APPENDIX O O. IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBORS IN THE BUFFALO, N. Y., DISTRICT. REPORT OF LIEUT. COL. J. G. WARREN, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, OFFICER IN CHARGE, for the FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1911. 1. Erie Harbor, Pa. 2. Dunkirk Harbor, N. Y 3. Buffalo Harbor, N. Y. IMPROVEMENTS. 4. Black Rock Harbor and Channel, N. Y. 5. Tonawanda Harbor and Niagara River, N. Y. 6. Niagara River, N. Y. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, SIR: I have the honor to forward herewith reports of operations * on river and harbor works in this district during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1911. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. G. WARREN, Lieut. Col., Corps of Engineers. The CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, UNITED STATES ARMY. At the beginning of the fiscal year the work of dredging harbor basin abreast and west of the public dock to depth of 20 feet at mean lake level under contract with the Central Dredging Co. was suspended. It was resumed July 9, 1910, with one large dredge, and a second dredge began July 16, 1910. The work was completed July 30, 1910; amount removed 133,067 cubic yards, scow measure, at a total cost of $24,228.56, including engineering and contingencies. Dredging inner channel and east and west ends of harbor basin to depth of 20 feet at low water (21.7 feet at mean lake level) was begun with one dredge September 6, 1910, under contract with the Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co., was suspended for the season November 14, 1910, and resumed April 13, 1911. The work was completed June 6, 1911, at a total cost of $40,554.20, including engineering and office expenses. Repairs to south breakwater, consisting of resetting dislodged paving stone and filling joints with Portland cement grout on inner 850 feet, were begun October 1 and completed November 22, 1910, at a cost of $607.50 for supplies and labor. Minor repairs were made to boiler and machinery of launch Gwendolen during March, 1911. The tug Sheldon Bros. was sunk in harbor basin and abandoned by owner. The wreck was removed by the United States under contract with The T. A. Gillespie Co., at a cost of $89, the removal being completed June 10, 1911. The surveillance of Presque Isle Peninsula was continued throughout the fiscal year, a watchman being on duty to see that no depredations were committed, to put out fires which occasionally occur, and to prevent squatters from settling along the harbor shore by hauling house boats thereon and thus establishing a residence. CONDITION OF THE WORKS. The south pier and south breakwater are in good condition. The north pier is in good condition, except 755 feet with timber superstructure, which will be replaced with concrete, with funds on hand. The entrance channel and harbor basin are in good condition, but some dredging will be required in the channel from time to time. The preservation of the peninsula is of vital importance to Erie Harbor, and it is for the purpose of preserving the harbor that the protection of the weak parts of the peninsula has been deemed necessary. The weakest portion is the long, narrow neck at the western end, and works of protection have been constructed to prevent a breach through this narrow neck. The danger exists during severe storms from the westward. The protection works for the neck consist of the remains of a shore protection constructed in 1889, which affords little or no protection, and the tree growth propagated and maintained on the neck. During 1896-1898 about 6,600 young locust and willow trees were planted on the neck of the peninsula. Most of these have grown finely, but some of the outer ones have been washed out by heavy seas. The beach erosion along the body of the peninsula has not been materially corrected by jetties built out from the shore. At the present time there is one dilapidated jetty at the easterly end, no longer of service, and three jetties about the middle of the peninsula shore, one of which belongs to the Lighthouse Service, in fair condition. Severe storms make some changes in the shore lines of the peninsula, but no serious damage is done. PROPOSED OPERATIONS AND REMARKS. The project for improvement is completed, except (a) Extension of the north pier as required from time to time to cover the advance lakeward of the 16-foot contour of depth. (b) The conditional provision for two spurs on the outer shore of Presque Isle. (c) Maintenance, which will be required indefinitely. |