66th CONGRESS, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. 1st Session. KENOSHA HARBOR, WIS. LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY OF WAR. TRANSMITTING, WITH A LETTER FROM THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, REPORT ON PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF KENOSHA HARBOR, WIS. JUNE 6, 1919.-Referred to the Committee on Rivers and Harbors and ordered to be printed, with illustration. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, June 5, 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 yesterday's date, together with report by Col. Edward H. Schulz, Corps of Engineers, dated April 22, 1919, with map, on a preliminary examination of Kenosha Harbor, Wis., made by him in compliance with the provisions of the river and harbor act approved August 8, 1917. Very respectfully, NEWTON D. BAKER, WAR DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, Washington, June 4, 1919. From: The Chief of Engineers, United States Army. Subject: Preliminary examination of Kenosha Harbor, Wis. 1. There is submitted herewith for transmission to Congress report dated April 22, 1919, with map, by Col. Edward H. Schulz, Engineers, on preliminary examination of Kenosha Harbor, Wis., authorized by the river and harbor act approved August 8, 1917. 2. The harbor of Kenosha is situated on the west shore of Lake Michigan about 52 miles north of Chicago. The harbor consists of an interior basin having an area of about 8 acres, and a channel extending therefrom to deep water in Lake Michigan. The existing project provides for a detached breakwater 800 feet long, for two parallel piers, and for a channel 200 feet wide and 19 feet deep at low water datum from Lake Michigan to the basin. The project was completed in 1909, and has since been maintained. The improvement now apparently desired is additional breakwater construction and the enlargement of the inner harbor. The commerce of the harbor for 1918 amounted to 42,982 tons, or about one-half the average annual tonnage for the preceding 5 years. The district engineer states that a much larger commerce than now exists at this locality can be accommodated by the present entrance channel and basin, and that the construction of an additional breakwater could hardly be warranted until there has been a decided increase in commerce. The greatest need at this locality appears to be the establishment of adequate terminal facilities to enable commerce to take advantage of the harbor improvements available. Having in view all the circumstances, the district engineer is of opinion that the locality is unworthy of additional improvement at the present time, and the division engineer concurs in this opinion. 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 May 19, 1919, concurring in the unfavorable 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 Kenosha Harbor, Wis., 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: May 19, 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 Kenosha Harbor, Wis. 2. This harbor is on the west shore of Lake Michigan about 33 miles southerly from Milwaukee and about 52 miles northerly from Chicago. The existing project, adopted by the river and harbor acts of March 3, 1899, and March 2, 1907, provides for a detached breakwater, for two parallel piers about 250 feet apart, and for a channel 200 feet wide and 19 feet deep at low water datum, 579.6 feet above tide level at New York. The total expenditures under this and previous projects, to April 1, 1919, amounted to $617,948.75. The project was completed in 1909 since which time it has been maintained. 3. The city of Kenosha has a population of about 35,000 engaged largely in manufacturing. A steamboat line makes daily calls at Kenosha, but the greater part of the fuel and raw materials required, as well as the finished products, are handled by rail. The waterborne commerce for 1918 amounted to 42,982 tons, about one-half of the normal annual tonnage since the completion of the project. There appears to have been no concerted action on the part of local interests in regard to additional improvements desired, and it has not been shown that existing harbor facilities are inadequate. The district engineer states that a much larger commerce could be accommodated by the present channel and basin. He therefore regards the locality as unworthy of additional improvement at the present time and the division engineer concurs in this view. 4. Interested parties were notified of the unfavorable report of the district engineer and given an opportunity of submitting their views, but no communications on the subject have been received. 5. An examination of the records shows that the commerce is now less than it has been at any time since 1890, notwithstanding the fact that the harbor facilities have been materially improved. The dredged channel and basin afford ample opportunities for a much larger commerce than now exists if full advantage be taken of them. It appears that the commercial development on shore has not kept pace with the navigation facilities and it is not believed that the Federal Government would be justified in enlarging the project so long as these conditions obtain. The board therefore concurs in the opinion of the district and division engineers that it is not advisable at this time for the United States to undertake any additional improvement of Kenosha Harbor, Wis. 