SURVEY OF DAN RIVER FROM CLARKSVILLE TO DANVILLE, VA. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, Washington, D. C., February 12, 1880. GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report upon a survey of the Dan River, in Virginia and North Carolina, between Danville and Clarksville, Va., provided for by the act of appropriation for rivers and harbors, approved March 3, 1879, and assigned to me by your letter of May 12, 1879. Before taking up the results of this survey of the river below Danville, it seems proper to state again the conclusions given in the report of the survey above Danville, between Danbury, N. C., and Danville, Va. (Appendix G 19, Report of the Chief of Engineers for 1879). It is there stated that the distance from Danbury to Danville is 77.36 miles, and the cost of improving the river by means of locks and dams, so as to give not less than 3 feet at low water, will be $658,600; but if this improvement is carried only 30 miles above Danville, to the Leaksville Landing, then the cost will be $110,500. It is further stated that if the improvement of the river as far as Hairston's Ford is limited to navigation by bateaux carrying 13,000 pounds the cost will be $32,800. It is not probable that government will improve a river of this class by means of locks and dams, which not only require a large outlay for their construction first, but a further annual appropriation for attention and repairs. I would, however, state for the benefit of those interested in the improvement of this section of the Dan, that the cost of preparing the river for steam navigation can be reduced by assuming a lesser depth of navigation as the basis of calculation. If a depth of 13 feet in the pools and 2 feet in the rapids is assumed, we have reason to believe that the ordinary stages of the river will maintain a navigation of not less than 3 feet for 6 months of the year. We should have, by this method of improvement, a slope of 10 feet to the mile, which, if it should be found necessary, could be easily overcome with light-draught steamers by the use of a chain anchored at the head of the rapid and passed around a steam capstan placed in the bow of the boat. The cost of this improvement from Danbury to Danville would be as follows: Section I. From Danbury, N. C., to Madison, N. C...... $259,444 80 51,699 60 311, 144 40 The above estimate provides for locks 20 feet by 100 feet, in Section I, above Madison, Section II being improved by grading and wing-dams. BELOW DANVILLE. I will now resume the report of the survey of the Dan River below Danville, provided for in the act of March 3, 1879. The distance between the head of the canal, at Danville, and Clarksville is 65.68 miles, the survey commencing at the bridge of the Richmond and Danville Railroad. The entire fall is 142.876 feet, or an aver age descent of 2.17 feet per mile. The improvement of the falls at Danville has been omitted in the estimate for the following reasons: The descent of the river at the city is 22 feet in a distance of 1.4 miles, and might be overcome by locks and dams or by a canal with locks. Both these methods of improvement would be expensive, and before constructing the canal, which seems to be the preferable method, it would be necessary to compensate the owners of the valuable property along the line of the proposed canal. The proposed improvement, therefore, commences at the lower bridge. From this point to Clarksville the distance is 64.27 miles, and the fall 120.889 feet, or an average of 1.88 feet per mile. This fall, evenly distributed, would present no obstacle to the improvement of the navigation, but is, for the larger part, concentrated at two localities, where, in an aggregate distance of 5.78 miles, the fall is 51.645 feet, or an average of nearly 9 feet per mile. The maximum fall is, however, much greater in short distances: at Big Hyco Shoal it is 15.71 feet per mile for the length of the shoal, or in a distance of 3,153 feet, but for a short distance the fall is at the rate of 59 feet per mile. The width of the river is from 850 to 1,200 feet at Danville; above Milton Shoal it is from 240 to 640, or an average of 280 feet; at Milton Shoal it is from 240 to 440 feet; from Milton Shoal to Hyco Shoal it is from 210 to 540 feet, or an average of 300 feet; below Hyco Shoal it is from 250 to 530 feet, or an average of 340 feet. FLOODS. The highest known flood occurred in November, 1877, when at Milton, the river was 30.21 feet above low-water; at Oliver's Mill, 28 miles below Danville, it was 33.54 feet; at South Boston it was 28.5 feet; and at Clarksville, it was 23.7 feet. Notwithstanding the hight of the floods, the banks are seldom washed, their permanency being secured by a