to the test of the "Adams Flume," which the inventor stated would soon be made. None of the "flume" has as yet been placed in the river.

The survey work was suspended November 13, on account of ice. It is continuous from the head of Frenchman's Bar to about 2 miles above Hastings, with the exception of about 1 mile of soundings above Island 14. Steam launch No. 2 (Mary) was used for transporting the party and for most of the sounding.

SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURES FROM JULY 1, 1883, TO DECEMBER 31, 1883, FOR WORK DONE BY DAY'S LABOR FOR IMPROVEMENT OF MISSISSIPPI RIVER FROM SAINT PAUL TO HASTINGS, MINN.

Tools, rope, lath, yarn, &c

Special superintendence and contingencies.....

Total for construction of dams and shore protection .....

Total number of cubic yards material put in, 32,735.1; cost per cubic yard, exclusive of general superintendence and deterioration of plant, $0.822.

This tow-head was formed by a "cut-off" through a narrow point extending from the left bank to near the head of Island 50. This "cut-off" increased in size and caused a strong current to set across the upper end of the tow-head, making it a serious obstruction to the passage of rafts.

The tow-head was removed by dredging to a depth of about 2 feet below low water, and the depth rapidly increased by the scouring action of the current.

The work was done under agreement with C. H. Appleton, of Quincy, Ill. About 2,200 cubic yards were removal in 254 hours actual work of dredge (October 3 to October 5), at a cost of $315.62, or 14 cents per cubic yard.

REPAIRS OF DAMS AT MOUNT VERNON.

This work was done under agreement with Jacob Richtman, of Fountain City, Wis., at the same prices paid under his contract for work on this section of the river. A channel had washed through Island 50 back of the shore protection, at the end of the closing dam (116), about 100 feet wide and 10 to 18 feet deep. This was closed, the dam raised about 14 feet and extended to the firmer part of the island. Slight repairs were also made on Dams 216 and 316.

The amount and cost of material was as follows:

1,171.19 cubic yards stone, at $1.45 per yard. 666.63 cubic yards brush, at 95 cents per yard

Total.....

-$1,698 22 633 30

2,331 52

WORK DONE UNDER CONTRACT-HOMER TO QUEEN'S BLUFF.

This work was done by P. S. Davidson, under a contract dated September 28, 1882. . Work was commenced June 5, and the contract closed September 22.

The following works were constructed:

Dam 1(sheet 19), closing slough between Island 76 and the Minnesota shore.

Dam 21 (sheet 18), from Island 75 to the Wisconsin shore. The apron course and about 100 feet of the second course were put in, when work was suspended, as it was not considered advisable to close this channel during the low-water season.

Dam 2 (sheet 19), closing Trempealeau Slough between Island 78 and the Wisconsin shore.

Dam 3 (sheet 19), from Island 78 to Island 79. Shore protections at heads of Islands 75, 76, 78, 79, 81, and 86; also on the right bank of Island 77, near the Government light (880 feet), and on the left bank in the bend below Trempealeau (470 feet); total length of shore protections, 6,665 feet.

WORK PERFORMED BY UNITED STATES STEAMER J. G. PARKE AND CREW IN DIVISION NO. 1 DURING SEASON OF 1883, UNDER DIRECTION OF ASSISTANT ENGINEER C. W. DURHAM-REPAIRING DAMS AND SHORE PROTECTIONS NEAR WINONA.

Several of the dams, &c., near Winona being in want of repair, it was decided to employ the steamer J. G. Parke, with such barges as could be spared from plant No. 1. Five barges were taken (Nos. 2, 5, 65, 78, and 79), which with the one brought up by the Parke made a fleet of six.

The Parke left Boulanger Slough on October 8 and arrived at Winona on the 9th. An arrangement was made with Jacob Richtman, of Fountain City, to furnish rock at his quarries at that place, delivered on barges, at $3 per cord. The delivery was very slow, and this, together with the long tow, made the work very expensive. Could rock be obtained in sufficient quantities, repair work could be done nearly as cheaply as original construction. Work near Winona was finished October 17, and included repairs to Dam 20 (sheet 18), with 200 feet of new shore protection; Dam 20 (sheet 17), and shore protection opposite Argo Island (40 feet new work).

