[Fifth indorsement.] OFFICE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, Respectfully returned to the Secretary of War. It will be seen by reference to the fourth indorsement and its inclosure that the better opportunity afforded for examination at low water has increased the estimate to $190,000. It will be seen also by examination of Lieutenant Beach's report that it is not at present a question of rebuilding the old works, but "of preserving and continuing the use and navigation" of the river and works and of paying "the actual expenses of operating and keeping the works in repair." The latter estimate, $190,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is recommended for approval. J. C. DUANE, Brig. Gen., Chief of Engineers. Respectfully returned to the Chief of Engineers. The allotment of $190,000 for operating and keeping in repair the works on the Muskingum River for year ending June 30, 1888, is approved as recommended. The cost of repairing the locks and dams on the Muskingum was reported to Congress January 22, 1886 (Ex. Doc. No. 48, House of Representatives, Forty-ninth Congress, first session), and although it was stated that $200,000 would be required, only $20,000 was appropriated by the river and harbor act approved August 5, 1886, for the year ending June 30, 1887. The condition of these works, which are built in part of timber and are much out of repair, is such that this large sum of $190,000 appears to be absolutely necessary this year for operating and maintaining navigation therein as required by law, and the only funds available must come from the indefinite appropriation provided by section 4 of act of July 5, 1884; but the sums that must be expended in future, not merely for the repair but for the renovation and rebuilding of a large portion of these works, should be provided for by special appropriation and not be taken from the indefinite appropriation. It is, therefore, directed that special estimates be made for the consideration of Congress, and the Chief of Engineers will prepare a full report on this subject, which will include the papers herewith and an estimate of the entire cost of complete repairs to the locks and dams on the Muskingum River, to be transmitted to Congress at an early day of the next session. [Seventh indorsement.] Wм. C. ENDICOTT, OFFICE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, Respectfully returned to Lieut. Col. W. E. Merrill, Corps of Engineers, inviting attention to the foregoing indorsement, by which he will be guided. Colonel Merrill will prepare, as soon as practicable, the full report and estimate of the entire cost of completing the repairs to the locks and dams, etc., as required by the Secretary of War. By command of Brigadier-General' Duane. JAS. C. POST, Major of Engineers. REPORT OF LIEUTENANT LANSING H. BEACH, CORPS OF ENGINEERS. UNITED STATES ENGINEER Office, Zanesville, Ohio, July 11, 1887. SIR: In reply to your letter of the 5th instant, I have to submit the following estimate of the cost of operating and maintaining the Muskingum River improvement for the year ending June 30, 1888. I consider this "the least amount which will suf fice for operating and keeping in repair the works now completed on the Muskingum River for the current year," as the works are all in such condition that these repairs are imperative if navigation is to be kept open. The estimates of $6,330 for office and general administration, $6,480 for lock force, and $3,885 for steam-boat expenses I presume require no comment, as their necessity is evident. Taking the necessary repairs to the works and considering each in order the esti mates are: FOR LOCK AND DAM NO. 1. Coffer across break in dam ($4,000).-This item is absolutely necessary on account of the break in the dam, which occurred on June 7, and lowered the water in the pool above to such an extent that boats were unable to navigate this pool, and also to enter the Muskingum from the Ohio, as the upper miter-sill of the lock was exposed above water. Rebuilding about 100 feet of dam ($6,000).—It will be impracticable as well as impossible to endeavor to keep the gap in the dam closed and continue navigation by means of the above coffer. The depth of the coffer (22 feet) and the character of the bottom (sand) are such that the gap will certainly not be able to stand with the coffer alone, and this much timber work will be needed to keep navigation open. Repairs to lock ($500).—This lock is in a most dangerous condition and can not be properly repaired without being rebuilt, but it is hoped that, by repairing the gate machinery and gates and closing some of the worst leaks through the wall, it may be kept serviceable until the lock on the opposite side of the river is completed. This lock was built on a tree foundation on sand, and has settled until nearly every joint in the river-wall leaks, and some of the stones are a foot below their proper places. Total for No. 1, $10,500. LOCK AND DAM NO. 2. Rebuilding dam ($28,000).—This dam broke last winter, and navigation was com pletely interrupted in consequence until the break was closed in May; the coffer across this break is 256 feet long and 25 feet high at one point, and as considerable difficulty was experienced in keeping it intact during the rise in the early part of June, I do not think it will be possible to make it stand through the coming winter. Of the remaining portion of the dam, for over 200 feet the lower aprons have all been carried away, and that part now stands simply as a rotten-timbered retaining-wall 13 feet wide and from 15 to 30 feet high, and this too will not be able to stand the high water of another season unless some permanent works be placed below it. Protecting abutments ($2,000).—The water has worn away both above and below the abutments on both sides of the river, until they are at present connected with the bank by tongues of land not more than 15 or 20 feet wide, and unless something is done promptly there is every danger that the river will cut through these narrow connec tions and pass around the end of the dam. Total for No. 2, $30,000. LOCK AND DAM NO. 3. Repair to dam and abutments ($1,000).