Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-12-21
LOCAL ITEMS.

IMpHovEMENTS TO TIE UPPER Potomac
The commission appointed by Congress to ex
anime into the condition Of the harbors and
landings for vessels from the AnacoSta bridge
oa the Eastern branch along the entire water
front Of Washington and Georgetown to the
head OF tide water aud to submit plan for
Improving the water channel, have submitted
their report to Congress. They refer to the
flats between the Georgetown and Washington
channels, and state that their reclamation is an
absolute necessity and mention three plaus for
the accomplishment Of that end.
lsl To carry the maiu channel from the low
err end of Anacostian Island, across the flats
above the Long Bridge, aud below Easily 5
Point into the small channel running along the
Washington front, at or near the intersection
OF the extensions of i 18th and and d streets
southwest, aud thence continue alouS the pres
eat front Of the city unti it Joins tie deep
c'.anacl OF the river, JUS; below the arsenal.
u. 10 have two channels forming the flats
above and below the loug Bridge into an Is
land The main deep cLauuel TO remain aioug
the right bank OF ih. river down TO Grarci!J
point, Just below the Long Bridge, and thence
L. tie deep channel of Gcisboro point. The
second aud smaller chaunei to run from point
1,l below Easby's point, across the fats, with
j 5 upper edge touching the end Of the wharf
al 7th street Washington, aud thence along
the present Washington front until all the
c;,anucl> join the deep channel Of the river, oft
Geisboro point.
81. To have bu; Que cIlanue of sufficient
width and depth for all purposes, direct con
guuatlon OF the river at Georgetown, to run
along the right bank of the ri"cr as far us
Gravey point; and thence directly towards
Gcisboro point on the left bank, Joining the
al. 81 H., thot t,ilnvS-
Ing nearly the present maiu channel OF the
river.
With regard TO the Aqueduct ofthe Alexan-
dria GAIA! they report that the causewayS
abutmcut aud piers Of the -Aqueduct Bridge at
,.eoryctown reduce the width OF the river from
lis natural width of l,65U feet between the
lines of high water to go feet, with an average
lepth nov at mean low water OF - feet. These
oss;ruciions prevent the free discharge of the
water during trcshets To reduce the height
of the frcshets in the continuation OF the har
Dor above GEORGETOWN, it Is necessary to. IN
crease the section at the Aqueduct bridge by
substituting piers for the causcTay on the VI If
sinia side They further recommend that that
portion OF the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal,
between Congress- street and Rock creek, IN
Georgetown, be abolished, as there is no longer
any necessity for connection between the C.&O.
canal and Rock creek. and locks should be con
tructed between the canal and river at some
POINT above the Aqucduct bridge TO allow boats
to &c, out of the canal The Long Bridge Is
treated as permanently located, but as soon as
;hc land is reclaimed the law should require
the present bridge to be removed AMI bridge
constructed having spans OF not less than 200
feet and pivot draw, with two openings OF
not less than 100 feet clear 10 each This
bridge can be constructed just above its present
locality or from the foot OF Maryland avenue
1t is, possible however, that ii tunue may be
preferable to this bridge.