The plan of improvement is to hold the channel in its southern position by building two high-tide stone jetties; the northern starting from the above-mentioned peninsula and the southern to start from the mainland; these to converge to an entrance width of about 500 feet, and then, if necessary, to run parallel for a sufficient distance to secure a bar depth of 8 feet at low water. The cost was estimated in 1891 to be $712,338. The amount expended up to June 30, 1892, was $415.08. No work was done beyond making a survey. There was no expenditure during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1893; no results were obtained. The appropriation is $10,000. July 1, 1892, balance unexpended.... $9,584.92 9, 584.92 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project...... 712, 388.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix V V 8.) 9. Upper Snake River, Idaho, between Huntington Bridge and Seven Devils mining district.-This portion of the Snake River flows through a deep canyon and is swift, with many rapids and dangerous rocks. The bed and banks are hard basalt and granite. Navigation is almost impossible. The plan of improvement, submitted in 1891, under provisions of river and harbor act approved September 19, 1890, is to remove rocks and reefs from a channel 150 feet wide and put in ringbolts and iron posts to assist boats in lining up. The estimated cost is $80,000. The first appropriation for this work, $20,000, was made by act of July 13, 1892. The amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1893, was $17,917.71. A large amount of rock was removed from the channel just below Huntington Bridge. 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 July 1, 1893, balance available ........... $20,000.00 17,998.46 2,001. 54 25.00 1,976. 54 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project. 60,000.00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30,1895 25,000.00 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. (See Appendix V V 9.) 10. Upper Columbia and Snake rivers, Oregon and Washington.Under the above head it has been deemed proper to include the continuous Columbia and Snake rivers from Celilo, at the head of The Dalles, to Asotin, Wash. The Upper Columbia and Snake form a continuous line of navigable river, but broken by many rapids which render navigation difficult and dangerous. These rapids are in nearly every instance caused by rocky bars with occasional bowlders. The channels before improvement were crooked and narrow, the ruling depth at low water over many of the bars was 2 to 3 feet, and some were practicably impassable at low water. The Columbia was navigable all the year except when closed by ice; the Snake, however, was navigable only during high water, for three or for months in the spring. Previous to 1877 $20,000 had been appropriated for the work of improvement, and had been expended in surveys and rock removal at the - principal rapids. In 1877 a project was approved which provided for the removal of bowlders and reefs, and for scraping gravel bars in the Columbia and Snake as far as Lewiston. The estimated cost was $132,000. By the river and harbor act of July 13, 1892, the upper limit of this work was extended from Lewiston, Idaho, to Asotin, Wash., a distance of 7 miles. The present plan of improvement is to remove bowlders, gravel bars, and rock ledges, and put in such contraction works as may be necessary. The estimated cost of the work has not been accurately determined because of the lack of continuous and full surveys, and because, from the nature of things, it can not be, as many of the obstructions which it is necessary to remove are continually recurring. The expenditure prior to June 30, 1892, was $142,717.27. A great deal of rock was removed, with very great benefit to navigation; boats were enabled to carry more than double their previous loads, and with greater safety. The amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1893, was $20,248.71. The worst rocks and reefs between Riparia and Asotin have been effectually cleared out. At two of the worst bars dikes have been partially built, which will soon be completed. They have already had a good effect in deepening the channel. The aggregate of the appropriations is $271,000. July 1, 1892, balance unexpended Amount refunded December 24, 1892.. Amount appropriated by act approved July 13, 1892 $8, 282.73 155.44 15,000.00 23, 438. 17 June 30, 1893, amount expended during fiscal year..... 20, 248.71 July 1, 1893, balance unexpended July 1, 1893, outstanding liabilities 3, 189.46 350.00 July 1, 1893, balance available.... 2,839.46 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30,1895 20,000.00 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. (See Appendix V V 10.) 11. Columbia River, between head of Rock Island Rapids and foot of Priest Rapids, Washington.