Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-03-04

when completed they should be connected by q
canal, occupying part Of the area to be COW
cred by the ponds, and having as large reser-
voir capacity as can be given 1t.
The bulknead line should then be carried to
the bridge and the lower lake excavated, the
drainage of the remaining area being effected
through the 18th street canal. After the lower
lake has been completed the permanent connec-
ton between the sluice ways and the lake
should be established. The second lake can
then be dredged, and its connection made with
the one already in operation. The object of the
method here recommended is to prevent the in
ner harbor from being filled with the sediment
which will be stirred up in the process of dredg-
ing above.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WI TwINING.
Major of Engineers, U. s. A., Engineer Commits.
siOner, d. G. ttt
Engineer Abert's Report.
q. s. ENGINEER OFFICE,
1907 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE,
WASHINGTON, DC. January II, 1892.
The Chief of Engineers Us. Army, Washington,
d. c.:
GENERAL: The act Of appropriation for rivers
and harbors, approved March g. 1884, contains
a provision for survey Of the Potomac and
Anacosta rivers, in the vicinity OF Washington
DC, with reference "to the Improvement Of
navigation, the establishment Of the harbor line
provement may be necessary to the improve
ment of navigation and the establishment of the
harbor line"
This duty was assigned to me by your letter
Of March 81, 1881. have the honor to submit
herewith brief summary Of the results OBJ
tanned by this survey between the Aqueduct
bridge and Giesboro Point together with plan
and estimate for the improvement OF the navi.
cs, N-k,
fishing the harbor lines of Washington city.
These results and estimates for the improve
ment of Washington harbOr are transmitted at
the present time, in order that they may be laid
before Congress in time for early consideration
The remainder of the report relating to the
Anacostia river. and to that part of the Potomac
river between the outlet lock and inclined
plane of the Chesapeake and Ohio canal
together with additional data in regard to the
harbors of Washington and Georgetown will be
transmitted as soon as it is completed.
The survey was commenced at the inclined
plane of the Chesapeake and Ohio canal. above
Georgetown. on the Potomac river, and at the
AnacOStia bridge on the AnacOstia river and
terminated at GiesbOrO' Point, where the two
rivers unite. The shore lines, bridges. wharves
&C., were located and 81 cross-sections taken
On these cross-sectOns SOundin@s were taken
every 50 feet. the distances being measured by
means of small Wire rope Velocity observa-
tons for ebb and flood tide were taken at each
cross-secton. Tidal observations were taken
during the progress of the survey at the outlet
lock. AQueduct bridge, G. street wharf the Long
bridge, Arsenal Point, and at the Navy Yard
The following tabular statement shows the To-
cations at which the crOss-sections were taken
the widths at low water. the maximum depth al
low water. and the sectional areas at low tide
high tide, and during the freshets of 1881 and
1877.
In explanation of this table, it should be stated
that below Easby's Point the width of the river
increases from 974 feet to about 5000 feet losing
its distinctive fuvial character. and expanding
into the wide tidal area known as the harbors O
Washington and Georgetown.
The sectional areas of high tide and Of fresh
ct below Easby's Point do not, therefore. repre-
sent the area of discharge, which must be pro
vided for in the improvement, as here the freshe
water simply flowed over this wide extent O
flats and marshes at greatly reduced velocity
The altitude of the freshet of February, 1881 was
maintained, as indicated in the table by the ice
gOrges at and below the Long bridge.
The crOss-sectiOn of the Washington anC
the Georgetown channels, into which the rive
divides, and of the flats between them, are sep
| aratey indicated in the table.
Tdbnidr statement Of cross sections or Potomac
Tirer bettceen AQueduct bridge aud the ArSeua
1Gf0TJ.