The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1853-10-19
IMPROVEMENT OF THE WESTERN
wATCRS


A pamphlet containing plan for the improve
men, of tie western waters, by c. nj. Scott
ESD has been handed to US. We see that it is
spoken OF By number Of practical river men
as the best plan ye, originated to improve The
Mississippi beim cen St Louis and Cairo" We
annex the aplan" of MIR. Scott
uIuavE conceived plan of improvement of
navigation in the Mississippi river. which de-
sire to submit 10 the judgment OF river men, aud
the attention of public. The plan is suggested
by the fact, that where the Mississippi, above
the mouth of the Ohio, has liberty to flow over
an obstruction at moderately high water, 1t will
not cut deeper than from twenty or twenty-five
feet at low water As for proof, witness what
takes place at the foot of Prats Bend, i'll The
narrowest part Of the river at low water, and
the log heaps in Dog Tooth Bend. II is sug-
gts'ed, also, by another fact-namely, that where
The current runs parallel with the shore, IT in
whole or part loses its abrading qualities Very
little force will keep il t, the shore, if applied al
the proper place, provided the shore Is solid
enough to stand, and nearly straight, VIII f is
the case of the Missouri shore, except in three
places, from ST Louis TO the Grand Chain The
r.ver is cutting The alluvial soil away toward the
Bluffs, and needs but little aid from art to he
made straight down the Bluffs vi the three
places mentioned, the first commences below
Ste Gencvieve, and extends to the mouth Of
Saline, distance of nine miles by the river,
and four through, with the current cutting both
above and below The second commences al
Rozier's, and extends to the Big Eddy, dis
lance Of some eighteen miles by the river, and
is about nine miles through.
The third commences at Hamburg landing,
aud extends by the river to Cape Glrardeau
Bend, distance of seven miles by The river,
aud five miles through, with a cutting or caving
bank all the way From the foot of the chain
to the mouth of Cash, the Illinois shore, it is
fourteen miles, and forty round, with large
lake extending with lis outlets from within
four hundred yards of%the river above 10 the
mouth of Cash, along the Illinois bluffs.
The plan now proposed presents these advan-
tages over all other plans that have been adopt
ed to improSs the Mississippi river. First my
improvement is permanent. The. high water
that DESTROYS the others will only make this
Stronger, as the water will GO over and leave lis
deposit below or behind. Second, it is the
cheapest, as the expenses, exclusive OF the boats
and machinery, would not average five thous.
and dollars per mile. The drainage fthe Amer
lean Bottom would be worth this sum TO the
country, to say nothing of the advantages to
commerce, from The prevention of the difficulties
incidental to the continual changing OF the
channel, and The increased value of the small
towns that may be located along its banks. Ste
Genevieve is at present afraid to continue It's
improvements, Tor fear the river will leave that
place.
Another advantage, which ought not 10 be
overlooked, is-that large trees which are now
dangerous, are turned to a useful account.
The simplicity of this plan may be an nrgu-
ment against it with many. But they ought 10
recollect that great results are often produced
from very simple causes.
With this preface, the plan is presented for
public approval. Boatmen. and those acquaInt-
cd with the Western waters, are alone capable
of deciding whether or not the principle - cor
rect. fapproved by you, il will be brought TO
the attention Of Congress, with a view to have
il tested at Ste Genevieve, or some other equally
G. NJ. SCOTT.