Table of materials, repairs to dams, &c., vicinity of Winona.

Locality.

Rock. Brush. Total.

Cu. yds. Cu. yds. Mat. cu. yds.

Dam 2017

Dam 2018 (200 feet new shore protection)

Shore protection opposite Argo Island (40 feet new shore protection)..

Total.

571.1 280.0

851.1

General summary of expenditures for all classes of work on Division No. 1 during the season of 1883, exclusive of general superintendence and contingencies.

Description of work.

Day's labor work, including material on hand January 1 1883 ($425.25) .

Contract work during calendar year 1883

Work done by steamer J. G. Parke..

Repairs at Mount Vernon

Dredging

Surveys...

Total..

Amount.

$28,174 69

46,919 85 1, 574 91 *2, 857 02 *373 53 *1, 366 05

81, 266 05

*These amounts include cost of special superintendence and contingencies not previously distributed among the several items of work.

SAW-MILL AND OTHER REFUSE DEPOSITS IN THE RIVER.

The experience of the past season gives emphatic testimony to the fact repeatedly stated in your reports that many of the "bars are largely composed of sawdust," and that the promiscuous "depositing of sawdust in the river is a public evil, and liable to injure navigation, and Congressional or State legislation prohibiting deposit of sawdust or other refuse in the Mississippi River would seem very necessary."

A statute of Minnesota provides that no mill refuse other than sawdust shall be deposited in the river, but so long as this disposition of sawdust is allowed a vast amount of bark, edgings, slabs, &c., will go with it, as a glance at the river during the sawing season will sufficiently prove. A striking example of the evil effects of these deposits is furnished by the Nininger Bar, formed in the steamboat channel by one season of high water, forcing the channel to the other side of the river and necessitating expensive works for its removal. This bar was composed of at least 50 per cent. mill refuse, and without the assistance of this material would probably never have existed.

But the saw-mills are not the only offenders. The city of Saint Paul has for years allowed the deposit of a vast amount of refuse of all kinds on the ice along the river front during winter, much of which sinks on the breaking up of the ice, and is gradually but steadily filling up the harbor. By your direction the attention of the city authorities and of those interested in the steamboat lines has been called to this matter, and undoubtedly action will be taken towards checking the evil.

LIGHTS ON DAMS, ETC.

The beacon light established in 1882 at the mouth of the middle channel at the head of Lake Pepin was maintained from the opening of navigation until October 10, 1883, when it was discontinued, the Light-House Department having established other lights in the channel rendering this no longer necessary.

The light had the desired effect of attracting boats to the middle channel, which affords much better water than the Wacouta, or South Channel, formerly almost exclusively used.

Lights were kept at all dams during construction and so long as the working force were employed in the vicinity.

In 1884, to July 1, no construction work has been done.

Examinations were made at Nininger Bar, Pine Bend, Smith's Bar, and Bad Axe Bend, the notes of which have been plotted in the office. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. L. GILLESPIE,

Maj. A. MACKENZIE,

Corps of Engineers.

Assistant Engineer.

REPORT OF MR. E. F. HOFFMANN, ASSISTANT ENGINEER.

UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE,
Rock Island, Ill., July 1, 1884.

MAJOR: I have the honor to submit the following report on works in my charge for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884.

WORKS NEAR MONTROSE, Iowa.

Work on the dam extending from Island 401 to the Illinois shore at Nauvoo (Dam 4' sheet 62), begun in 1882, was resumed August 15, 1883, at a point 1,012 feet from Island 401, at which point operations had been suspended in 1882. From this point the dam was continued across the French Channel to the Illinois shore, a distance of 2,250 feet. In the French Channel for a distance of about 400 feet the depth of water was from 12 to 14 feet at a stage of 2 feet, and a layer of sand about 1 foot in thickness covered the bottom.

East of the French Channel the water shoaled gradually from 10 feet to 4 feet near the shore.

The bed of the river along the entire length of the dam is of solid rock. The dam as completed has its crest at the elevation of low water of 1864, and is 3,268 feet in length.

The expenses of construction (exclusive ef general superintendence and office) are given below in connection with those of the work at Fort Madison. The two works, being of similar construction and performed with the same plant, were combined in the consideration of cost.