Statement showing least depths on Lake Providence Reach, etc.-Continued. 1884. 1881. 1886. Feet. Feet. Feet. Feet. Feet. Feet. Feet. Feet. Feet. Feet. Feet. Feet. 24.7 31.4 20 24 24.5 28 19.6 22 29 17 22 July 30 15.8 14 18 August 10 15.5 19 14 15 August 20 12.6 15.6 28 8 16 August 30 14 15 29 7.8 18 828588 September 10 9.1 14 17 13.4 32 9.5 15 September 20 35 19 25 5.3 15 12.5 September 30 5.8 15 11 15.5 20 12 October 10.. 14.8 9 22 14 14.5 12 22 October 20. 13.7 26 24 October 30. 12 24.75 22.5 November 10 26 November 20 7.2 21 17 November 30 16 December 10. 18 December 20. 11 23. 19 December 30. 12 21 20 16.5 25 24 24 14.6 32 34.5 21 17 The least depths were as follows: Duncansby Crossing.-1885, 18 feet; 1886, 10 feet; 1887, 11 feet. Stack Island.-1884, 10 feet; 1885, 14 feet; 1886, 8 feet; 1887,7 feet. The lowest reading of the Lake Providence gauge was, in 1884, 5.23 feet; 1885, 5.54 feet; 1886, 2.55 feet; 1887, 1.52 feet. CHANGES IN CHANNEL AND SHORE-LINES. The high water this year was late, and as this report was required earlier than usual, the survey to show changes of the high water was not entirely finished. The map accompanying this report, however, shows the shore-lines in 1882, 1887, and 1888, also the position and condition of the dike work. The banks of the river through the Lake Providence Reach have been more unstable during the past year than in any of the seven immediately preceding. This is due in a great measure to changes that have taken place in the channel above the reach and to the loss of the Pilcher's Point revetment, which occurred during the high water of 1886-'87. The continued caving along the upper side of Sarah's Island, caused by changes above, has thrown the current with great force against the lower part of Louisiana bend (where the Pilcher's Point revetment was designed to be); this has caved extensively, being unprotected. Then, by the deepening of this bend, the channel has been deflected back, striking the Mississippi side about 34 miles above Duncansby. It then follows this bank for about 2 miles, caving the bank. Here it is again deflected to the Louisiana shore about a mile below Possum's Point, and keeps along it to Wilson's Point. Caving has taken place here to a small extent. The main current here divides, one part striking the Mississippi shore just above Mayersville and flowing along the front of Mayersville Island. The other channel keeps along near the Louisiana bank, and passes just outside the Cottonwood dikes. Mayersville Island has nearly disappeared, and will probably be gone after the next high water. The two channels come together immediately below the foot of Mayersville Island _ The channel then flows along the Louisiana shore, caving the bank badly between Longwood and Allright. The current then crosses just below Ben Lomond to the Mississippi side, and caving occurs here. The cutting away of the upper side of Shipland Point has caused the crossing from here to the Louisiana bank to move further down stream and allowed a larger volume of water to pass around the point next to Mississippi shore. The caving at Wyly's has not been as great as in former years. Below Shipland Landing on the Mississippi side considerable caving has taken place. Tables showing the extent of caring from Ashton La., to Shipland, Miss., from April, 1887, to May, 1888. The floating plant was repaired and put in serviceable condition in the fall of 1886 and winter of 1887. Since that time only small and absolutely necessary repairs have been made. A portion of the plant, used at Greenville and Vicksburg, Miss., was repaired and the rest has remained tied to the bank at Wilson's Point, where it has already been subjected to the deteriorating effect of one summer. It will need extensive repairs to again put the plant in condition for active service. The greater part of the plant is over seven years old, and this class of boats and barges requires at this age extensive annual repairs to keep it in working condition. The effect of the climate is worse on idle boats than on those in use. It is estimated to put this plant in working order will cost about $20,000. To carry on bank protection work at four different places will require a large addition to plant, estimated to cost $200,000. I have assumed four places, as follows: Greenville, Pilcher's, Delta Point, and Lake Bolivar. Statement showing the cost of labor and subsistence for care of fleet and minor repairs to same. The largest number of men employed at any one time was 39; the smallest, 22. To make good losses and carry out the approved design of the Commission, the following work should be done: I have not included any new work. Money statements for Lake Providence Reach, care of plant and surveys, and protection of works, third district, are here with annexed: Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1890* 550,000.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. * Includes additional plant. For repairs to old work but not including any new work, |
