CONGRESS SAN BERNARD RIVER, TEX. LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY OF WAR, TRANSMITTING, WITH A LETTER FROM THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, REPORT ON PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF SAN BERNARD RIVER, TEX. OCTOBER 7, 1919.-Referred to the Committee on Rivers and Harbors and ordered to be printed. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, October 6, 1919. 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, of 3d instant, together with report of Mr. R. C. Smead, assistant engineer in charge, dated November 12, 1917, on a preliminary examination of San Bernard River, Tex., authorized by the river and harbor act approved July 27, 1916. Very respectfully, NEWTON D. BAKER, WAR DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, Washington, October 3, 1919. From: The Chief of Engineers United States Army. Subject: Preliminary examination of San Bernard River, Tex. 1. There is submitted herewith, for transmission to Congress, report dated November 12, 1917, by Mr. R. C. Smead, assistant engineer in charge, on preliminary examination of San Bernard River, Tex., authorized by the river and harbor act approved July 27, 1916. 2. The San Bernard River has a length of about 100 miles, and empties into the Gulf of Mexico about 9 miles southwesterly from the mouth of the Brazos River. The river is tidal for 30 miles and is navigable for a distance of 39 miles above the mouth. At its mouth it is obstructed by a shifting sand bar over which the ruling depth is from 2 to 4 feet at mean low tide, depending on weather conditions in the Gulf. About one-eighth mile above the mouth the Brazos River-Matagorda Bay section of the intracoastal waterway enters the river and follows its course to a point about 1 mile above the mouth. This waterway has a depth of 5 feet at mean low tide, and a bottom width of 40 feet. In the first 3 miles above the waterway the ruling depth is 4.7 feet at low water, above which there is a controlling depth of 6.7 feet at this stage to mile 30. Snags and overhanging trees obstruct free navigation. There are no towns of any importance along the river, and so far as known there is but one small launch engaged in hauling freight. The country adjacent to the river is devoted to farming and cattle raising, and nearly all products are shipped by rail. The depth now available is practically the same as that in the intracoastal waterway, with which it is connected as a feeder. In the opinion of the district engineer, this stream is not worthy of improvement by the United States at the present time, and the division engineer concurs in this view. 3. This report has been referred, as required by law, to the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors, and attention is invited to its report herewith, dated June 10, 1919, concurring in the views of the district and division engineers. 4. After due consideration of the above-mentioned reports, I concur in the views of the district engineer, the division engineer, and the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors, and therefore report that the improvement by the United States of San Bernard River, Tex., is not deemed advisable at the present time. W. M. BLACK, Major General. REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ENGINEERS FOR RIVERS AND HARBORS [Third indorsement.] BOARD OF ENGINEERS FOR RIVERS AND HARBORS, To the CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, UNITED STATES ARMY: 2. This river rises in the northern part of Colorado County, flows in a southeasterly direction, and empties into the Gulf of Mexico about 9 miles southwest from the mouth of the Brazos River. The total length of the river is about 100 miles, and it is navigable for 38 miles above the intracoastal canal which crosses it near its mouth. Except for about 3 miles above the canal, on which reach the controlling depth is 4.7 feet at low water, there is an available depth of 6.7 feet at that stage for a distance of 30 miles. Between this point and mile 38 above the mouth, the river narrows from 120 feet to 20 feet, and shoals to 2.6 feet. 3. There are no towns of importance on the river and but few settlements of more than a few families each. The occupation of those living in the adjacent country is farming and cattle raising and the products are shipped by rail. There is practically no present or prospective commerce on the river and very little interest has been shown in the question of better navigation facilities. The district engineer is of the opinion, concurred in by the division engineer, that the San Bernard River is not worthy of improvement at the present time. 4. Interested parties were informed of the tenor of the district engineer's report and given an opportunity of submitting statements and arguments to the board, but no communications on the subject have been received. 