CONGRESS, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. OLD RIVER, TEX. LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY OF WAR, TRANSMITTING WITH A LETTER FROM THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, REPORT ON PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF OLD RIVER, CHAMBERS COUNTY, TEX. OCTOBER 27, 1919.-Referred to the Committee on Rivers and Harbors and ordered to be printed, with illustration. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, October 24, 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 22d instant, together with report of Col. Spencer Cosby, Corps of Engineers, dated May 27, 1919, with map, on a preliminary examination of Old River, Chambers County, Tex., authorized by the river and harbor act approved August 8, 1917. Very respectfully. NEWTON D. BAKER, WAR DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, From: The Chief of Engineers, United States Army. 1. There is submitted herewith, for transmission to Congress, report dated May 27, 1919, with map, by Col. Spencer Cosby, Engineers, on preliminary examination of Old River, Chambers County, Tex., authorized by the river and harbor act approved August 8, 1917. 2. Old River rises in the southwest corner of Liberty County, Tex., and empties into the Trinity River about 2 miles above the head of its delta. The navigable length of the stream is about 21 miles, with a controlling depth of about 2 feet at mean low water. At a point HD-66-1-vol 32- -17 15 miles above the mouth the Old River Rice & Irrigation Co. has constructed a crude dam, provided with a small lock, for the purpose of impounding fresh water for use in connection with rice irrigation. The improvement apparently desired is a channel with a minimum depth of 5 feet at mean low tide across Old River Lake, through which the river flows, with a ruling depth of 2 feet. Below the lake the ruling depth is about 9 feet, while above the lake the ruling depth is about 3.8 feet. In the latter section the river is narrow and obstructed by numerous snags and overhanging trees. The commerce reported by local interests amounts to about 8,000 tons, much of which is now handled by way of Cedar Bayou, which is about 8 miles west of Old River. Little interest has been manifested in the improvement by those who apparently should be most concerned. The district engineer is of opinion that Old River, Tex., is not worthy of improvement at this time. The division engineer is in accord with 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 August 12, 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 and division engineers and of the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors, and therefore report that the improvement by the United States of Old River, Chambers County, Tex., is not deemed advisable at the present time. W. M. BLACK, REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ENGINEERS FOR RIVERS AND HARBORS. [Third indorsement.] BOARD OF ENGINEERS FOR RIVERS AND HARBORS, The CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, UNITED STATES ARMY: August 12, 1919. 1. The following is in review of the district engineer's report authorized by the river and harbor act of August 8, 1917, on preliminary examination of Old River, Chambers County, Tex. 2. Old River rises in Liberty County, Tex., flows in a general southerly direction and empties into the Trinity River about 2 miles above the delta. It has a navigable length of about 21 miles and a ruling depth of about 2 feet at mean low tide, this depth being in Old River Lake, which is about 3 miles long and three-fourths of a mile wide. The lower end of the lake is about 2 miles above the mouth of the river. Below the lake, the controlling depth is about 9 feet and above the lake about 3.8 feet with stretches having depths of from 6 to 11 feet. The lands through which the river flows are fertile, and are used for rice growing, general farming, cattle and hog raising. The only settlement of any importance on the stream is the village of Cove, with a population of 200, situated at the head of the lake. At a point 9 miles above the lake, the Old River Rice & Irrigation Co. has constructed a crude dam, provided with a small lock, for the purpose of impounding fresh water for use in connection with rice irrigation. 3. The only commercial statistics available were furnished by local interests and have not been verified. From these, it appears that the total commerce amounts to about 8,000 tons, having a value of $205,810, of which more that half is lumber. The improvement desired is a channel through the lake section having a depth of 5 feet at mean low water. Such a channel would require dredging for a distance of about 3 miles, and some work of snagging and cutting of overhanging trees would be required at other points. The district engineer reports that those apparently most interested in this improvement failed to show any concern when the matter was brought to their attention. In view of this lack of interest, of the small number of people near the stream, of the fact that Old River lies between and not a great distance from Trinity River and Cedar Bayou, both of which are navigable, the district engineer is of opinion, concurred in by the division engineer, that this stream is not worthy of improvement at this time. 4. Those thought to be interested in this subject were informed of the tenor of the district engineer's report and invited to submit statements and arguments to the board, but no communications on the subject have been received. 5. This is a small stream flowing through a rather sparsely settled country in close proximity to two navigable waterways which, in connection with land transportation, are now used in handling the greater part of the incoming and outgoing commerce of this section of the country. Little interest has been displayed in the improvenient and a study of the physical and commercial situation leads to the belief that if the river were improved, the amount of commerce would still be small and insufficient to justify the expense involved. The board, therefore, concurs with the district and division engineers in the opinion that it is not advisable for the United States to undertake the improvement of Old River, Tex., at this time. 6. In compliance with law, the board reports that there are no questions of terminal facilities, water power, 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 OLD RIVER, TEX. WAR DEPARTMENT, UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, From: The District Engineer. To: The Chief of Engineers, United States Army, (Through the Division Engineer). Subject: Preliminary examination of Old River, Chambers County, Tex. 1. In accordance with instructions in letter from the Office of the Chief of Engineers, dated September 1, 1917, the following report is |