The amount expended to June 30, 1887, is $15,000, and has resulted in improvement, more or less complete, over the lower reach of 30 miles. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1889 19, 424.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2, of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix U U 4.) $19, 424.00 5. Cowlitz River, Washington Territory.―The project for this improvement, adopted in 1880, consists in wing dam construction, bar scraping, and snagging operations to secure a light draught navigation up to Toledo, a little more than 30 miles above the mouth. The original estimate for this work was $3,000 for construction in the first year and an annual expenditure thereafter of $2,000 for maintenance by snagging operations. The total appropriation to date is $8,000. The amount expended to date is $8,000. During the year the whole reach was cleared of snags and stumps, bars were scraped and sluiced, wing-dams constructed, and a new channel cut, securing a navigable depth at extreme low water of 2 feet up to Toledo. It is proposed to apply the sum asked for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1888, to channel maintenance, wing-dam construction, and shore protection. July 1, 1886, amount available... July 1, 1887, amount expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1887.... $2,000.00 2,000.00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project ....Indeterminate. 6,000.00 (See Appendix U U 5.) EXAMINATIONS, SURVEYS, AND CONTINGENCIES OF RIVERS AND HARBORS. For examinations and surveys for improvement, and for contingencies and for incidental repairs of harbors for which there is no special appropriation, an appropriation of $175,000 should be made, of which sum $75,000 for surveys and $100,000 for contingencies, including incidental repairs of harbors. MISCELLANEOUS. [Public works not provided for in acts making appropriations for the construction, repair, and preservation of works on rivers and harbors.] MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS OF WASHINGTON AQUEDUCT—INCREASING WATER SUPPLY OF THE CITY OF WASHINGTON-ERECTION OF FISH-WAYS AT THE GREAT FALLS OF THE POTOMAC. Officer in charge, Maj. G. J. Lydecker, Corps of Engineers, with Lieut. C. McD. Townsend, Corps of Engineers, under his immediate orders. 1. Washington Aqueduct.-The appropriation of $20,000 has been applied as usual, to maintaining the aqueduct and its accessory structures in proper repair, and to regulating the supply of Potomac water to the cities of Washington and Georgetown. The same amount, $20,000, is required for engineering, maintenance, and repairs of the aqueduct for the year ending June 30, 1889. In addition, the officer in charge submits an estimate of $125,000 to be applied to work that is deemed necessary for securing the water supply against danger of pollution, and he accordingly recommends the appropriation of that sum, as an item of the sundry civil bill— For improving the water supply of Washington, D. C., by intercepting and diverting the flow of surface waters and streams tributary to the Receiving Reservoir, dredging the reservoir and paving its banks, and by controlling surface drainage near the inlet to the aqueduct at the Great Falls of the Potomac. An appropriation for the purpose indicated is recommended to the favorable consideration of Congress, in view of the importance of doing everything possible to insure the delivery of Potomac water in its purest natural condition. Amount appropriated by act of July 9, 1886 $20,000.00 20,000.00 Amount that can be profitably expended for engineering, maintenance, and repairs. 20,000,00 125,000.00 Amount that can be expended for insuri ng purity of supply... (See Appendix V V 1.) 2. Increasing the water supply of Washington, District of Columbia.-The approved project for this work comprises, first, the extension of the dam at the Great Falls of the Potomac across Conn's Island and the Virginia channel to the Virginia shore, and the completion of the whole to an elevation of 148 feet above mean high tide at the navy-yard, this elevation being about 15 inches above the crest of the old dam across the Maryland channel of the river; second, the extension of the aqueduct by a tunnel about 20,700 feet long, from the terminus of the conduit at Drover's Rest (distributing reservoir) to the site of a new reservoir near Howard University; third, construction of a new reservoir at that place capable of holding about 300,000,000 gallons; fourth, making the necessary main connections for taking the water from the new reservoir into the system of supply mains for the city. Work on the dam was completed in August, 1886, by placing 192 linear feet of coping. As finished this is a solid masonry structure, 2,877 feet long, varying in height from 4 to 20 feet, all solidly backed with rip rap. On the tunnel operations had been suspended February 1, 1886, when the original appropriation was exhausted, and they were not resumed until after the passage