The river and harbor act of July 13, 1892, made the sum available for the improvement of the river, omitting the requirement for operations at Belle Plaine. Under the latter act an examination of the mouth of the river was made and work of improvement will be carried on during the ensuing year. The total expenditures on the improvement of the whole river to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892, were $117,542.79. July 1, 1892, balance unexpended June 30, 1893, amount expended during fiscal year July 1, 1893, balance unexpended July 1, 1893, balance available..... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1895 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867 and of sundry civil act of March 3, 1893. (See Appendix A A 5.) 6. Red River of the North, Minnesota and North Dakota.-The project for the improvement of this river from Breckenridge to the northern boundary line, adopted in 1877 and amended as to cost in 1883, consists in the removal-of snags, leaning trees, and bowlders, and in dredging channels through the bars at an estimated cost of $179,310. A revised estimate made in 1887, placed the cost of completing the improvement at $79,598.37. The engineer in charge submits in his report an estimate of $67,320 for the completion of the project. The last estimate has been necessitated by an increase in the quantity of material to be excavated and by the effect of the eight-hour law in increasing the cost of the work. Before improvement, the ruling depth upon the bars between Moorhead and Goose Rapids at ordinary low water was but 1 feet, and below Grand Forks, 2 feet, while between Moorhead and Abercrombie the navigation was at all times difficult. The work to June 30, 1892, has resulted in opening a channel 3 feet deep at ordinary low water and 60 feet wide from Moorhead to a point 80 miles north, and a channel 4 feet deep at ordinary low water and averaging 60 feet wide from Grand Forks to a point 93 miles north by river; also in the removal of snags and trees between Moorhead and Abercrombie so as to afford safe passage for steamers between those points during high and medium stages of water. The total amount expended, including outstanding liabilities, to June 30, 1892, was $214,180.60. Dredging operations were continued during the past fiscal year and resulted in extending the dredged channels from a point 93 miles north of Grand Forks to the boundary line, and in improving 1 mile of Goose Rapids Flats. The improvement from Grand Forks north to the boundary line has now been completed. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. $67, 320.00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30,1895 67,320.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867 and of sundry civil act of March 3, 1893. (See Appendix A A 6.) 7. Gauging Mississippi River at or near St. Paul, Minn.-The Board of Engineers, to whom was referred the project for the application of $37,500, appropriated by the river and harbor act of August 5, 1886, for reservoirs at headwaters of Mississippi River, recommended in their report dated May 24, 1887, "that such gaugings be made at or near St. Paul during the annual operation of the reservoirs as shall determine accurately the discharge at that point at critical periods." (Page 1692, Annual Report, Chief of Engineers, 1887.) The river and harbor act of August 11, 1888, authorized the gaugings and provided for them as follows: And the Secretary of War shall cause such gaugings to be made at or near St. Paul during the annual operation of said reservoirs as shall determine accurately the discharge at that point, the cost of the same to be paid out of the annual appropriation for gauging the waters of the Mississippi River and its tributaries. SEC. 6. That for the purpose of securing the uninterrupted gauging of the waters of the Lower Mississippi River and its tributaries, as provided for in joint resolution of the twenty-first of February, eighteen hundred and seventy-one, upon the application of the Chief of Engineers, the Secretary of War is hereby authorized to draw his warrant or requisition from time to time upon the Secretary of the Treasury for such sums as may be necessary to do such work, not to exceed in the aggregate for each year the amount appropriated in this act for such purpose: Provided, however, That an itemized statement of said expenses shall accompany the Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers. Gaugings were not made until the fall of 1889, although an allotment of $900 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, had been made. On account of the lateness in the season and the condition of the river, it was not deemed advisable to expend any of the money that year. The allotments of $600, $900, $900, and $500, made for fiscal years 1889-'90, 1890-'91, 1891-92, and 1892-'93, were applied to gauging the Mississippi River at St. Paul, and, when necessary, the Minnesota River at its mouth. During the past fiscal year 87 gaugings have been made. EXAMINATION OF KANSAS RIVER, KANSAS, MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH RIVER AND HARBOR ACT APPROVED JULY 13, 1892. The preliminary examination of Kansas River, required by act of July 13, 1892, was made by the local engineer, Lieut. Col. Charles R, Suter, Corps of Engineers, and report thereon submitted under date of February 9, 1893. It is his opinion, concurred in by this office, that the river is not at the present time worthy of improvement by the General Government. The report was transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 243, Fifty-second Congress, second session. (See also Appendix B B.) IMPROVEMENT OF MISSOURI RIVER ABOVE SIOUX CITY, IOWA, AND OF YELLOWSTONE RIVER, MONTANA AND NORTH DAKOTA. This district was in the charge of Capt. Charles F. Powell, Corps of Engineers, to April 27, 1893, and of Capt. Harry F. Hodges, Corps of Engineers, since that date; Division Engineer, Col. O. M. Poe, Corps of Engineers. 1. Missouri River between the Great Falls, Montana, and Sioux City, Iowa.