The New York herald., 1875-10-18


The crib dixie, between HiIhouse and Upper
To south end Of Base Island dixie, damaged BY '
collisions. so
To repairs of Bath dixie. e.................... 1900
To repairs OF dikes below Albany ............. 600
Stone filling for various dikes. $500
Total 81, $50
In the last annual report recommended an examina
tion OF the river between New Baltimore and Hudson,
with view to the construction of dikes 10 form
channel for both ebb and food and this
tion is repeated because under existing appropriations
there is no authority to expend money for surveys
below New Baltimore the limit OF the district under
my charge.
respectfully that report also for the list OF
works recommended TO be constructed to complete the
Improvement under the project approved and Tor the
estimated cost
Amount to be appropriated to complete the
Amount already appropriatod BY Congress no i8s 90
Total; 500, Il5 Is
Amount asked TO be appropriated for years
1876 and lS77-Oversaugh dike......... $40 900 90
Removal Of Austin's rock .......... $4,000 90
Total. 500, 900 90
GENERAL REMARKS.
In tidal estuaries the depth toward the head dimn
ishes by the inclination of the bed, due TO the action OF
the food and cbb tides the action Of the former tending
to deposit and that Of the latter TO The energy
OF the food becomes finally 50 Impaired BY It's deposits,
formed upon an inclined SLOPE that the ebb enabled
TO hold III equilibrium when the slope and depths be-
constant The erection Of the dam Troy across
the tide waters has had the effect just noted
tidal action The effect of freshets in bringing heavy
material is not considered, since it will be necessary
in order to get rid Of this cause tho
deposits to be made in side spaces
side of the navigable channel A location OF The dam
considerably above the present position by enabling
the tide to advance further the river would greatly
improve the navigable channel because nrst, the
slope of deposits would form above its present position
ana second, inc securing action OF the eoD IN the
channels along the front of the city OF Troy would be
much increased. II occurred to me that correspond
Ing effect would be produced by building longitudinal
dixie, starting from the head of Breakers Island and
terminating within short distance OF the dam The
river would thus be divided into TWO parallel
spaces Up the eastern channel, the food would
pass to supply the western section OF the river,
which would a tidal basin, TO be filed and emp
tied at each tide The basin could be extended by ro
moving the Port Schuyler dixie, 20 allow the food TO
penetrate behind Breakers and Hlhouse islands The
eastern section navlgable channel would be made of
smaller width than the western section or basin,
that both ebb and food would be much increased in
velocity. This construction II practicable would
really correspond 10 engthenng the river, and would
act similarly 10 removal of the dam aud upon the
principle. Unfortunately however the construc-
ton of such longitudinal dixie would separate East Troy
from West Troy and occasion grave Inconvenience THIS
much is certain, however No permanent improve
ment Of practical benefit can be effected IN the Troy
channel except by one of these modes.
After Stating TO Lieutenant Willard the ground my
idea OF longitudinal dixie, requested him make
project Of it far applicable the convenience OF
East and West Troy. All that could be done in apply
Ing the principle was the design of two detached tidal
basins above the Rensselaer, and Saratoga Railroad
Bridge, and another back Of Breakers and Mlhousc
islands The channel along the wharves OF East Troy
"a
large intervals had, pcriorce, 10 be left Such
structon would benefit the channel, but TO degree
much less than the complete system before suggested
Lieutenant Willard makes the estimate Of this par.
tal project SSl, 100. This includes diking ony-Gn
additional charge for preliminary dredging should also
be considered IN estimating the cost Of this project
As the possibility of an Improvement at Troy, where
the outlook is so unavorabe, forms the subject OF this
discussion s not necessary this moment TO enter
into all the details Of the project
Again, 1t is generally the that the radical i'm.
provement of channel is found to be opposed the
tp4ar ~
industry, and II is not suitable for the engineer 90
further than point out the general mode until those
terested found willing To accept It and 10 abstain
from vexatous impediments to its complete execution
1t is only necessary to add that the OF this inn
provoment Of the navigable channel not in
cudcd in the original estimate because the principle
OF tho project, which is thought to be new, had
been conceived by the engineer when that estimate
WAS made. Having discussed the prospects for carry
ing additional depth OF water far up Troy il is
necessary here enter into general discussion
of the principles Of Improving the river between Al.
bany and New Baltimore, beyond referring former
reports and particularly to the last When the Unleds
States commenced work IN 1866 the commissioners Of
OF shutting or all the side channels lying east OF the
main channel The work Of the United States has
since been devoted TO the amelioraton of Cuylers
Parda Hook, Cedar Hill and Coeyman's bars, TO the
enlargement OF the channel in width at Barren Island
and to protecting at various points the shore line from
erosion by the currents and steamboat waves There
has been this difference between the operation OF the
dkes constructed by the United States those of
the State commissioners The side channels In the
former empty into the navigable channel
between Troy 10 New Baltimore, and thus
swell the volume Of water and increase
tho scour, whlie IN tho latter case
the side channels cut OF empty into the
river below New Baltimore and do not in any way
benefit the main channel between Albany aud New
Baltimore. remedy TO this state OF things Is easily
made by perioratng or lowering some Of the State
dikes and by dividing the side channels into sections
TO compel the waters entering and emerging from
these channels TO flow through the main channel
The above paragraph refers to the side channels east
Of the main channel There are likewise two iinpor.
Ia one
west OF the oversaugh dixie constructed by the
United States in lS5, which Is q 600 yards long all the
waters Of which enter and emerge at Van Wes Point;
and second, another extending from Cedar Hill TO
point below Shad Island, proposed termination
OF q line of dking partially completed which
basin will likewise be COCO yards long In both Of
these it may be found oxpedont TO make inets
and outlets Tor the water at various points along the
line of dlking, by which the whole length OF the main
channel will be benefited, instead OF combining the
effects exclusively to the portions Of the channel below
the ends Of the dkes.
survey viii be made Of tho extent Of ali tho side
channels TO obtain their reservoir capacity and 70 de-
termine the mode Of applying these spaces most
efficiently to the benefit Of the navlgabe
channel, and in the meantime 1 respectfully
recommend that correspondence be opened
the State OF New York to prevent such basins being
hilod or diminished IN capacity until the government
shall have decided upon their probable utility in main
tanning a deep draft OK water In the main channel
PRESENT CONDITION THE RIVER
Round and Fish House shoals, between Albany aEd
Troy continue 20 embarrass navigation, and no anne.
loraon except by dredging will be possible until the
project for leading deeper water up to Troy has
been carried into effect
Cuyier's Bar by The recent construction OF the Small
Island dixie BY the United States has increased III dcpth
at mean low water from "a 70 8 8 tee
Winnie's Bar-Thc depth in 1869 was p2 feet al
mean low water, but the bar deterioratng rapidly
and the shore was being washed away. When Tie ui.
provcment was effected by single dixie tho depth was
less than ieet; II Is now nearly 10 feet
Tie river here Is very vide, aud q parallel low dixie
will increase the present depth.
Cedar liill Bar-The depth In 1860 was ~ at mean
low water in 1872 after the kes were compleed tho
aSplh was leet. " - now So feeL This sppareni