FF 2. IMPROVEMENT OF LITTLE KANAWHA RIVER, WEST VIRGINIA. On August 13, 1903, a small force was put to work at Burnsville, W. Va., to remove the obstructions which had re-formed in the river from Burnsville to Burning Springs, a distance of 81 miles. Work was completed September 25, after removing the following: Four hundred and thirty-two snags, 125 fallen trees, 9 logs, 46 stumps, and 1,158 cubic yards of bowlders; 375 overhanging trees were deadened and 218 felled. This put the channel in fairly good condition for navigation by flatboats, rafts, and other small craft. There is still a small balance available, which will be applied to removing obstructions from time to time. There are a number of places in the above-mentioned section of the river where navigation is quite difficult, and the milldam at Stouts Mills, W. Va., is an obstruction where freight must be transferred either over or around. The preparation of an estimate of the probable cost of each of the four locks and dams in said river not owned by the Government, and a report as to their present condition, probable cost of repair, and the advisability of acquiring the same in the interest of navigation as called for in the river and harbor act of June 13, 1902, was completed. The report and estimate are contained in House Document No. 309, Fifty-eighth Congress, second session. As a protection against fire, the Government buildings at Lock No. 5 were provided with fire extinguishers. Five hundred dollars can be profitably expended on this river each year in removing obstructions and maintaining the channel, but to remove the larger obstructions would require a much greater sum. The commercial statistics are contained in the report for operating and care of lock and dam on Little Kanawha River, West Virginia. Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1906, for maintenance of improvement, in addition to the balance unexpended July 1, 1904.. 1,000.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sundry civil act of June 4, 1897, and of section 7 of the river and harbor act of 1899. OPERATING AND CARE OF LOCK AND DAM ON LITTLE KANAWHA RIVER, WEST VIRGINIA. Lock and Dam No. 5 is located about 41 miles from the mouth of the river (Parkersburg), and is a continuation of the slack-water system controlled by the Little Kanawha Navigation Company. The locks and dams (four) owned by the navigation company often cause a stoppage of navigation, owing to their leaky condition. During the past fiscal year navigation was suspended seventy-seven days on account of low water, and eighty days on account of ice. The suspension caused by low water is almost entirely due to the bad condition of the locks and dams below, owned by the navigation company. The following work, necessary to keep the lock and dam and their appurtenances in good condition, was accomplished during the year: Gates and valves of lock were repaired, and the former painted; dam repaired by replacing 15,000 feet of timber, 150 cubic yards of stone, and 500 driftbolts; cement paving behind land wall of lock repaired by replacing 583 square feet; lock houses repaired by reshingling part of one house, and papering and painting both houses; walk on Government ground repaired by laying 826 linear feet of cement paving; river banks above abutment, below lock, and back of lower guide wall protected with 525 cubic yards of stone. The old storehouse is being replaced by a new one which will also contain an office and a shop; its reconstruction is under contract. New needles for the provisional dams in both ends of lock were purchased. At the close of the year the Government structures, with the exception of the storehouse and the old sheds, were in good condition. Summary of expenditures for operating and care of lock and dam on Little Kanawha River, West Virginia, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1904. ABSTRACT OF CONTRACT IN FORCE FOR LITTLE KANAWHA RIVER, WEST VIRGINIA. Frame storehouse at Lock No. 5. Contractor: Stephen Davidson. Rate: $1,675. Date of contract: May 16, 1904. Date of beginning: June 5, 1904. Date of expiration: August 4, 1904. COMMERCIAL STATISTICS. Commerce that has passed Lock No. 5 since it was opened to navigation. List of stern-wheel boats plying on the Little Kanawha River, West Virginia, during calendar year 1903. Report of lockages at Lock No. 5, Little Kanawha River, West Virginia, for the calendar year ending December 31, 1903. IMPROVEMENT OF KANAWHA RIVER, WEST VIRGINIA. The work provided for under the modified project for the expenditure of the funds appropriated by the act of June 4, 1897, was practically completed with the construction of three guard cribs at Lock No. 3, which was done under contract with Riley E. and Frank C. Williams. A new project for the expenditure of the balance remaining from the above-mentioned act was approved, and provides for the following: Grading land; constructing sewers, walks, additional fences, back porches, lock houses (2) at Lock No. 6, office buildings, coal sheds, water-closets, carpenter and blacksmith shops, storehouse (1), guide cribs at Locks Nos. 2, 3, and 11, bridge at Lock No. 8, and retaining walls at Lock No. 11; purchasing additional land at Locks Nos. 5 and 6, window blinds, sinks and pumps for lock houses, lights for use at the movable dams, and machinery for operating gates, etc., with steam; concreting floors in cellars of lock houses; protecting river banks; equipping telephone system with metallic circuit, and Government buildings and boats with fire extinguishers; and dredging. Window blinds, sinks, and pumps for lock houses were purchased, as was also material for constructing sewers and walks at the locks and retaining walls at Lock No. 11. About 75 per cent of the work for constructing sewers, 20 per cent of that for constructing walks, 85 per cent of that for installing sinks and pumps in the lock houses, and 90 per cent of that for fitting lock houses with window blinds were completed. The work on the retaining walls at Lock No. 11 is well under way, as is also that on grading Government land at Locks Nos. 9 and 10. Fifty-three fire extinguishers were purchased and installed. A contract was entered into May 21, 1904, with Robert Shore and Bennett Murrell of Huntington, W. Va., for constructing two lock houses at Lock No. 6. Work was commenced on June 7 and fair progress is being made. W. H. Hanna of Charleston, W. Va., was awarded the contract for constructing office buildings, coal sheds, water-closets, shops, storehouse, back porches, and fences at the ten locks. The papers were signed and forwarded for approval. Proposals, to be opened July 11, for building guide cribs at Locks Nos. 2, 3, and 11 were invited. The dredge, crane boat, and towboat belonging to this river were employed in dredging in the pools and lock approaches. During the year 31,840 cubic yards of material and 52 cubic yards of stone were removed. Additional work accomplished by this plant is given under the report for operating and care of locks and dams on Kanawha River. The old spuds of the dredge were replaced, as were also the propeller wheels of the towboat. It does not appear that the use of the new towboat James Rumsey during the past year was such as to afford me an opportunity to state whether or not the boat is a decided improvement over the ordinary type of towboat. The field work of the survey of the river between Lock No. 2 and the Falls, which was commenced June 15, 1903, was completed August. 21, after which the notes were platted. A report on same was forwarded November 21, and is contained in House Document No. 305, Fifty-eighth Congress, second session. The commercial statistics for this river are given in the report for operating and care of locks and dams on Kanawha River. Money statement. July 1, 1903, balance unexpended June 30, 1904, amount expended during fiscal year, for works of improvement. July 1, 1904, balance unexpended. July 1, 1904, balance available July 1, 1904, amount covered by uncompleted contracts... -$144, 380. 20 1,627. 70 146, 007.90 15, 007. 45 131,000. 45 2,640. 70 128, 359.75 5,900.00 |