Amount allotted under act approved July 13, 1892. (See Appendix D D 4.) $1,000.00 1,000.00 6. Clinch River, Tennessee. This stream rises in the Cumberland mountains in Virginia, and after following a southwesterly course empties into the Tennessee River at Kingston, 104 miles above Chattanooga. About 230 miles of the river flows in the State of Tennessee. An examination was made in 1875, when the channel obstructions were found to be rock reefs, sand and gravel bars, snags, and overhanging trees. The present project provides for channel excavation, removing surface obstructions, and the construction of wing dams, so as to secure a safe navigable channel of 2 feet at ordinary low water from mouth of river to Clinton, about 70 miles, and of 13 feet from Clinton to Haynes or Walkers Ferry, about 75 miles; but from Haynes to the Tennessee State line, 85 miles, the only work practicable is to remove the loose rock and reduce the rock ledges, thus to assist flat-boat navigation during "rain tides." The engineer officer in charge reports that $50,000, the estimate of 1885, is wholly inadequate to do the work projected, and recommends that a detailed survey be made to obtain the data necessary to determine the cost. The total amount expended to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892, including outstanding indebtedness, was $34,962.29, and has resulted in securing a reduction of the rock reefs, the removal of snags, drift, etc., brought down by the annual floods, and the construction of several heavy riprap dams above and below Haynes; a safe channel was secured at stages of the water from 2 to 3 feet lower than before the improvements were begun. Special advantages in the lower river have been gained at Cloud Shoals, Hibb Shoals, Black Shoals, Bletcher Shoals, and at Llewellyn Shoals. At the last-named obstruction safe navigation is reported possible at a stage of water from 1 foot to 1 feet lower than before the work of 1892 was begun. Some improvements were also made in 1892 in the channel at Youngs Island. Above Haynes improvements were made at Hunter Shoals, Sycamore Shoals, Hopson Shoals, and Straight Shoals. No work in the channel was done during the present fiscal year. Partial examinations were made in July below the mouth of Powell River, and later below the mouth of Emory River, to ascertain in part what is necessary to be done to improve the channel and obtain a navigable 2-foot low-water depth. The total amount expended during the present fiscal year, including outstanding indebtedness, was $917.81. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1895 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867 and of sundry civil act of March 3, 1893. (See Appendix D D 5.) 4, 111.55 888.97 3, 222.58 28.84 3, 193. 74 11,000.00 11,000. 00 7. Cumberland River, Tennessee and Kentucky.-a. Below Nashville (191 miles).-An examination was made of this section in 1871, and the channel was found to be of the same general character throughout its entire length and obstructed by rock reefs, bowlders, gravel and sand bars, snags, and overhanging trees. The original project provides for the removal of the surface obstructions and deepening the channel by excavation and the building of wing dams. This project was modified in 1888, on the recommendation of a board of engineer officers, by the proposed construction of a pile dike with crib superstructure for the improvement of the channel at the mouth of the river, from Smithland to the deep waters of the Ohio, for which Congress made provision in river and harbor act of September 19, 1890. A survey was made in 1889, having in view a project for the radical improvement of the river below Nashville, and "to ascertain if necessary to establish locks and dams." The river and harbor act of July 13, 1892, provided for the selection and purchase of sites for a lock and dam near the mouth of Harpeth River. The total amount expended to June 30, 1892, including outstanding indebtedness, was $287,694.70. This expenditure has resulted in obtaining an increased depth at low water at some of the worst obstructions and thereby securing a lengthened season of navigation, and from year to year in clearing the channel of snags and other surface obstructions. Good progress was made on the work of building dike and stone protection at mouth of river under contract. The old spur dams were shortened so as to increase the channel width. The shore of Cumberland Island in the vicinity was protected by riprap. Buoys or floats were placed on the dams at the principal obstructions to mark location of dams at high water. During the present fiscal year the work of dike construction was continued at mouth of the river; 1,047 piles were driven; 6,577 cubic yards of stone and 351 cords of brush were placed in dike. The old dams, extending from Cumberland Island to head of dike, were entirely removed. During September and October about 3,150 linear feet of bank above foot of Cumberland Island were protected by driving 1,092 piles near