of the general deficiency bill approved August 4, 1886, wherein $395,000 was appropriated for completing the work; under this appropriation the general excavation of the tunnel has been completed, and the work of lining advanced so as to make its total length 6,110.5 feet up to June 30, 1887. The completion of the work of excavation has developed the necessity of doing much more lining than was contemplated when the last estimate was submitted; the cost is also increased beyond the price named in that estimate, on the recommendation of the Board of Engineers designated by Congress to determine the proper character of lining. Thus it happens that the defi ciency appropriation of 1886 is still insufficient for completing the work, and it is now estimated by the officer in charge that an additional appropriation of $320,000 is required for that purpose; the appropriation of this amount at the earliest date possible is urgently recommended, for the reason that the present appropriation will be exhausted in the early fall of 1887, and the most speedy completion of the work is of the highest importance. Work on the reservoir has been in progress during most of the year, and has now approached completion. The money on hand will prob ably be found sufficient for doing all that is essential for putting the reservoir in condition to receive the water supply, but additional funds will ultimately be required for putting the grounds in a properly finished state. No estimate, however, is submitted at present for this purpose. The only work done under the appropriation for main connections during the year was calking the 75-inch outlet main. July 1, 1886, amount unexpended on all items of appropriations June 30, 1887, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding June 30, 1887 $240, 148. 15 555,000.00 795, 148. 15 .$301, 345.91 ... 160, 618. 47 461, 964. 38 333, 183.77 June 30, 1887, outstanding liabilities, including retained percentages.. June 30, 1887, amount available ...... The amount that can profitably be expended during the year ending June 30, 1889, is $320,000, and without this the tunnel can not be completed. (See Appendix V V 2.) 3. Erection of fish-ways at Great Falls of the Potomac.-No work was in progress on the fish-ways at the beginning of the year, operations having been suspended in the fall of 1885 in consequence of the destruction of the greater part of them by floods. During the months of August and September, 1886, the dam which intercepted the flow of water through the channel in which the fishways were located was rebuilt, and at the request of the Commissioner of Fisheries the sixth section was restored and completed in order to test the practical working of the system. It is assumed that the result will be duly reported by the United States Commissioner of Fisheries, and that he will likewise take action looking to the completion of the other sections. The officer in charge of the work of construction is of the opinion that it will cost upwards of $50,000 to complete the fish-ways in such substantial manner as to withstand the violent floods of the Potomac, but it is presumed that the estimate for this purpose will be submitted to Congress from the office of the Fish Commissioner, as in the case of the original appropriation. In this connection attention is invited to the following extract from the report of Maj. G. J. Lydecker, Corps of Engineers, under whose direction the work of construction has been doue: I do not understand that this department is called upon to submit any estimate for this purpose; nor does it appear, in fact, that there has been any specific legislation devolving the construction of these fish-ways upon the War Department, though the intent of Congress has been so construed; the appropriation for the work was originally made in the act entitled "An act to increase the water supply of the city of Washington, and for other purposes," approved July 15, 1882, and simply provided for the erection of suitable fish-ways at the Great Falls of the Potomac and at the dam to be constructed under the provisions of this act, in accordance with plans and specifications to be prescribed by the United States Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries. This act specifically authorizes and directs the Secretary of War to do certain work pertaining to the increased water supply, but is silent as to any duty or responsibility on his part in relation to the fish-ways. It would therefore seem desirable that, if further appropriations be made for these structures at the Falls, Congress should more definitely assign the duty and responsibility of its dis bursement. The original appropriation was $50,000, of which there had been expended to June 30, 1887, $44,365.18, leaving $5.634.82 as the balance then available. IMPROVEMENT AND CARE OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. Officer in charge, Lieut. Col. John M. Wilson, Corps of Engineers, colonel, U. S. Army. At the Executive Mansion the