These estimates are approximate, but cover all that is necessary to put the works in good working order and for maintenance. The Board have discussed the engineering features but have not reported upon the commercial value of the improvement of the route of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, which seems also implied in the words "whether in their judgment the interests of commerce and navigation will be advanced sufficiently to warrant the continuation and completion of the project," as the present moment appears a little premature; because additional and careful observations upon the Wisconsin are necessary to certify to the amount of the improvement made, and the feasibility and cost of making the improvement sufficient for the wants of commerce along a through route from west to east. The Board, however, had communicated in relation to this matter with the Board of Trade of Chicago and the Chambers of Commerce of Milwaukee and Saint Paul, copies of whose replies and of the letter of the Board are appended to this report. For reasons similar to those referred to above the Board at this time do not propose any disposition of the works already constructed. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS. FOX RIVER. The Government in 1872 purchased from the Green Bay and Mississippi Canal Company only so much of the company's property on the Fox River as was needed for purposes of navigation, and declined to purchase the water-powers and privileges connected therewith. A large portion of the water-powers in use was created by the dams, &c., constructed by and under authority of the State of Wisconsin, by the board of public works, and afterwards by the Fox and Wisconsin Improvement Company and the Green Bay and Mississippi Canal Company, as these companies successively fell into legal possession, deriving their titles from the State. The works of river improvement at the time of purchase were in such dilapidated condition that navigation was practically suspended, and it became necessary to rebuild nearly all the locks and dams, but the water-powers do not appear to have been increased beyond the original improvement by the repairs and rebuilding. Water is drawn from the river or canals by the parties using it at their own expense, and the flumes must be in accordance with plans approved by the United States officer in charge, and not to endanger the works or interfere with navigation. The Government has rebuilt or repaired no dams and other works save for the improvement of navigation, and has the controlling power to regulate the supply of water drawn from the river to generate power, and the mills have practically the benefit of the surplus water alone. The Government has received no money for the water so used, the right to which is claimed by private parties acting under sales and leases from the State of Wisconsin, the Fox and Wisconsin Improvement Company, and the Green Bay and Mississippi Canal Company. The amount of water power used and derived in whole or in part from public works is stated to be 6,545, and that derived from private works to be 5,103 horse-powers. The amount necessary for the completion of the project for the improvement of the Fox River as a part of the through route of transportation is stated by the local engineer to be $1,000,000, which estimate includes the rebuilding in stone of twelve old locks in a substantial and permanent manner and the dredging of the channel. This, as understood by the Board, is to secure a draught of 6 feet throughout the Fox. On the other hand, if the idea of a through route of transportation is to be relinquished, the local engineer states that $160,000 would be sufficient, by retaining and repairing the old locks not as yet replaced, to place the line of Fox in order for a navigation throughout of about 3 feet, except at the entrance into the Wisconsin, where the guardlock will allow but a 3-foot draught. He also states that $45,000 annually would be required for maintenance and expenses. There has been expended on this river for construction and maintenance since the purchase to June 30, 1883, the sum of $1,646,140.26. WISCONSIN RIVER. The improvement of this river was first brought to the notice of the Board in 1879, when finding that the works had been distributed along the river without completing any one section, the Board recommended that the upper section which was nearest to completion should be finished and frequent observations made of river-discharge and other important elements. The subject is again referred to the Board, accompanied with certain gaugings of the river and soundings made in the improved section. By calculations based upon these observations it appears that the water plane corr sponding to the same discharge as when the water stood at zero of Warren's gauge at Portage in 1867, has been continually falling, so that it stood at the following readings on that gauge: in 1879, at -0'.445; in 1881, at -0.87, and in 1882, at -1'.0. The navigable depth in a section from Portage to Dekorra of 7 miles in length was found after reduction to be 2.88 feet, at a stage of water 1.3 feet in 1882, below the zero of Warren's gauge at Portage. The increase of navigable depth since 1867, caused by the construction of wing-dams in the same section, is 1.78 feet. That to obtain a navigable depth of 4 feet at all stages it would appear from calculation to be necessary to contract the river to a width of about 150 feet at Portage, and about 300 feet near the mouth at Bridgeport. But as the results above were deduced from the observations furnished, which in the opinion of the Board were not sufficient, and their value even was in doubt from having been made during, and too soon after, the construction of the wing-dams, these results are not considered as sufficiently reliable to determine the utility of the works constructed and proposed. There are not sufficient data for the proper estimate of cost of a canal along the banks of the river, which has always been considered as the alternate proposition for the construction of this water route. The local engineer estimates the amount necessary to complete the system of wing-dams at $1,946,668; but if the extension of the system apparently required, and noticed in this report, be undertaken, the cost would greatly exceed that amount. The amount expended upon the Wisconsin to the 30th of June, 1883, was $570,117.40. The value of a water route along the Fox and Wisconsin rivers as a means of through transportation from west to east, it will be conceded must mainly depend upon the improvement of the Upper Mississippi, and the necessity for haste in prosecuting additional works of improvement is not therefore apparent, without looking to the further consideration that the cost of a water route along this line and its sufficiency, except through a canal along the banks of the Wisconsin, are not yet determined. There are sent herewith: 1. Table from the surveys of 1867, 1881, 1882, and 1883, containing actual soundings on bars along the deepest part of the channel, and the same also reduced to the low water of the year corresponding to a discharge of 2,114 cubic feet, for a length of 6 miles, commencing at Portage. (Appendix A.) 2. A tracing to show by diagram the lengths of the bars corresponding to depths less than 4 feet, at a stage corresponding to a discharge of 2,114 cubic feet, and the distances of the bars from Portage, for the same surveys and section of the river as above. (Appendix B.) 3. Copies of letters from the Board of Engineers, October 19, 1883, to the Board of Trade of Chicago, and the Chambers of Commerce of Milwaukee and Saint Paul, and of the replies received. (Appendix C.) 4. Copy of letter of December 19, 1883, from Mr. B. J. Stevens, of Madison, Wis., to the president of the Board of Historical Nature, relating to the influences favoring the improvement of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, and also to the commercial value of the improvement. (Appendix D.) 5. Copy of letter of October 16, 1883, from Col. D. C. Houston, Corps of Engineers, in which the commercial value of the water route is largely discussed. (Appendix E.) Copies are also sent of inclosures in that letter containing statistics of population, manufactures, and tonnage, relating to the Fox River. (E 1 to E 5.) Respectfully submitted. JOHN NEWTON, Col. of Engineers, Bvt. Maj. Gen. Lt. Col. of Engineers, Bvt. Brig. Gen. Lt. Col. of Engineers, Bvt. Brig. Gen. Brig. Gen. H. G. WRIGHT, |