The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1885-12-11
WESTERN WATERWAYS.
Mai. MacKenzie's River Work
Improvements in the Mississippi Be.
tween st. Paul AMI the Mouth
of the Illinois River.

Through the courtesy Of Capt. Durham
the ARGUS is furnished the follows
ing interesting report Of recent improve
ments on the Mississippi, between St
Paul and the mouth of the Illinois river
Maj. A. Mackenzie's district:
The upper river-as the Mississippi is
called above St. Louis--is characterized
by shallow stream, of gentle current,
with numerous islands and shifting sand
bars. Little earthly matter is carried in
suspension, the sand, forming the chief
obstruction, being moved along the bots
tom by the action of the current, especi
ally at high stages of water, when the
current is much accelerated. In thread,
ing its way between the bars of moving
sand or in the crossings the channel is
generally shoal, and at those points uavi,
cation is often difficult
Gazing of the banks occurs at other
points, but not at all to the same extent
as we noticed in the lower river; but this
abrasion, comparatively slight, continu-
ally adds material to the bars which form
distractions to navigation. The methods
employed in the improvement Of the
upper Mississippi are: ID The protec
ton of the banks where cavng eX-
lists, This protection seems to be easily,
thoroughly. permanently, and lowing to
proximity of rock and brush( cheaply
done. (2) The closing of the island
chutes by dams of brush, stone, and gray
el, and concentrating the water in one
groove or channel 90 The Construction
Of wing dams extending from one or both
shores, where the river is wide and flat,
thereby narrowing the waterway increas-
ing the current and ''scour, and causing
the sand to collect and remain in local.
| ties where it becomes benefit in lieu OF
an obstruction.
Desultory work had been done at spec
| ial localities under small appropriations
prior to the year 1873. but it was during
that year that systematic improvement
was begun. Up to date 200 wing and
closing dams have been constructed, to-
gether with about 30 miles altogether of
| shore protection.
| The engineer officer, under whose di-
rection this work WAS done and who i
still in local charge has watched careful
ly the effect of the improvements 50 fai
attempted, and is satisfied that the results
clearly demonstrate the propricty of the
system; that it has passed beyond the do
main of experiment, and when fully car
ried out will secure good navi9abie
channel at all stages OF the river between
Saint Paul ana the mouth of the lliGui,
river.
This seems to be amply sustained and
corroborated by the testimony of the riv
err men and river residents, whose inter
ests are involved in good navi gation
| With scarcely dissenting voice thes,
citizens unite in bearing witness to tho
value and importance of the work already
done by the government engineers, to ii:
cheapneSs and praCticubiliiy. and To the
large benefits that have accrued and vii
lcontinue to accrue to the commerce of int
great west by its further prosecution
The present success of the system in use
is urged as the best reason why there
should be no cessation of The work. Up
on this point there seemed to be no DIFF
ference of opinion. In support of the
plea for larger appropriations in this dis
trict, it is claimed that the work can bt
done far more economically and to bette
advantage, enabling contractors and th,
government to put into the field suillcien
"plaut" in the way of boats, bargcs. etc
|
stricted work. Under small appropria
tions, allotments must be made for many
bars, with probably an insunlcency O
money to complete the Improvements a
any of them whereas, with ample apprO'
priations. enough money can be allotted
to each locality to allow the completion
of the work at all points.
If the work of improvement is W0rtl
doing at all. it is worth doing well, ant
to secure thoroughness, permanency an,
economy in its prosecution, a uniform
system should be adopted and a,ihcret
to.
The system now in use on the river be
tween the mouth of the Illinois river ans
Saint Paul. with the notifications sug
gested by experience. seems to be AIDE
quaie to the improvement of navigation
and should be pushed rapidly to compile
ton.
The principal appropriations FOR th'
improvement of the upper Mississippi
river have been made for three purposes
| G) For the operation of snaS boats; G.,
for improving the river from Saint Pau
to Des Moines rapids; (3) for improvin!
the river from Des Moines rapids to the
mouth of the Illinois river
There have been made small appropr
atoms for improvements at special 10
calities, illusions to which will be mad
hereafter.
OPERATIONS OF sNAG BOATS.
The work of removing snags. wrecks
etc, although in its nature temporary, i
of the greatest Importance, and is a prim
requisite in the improvement of river nav
igation. Snag boats have been at worl
during several months of each season
since 1867, and have kept the river al
most wholly free from snags, thereb
greatly lessening the danger and cost o
navigation. The banks of the river ar
carefully watched; overhauging trees ar
removed; and with the practice OF shor
protection, the number of snags is les
scned every year. The total amount ap
propriated for snag boats to date
$500, 900. This covers a period of
years, and the purchase or consrructio
of four suag boats
| FROM ST. PAUL TO DIES MONIES RAPIDS
From Saint Paul to the mouth of tn
Saint CroiX river, II stretch of 80 miles
the river was formerly full OF bad OBJ
structing bars, but during the past tire
seasons the work of Improvement ha
been carried on vigorously and wit
| mark ed results AT A foot stare fhi