fringe of willow growth which borders the low grounds. The bed of the river is rock, but where the force of the current is reduced in the reaches between the rapids, the gravel and sand are deposited by one flood and moved again by the next rise. TRADE. The tobacco trade of Danville is the most important business interest on the river. The statistics of the trade are given in the following table: The following statement of trade on the Richmond and Danville Railroad, and between South Boston and Clarksville on the river, are furnished by the general superintendent of the Richmond and Danville Railroad: The shipments of freight from Danville and South Boston for the last fiscal year, of this company, ending September 30, 1879, were as follows: From Danville From South Boston... The freights received at those stations were At Danville At South Boston Tons. 15, 192 2,327 Tons. 16,486 2,533 The receipts and deliveries of freight from Clarksville to Richmond and Danville Railroad at South Boston by the Dan River boat line for the years 1877 and 1878 were as follows: This trade is limited by the precarious nature of the navigation of the river at the present time, and will be largely increased if the river is improved. The following description of the special obstructions occurring in the river is taken from the notes of Mr. J. H. Gill, assistant engineer: Danville.-Danville is a town of about 13,000 inhabitants. Situated at Danville Falls, its resources of water power for manufacturing are very great; but this power is utilized to but a slight extent, the greater part of the business energy of the place being concentrated upon the tobacco trade and manufacture, that staple being the principal one of the country tributary to Danville. There are 25 manufacturers of plug and twist tobacco; 2 of smoking tobacco; 3 stripping and stemming houses; and 73 reprizing and brokers' houses. * The improvement of the town in 5 years is shown by the following official returns: 1873-Population...... Real estate, assessed value.. Licensed tobacco dealers Dealers (other than tobacco) licensed 1873-Population..... Real estate, assessed value.. Licensed tobacco dealers Dealers (other than tobacco) licensed........ 5, 130 $1,937, 375 52 203 12,000 $3,340, 200 96 594 There are two grain mills, a foundry and machine shop, and a planing mill and door and sash factory, at Danville. The Richmond and Danville Railroad runs through the town, and the Virginia Midland Railroad terminates here. Two narrow gauge roads are projected from this point one to run up the valley of the Dan, the other into Henry County. A covered free bridge connects the town with the small village of North Danville, and another wagon bridge is in progress of construction, near the west end of the town. The rates of wages in 1879 were as follows: Lumber, ordinary, $11 to $13 per thousand. Lumber, picked lot (seasoned), $15 to $18 per thousand. The survey was begun at a point on the right bank of the river 2,000 feet above the wing-dam at the entrance of the existing canal and opposite the west end of Danville, known as Mechanicsville. Danville Fall being too precipitous to admit of other improvement than by means of a canal and locks, no hydrographic survey was made of this portion of the river beyond a profile of the water surface. A line for a canal was run from the point mentioned to the Richmond and Danville Railroad bridge, a distance of 7,425 feet. Of this distance 3,200 feet is occupied by the canal made by the Old * Houses for repacking tobacco for shipment. Roanoke Navigation Company, having an average width of 30 feet, the depth varying from 1.9 to 3.5 feet. The locks are ont of repair, and no attempt is made to keepthe canal in running order. It is only used by boats entering from above, the lower lock affording no egress and only used now as a dam. The total fall of water surface between the ends of the proposed canal is 21.977 feet. Danville Shoal.-The regular survey of the river began in Danville Shoals at the Richmond and Danville Railroad bridge. This is only a continuation, with less abrupt descent, of Danville Falls, and continues 8,375 feet below the railroad bridge with a fall of 10.638 feet, and depth varying from 0.7 to 4.5 feet. The bottom is wholly rock, very irregular, and many rocks appear above the surface. In this shoal occur Reed's Island and part of Wilson's Island. The channel, now used by bateaux, follows the left bank after leaving the railroad bridge for about 2,000 feet, then crosses over to the right bank, passes between that bank and Reed's Island (which is about a mile long), between Reed's and Wilson's Islands, and then between Wilson's Island and the left bank. The channel on the left of Reed's Island was examined, but was found very tortuous and full of rocks. Wilson's Island Shoal.