entire outside of the main building and of the conservatory were repainted and a number of rooms painted and calcimined. A new sky-light and ventilator was constructed so as to light and ventilate the corridor of second floor, and a wooden and glass partition constructed to separate the private from the official portion of the house. New carpets were placed in the east room, private dining-room, and one bedroom, and new matting on one of the halls, the stairs leading to private part of the mansion, and in one bedroom; extensive repairs were made to the old furniture and a few articles of new furniture were purchased; the lace curtains, which could no longer be repaired, were replaced with new ones. Extensive repairs were made to the conservatory, which was in a dilapidated condition; a new asphalt floor and granolithic walk were laid, and new slate and iron benches were introduced and the wood-work repaired where necessary; repairs were also made to all the greenhouses. At the nurseries the superstructure of two greenhouses was renewed, a new brick pit constructed, and extensive repairs made to all the greenhouses; the sewage system was greatly improved. In addition to the general work performed for maintaining in good condition the improved public reservations, three unimproved reservations have been highly improved and one partially improved, and one heretofore partially improved has been highly improved; extensive improvements were made at the grounds around the new Pension Building, at Garfield reservation, and at the Smithsonian Park; at the latter 2,767 square yards of asphalt pavement was constructed on the main road in front of the National Museum. The statue of General Rawlins has been moved from Rawlins square to the triangle at the southeast corner of Ninth street and Pennsyl vania avenue, and the reservation highly improved. A pedestal and statue, in memory of the late President Garfield, have been erected at the intersection of Maryland avenue and west First street. Water has been introduced into eight reservations and the water-pipes in the Executive Mansion grounds extended. Attention is invited to the detailed report of the officer in charge, and to his estimates and recommendations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889. His estimates are as follows: For improvement and care of public grounds For compensation of persons employed upon Public Buildings and Grounds (See Appendix W W.) -$166, 583.00 51, 100. 00 10,000.00 500.00 900.00 229,083.00 BRIDGING NAVIGABLE WATERS OF THE UNITED STATES. 1. Bridge of the Kentucky and Ohio Bridge Company across the Ohio River between Cincinnati, Ohio, and Covington, Kentucky.-This bridge was authorized by act of Congress approved May 20, 1886, and plans for its construction were presented by the "Kentucky and Ohio Bridge Company," the rights of the "Covington and Cincinnati Elevated Railway and Bridge Company," to whom the franchise was given by the act, having been assigned to the first-named company, who requested that the subject be referred to a Board of Engineer Officers. A Board was accordingly organized, and under instructions from this office, submitted a full report disapproving the location of the bridge, and suggesting, if the proposed site be retained, that one channel span be provided giving a clear water way at all stages of not less than 550 feet. The plan for the bridge 43 feet above high-water mark, with a central span of 550 feet, was approved by the Secretary of War March 19, 1887. (See Appendix X X 1.) 2. Bridge across the Staten Island Sound, known as Arthur Kill.-The construction of this bridge is provided for "by an act of Congress" approved June 16, 1886. Plans were submitted July 12, 1886, by Mr. Thomas M. King, vice-president and managing director, Staten Island Rapid Transit Railroad Company, which were referred to the Board of Engineers July 16, returned with report September 2, 1886, and submitted to the Secretary of War October 5, 1886. The Board was of opinion that no plan for a bridge with a pier in or near the middle of the channel should be approved, and recommended a high bridge at a site different from that selected by the railroad company. The report of the Board, with accompanying papers, was, in obedience to a resolution of the Senate, dated December 15, 1886, submitted to that body, and received the consideration of the Committee on Commerce in connection with a proposed substitute for the existing act, which was reported upon adversely. An examination of the plans, etc., was made in the office of the Chief of Engineers, and they were found to be in conformity with the provisions of the act authorizing the bridge; and in view of the adverse report of the committee and of the provisions of the act of June 16, contained in the fourth section, empowering the Secretary of War to make at any time" any change or alteration necessary in the said bridge so that the same shall not obstruct navigation, or if he shall think the re8872 ENG 87-22 |