The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-11-01
THE WEST VA. RIVERS.
REPORT OF THE CHIEF ENGINEER
OF th. ualtsd States Army In BslAtisa to the
KanaWha RIrsr Inprorsmcat-Ths oIJset Of
the Horkin the yallsy-ExpendItura spto
Dats-Whathas been Done on Eth River.


Special Correspondence ulae IHkltgeAoer.
WASHINGTON, b. G., October S0.-The
Chief Engineer Of the United States Army
in his forthcoming report says Of the Great
Kanawha river in West Virginia:
"Tte river flows through fertile and
picturesque region, filled also with mineral
wealth, especially coal and salt 1t was by
nature divided into a number Of pools,
some Of considerable length and depth,
separated by shoals OF gravel and coarse
sand, which were the principal obstruc.
tions TO navigation in low water, there be-
ing often on them at such seasons but few
inches cf water. In some CT the pools
were found shallow places also obstructing
navigation. There were alse sndgs and
loose rock in the channel. The navigation
above Charleston was more obstructed
than below. Above, 1t was almost sus:
pended in summer. The coal and salt were
generally sent out on rises, which enabled
the boats to pass ssf4ly over the obstruc.
tions which otherwise would stop their
movements entirely. The use OF the river
for the movement OF these valuable pro-
ducts was therefore unsatisfactory and in.
termittent. By the agency and superin.
tendence Of board acting under the au.
thority Of the State, first OF Virginia and
then OF West Virginia, considerable i'm.
provement in the river was from time to
time effected, tolls being charged on the
commerce for payment OF expenses.
TIE OBJECT OF THE IMPROVEMENT.
The object OF the improvement begun
several years ago by the United States was
to give constant navigable depth OF at
least six feet throughout the whole length
OF the Kanawha to its mouth at the Ohio
River, to be accomplished by large locks
and dams. Those Already built have been
about $50 by so feet. The peculiarly Of
most Of the dams is that they can be low
cred when the stage OF water in the river
will suffice over the shoals. This gives
them the nameiof "moveable dams," and
enables an open river to be had when the
water is high enough.
Dams three and two, both above Paint
Greek, are fixed, as the declivity OF the
river in that section is too great to permit
the advantageous use oi the movable sys-
tenn. Dam / would also be fixed II con.
structsd, but 1t will probably not be neces.
sary to build that dam for many years, if
ever.
Up to June 80, 1882, the amount expen-
ded had been 81 ,202, 1901. At that date
Lock and Dam $, 9! miles above Charles
ton Ferry, had lately been completed.
Locks and Dams A and 5. respectively, %
and l5t miles above Charleston Ferry,
were finished and in successful operation
Lock 8, 4 miles below Charleston Ferry.
was under contract and well advanced To-
wards completion. Site Z, ii miles below
Charleston, had been procured by the Uni
ted States. Negotiations were in progress
for the procurement Of Site 9, a mile be-
low Carnelton and 263 miles above
Charleston. These negotiations have been
unusually tedious.
THE EXPENDITURES.
The amount expended in the year end
ing June 80. 1888, was sle4.0SS 4G. which
has been applied to the acquisition Of Site
5, operating Locks 8, 4 and 5, and Dams 4
and 5, carrying Lock . nearly to compile.
ton, and incidental expenses. A contract
has been made for as much Of Lock 2 as
was practicable with the funds available.
1t is very desirable to complete Locks and
without delay, as also their dams The
next step would be the beginning oil Lock
and Dam 7, the site for which already be-
longs to the United States.
July !, 1882, amount available ........... sS 200 9;
Amount appropriated by act passed ..... =.
August, 2p,UUU w
$3.50 OG
July l. lsgs amount expend.