-These were repaired by the State of Ohio last season, but in such an imperfect manner and with such poor materials that the dam is already giving way in several places, which could be checked for the above sum if repaired promptly. Total for No. 3, $1,000. LOCK AND DAM NO. 4. Repair of dam, including coffer ($5,000).-For some distance near the east abutment all the aprons have disappeared and the dam here stands simply as a wall, and has bulged over 2 feet, so that it threatens to give way at any time. The only way to keep this part from going out will be to coffer around the dangerous portion and put in a substantial piece of timber work on the lower side. Repair of abutments ($5,000).—The abutments of this dam have been allowed to get in such a condition that one is nothing more than a pile of rubble-stone and the other threatens to fall of itself, so that the chances of the latter's resisting the next high water are not sufficiently strong to warrant any delay in its repair. If something is not done before next season the river will probably be flowing around one or perhaps both ends of the dam. New guard-gates ($600).-The present gates are in such condition as to be practically worthless, and also very dangerous, and as they are the protection of part of the town (Beverly) against flooding at high water, they should be rebuilt before fall. Total for No. 4, $10,600. LOCK AND DAM NO. 5. Rebuilding dam, including foundation ($35,000).—This dam broke last winter, and was repaired by a coffer in May, restoring navigation, but the rise of June caused a new break 160 feet wide in another part of the dam. These two breaks have so demolished the dam that it will be necessary to rebuild it if it is desired to continue navigation past this point, and, owing to the character of the bottom, a portion of the dam will have to be built on piles. Coffer across present break ($3,700).—This is necessary, as the water is at present so low that nothing can pass the lock, the miter-sill being some feet above water-level. Repair of miter-sill ($200).—This sill had such a bad leak before the break in the dam lowered the water that it made the gates almost impossible to handle, and threatened to destroy the wooden miter-sill. Extending abutment ($4,500).-There is the same danger at the abutment opposite the lock as at Dams No. 2 and No. 4, and it should be remedied as soon as possible. Total for No. 5, $43,400. LOCK AND DAM NO. 6. Repair of miter-sill and floor ($700).-There is a very large leak through and under the wooden floor and lower miter-sill of the lock, which appears to be undermining the lock, and of course has a serious effect upon the gates. The exact extent of damage and danger can not be ascertained until the lock is pumped out, but it is believed to be serious. Repair of dam ($1,000).—This amount will be necessary to place the dam in condition to resist the high water and ice during the winter. Total for No. 6, $1,700. LOCK AND DAM NO. 7. Rebuilding culvert to mill-race ($500).—This culvert runs from the canal at the head of the lock-wall down-stream a short distance parallel to the land-wall of the lock, opening into a race. It is closed at the head by sliding-gates and is very useful for flushing out the canal and removing drift without passing it through the lock. The top of the culvert serves as a passage-way from the banks to the lock-wall. The side of this culvert next to the lock has fallen in and has apparently pulled out a portion of the lock-wall, for when the lock is full there is a stream of water from the lock about 5 feet wide and 2 feet deep, and as the lock-keeper reports the leak increasing, it will have to be repaired promptly or the lock will be rendered useless. Repair of dam ($1,000).-This amount will have to be expended upon the dam to place it in a secure condition for another season. Total for No. 7, $1,800. LOCK AND DAM NO. 8. Rebuilding portion of lock-wall ($12,000).—The river wall of the lock was built upon a horizontal tree foundation resting upon quicksand. The lower end of this foundation has been washed out, allowing the tail-wall to settle considerably. This wall also appears too weak to stand the thrust of the lower gates and is so badly cracked and bulged as to appear exceedingly dangerous. My first estimate for this was $4,000. but having learned the character of the foundation since then, I do not believe that the wall can be properly repaired for less than $12,000. ENG 88-108 Repair of dam ($20,000).—This dam is built upon quicksand and the local conditions are such as to cause a tremendous eddy or whirl near the right-hand or west abutment. This eddy has washed out a hole some 40 feet deep just below the dam, and this hole extends back under the dam to such an extent that the backing has begun to fall into it. The piles on which the dam was originally built have been mostly washed loose, some have been carried away, and others are swinging by the spikes fastening them to the dam. The lower apron has begun to turn up and the back of the dam to cave in where the backing has disappeared, and unless this is all repaired before the next high water there will be a break in the dam that will cost many times the above sum to repair. Repair and extension of abutment ($3,500).—This abutment is wooden crib-work filled with stone; the timber has become so rotten and weak that the abutment is in great danger of falling. To repair this and extend it a sufficient length to prevent the formation of the eddy that is having such a destructive effect upon the dam will require the amount estimated. Total for No. 8, $35,500. LOCK AND DAM NO. 9. Repair of lock-walls ($1,000).—The stone of this dike between high and low water levels have become so disintegrated, and have crumbled away to such an extent that the upper part of both walls threatens to fall into the lock. Very prompt action will be necessary to prevent this. Repair of miter-sill and floor ($700).