-This shoal begins at the foot of the last-named shoal, the division between the two being arbitrary, but made because the distinction is recognized by the river men. It continues along the left of Wilson's Island to the head of Jack Bar Island 2,280 feet; fall, 2.185 feet; depth, 1.4 to 3.9 feet. There are numerous small islands and dry rocks and the bottom is rock. About 200 feet from the head is Franklin's Dam, through which there is a sluice 20 feet wide with a depth of 1.7 feet. There is but a slight flow of water at low stages around the right of Wilson's Island, not enough to float a canoe. Another arbitrary division separates this shoal from Jack Bar Shoal. Jack Bar Shoal.-At the head of Jack Bar Island is a dam, between the island and left bank of the river, giving a fall in that channel of about 0.3 feet. A gravel bar on the remains of a dam stretches across the left and narrower channel, and is the beginning of a rapid slope in that channel, which continues 854 feet to a point 520 feet below the head of Flagg's Island. The channel bears closely to the left bank, where it is obstructed by overhanging trees; and near the foot of Jack Bar Island there are several dry rocks, between two of which, 25 feet apart, the channel passes. Fall, 1.89 feet; depth, 1.1 to 4.6 feet; gravel bottom. Flagg's Island.-Thence to the foot of Flagg's Island is 1,850 feet. The branch around the right of the island is narrow and has but a few inches of water. The island is nearly a mile long and is cultivated. Allen's Landing.-Eight hundred feet further is Allen's Landing. From the foot of Jack Bar Shoal to the head of Julius Allen's Shoal, 3,670 feet, there is smooth water and good depth except at a few points. Julius Allen's Shoal.-Near the beginning is a ledge of rock, stretching obliquely across the river. About midway of the shoal is a dam built by the Navigation Company, through which there is a boatway 40 feet wide and 1.9 feet deep. At the foot is another ledge. Length of shore 884 feet; fall, 0.665 feet; rock bottom. Thence 2,400 feet the water is smooth, but at points rather shoal, to head of Noble's Shoal. Noble's Shoal.-At the beginning is a series of ledges, and near the foot is Noble's fish-dam, where most of the fall occurs. Length, 2,052 feet; fall, 2.173 feet; depth, 1.0 to 4.3 feet; rock bottom. Thence good water 2,370 feet to a shoal rapid about 750 feet long; rock bottom. Thence, for 2,470 feet, there is smooth water, with some high rock points, but in the main of good depth. Dix's Shoal.-Hogan's Creek: At the month of Hogan's Creek is Dix's fish-dam and traps. The sluice through the dam is 30 feet wide, but very shoal (0.8 foot). The bottom is gravel and loose rock, which was formerly part of the dam. Length of shoal, 282 feet; fall, 1.714 feet; depth, 0.8 to 2.4 feet. Thence good water. 1,800 feet to head of Pass' Shoal. Pass' Shoal.-Near the head are some ledges which contract the water-way, but there are good passes through them. Below these are two dams (built by the Roanoke Navigation Company) about 200 feet apart, having sluices of 30 and 20 feet wide, respectively. Length, 700 feet; fall, 0.679 feet; depth, 1.9 to 5.4 feet; rock bottom. Thence good water is found for 1,320 feet to head of Wilkinson's Shoal. Wilkinson's Shoal.-At the mouth of Moon's Creek is Wilkinson's Shoal, beginning at a ledge through which there is a pass 16 feet wide and 2.6 feet deep. Near the foot is an old navigation dam now used for fish-traps. Through this is a sluice 20 feet wide and 2.6 feet deep. Below this the rock comes to within 1.9 feet of the water-surface for about 80 feet. Length of shoal, 720 feet; fall, 0.979 feet; depth, 1.9 to 4.5 feet; rock bottom. Passing Hunt's Ferry at 3,640 feet, the navigation is good for 2 miles, except at two narrow ledges and four short sand-bars. Rattlesnake Shoal.-This shoal begins at the month of Rattlesnake Creek. The slope of the water-surface is not great, the principal obstructions being ledges about 2 feet under water in the channel, which is nearly midstream. Thomas' Fish-dam.-About 1,400 feet from the head is Thomas' Fish-dam, through which is a sluice 24 feet wide and 2.0 feet deep. Length, 3,202 feet; fall, 1.174 feet; depth, 1.9 to 4.0 feet. The bottom is rock, except for the lower 800 feet, where it is sand. There is then a nearly level pool for 1,100 feet, the depth good, except at a very narrow sand-bar and a ledge of rock, over which there is a channel with a depth of 1.9 feet. Crowder's Shoal.-This is similar to the last named. There is a dam (built by the Roanoke Navigation Company) now used for fish-traps, and several ledges. The pass through the dam is close to the left bank. Length, 3,290 feet; fall 1.379; depth, 1.7 to 3.9 feet; rock bottom. 