National Republican., 1881-10-25
SURVEYING THE POTOMAC.
a Civil Engineer nj work on Eta Tides,
Depth, and Bottom.


The attention of q reporter of THE RE-
PUBLICAN, who was down near the Analostan boat
house the other day, was attracted by the move
ments ofseveral small skffs containing men. The
boats were rowed across the river, and then near
the bank, and the occupants, with lines and In
strumcnts, seemed to be taking measurements
Naturally the reporters curiosity was aroused to
know what was going on, and so he hailed one OF
the boats. II was quite near the shore, and as II
was rowed up the features Of the well-known civil
engineer, Mr. William Bauman, were recognized.
"You are not fishing, are your was the ques-
ton asked, with laugh
"No, indeed" was the reply, rs the boat
grounded on the shore and Mr.. Bauman alighted
III am making physical survey of the river"
my WHOSE DiRECT1oNT
al am working IL under the immediate super
vision OF Colonel s. r. Albert, Of the United States
Engineer Corps, and chicfofthc Bureau for the I'M
provement of Rivers and IIarbOrs. He is having
results upon which plan will be based to the
special committee Ofthe Senate"
what does your survey embraceY
I" IL includes the entire river from the canal out
let to Giesboro' Point, and then up the Eastern
Branch to Anacostia. The object Is TO accomplish
what has never been done before aud that is,
make Physical survey of the river survey OF
this character embraces such facts as the tides
the depth of the river, the nature of the bottom,
making this survey, and hope 10 be able TO COM
plete 1t by the end Of November"
Nhat III uetnll Is the WORK proposed 10 De ac-
complished by your surveyW
"It will comprise the determination of the high
md low water sections of the river nt number
of stations-about thirty.hyo; the observation OF
the rate of flow and ebb of the tide from which the
mid area is to be dcternued-thatl is, the place OF
thecentre OF grayity-and
THE AXIS OF THE STREAM.
Then measurements of the discharge Of the rivers
are TO be taken, and dynamic charts, proiiles, and
cross sections are TO be prepared, with due con-
s!dornton Of the freses OF 1877 and 1881. III other
Tp In 1fsftfV NT IN
river In order To intcligently determine whatstcps
ought TO he taken TO improve the river front and
the llnts.'
"Thc flats 2 That is an interesting question. What
will be done with the ilats2'
THAT will entirely depend upon the results OBJ
tanned In this survey. Most likely, however, they
viii be entirely reclaimed and filed in. Ihave
been compelled to work near them during the past
month"; aud my opinion Is that they arc perfect
pcst-spOts They have made me sick, and IL is Il
wonder that they do not cause more sickness"
Hoy about the river front and the lowlands
well, you know, am only making survey to
| furnish the facts for the adoption Of some plan.
| But 1t seems to me thatit Is
PERFECTLY FEASIBLE TO BUILD SEA WALL
| along from Observatory Point and to reclaim the
land between the wall and the present shore Of the
| river. This could be an extension of the wall
| and II thought advisable the top of the sea wall
| could be used for carriage drive. Then, further
| down, the causeway Of the Long Bridge could be
removed and the great cause of the deposit OF the
mosso matter called the flats would be rcmcdicd."
| would there be any change in the Georgetown
| and Washington channelsY
"The Washington channel would be deepcned
| and the sides made more regular, especially along
| the wharves, which have been built with no regu.
| lar plan. This might bring up the question now
In dispute rs to the wharf rights. But all this is
| OF course mere conjecture. All know is that n
| plan can be adopted which will remove the flats
| substitute beautiful parks and drives, improve the
navigation of the river, and make 1t an attraction
and ornament to the city"
| "What do you suppose all this will cost2'
| 81 told General Ransom, the chairman of the
| special committee, that the plan would probably
involve the expenditure of between two and three
millions. lie replied: 1t don't make any differ
ence what the cost will be; go on and do the
| work. That Is n matter for Congress to dccide,n
| Mr.. Bauman said that he thought he would be
able TO get his report in readiness early in Dcccm
Der, and then the entire after could be submitted
| to Congress early I'm the session.