[First indorsement.]

OFFICE DIVISION ENGINEER LAKES DIVISION,

To the CHIEF OF ENGINEERS:

Buffalo, N. Y., September 5, 1913.

Forwarded, concurring in the opinion of the district officer that Mackinac Harbor, Mich., is not at present worthy of further improvement by lengthening the breakwater.

J. G. WARREN, Colonel, Corps of Engineers.

[For report of the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors,

1st Session.

No. 275.

SALMON RIVER, N. Y.

LETTER

FROM

THE ACTING SECRETARY OF WAR,

TRANSMITTING,

WITH A LETTER FROM THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, REPORT ON EXAMINATION OF SALMON RIVER, N. Y., AT AND BELOW FORT COVINGTON.

NOVEMBER 10, 1913.-Referred to the Committee on Rivers and Harbors and ordered to be printed, with illustration.

WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, November 5, 1913.

The SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith a letter from the Chief of Engineers, United States Army, dated 4th instant, together with copy of report from Col. W. M. Black, Corps of Engineers, dated August 23, 1913, with map, on preliminary examination of Salmon River, N. Y., made by him in compliance with the provisions of the river and harbor act approved July 25, 1912.

Very respectfully,

HENRY BRECKINRIDGE,
Acting Secretary of War.

WAR DEPARTMENT,

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS,

Washington, November 4, 1913.

From: The Chief of Engineers, United States Army.
To: The Secretary of War.

Subject: Preliminary examination of Salmon River, N. Y.

1. There is submitted herewith, for transmission to Congress, report dated August 23, 1913, with map, by Col. W. M. Black, Corps of Engineers, on preliminary examination of Salmon River, N. Y.,

at and below Fort Covington, called for by the river and harbor act approved July 25, 1912.

2. The Salmon River empties into the St. Lawrence River near the international boundary line. It is a small stream, of which only about 1 mile is navigable within the limits of the United States, and to make it susceptible of more useful navigation would require improvement in the Canadian section as well as in that portion within the United States. There is no water-borne commerce on the river at present, and to provide an effective improvement would involve considerable cost. In the opinion of the district officer, who is also division engineer, this stream is not worthy of improvement at national expense at this time and at least until the Canadian Government has adopted a project for the improvement of its section of the river.

3. This report has been referred, as required by law, to the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors, and attention is invited to the board's accompanying report, dated September 23, 1913, concurring in the views of the district officer.

4. After due consideration of the above-mentioned reports, I concur in general with the views of the district officer and the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors that the improvement by the United States of Salmon River, N. Y., at and below Fort Covington, in the manner apparently desired by the interests concerned, as described in the reports herewith, is not deemed advisable at the present time. DAN C. KINGMAN,

Chief of Engineers, United States Army.

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ENGINEERS FOR RIVERS AND HARBORS.

[Second indorsement.]

BOARD OF ENGINEERS FOR RIVERS AND HARBORS,

September 23, 1913.

To the CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, UNITED STATES ARMY:

1. The Salmon River empties into the St. Lawrence River near the international boundary line. The river is navigable from its mouth to Fort Covington, a distance of about 5 miles, of which 1 mile lies in the United States and the remaining 4 miles in Canada. The navigable depth in the Canadian portion of the river is about 5.2 feet, while in the mile of American section the depth is about 3 feet in the upper portion and 7 in the lower.

2. The village of Fort Covington is the principal settlement in this locality, and has a population of 877. It is the distributing point for a tributary country having a total population of about 4,400. A number of years ago a steamboat line plied regularly on the lower portion of this river, but navigation was suspended about 10 years ago, and at present there is no water-borne commerce on the stream. The district officer is of opinion that Salmon River is not worthy of further improvement at Federal expense at this time, and at least until the Canadian Government has adopted a project for the improvement of its section of the river.

3. The usual notice of unfavorable report was sent out by the district officer, but no additional data or arguments on the subject of the improvement of the river have been received by the board.