-This portion of the Columbia River is about 60 miles long. The banks are precipitous bluffs, from 1,000 to 3,000 feet high. The neighboring country is rocky and sterile. Navigation is obstructed by Rock Island, Cabinet, and Priest rapids. At Rock Island Rapids the river is divided by a large rocky island. The channel is obstructed by reefs, rocks, sharply projecting points, and extensive gravel deposits, which dam up the water to such an extent that its slope, in escaping, is very steep. The river here, at a stage 4 feet above low water, has a fall of 10 feet in 3,000 feet, and 123 feet in 8,000 feet. At Cabinet Rapids a mass of basalt, projecting from the left bank, causes the current to impinge upon the nearly vertical rocks of the right bank; the channel is also obstructed by masses of rock. The fall here is 10 feet in 8,000 feet. Priest Rapids include seven principal rapids in about 10 miles. The total fall in this distance is 72 feet at low water; 63 feet at high water. At all these rapids the banks and bottom are of hard and jagged basalt. The project under which the work of improvement has been done was approved October 18, 1890. It consists in removing rocks at the three rapids, and putting in iron posts and ringbolts to enable steamers to line up. The estimated cost of this work was $550,000. In addition, a survey was to be made from Rock Island Rapids to the Canadian boundary. Up to June 30, 1892, the amount expended on the improvement was $49,566.56; on the survey, $9,919.86. The worst obstructions were removed from the channel at the three rapids, and a number of posts and ringbolts put in. The results would have rendered navigation safer had there been any navigation. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1893, the amount expended was $2,302.66, of which $80.14 was for the survey, which was completed from the boundary line to the mouth of the Okanogan River. July 1, 1892, balance unexpended June 30, 1893, amount expended during fiscal year July 1, 1893, balance unexpended (See Appendix V V 11.) $10, 513.58 2,302.66 8, 210.92 Survey of Columbia River from the international boundary line to Rock Island Rapids, Washington.-The river and harbor act approved September 19, 1830, allotted $10,000 for a survey of the Columbia River from the international boundary to Rock Island Rapids. With this amount the survey has been completed from the boundary down to the mouth of Okanogan River, 214 miles; and no further provision having been made for completion of the survey to Rock Island Rapids, Capt. Symons submitted report, dated March 15, 1893, upon the reach of 214 miles surveyed. The report is submitted herewith with Appendix V V 11. The territory tributary to this portion of the river is as yet largely undeveloped; and the only portion of it now navigated by steamers is the stretch of 13 miles below the boundary line. The obstructions to navigation, consisting of rocks, rapids, falls, and a generally swift current, can in some places be overcome by removal of rock and clearing channels; other places, incapable of any system of regularization, can be rendered passable only by the construction of canals, locks, and dams, boat railways, hydraulic lifts, or other suitable contrivances for passing boats from one level to another. The cost of providing a good commercial through navigation from the boundary to the Okanogan is estimated as follows: Removal of rock at various localities. Dam and locks at Little Dalles (15 miles from boundary). $275,000 1,500,000 1,250,000 Seven dams and locks in reach of 42 miles from Monaghan Rapids to Foster Creek Rapids (161-203 miles from boundary). Two dams and locks below month of Spokane River (105 miles from boundary) 1,500,000 3, 000, 000 10, 500, 000 Total 18, 025, 000 An estimate of the cost of a less radical improvement of the 42 miles from Monaghan Rapids to Foster Creek Rapids, amounting to $980,000, is also presented by Capt. Symons. A report upon a preliminary examination of the Columbia River between the international boundary and Rock Island Rapids, made by Capt. Symons, October 12, 1892, is submitted herewith as Appendix V V 24, in connection with which the views of the Engineer Department as to the expediency of improving this locality are expressed. (See p. 445.) 12. Nasel River, Washington.-In its original condition the Nasel River had enough water for navigation, but had become badly obstructed by snags. The plan of the improvement, submitted in 1891 under the provisions of the river and harbor act approved September 19, 1890, was to remove the snags obstructing navigation, at an estimated cost of $1,500. This amount was appropriated by the act of July 13, 1892; and, by its expenditure during the past fiscal year the river was cleared of all objectionable snags. Amount appropriated by act approved July 13, 1892 (See Appendix V V 12.) $1,500.00 1,500.00 13. Willapa River and Harbor, Washington.