-The same remarks apply for this item as for similar item at Dam No. 6, though here it is definitely known that about 3 or 4 feet of the miter-sill are entirely gone, and it is exceedingly difficult to maneuver the gates. Repair of dam ($500).—This is necessary to replace sheeting carried away and to fill a few cribs with stone and secure several exposed places. Total for No. 9, $2,200. LOCK AND DAM NO. 10. Rebuilding part of canal-wall ($200).—This is necessary to retain one side of a street running along the canal. At present the embankment is continually caving, and not only filling up the canal, but rendering travel along the street dangerous. New guard-gates ($800).-The same reasons apply for this item as for similar item at No. 4. New lower lock-gates ($800).—The present gates at this lock have become so weak as to be very dangerous, and should be replaced as soon as possible. Repair of dam ($2,000).-The lower apron is entirely gone from this dam, with the exception of a few pieces of sheeting, and there are several breaks in the middle apron, as well as a couple in the top of the dam, all which will have to be repaired this season if the dam is to go through next winter without breaking. Total for No. 10, $3,800. General repairs to gates and apparatus ($10,000).—This item is intended to cover all the minor repairs that are needed at every point on the river, but for which a separate estimate can not be made, such as repairing broken and decayed corners of lockwalls, of which there are several in a threatening condition; changing anchorages of lock-gates, as a great many are so arranged as to interfere with the operating of the gates; repairs to the manoeuvering apparatus and changes to the same so as to make its manipulation easier and less dangerous than at present; repairs to valves and operating apparatus for same, as there is not a gate on the river which has its valves and apparatus in proper condition; hire of labor to clean the mud out of the lockchambers; removal of stone from lock-chambers, as one or two of the locks are almost impassable at present on this account; and all such expenses upon which the necessary condition of the locks depend. Dredge-boat ($8,000).—This is absolutely necessary to keep navigation open during the low-water season, on account of the condition of the lateral canals at several of the dams. The canal at Taylorsville, No. 9, is at present impassable for the larger boats, and the canal at No. 3 had but 1 foot of water in it recently. All of these estimates are for the mere cost of the work, and do not include cost for plant, some of which is almost essential for certain works. This makes the total estimate $174,995; and with contingencies, about 10 per cent., $15,005, brings it to $190,000, no part of which, in my opinion, can be omitted if it is desired to make certain that navigation will be kept open next season. Very respectfully, Lieut. Col. W. E. MERRILL, Corps of Engineers, U. S. A. LANSING H. BEACH, First Lieutenant of Engineers. BB 9. PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION WITH A VIEW TO A SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER NEAR THE CITY OF EVANSVILLE, INDIANA, TO DETERMINE WHAT, IF ANYTHING, WILL BE NECESSARY TO PREVENT A CHANGE OF THE CHANNEL OF THE RIVER IN FRONT OF THAT CITY. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, Cincinnati, January 11, 1887. GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report on the preliminary examination ordered by the river and harbor act of August 5, 1886, "for a survey of the Ohio River near the city of Evansville, Ind., with a view to determine what, if anything, will be necessary to prevent a change of the channel of the river in front of that city." The examination was made by Lieut. Lansing A. Beach, Corps of Engineers, and his report is submitted herewith. I have to state that in may judgment the locality is "worthy of improvement" to the extent of justifying a careful survey, and I estimate the cost of such a survey at $2,200. The survey should cover a length of 30 miles of river and the whole surface of the peninsulas opposite Evansville, Ind., and Henderson, Ky., in order to give a basis for an intelligent discussion of the questions involved. It is possible that the survey will develop facts which may make it unnecessary for the United States to do any work at this locality; but this can not be determined without such survey. The necessity for this survey is due to the fact that there is an apparent possibility that the Ohio River may make a new channel across the peninsula opposite Evansville. Should such an event occur, the river commerce of Evansville would be most seriously injured, if not wholly destroyed; and the general commerce of the Ohio River would undoubtedly be embarrassed during the formation of the new channel, and this embarrassment might be permanent in case the new channel should prove an objectionable one. Respectfully, your obedient servant, Wм. E. MERRILL, Brig. Gen. J. C. DUANE, Chief of Engineers, U. S. A. REPORT OF LIEUTENANT LANSING H. BEACH, CORPS OF ENGINEERS. UNITED STATES ENGINEER Office, SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report on the preliminary examination for a survey of the Ohio River near the city of Evansville, Ind., with a view to determine what, if anything, will be necessary to prevent a change of the channel of the river in front of that city. The object of this excavation was to determine whether there is or is not any danger of the river's making a cut-off through the neck of the peninsula opposite the extremity of which Evansville is situated. That it will do so, and thus leave the city several miles inland, has been feared by the citizens for some time. To enable an intelligent answer to be given in this regard requires such a knowledge of all the conditions prevailing as can be obtained only by an accurate survey. There are, apparently, sufficient grounds to justify the apprehension felt by the inhabitants of Evansville, and I have to recommend that the survey be made. Very respectfully, Lient. Col. W. E. MERRILL, Corps of Engineers, U. S. A. LANSING H. BEACH, First Lieutenant of Engineers. |