the low water line, and by placing 6,041 cubic yards of stone and 545 cords of brush as a revetment. In September the survey was begun, having in view the selection of sites for lock and dam near mouth of Harpeth River, as provided by act of July 13, 1892. The field work of this survey was finished in April and the maps in June. The sites recommended, located about 24 miles below the mouth of Harpeth River, were approved by the Secre tary of War June 12. Action will be taken without unnecessary delay to acquire title to these sites. The expenditures during the fiscal year were, for general improvement, $12,074.67; at mouth of river, $8,698.92; lock and dam near mouth of Harpeth River, $4,768.72. July 1, 1892, balance unexpended Amount appropriated by act approved July 13, 1892 June 30, 1893, amount expended during fiscal year...... July 1, 1893, amount covered by uncompleted contracts. July 1, 1893, balance available $17, 462. 16 40,000.00 57, 462. 16 25, 542.31 31, 919.85 $214.86 6, 695.00 6,909. 86 25, 009.99 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... $153, 000. 00 b. Above Nashville.-From Nashville to head of Smith Shoals (337 miles). The present project is based on an instrumental survey of this section made in 1883, and provides for the complete canalization of the river from Nashville to head of Smith Shoals, by the construction of 23 locks and dams below Burnside, and 7 locks and 2 dams at Smith Shoals, at an estimated cost of $7,500,000; of this amount $775,000 has been appropriated. The amount expended to June 30, 1892, including outstanding indebtedness, was $143,039.26. This expenditure has been applied to the purchase of sites of locks and abutment of Dams Nos. 1 and 2; fencing United States lands; constructing lock-keepers' house No. 1; excavating lockpits and building cofferdams at Locks 1 and 2; laying about 37 per cent of the masonry of lock and abutment of Dam 1; making survey of upper approach to Lock 1, and test borings at sites of Lock 2; surveying lands for sites of Locks 3 and 4; rebuilding and refitting snagboat Weitzel; clearing the channel of surface obstructions; reducing rock and gravel bars; extending and repairing riprap dams in order to maintain the improvements already secured. During the present fiscal year, 3,010 cubic yards of earth and 14 cubic yards of rock were removed and 697.4 cubic yards of masonry laid in the abutment of Dam 1, completing the same. At Lock 1, 1,155.3 cubic yards of earth and 430.4 cubic yards of rock were removed, and 2,487.5 cubic yards of masonry laid. No work was done at Lock 2. Actual operations having established the fact that solid rock can not be found for the foundation of Lock No. 2 at anything like the depths specified in the contract for its construction, and that the character of the site at the depths so specified is altogether too insecure for the masonry of the lock, the contract of February 24, 1891, with Messrs. Rich & Holmes, for building Lock No. 2, was terminated in accordance with its provisions. Detailed surveys of several localities were made from which to select the sites of Locks and Dams Nos. 3 and 4. The sites selected have been approved; that of No. 3 at Buttermilk Shoals, and of No, 4 at Bandy Shoals, about 26 miles and 45 miles respectively above Nashville. Land for the site of abutment of Dam 3 has been purchased and title vested by deed in the United States. Proceedings in condemnation have been instituted to acquire the sites for Locks 3 and 4 and abutment of Dam 4, and action thereon was pending at the close of the fiscal year. A dredge was bought for general use on the upper river. In June, while the stage of water permitted, the lumber for cofferdams and temporary buildings, bricks for use in lock construction, rails for tramways, machinery and a large part of the plant on hand were moved to the sites of Locks 3 and 4, so as to be available for use when the titles to the sites are vested in the United States. Authority was granted in March last to do the entire work by hired labor and purchase of materials in open market, it being recommended by the engineer officer then in charge as being more advantageous in time and money to the work than the contract system. Proposals were, however, solicited for supplying cut stone for the locks, by contract; bids to be opened July 11, 1893. The work begun last June of clearing the channel of surface obstructions was continued from Neelys Shoals to Nashville. The ENG 93-20 chute at Holleman Island was carried out to the left bank by removing the spur dam running from left bank to island and rebuilding the dam on right bank; the new chute was thoroughly cleared of surface obstructions. At Smith Shoals an instrumental survey was begun in July to obtain the data necessary whereon to determine the sites for the projected locks and dams between Burnside and the mouth of Rockcastle River. Detailed examinations have been made and maps nearly finished showing the proposed sites of the two lower locks of the series. The amount expended, including outstanding indebtedness, during the fiscal year, was $119,294.70, of which the sum of $5,773.44 was expended at Smith Shoals. July 1, 1892, balance unexpended Amount appropriated by act approved July 13, 1892 June 30, 1893, amount expended during fiscal year.. July 1, 1893, balance unexpended July 1, 1893, outstanding liabilities. $25, 311.45 July 1, 1893, amount covered by uncompleted contracts..... 