Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-04-05


to 96,oOO cubic yards, composed mostly of the
sand and gravel brought down by the Tiber,
may, with the exception of small portions
taken from the mouths of drains, be safely left
on the margin of the canal.
IL has been proposed to use the waters OF
Rock creek, in connection with a dam from
l7th street pier to Monument Point, 10 cover
the filthy deposits and TO produce a contin.
nous current toward the Eastern Branch, and
thus partially change the water of the canal
daily. This project would, doubtless be effec-
tual during the greater portion of the wear
But if the tests of the daily supply of Rock
creek made by engineers be correct, IL would
IN the opinion Of this board, be insufficient TO
secure with certainty the rec uired daily change
in the waters of the canal to prevent stsrnati6n
in the hottest and most sickly season
Hence IT Is deemed advisable not to rely
upon Rock creek for the needed supply of
water, but to introduce it from the Potomac
through suitable gates in the dyke BY TINS
means a continuous current will be established
Toward the Eastern Branch, q large part of the
water in the canal viii be changed daily and
It's bed, previously excavated below mean tide
VIII always be covered. The water of Rock
creek can be used advantageously, and IN con-
nectlon with that of the Potomac, but il is not
deemed indispensapIe. As il is now Iyastod bv
diseharge into the river, if the proprietors of
the chesapeake and Ohio canal will grant its
use tree OF charge, simple arrangeme of the
lockgates at 18th street viii render il available
with little cost.
In view OF the foregoing considerations, the
board unan .mously recommend that the canal
be cleaned out to a Uniform depth OF at least
one foot below the level of mean half tide he
tween 18th street pier and Tiber creek, and to
uniform depth of nine inches below low
water between Tiber creek and the Eastern
Branch, and that simultaneously with the
prosecution of this work dyke be construct
ed, extending from the end of 18th street pier
TO Monument Point. The top OF this dyke
should be fixed primarily at the level Of mean
high tide, the height being deemed sufficient to
secure the objects in view, while 1t will not
interpose serious obstacles 10 the esclpe of the
waters OF IIber creek IN times Ofextraordinary
treshets, an escape inadeq uately provided for
by the contracted portion OF the canal leading
to the Eastern Branch. The dyke can be pasi-
ly and quickly increased in height should il
be afterwards founG necessary and admissible
TO do so. 1t should be from six 20 ten feet in
width, and wider across the channel way, if
necessary, and constructed with piles, and
short piles on the two sides, with the space be-
tween them flied up with pudding of clay
Ii should be closely planked on the top,
not 10 be injured by the flow Of water over it,
Waterways of sufficient aggregate width 10
insure 4 full rise of tide inside should be left
III the dyke at the deepest water, provided
with suitable tide gates, TO open inward with
the rising tide and close with the ebb. These
waterways may be made to answer the pur-
poses OF 4 lock during the coming summer
and, therefore, should be Of sufficient width to
allow the usual ingress and egress OF boats,
and especially of such scows and steam dredg-
ing machines as may be required in pFoseeu-
ting the work of future Improvements on the
canal. The discharge OF water into the East
ern Branch, and, consequently, its height in
the main portion of the canal, may be regu-
lated by simply altering the capacity sof the
waterway at some suitable point east of Tiber
creek. The contraction at New Jersey avenue
may be adyantageousiy used for such pur-
pose.
Ample tide gates to open outward with the
ebb tide and tclose with the flood, should be
placed at the debouche OF the canal into the
basin at the Eastern Branch, 10 exclude the
flood waters from that end and promote the
flow in that direction.
The board briefly submits the following pro-
lect FOR the temporary abatement OF the exist
ing nuisance, without going into the elaborate
details which have been developed in their
calculations, and without enumerating the
various data and form ulas which enter as ele-
mems In the discussion of the problem. These
they propose to give more fully in their plan
lor the permanent Improvements ard regulation
OF the canal, which, as it involves the entire
question OF city drainage and sewerage, as well
as other considerations of commercial and
municipal character, they propose to withhold
until they shall have gwen the subject the ma
ture and careful study which its Importance
demands.
The proposed dyke and tide gates. il well
constructed, will, with ordinary repairs, last
for several years; and taken in connection with
the excayaters recommended by the board NAV
elther contribute to or in a greater or less de-
gree form component part of the plan for
permanent improvement which they expect TO
submit.
How soon it will be necessary, if at all. to
construct main sewer Independent of the
canal, 10 meet the requirements Of the city in
Its growth and enlargement, the board are not
prepared TO say, but it is evident that such
sewer couldinot be completed during the COM
ing summer If commenced.
The board believe that If the temporary
improvements which they suggest are car
REC out and 1aithfully maintained in their es-
senba features, by keeping the dykes and
gates in repair. and the deposites excavated 10
the levels recommended, that the discharge of
the sewers into the canal during the coming
summer Will not prove In furious TO the health
of the city. Y
The board have considered sundry plans.
ana nave consulted several experienced en-
glneers and others in relation to the SUBJECT
submitted to their judgment, and have derived
much valuable information from them
An estimate OF the expenditures necessary to
carry out the suggestions of the board, amount.
ing 10 S75,O0O, accompanies this report.
If this project be adopted, it is deemed OF con-
siderable importance that the execution of it
be commenced without delay.
Lieutenant Colonel of Engineers and Breyet
Brigadier General, u S; A..
Major of Engineers and Brevet Major General
G. K. WARREN, Major General, &c.
The following is the estimate submitted as
the probable cost of executing the proposed
plan. The estimate is larger than would be
required but for the necessity OF commencing
work at once, without time to make the proper
preparations with economy, as well as the me-
cesity for pushing the work rapidly on in or
der to secure its timely completion:
l. For dam at Seventeenth street pier TO
Monument Point, with tide gates $1,000
2. For expense OF admitting waters of
Rock Greek ..:................... 1000
3. For ude-gate and basin at Eastern %
Branch. ..,..................... 1000
1. For eXcayating between Seventeenth
street ana Tiber Greek. $1,000 cubic
yards, az 81 per YARD ..:.......... $1,000
and Eastern Branch, 26,OO0 cubic
yards, at 50 cents per yard. 1900
during this year 5OOO
2. For superintencency and gate tenders
for one year ....... ............ aOOO
ing engineer, clerk, &C.. ......... 1000
/. Submitted for the Board. .e,eeS