Kanawha Valley star. [volume] (Charleston, Va. [W. Va.]) 1856-1861, 1861-04-09
Kanawha river Improrsmsnt.

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Ranawha River Improvement.
-Four dredging boats ofthe largest size
ARE al work on this Improvement. Two
ser Qanneltoh, twenty seven miles above
G. .les,on,and tWoat Peeled Maple shoals
eight miles below Charleston. A vast
deal Of work has already been done
between Coalsmouth and Loup Greek
shoals; and in three months all the dredg-
ing between. this place and Coalsmouth
will be completed j; and BY November
next, it is thought, that the dredging to
be done On The entire length Of the i'm.
provement from Loup Greek shoals 70
Point Pleasant, distance Of ninety
miles. win be finished.
y This improvement Of the Kanawha
win have great advantages over the old
improvement. It will give much better
and more reliable navigation,
In fact, the old chutes 10 some places
were a Disadvantages, not an advantage
10 the navigation. They were an injury
rather4than a benefit. They were Local
ted partially across the natural channels.
and in seme places outside Of the natural
channels. The effect of this was that SO
Soon as the water commenced rising and
running over the walls Of the old chutes,
navigation for coal boats and salt boats
drawing from five to six feet was destroy
. ed and such boats were compelled to wait
until there was rise Of soma tir feet
ouef the tops Of tie nails; Thus it was,
that with the old chutes. the best stages
oftlle river were lost
The chutes IN the new improvement
are however, located in the natural chan;
nels Of the river. they are from eighty
! 10 oneIhundred feetwide, and about twice
the widthof heold chutesl They will be
SO located and constructed that Ill water
I in The river during low stages viii pass
through the new chutes and when the
river commences rising al water will
pass through them until the depth Of Eve
FEET ID de chutes is reached. After that,
the walls will constitute no impeachment
to navigation, because the direction Of
the walls, and the current Of The river will
coincide and be the same.
In some, places during Tow water, not
more than one thirdofihe flow ofthe river
passed through the old chutes. the rest
Of the water flowed in the natural chan
nels Of the river. This division Of the
water greatly impaired navigation.
The present improvement when COM
pleted' will afford four feet Of water 10 the
river below Charleston for at least ten
months out Of every twelve. And dur
ing greater part Of the year there win
be six feet and upwards. When conn
pleted, rise Of two feet in the Kanawha.
upon ordinary low water will enable a
coal or salt boat drawingsix feet to nav
iyate the river. Whereas with the old
Improvement, It required a rise Of ten
feet on low watert 10 send out six foot
coal boats that IS. il requifed 4 rise Of
six feet over The tops Of the walls Of the
old chutes.
The walls OIL. the new chutss however
will ia no condition Of the river impede
j navigation. They viii be 50 located and
constructed as to concentrate the entire
flow Of the river during low stages IN
chanueis from eighty TO one hundred feet
wide, and tol make available for nayiga-
ton purposes every rise that may occur
from one foot toIten feet in the river.
4: The new improvement, SO far. has
proven decided success. and all pre-
diet yasL increase in our coal and oil
tradeand business generally. by the conn
pletion Of this improvement.
Much credit is due 10 Mr.. JouN A.
BrsRs. Engineer Of the Kanawba river,
for the good sense. and practical judg-
ment he has shown in planning and di:
recting the improvement now in progress
on the Kaaawha.