56,063.30 July 1, 1893, balance available Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... 1895 $383, 417.11 250,000.00 633, 417. 11 93, 983. 25 539, 433.86 81, 374. 75 458, 059. 11 6,725,000.00 1, 000, 000. 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867 and of sundry civil act of March 3, 1893. c. Above mouth of the Jellico, Kentucky.-Under the provisions of the act of September 19, 1890, the $5,000 appropriated by act of August 2, 1882, has been expended in the removal of snags and sand bars in the Cumberland River above Nashville, of which sum $77.98 was expended during the present fiscal year. For detailed report of work done in channel see Reports of Chief of Engineers, 1891 and 1892. July 1, 1892, balance unexpended... June 30, 1893, amount expended during fiscal year. (See Appendix D D 6.) $77.98 77.98 8. Caney Fork River, Tennessee.-This stream, after a course of about 200 miles, wholly in the State of Tennessee, empties into the Cumberland River at Carthage, Tenn., about 116 miles above Nashville, Tenn. It is the largest and an important tributary of the Cumberland River. An examination was made in 1879 as high up as Sligo Ford, about 72 miles, and in 1886 it was extended 20 miles farther to Frank Ferry, the head of navigation. The principal difficulties were found to be rock reefs, gravel and sand bars, a crooked, shallow channel, greatly impeded by surface obstructions. The present project is to improve the river below Frank Ferry, 92 miles, by removing drift and other surface obstructions, and building the wing dams and training walls necessary to insure safe navigation for small steamboats and flatboats during the boating season, usually about five months in duration, from February to July. The amount expended to June 30, 1892, including outstanding indebtedness, was $24,966.62, which was used in removing surface obstructions, in reducing sand and gravel bars, and in repairing and building dams, and has resulted in a greatly improved channel at the 3-foot stage above low water from Frank Ferry to mouth of river. Work in the channel was suspended August 15, 1891, the appropriation being then nearly exhausted. Amount expended during the fiscal year, including outstanding indebtedness, was $53.38, which exhausted the total amount appropriated. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... (See Appendix D D 7.). EXAMINATIONS MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH RIVER AND HARBOR ACT APPROVED JULY 13, 1892. The preliminary examinations of the following localities, required by act of July 13, 1892, were made by the local engineer, Lieut. Col. Henry M. Roberts, Corps of Engineers, and reports thereon submitted: 1. Ohio River between Livingston Point and the head of Tennessee Island, with the view of protecting the harbor and marine ways at Paducah, Ky.-Lieut. Col. Robert submitted report of examination under date of August 23, 1892. It is his opinion, concurred in by this office, that the locality is not worthy of improvement by the General Government for the purpose proposed. The report was transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 107, Fifty-second Congress, second session. (See also Appendix D D 8.) 2. Duck River, Tennessee.-Lieut. Col. Robert submitted report of examination under date of October 7, 1892. It is his opinion, concurred in by this office, that the river is worthy of improvement by the United States. No survey will be necessary for preparation of project and estimate of cost of improvement. The report was transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 33, Fifty-second Congress, second session. (See also Appendix D D 9.) 3. Sequatchie River, Tennessee.-Lieut. Col. Robert submitted report of examination under date of August 23, 1892. It is his opinion, concurred in by this office, that the river is not worthy of improvement by the General Government. The report was transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 60, Fifty-second Congress, second session. (See also Appendix D D 10.) 4. Hiwassee River, in Tennessee, from its confluence with the Tennessee River to the mouth of the Ocoee River.-Lieut. Col. Robert submitted report of examination under date of August 22, 1892. his opinion, concurred in by this office, that the river is worthy of improvement by the General Government. The cost of a survey necessary for preparation of project and estimate of cost of improvement is estimated at $2,000. The report was transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 27, Fifty-second Congress, second session. (See also Appendix D D 11.) |