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 KENOSHA HARBOR, WIS. WAR DEPARTMENT, UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, From: The District Engineer. Milwaukee, Wis., April 22, 1919. To: The Chief of Engineers, United States Army (Through the Division Engineer). Subject: Preliminary examination Kenosha Harbor, Wis. 1. Pursuant to instructions contained in departmental letter dated September 1, 1917, the following report is submitted in accordance with an item in the river and harbor act of August 8, 1917, requiring a preliminary examination of Kenosha Harbor, Wis. 2. The locality is shown in general on United States Lake Survey chart No. 7. A small map marked "6-F-29," is herewith, showing the present condition of the harbor and the location of Government harbor improvements. 3. Description.-The harbor of Kenosha is situated on the west shore of Lake Michigan at the mouth of Pike Creek, a small stream emptying into Lake Michigan, and is distant about 33 miles southerly from Milwaukee and about 52 miles northerly from Chicago. The harbor consists of an interior basin having an area of about 8 acres, and a channel extending therefrom to deep water in Lake Michigan. The entrance to the channel is protected on the north by a detached breakwater. 4. Population, railroads, and industries.-The population of Kenosha is estimated at 35,000. The city of Kenosha is on the main line of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, between Chicago and Milwaukee; a branch of the same railway also extends westward to Rockford, Ill. It is also on the line of the Chicago, North Shore & Milwaukee Railway, an electric railway between Milkaukee and Evanston, Ill., and is the southern terminus of the interurban electric line between Milwaukee, Racine, and Kenosha. The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway passes the city about 6 miles to the west. The Hill Steamboat Line operates a daily line of steamers between Chicago and Milwaukee, calling at Kenosha, where the headquarters of the line are located. 5. There are several large and important manufacturing industries located at Kenosha, but the greater part of the necessary fuel and raw materials are received, and the finished products are shipped by railway. The N. R. Allen's Sons Co., tannery, receive the greater part of their fuel and ship some of their manufactured product, by vessel. The Simmons Manufacturing Co., metal beds, springs, etc., receive very little of the lumber used by them by vessel. There are two coal yards, in addition to the coal dock of the Allen tannery, which receive coal by vessel. 6. Existing project. The existing project, adopted by the river and harbor acts of March 3, 1899, and March 2, 1907, provides for a detached breakwater 800 feet long, for two parallel piers about 250 feet apart, 1,075 and 1,845 feet in length for the north and south piers, respectively, and for a channel 200 feet wide, 19 feet deep at low-water datum; this channel extends from that depth in the lake a distance of 2,350 feet to an interior basin, 18 feet deep at low-water datum. The breakwater is formed of stone-filled cribs, the piers are formed of stone-filled cribs and piling. The entire north pier is capped with concrete superstructure. The low-water datum for projects for improvement on Lake Michigan is 579.6 feet above mean tide level at New York. Ordinary fluctuations of water level average about one-half foot above and below the annual mean stage. Extreme fluctuations of a temporary nature are about 14 feet above or below the mean lake level prevailing at the time. The total expenditures under previous and existing projects, up to April 1, 1919, is $617,948.75, of which $142,291.09 was expended under the existing project. Of this latter amount $40,553.04 was for new work and $101,738.05 for maintenance. 7. Previous surveys and reports.-The earliest survey of this harbor was made in 1837 and report on same is published in Senate Document No. 103, Twenty-fifth Congress, second session. The report was favorable, the estimated cost being from $90,703 to $101.897.45, according to which one of three plans was adopted. 8. The earliest available report having to do with the present harbor is October 20, 1888, published in annual report for 1889, page 2103. This report was of a preliminary examination with a view to a harbor of refuge, and was unfavorable. 9. A report of a survey "with a view to obtaining a channel 21 feet deep, and basin, 20 feet deep," was published in House Document No. 328, Fifty-fourth Congress, second session. The estimated cost of the work proposed was $125,000. While the report was unfavorable, it was nevertheless adopted by Congress, by river and harbor act of March 3, 1899. 10. A joint resolution of Congress, approved January 10, 1899, directed a survey be made "to ascertain the best method or plan, by breakwaters or otherwise, to prevent the injurious effects of the northeast seas.' The report on this survey was published in House Document No. 164, Fifty-fifth Congress, third session. The report was favorable, considered as a part of the 21-foot project, which had not then been adopted. The plan submitted provided for a detached breakwater, 600 feet long, at an estimated cost of $66,000. 11. A report on preliminary examination "with a view of enlarging the basin," was published in House Document No. 46, Fiftysixth Congress, first session, and was unfavorable. 12. A report by a board of engineers on effect of wave action at various harbors on Lake Michigan, was published in House Document No. 62, Fifty-ninth Congress, first session, references to Kenosha being found on pages 12 and 17. The board recommended an "addition of a length of 200 feet to the inner or landward end of the existing breakwater." An estimate of $35,000, as the cost of this work, was published in House Committee Document No. 3, Fiftyninth Congress, second session, page 4. 13. Commerce.-The water commerce for calendar year 1918 is as follows: No unregistered craft except fishing tugs and gasoline fishing and pleasure launches, of which no records were kept. All excursionists. |