1,350 feet below the foot, a sand-bar begins and extends 600 feet, the depth varying from 1.4 to 3.0 feet. At 2,800 feet below is Thomas' Spring Landing. At 4,700 feet is a rock ledge; depth over it, 1.9 feet. At 7,150 feet, Cane Creek enters from the left; and at 9,400 feet, Thomas' Creek, from the right. With the exceptions noted, there is good navigation for 3.11 miles from foot of Crowder's Shoal to head of Dodson's Shoal. Dodson's Shoal.-At the head are a number of ledges and many rocks, some above the surface. The channel is crooked and very narrow at some points, one pass barely allowing the bateaux to go through (about 8 feet wide). About 200 feet from the head is a dam now used for fish-traps, through which there is a sluice 15 feet wide. In the upper part of the shoal the left half of the river is full of rocks, and in the lower part that side is filled up with gravel bars. Length, 1,204 feet; fall, 2.384 feet; depth, 1.9 to 4.6 feet; rock bottom. 400 feet below the foot there is some shoal water over ledges, and at 1,320 feet Milton Shoal begins. Milton Shoal.-For 4,100 feet the fall is moderate, but there are many shoal points, as well as much deep water. There are many points of rocks, some of them above the surface, and to avoid them the channel is somewhat tortuous. The remainder of the shoal (about 2,800 feet), is very rapid, and the river is here reduced by islands and rocks to an equivalent width of about 120 feet; 4,300 feet below the head of the shoal is the site of the old Milton bridge; the old piers now resemble islands, and it is about 200 feet above this that the break in the incline occurs; 100 feet below the old bridge is Milton Ferry, 15.17 miles from Danville. The high-water mark on the cooper's shop near the ferry was found to be 30.21, feet above low-water. Milton.-About of a mile south of the ferry is the town of Milton, N. C., having a population of about 700. Trade in tobacco is the principal industry of the town. It is connected with the Richmond and Danville Railroad at Sutherlin, 7 miles distant, by a narrow-gauge road of 3 feet gauge, the roadway, bridges, superstructure, and equipment, complete, costing $93,000. One-quarter of a cord of wood suffices for the round trip of 14 miles. The rails weigh 25 pounds per yard; maximum grade, 150 feet to the mile. Country Line Creek.-Country Line Creek, so called because the line between Virginia and North Carolina crosses the river at its mouth, is 1,600 feet below Milton Ferry, and Claiborne's Ferry is 350 feet lower. Over 2,000 feet of Milton Shoal has an incline of about 15 feet to the mile. Length of shoal 6,898 feet; fall, 7.138 feet; depth, 1.4 to 7.1 feet; rock bottom. Distance from Danville, 15.63 miles. Total fall, 63.9 feet. Below this shoal the river contracts to a minimum width of 120 feet, for about of a mile. The water-slope is very moderate and uniform for 6 miles, to the head of Coldwell's shoal, 21.63 miles from Danville. Sandy Creek of Dan.-At 17.67 miles Sandy Creek of Dan enters from the left. Stamp's Ferry.-At 18.59 miles is Stamp's Ferry, now owned by Captain Lewis. Narrow-gauge Railroad Bridge.—At 18.94 miles is the bridge of the Milton and Sutherlin Narrow-gauge Railroad. It is a wooden Howe-truss through bridge, covered, supported by three piers, one at each bank, and one in middle of stream; width, 16 feet; height, 19.4 feet; lower chord, 36 feet in clear above low-water. Length from bolster to bolster, 261 feet. The approaches are of trestle-work, that on the Milton side being 704 feet long, and on the Sutherlin side 107 feet long. Oliver's Mill.-At 20.09 miles is Oliver's Mill. The power is obtained by damming two narrow ravines, through which three branches reach the river. A very large pond is thus formed at a hight of 21.6 feet above low-water of the river. The mill is driven by an overshot wheel of 14 feet diameter. It has a set of stones for corn, and a circular saw having a capacity of 3,000 feet board measure of inch-boards per day. The carriage is 26 feet long. Picked floorings worth $15 per thousand; other lumber, $12.50 per thousand. The mill has been rebuilt since November, 1877, when it was swept away by the freshet, which at this point rose to a hight of 33.4 feet above low water. At 21.55 miles is Sutherlin's Ferry. Coldwell's Shoal.-At the head of this shoal is a dam (built by the Roanoke Navigation Company) through which is a sluice 12 feet wide. The bottom is gravel with the exception of one narrow ledge of rock. Length, 2,738 feet; much of this length includes good water. Fall 1.646 feet; of which 1.02 feet occur in 336 feet. Depth, 1.9 to 5.9 feet. |