5. The territory through which this river flows is but sparsely settled and there are no industries to create a commerce of any magnitude. For a distance of over 30 miles the present navigable capacity of the river is equal to or better than that of the intracoastal canal of which it is a feeder, but, except for a single small launch it is not used and there appears to be little or no demand for navigation. In view of these conditions the board concurs in the opinion of the district and division engineers that it is not advisable at this time for the United States to undertake the improvement of San Bernard River, Tex. 6. In compliance with law, the board reports that there are no questions of terminal facilities, waterpower, or other related subjects which could be coordinated with the suggested improvement in such manner as to render the work advisable in the interests of commerce and navigation. For the board: PETER C. HAINS, Major General, United States Army, Retired, PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF SAN BERNARD RIVER, TEX. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, From: The District Engineer. To: The Chief of Engineers United States Army (Through the Division Engineer). Subject: Preliminary examination of San Bernard River, Tex. 1. In compliance with instructions contained in letter from the Office of the Chief of Engineers, dated August 4, 1916, the following report is submitted on the item contained in the river and harbor act of July 27, 1916, as follows: The Secretary of War is hereby authorized and directed to cause preliminary examinations and surveys to be made at the following named localities. * * San Bernard River, Tex. * * * * 2. The field examination was made by Mr. E. B. Sandelands, inspector from this office, to whose accompanying report' attention is invited, and covered the San Bernard River from its connection with the intracoastal waterway from Galveston to Corpus Christi, Tex., to a point 38 miles therefrom, the practical head of navigation at present. 3. The San Bernard River rises in the northern part of Colorado County, and flows in a general southeasterly direction, forming the boundary between Austin and Colorado Counties; thence between Fort Bend and Wharton Counties, thence through Brazoria County, finally emptying into the Gulf of Mexico about 9 miles southwest of the mouth of the Brazos River, and 53 miles southwest of Galveston entrance, the total length of the river being about 100 miles. Its drainage area is about 1,500 square miles. The river is tidal for 30 miles above the mouth except during freshets. Owing to the close proximity of the Brazos River a portion of the flood waters of this stream pass through it at times of heavy overflows. However, the San Bernard is generally clear and carries little sediment, although the banks are, for the most part, unstable. There are no tributary streams of any importance emptying into the river. About oneeighth mile above the mouth, the Brazos River-Matagorda Bay section of the main line of the intracoastal waterway (or canal) from Galveston to Corpus Christi, which was completed in 1913, enters the river from the east, thence following its course and leaving it again about 1 mile above the mouth. This forms the waterway of approach to the San Bernard River. It has a depth of 5 feet at mean low tide, and width of 40 feet on bottom. 4. The San Bernard River is now navigable for 38 miles above the line of the intracoastal canal. At its mouth, about 1 mile below this point the river is obstructed by a shifting sand bar over which the ruling depth is from 2 to 4 feet at mean low tide, depending on weather conditions in the Gulf. About 1 miles above the line of the intracoastal canal the river channel is narrowed by a series of oyster reefs, and it follows a rather tortuous course for a distance of about one-half mile, with a further distance of about 1 mile slightly obstructed by oyster reefs. The ruling depth in this section is 4.7 feet at low water, 5.7 feet at mean water, and 6.7 feet at high water, and the least width about 100 feet. Ordinary fluctuation of water surface 1.5 feet, and extreme fluctuation about 10 feet. The controlling depth of the river from mile 3, just above the oyster reefs, above described, to mile 303 is 6.7 feet at low water; 7.3 feet at mean water; and 7.9 feet at ordinary high water. Ordinary fluctuation of water surface 1.2 feet, and extreme fluctuation about 29 feet. Numerous overhanging trees and some snags offer obstructions to free navigation. Above mile 303 the river narrows from about 120 feet at mile 303 to 20 feet at mile 38 (the end of the portion examined) and is obstructed by a large number of snags and overhanging trees. The controlling depths in this section are 2.6 feet at low water, 3.1 feet at mean water, and 3.6 feet at ordinary high water. Fluctuation of water surface about the same as from mile 3 to 303. 5. Crossing the 38 miles of river examined there are five county highway bridges and one railroad bridge, as follows: |