-Willapa Harbor, formerly known as Shoalwater Bay, is an inlet of the Pacific Ocean 28 miles north of the mouth of the Columbia. The principal town on the harbor is South Bend, the terminus of a branch line of the Northern Pacific Railroad, situated near the mouth of the Willapa River. At the upper end of the town the river divides into a main channel and a secondary channel, known as Mailboat Slough; these reunite at the lower end of the town. Bars had formed in the main channel at both ends of the slough. There were also several bars in the Willapa River, between South Bend and Willapa City. The plan of improvement, submitted in 1891 to comply with requirements of river and harbor act approved September 19, 1890, proposed to close the head of Mailboat Slough with pile, brush, and stone dikes, thereby throwing all the water into the main channel and scouring away the shoals; to dredge a channel 100 feet wide and 8 feet deep at low water through the shoal just below Willapa City; and to close Louderback Slough with a pile, brush, and stone dike, in order to compel the currents to scour a channel through the bar above the river mouth. The estimated cost was $31,350. The first appropriation for this work, $18,000, was made by the act of July 13, 1892. The expenditure during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1893, was $11,658.72. Of this amount, $6,818.73 was expended on the Mailboat Slough dikes and $5,339.99 in dredging the shoal below Willapa City. About one-third of the dredging has been done. The Mailboat Slough dikes were completed, and have already caused some deepening and marked widening of the channel over the bar at the lower end of the slough. $18,000.00 11, 658. 72 Amount appropriated by act approved July 13, 1892 July 1, 1893, balance unexpended 6, 341, 28 July 1, 1893, outstanding liabilities... $90.00 July 1, 1893, amount covered by uncompleted contracts...... 6, 251.28 6, 341.28 (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 V V 13.) $13, 350.00 13, 350.00 14. Grays Harbor and Chehalis River, Washington.-The Chehalis River is the principal tributary of Grays Harbor. From Montesano to the bay there is usually enough water for coasting vessels, but there are four shoals. At the head of Grays Harbor the waters divide into a north and south channel. There is also a middle channel connecting the other two. These divisions cause objectionable shoals. The plan of improvement, submitted in 1891 to comply with requirements of the river and harbor act approved September 19, 1890, is to remove the shoals from the river by dredging and closing side sloughs and channels, so as to give a depth of 16 feet at half tide; to build dikes of pile, brush, and stone in the harbor, wholly closing the middle channel, and closing the south channel, with the exception of a gap 1,000 feet wide and about 8 feet deep, with a view to increasing the tidal flow through the north channel and scouring away the bars. The estimated cost was $150,000. The first appropriation for the work, $50,000, was made by act of July 13, 1892. The amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1893, was $5,672.97. The works were but fairly started, and have not as yet had any appreciable effect. Amount appropriated by act approved July 13, 1892 June 30, 1893, amount expended during fiscal year... $50,000.00 5, 672.97 July 1, 1893, balance unexpended. 44, 327.03 July 1, 1893, amount covered by uncompleted contract. $160.00 44, 167.03 44, 327. 03 (Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... 100,000.00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1895 100,000.00 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. (See Appendix V V 14.) 15. Chehalis River, Washington.-The possibly navigable portion of the Chehalis River is from Claquato to the mouth, a distance of 90 miles. This may well be considered in three sections. 1. From the mouth to Montesano, a distance of 15 miles, there is a depth of 18 feet at high water. This portion is navigable for coasting vessels. 2. From Montesano to Elma, 16 miles, the river is slightly affected by the tides, and for the most part has enough water for light-draft boats, but it is obstructed by snags and fallen trees, and in summer there is a scarcity of water on the bars. 3. Above Elma the river is practically blockaded during the summer and autumn by snags and a general lack of water; it becomes a succession of pools and shoals; on many of the latter the depth is from 6 to 12 inches only. The plan of improvement is to remove snags, overhanging trees, jams, drift heaps, shoals, and other obstructions to navigation. The amount expended to June 30, 1892, was $10,715.48. The river from Montesano to the mouth was kept open and free from obstructions. |