Sparta to Duckport (588–590 R.).—The survey of September, 1908, indicated that there had been practically no change since the previous survey, with the exception of one pocket cave. It is not thought that a new levee will be needed the coming

Season.

In the accompanying report on surveys a discussion of caving banks along the following reaches not mentioned above will be found: Vaucluse (485-490 R.); Matthews Bend (506-510 R.); and Reid-Bedford Bend (607_R.).

Condition of levee line and estimate for continued construction.-Following is a statement relative to the general height of the levee line assuming the completion of all Levee work which has been provided for and which is now under contract:

Average 2 feet above 1903 high

Miles. Per cent. Miles. Per cent. Miles. Per cent. Miles. Per cent.

water "..

• There are several short reaches included in this item that stand between 1 and 2 feet above 1903 high vater.

Ten miles has section of 6-foot crown, 3 to 1 back and 2.5 to 1 front slopes; 2.6 miles has 6-foot crown to 1 back and 2 to 1 front slopes.

Since 1907 all enlargement work has been placed under the following project: To enlarge all reaches of the levee to a provisional grade of not over 4 feet above the 1903 Ligh water, with standard section, and to add a light topping to be 1.5 feet above gross. rade, with 2-foot crown and 2 to 1 slopes. After deducting for all work completed nd authorized under the above project, the following statement is an estimate to nlarge the balance of the line to the grade and section, as stated.

Arkansas River levees..

evees in Arkansas..

evees in Louisiana.. Light topping.

Total.....

MINOR REPAIRS, WEED CUTTING, SODDING, ETC.

Cubic yards.

940,000 1, 773, 000 1,234, 000 184, 000

4, 131, 000

It has been recommended to the various levee boards that they undertake the necssary repairs to the levees, resodding, etc. The fifth Louisiana board and the Chicot >oard have already started to repair some of the wave-washed levee along their fronts. The necessary weed cutting has been nominal during the past few years, except in Madison Parish, La. It is thought advisable that in the future weed cutting be left o the local levee authorities.

CARE AND PRESERVATION OF LEVEES BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES.

Practically all the trouble now experienced on account of local authorities not tak ng proper care of the levees is noted in Desha County, Ark. Here hogs are allowed to un at large, particularly above Arkansas City, and just below Arkansas City along the Fulton Lake levee great difficulty has been experienced in keeping travel off the op of the levee. The attention of the Desha levee board has been called to these buses time and again but apparently without effect.

9001-ENG 1909-175

BANK REVETMENT AT RED FORK ON THE ARKANSAS RIVER.

The revetment placed in 1907-8 served to save the upper junction of the new Fe Fork loop built by the commission during the same period. There were two tionally high stages of the Arkansas River in November and December, 190 em with a very low stage in the Mississippi River, which caused swift and desta currents along the lower reach of the Arkansas. The river banks below the re ment placed caved with phenomenal rapidity. The lower end of the revetment flanked slightly. It was thought best to extend the work done last season downsze about 700 feet, which was done.

LEVEE GRADE.

It is desirable that a resurvey of the levee line be made this fall, that the out sion grade be readjusted and that an estimate be made therefrom showing the yard required to complete the levees.

All future enlargement should be completed to the final commission grade, light enlargements are very expensive. Especially if machine work is allowed a where, the levee should be constructed to a safe final grade, as it will be difficut a expensive to enlarge a levee on the river side where a machine has worked.

SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURES.

The following is a summary of the expenditures during the period:

Includes supervision of the construction of levee work for the various levee boards a $93,776.87, which amount, if added to the above expenditures in the field, would make engineering 4 per cent.

For a statement of levee construction by the United States and by the levee ba attention is invited to Tables Nos. 12 and 13 herewith.

Work in this levee district was under the immediate supervision of Mr. A. M. assistant engineer. The foregoing report and appended tables include the e features of his detailed report, which has been filed at this office. (See maje 9, 11, and 12 hereto appended.)

Appended to this report are 15 statements of details and maps, numbered f 12, inclusive.

Money statement, abstract of contracts in force, and apportionment of c deterioration of plant will be forwarded July 1, 1909.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Col. W. H. BIXBY,

Corps of Engineers, U. S. Army,

President, Mississippi River Commission.

CLARKE S. SMITH. Captain, Corps of Engi