AMOUNT OF STONE RECEIVED DURING THE YEAR. Cut stone, dressed face Cut stone, quarry face Backing stone Special stone Cubic yards. 1, 429. 32 955.61 2,983.8 1, 724.78 393. 69 100 Kampsville Lock.-On July 18, one dredge with the necessary scows, &c., was sent to this lock-site, and work done in the way of grading around the land at the lock and re-enforcing the coffer-dam. Pumping was commenced on August 15, and by the end of the month the coffer-dam was cleared of water, and the deposit of silt and sand in the lock pit, caused by high water, was removed by dredging. The lock foundation was completed November 12, and the coffer-dam was then flooded. There being no funds available for the continuation of operations at this point during the remainder of the season, the supplies, material, machinery, &c., were transferred to the La Grange Lock. The following amount of work was executed: Longitudinal transversal timber laid.. Piles driven Sheet piling driven Concrete laid Material dredged feet, B. M.. 101,885 .number.. linear feet.. ..cubic yards.. 1, 168 2,210 2, 631 do.... 2,967 PROPOSED APPLICATION OF FUNDS AVAILABLE. As the amount appropriated by act approved July 5 will be insufficient to continue work at both points, it is proposed to discontinue work for the season at Kampsville, to allow the coffer-dam at that point to remain flooded, and concentrate the force at La Grange. The funds will be applied to raising the lock-walls to their required height, and in purchasing material for and constructing the gates, valves, and other fixtures. ESTIMATE FOR THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1886. The funds now available will complete the walls and gates of the La Grange Lock, and will be exhausted at the close of the present fiscal year. Should additional appropriations be made the plant will be transferred to Kampsville for operations at that point. Sufficient funds should be appropriated, so that there shall be no delay in completing the work, in order to open the river to navigation throughout the boating season. Stone and other material required for the lock have to be obtained a season in advance, and due provision should be made therefor; otherwise the delay only adds to the expense of the work. The Illinois River derives its importance from its connection with the Illinois and Michigan Canal, forming a through water route from the Lakes to the Mississippi River. Money statement. July 1, 1883, amount available July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of $290,514 18 $168, 258 47 284,379 04 July 1, 1884, amount available... Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884. Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1885 6, 135 14 100,000 00 106, 135 14 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... 447, 150 55 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. 350,000 00 COMMERCIAL STATISTICS. Illinois River is in the customs district of New Orleans. Freight received and shipped via Illinois and Michigan Canal at Chicago, Ill. Abstract of contract for Illinois River in force during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884. SURVEYS FOR THE HENNEPIN CANAL, AND THE ENLARGEMENT OF THE ILLINOIS AND MICHIGAN CANAL. Work was carried on in the office upon the maps, which were not completed at the time the reports were rendered, and certain level lines were run in the field for the purpose of obtaining the difference of level between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi at the terminal point of the survey. July 1, 1883, amount available... Money statement. July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883... July 1, 1884, amount available..... $10,083 79 1,072 87 9,010 92 HH 6. PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF CALUMET RIVER, ILLINOIS AND INDIANA. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, Chicago, Ill., September 9, 1882. GENERAL: I have the honor to present the following report of an examination of Calumet River, Illinois and Indiana, made under my direction, as provided for in the river and harbor act of August 2 last. Having to obtain some necessary information for the Board of Engineers in connection with the improvement of the Lower Calumet, I directed that the examination be extended so as to include the two branches of the upper river, and therefore no estimate was presented to the Department for the work. The Calumet River, which flows into Lake Michigan through Calumet Harbor at South Chicago, is formed by the junction of the Grand and Little Calumet rivers. This junction is about 8 miles up from the harbor; the lower part, 73 miles, was surveyed and reported upon last year by Major Lydecker, and the improvement thereof will be considered by a Board of Engineers in the course of the present month. Grand Calumet River is, from the junction, about 18 miles long, and Little Calumet, from the same point, some 60 miles long. It is presumed that the former is the stream intended to be reported upon, though in this report I will give what information was obtained in regard to the latter branch. Grand Calumet has a depth of channel of about 8 feet for a distance of about 5 miles above the junction, after which the depths are very variable, running from 3 to 12 feet. It has no tributaries of any conse quence. The banks along a great portion of the stream are low and marshy, but at some little distance back are higher, with alternate stretches of timbered and cultivated land. The river bed is at various points filled with weeds and wild rice, which contracts the clear channel to a width of about 40 feet. There is at present practically no navigation higher up than Hammond's, located on the Illinois and Indiana State line, 24 miles from the junction. Little Calumet River is formed partly by springs and partly by smaller branches, draining the surrounding country. There is at times quite a good current in the stream, and about 7 miles from the junction there are rapids for some distance, with rocky bottoms, and a fall reported at 7 feet to the mile. From the junction to Blue Island there is a good channel, varying from 10 to 12 feet in depth, but from the rapids this depth is estimated at scarcely 5 feet, for about 20 miles, beyond which the depth is still less. The lower part of the river for some little distance beyond Riverdale displays a clear, open channel, free from weedy obstructions, of about 150 feet in width. COMMERCIAL STATISTICS, ETC. Grand Calumet.