-Between Fort Benton, Mont., the head of navigation, and the Great Falls, 37 miles above, the river is seriously obstructed by rocks and has a steep slope. No work has been done upon it and none is proposed. Between Fort Benton and Carroll, Mont., the channel was originally obstructed by bowlders, short turns, and steep slopes. On many bars there was insufficient low-water depth for boats drawing 30 inches. This stretch is 168 miles long and is called the "Rocky River." The original project called for the removal of bowlders. It was extended to include dredging and the building of cut-off and wing dams. Up to June 30, 1893, $365,930.61 had been expended on the present project for the Rocky River. The worst bowlders had been removed, dams had been built at various points, and some dredging had been done. The channel had been deepened to 36 inches at the improved places except at extreme low water. Before the adoption of the above-named project, work had been done on the river above and below the Great Falls under an appropriation of $160,000 for improving the Missouri River above the mouth of the Yellowstone. The part done on the Rocky River consisted of dam construction and rock removal. During the year ending June 30, 1892, work on the Rocky River had had been suspended, as there appeared no likelihood of boats running there during the approaching season. The plant has been cared for and kept in repair. Below Carroll, Mont., the river is known as the "Sandy River." From there down it becomes more and more unstable and carries more and more sediment. The banks in the bottoms cave and numerous shoals exist. Floods and ice gorges occasionally cause cut-offs or radical shifting of the channel. Originally the principal difficulties met with by navigation were due to the bars, snags, and instability of the channel. The river was avilable for boats drawing 30 inches, if skillfully piloted. The original project for the general improvement contemplated the removal of snags and other obstructions, and the completion of a detailed survey with publication of charts. The construction of an ice harbor at Rockhaven was subsequently added. In 1878 to 1882 some work of regulation was done near Vermillion, S. Dak. None has since been undertaken. Up to June 30, 1893, there has been expended: In removal of snags, etc In survey and plotting before 1884 In survey and plotting since 1884 In preparatory work on ice harbor In work before adoption of present project. $149,824.33 63, 401. 21 163, 111. 82 2,227.97 159, 168. 14 On June 30, 1892, the snagging fleet consisted of one steel-hulled steamer, one wooden-hulled steamer, and one steel-hulled scow, all quite proper appliances for the work. During the year ending June 30, 1893, these boats removed 684 snags, 53 miscellaneous obstructions, and sluiced several bad bars. The fleet has been extensively repaired during the year, and the scow is now fitting with steam-propelling machinery. The removal of many dangerous obstructions renders the channel more available for navigation than it was originally, but no attempt has been made to permanently deepen or rectify it. Up to June 30, 1892, the river survey parties had completed the primary leveling to Fairbank, S. Dak., the tertiary triangulation, hydrography, and shore line to Cannonball, N. Dak., and the triangu lation and bank topography to Fairbank. The plotters had completed 63 of the detail charts and 1 small-scale chart. Fifty-eight detail charts and 9 small-scale charts were partially finished. Fifty detailed charts were in the hands of the printer. During the year the field work of the survey was nearly completed. There remains only the duplication of the primary levels for a distance of 267 miles, the shore-line topography and hydrography for a distance of 15 miles, and the topography of the bottom land for a distance of 94 miles. The plotters during the year have finished 59 detail charts and 83 small-scale charts; and have partially finished 69 detail charts and ī small-scale chart. Thirteen editions of the detail charts and proofs of 2 others have been received from the printer. On June 30, 1892, the elevation for the ice harbor had been surveyed. The plans are now complete. It is hoped to do the greater part of the work in the autumn. July 1, 1893, outstanding liabilities 160, 127.47 July 1, 1893, amount covered by uncompleted contracts. $9,725.00 23,500.00 July 1, 1893, balance available 136, 627.47 *175,000.00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project. (See Appendix C C 1.) 2. Removal of snags and other obstructions in Missouri River above Sioux City, Iowa.-The approved project contemplates the use of the available funds in the work stated on that part of the Missouri River above Sioux City where boats may be running and where the work is most needed. But one appropriation has been made for this work, that by the sundry civil act of March 3, 1893, $50,000. The work of the snag boats has been carried on under the general appropriation for improving the Missouri River between the Great Falls, Montana, and Sioux City, Iowa, and will be found reported under that head. * Exclusive of $50,000 annually for removal of snags, etc. Amount appropriated by sundry civil act approved March 3, 1893.. Amount (estimated) required for work annually. Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix C C 2.) 3. Examination of Missouri River between Three Forks and Canyon Ferry, Mont., to determine availability of water power.-The river and harbor act approved July 13, 1892, appropriated $2,500 for an examination of Missouri River from Three Forks to Canyon Ferry, Mont., with a view of determining at what points, if any, use might be made of water power for manufacturing and other purposes, without unreasonably impairing the navigability of that portion of the river. The project for the work contemplates examination of the maps of the survey made on this part of the river in 1890 by the Missouri River Commission, personal examination of the localities, and such additional field work as may be found necessary. During the year ending June 30, 1893, the personal examination of the locality was made. The remainder of the work is reserved for the low water of early autumn, when it can be most advantageously done. Amount appropriated by act approved July 13, 1892 July 1, 1893, balance unexpended (See Appendix C C 3.) $2,500.00 2,500.00 4. Yellowstone River, Montana and North Dakota.-Originally the channel of the river was so obstructed by rocks, swift rapids, sharp turns, and insufficient depth at bars as to be nearly impassable to any vessels at low water. The original project contemplated rock removal at various points of the river and the construction of closing dams and wing dams at some places below Glendive. A survey was also projected. Up to June 30, 1892, a total of $103,029.13 had been expended on the improvement, and $19,000 on the survey. The result has been to give a navigable channel of 3 feet in depth at the points improved above Glendive, and 3 feet or more at the points improved below that place. The survey has been finished. During the year ending June 30, 1893, no work has been done. For reasons given in Appendix X 2 of the Annual Report, Chief of Engineers, 1887, the project is suspended for further action of Congress. There was formerly a brisk river traffic. There is none now. EXAMINATION MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH RIVER AND HARBOR ACT APPROVED JULY 13, 1892. The preliminary examination of James River, South Dakota, required by act of July 13, 1892, was made by the local engineer, Capt. Charles F. Powell, Corps of Engineers, and his report thereon, dated February 28, 1893, was submitted through the division engineer, Col. O. M. Poe, Corps of Engineers. It is the opinion of Capt. Powell and that of the |