-During the past season, or for the last four months, it is estimated that about 100 boats have passed up the two branches of the river. Hammond is a very enterprising place. The slaughtering and shipping house of Hammond & Company do a business estimated at $15,000,000 per annum. There are also lumber yards and mills, fertilizing works, glucose works, coal yards, &c. The place is also a railroad center, as indicated on the map. Little Calumet.-There are at present no enterprises of any decided commercial importance established on this branch of the river. The country in the vicinity produces a large amount of corn, wheat, potatoes, oats, hay, &c. There is an unmistakable tendency towards a steady growth of improvements along the main Calumet River and its branches, new enter. prises being constantly contemplated throughout this region. It is only a question of time when all the available river front will be occupied for commercial and manufacturing purposes. Should the improvement of the lower part of the river be determined upon, I think it would be advisable to continue the same up the Grand Calumet and also up the Little Calumet to Riverdale, at least; while I do not consider that the improvement of the branches are an urgent public necessity, I think they are worthy of improvement to the points indicated, taken in conjunction with the improvements of the main river and harbor now contemplated. The estimated cost of the survey and preparation of maps, &c., I estimate at $1,100. A small map showing the location of the river is inclosed. Brig. Gen. H. G. WRIGHT, Chief of Engineers, U. S. A. W. B. H. BENYAURD, Major of Engineers. HH 7. PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF SANGAMON RIVER, ILLINOIS, FROM ITS MOUTH TO PETERSBURG. UNITED STATES ENGINEER Office, Chicago, Ill., September 25, 1882. GENERAL: I have the honor to make the following report upon a preliminary examination of the Sangamon River, Illinois, with a view to having a survey made and estimates presented for the improvement of that stream, as provided for in the river and harbor act passed August 2 last. I personally examined the river from Petersburg to its junction with the Illinois River near Browning, a distance of about 75 miles. At that time the river was near its lowest stage, and I found it susceptible of being navigated by the smaller class of boats that would run upon that river and upon the Illinois at its present lowest stage were the obstructions (artificial and natural) removed. There have been no boats upon the river for years (except below the lowest bridge, which is some 25 miles above the mouth), due to the fact that considerable timber has fallen into the channel, and also that five bridges have been built across the stream, with fixed spans and no draw passages, causing a complete blockade to navigation. Were the timber removed and the corporations compelled to put draw-spans in their bridges, the stream would be open to navigation by the smaller class of boats above mentioned even at a low stage of water. This, taken in connection with the improvement of the Illinois River, would admit of continuous transportation from the highest point mentioned (Petersburg) to Saint Louis or Chicago. As the stream had not been navigated for many years, it was difficult to obtain any accurate information in regard to its characteristics and commercial value, except upon direct examination, and this latter has altered my previous opinion of the river. As stated, there has been no commerce on the Sangamon for many years; still, if the river were improved as above indicated considerable business would be transacted by the boats and barges in carrying out the products of the counties adjacent to the river. These counties are Sangamon, Menard, Mason, and Cass, and their total products (in addition to large quantities of coal) for the year 1882 are estimated as follows: The corn crop is not given, but that for 1881 is 12,102,486 bushels. Of course it is not presumed that the above products would all be shipped by river, but it is believed that the strip of country, say 8 miles on each side of the river, would ship the greater part of its products by water. In view of these facts the stream is deemed worthy of improvement to the extent of removing the obstructions to navigation. The timber can be taken out without any great difficulty, but that will be of no use unless the bridges be altered by the insertion of draw passages, and the State should compel the various corporations to so alter their structures before any work be done by the Government. The acts of the legisla ture of the State, of December 26, 1882, and March 3, 1845, declared the river a navigable one, and provided that bridges and other constructions across the river should be built in such manner as to allow the safe passage of boats. These points will be more fully dealt with in the report of the survey. The amount required to make a thorough examination of the Sangamon for the purpose of estimating the cost of removing the obstructions with a view to the improvement is placed at $400. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Brig. Gen. H. G. WRIGHT, W. H. H. Benyaurd, Major of Engineers. Chief of Engineers, U. S. A. EXAMINATION OF SANGAMON RIVER, ILLINOIS, FROM ITS MOUTH TO PETERSBURG. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, Chicago, Ill., March 5, 1884. GENERAL: I have the honor to present the following report upon the examination of the Sangamon River, Illinois, from Petersburg to its junction with the Illinois River, as provided in the river and harbor act passed August 2, 1882. At the time the preliminary examination of the river was made, in August, 1882, the water was presumed to be at or very near its lowest stage, and it was thought that the river might be made navigable for the smaller class of boats were the obstructions, such as snags and leaning timber, removed. No survey or examination had previously been made, and it was very difficult to obtain definite information re5908 EN--123 |