The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-22
THE HOOSIER WATERWAYS.
What the Government Has Done and Is
DoiEg for Their Improvement.
Points from the Annual Report of the En-
gineer in Charge of the Work on the
Wabash and White Rivers.
Special to the 1ndiananolis Lournal

Special to the indianapolis Journal
WAsHINGToN, Aug. 2L-The following annual
report of the river improvements in Indiana has
been received from the engineer in charge by the
Chief of Engineers:
I'm the original examination of the Wabash
river below Vincennes the engineers recon-
mended the removal IF Instructions, and the
building of lock ard Dam at Grand Rapids. !
do not consider it GOO Folicy in the interest OF
economy, to expend money in the improve
ment of the river aboyo Grand Rapids until
the lock and dam shall nave peen
completed The river below has been
improved in previous years, ara Is
now in a tolerably fair condition, requiring very
little new work and repairs to the works
already instructed IN view Of the above facts
/ would recommend that until the completion OF
the lock and dam work on the river be confined
to the portion between the mouth and Grand
Rapids. This part of the river is the connecting
link between the White river and the Ohio river,
and is important in connection with the naviga-
ton of the White river, as without its improve
rnent navigation of tho White river would be
comparatively va!ueless There has been very
little navigation commerce above Grand
Rapids during the last year The condition Of
the river is as follows: At low water the worst
distractions below Mount Carmel are two eXten.
sive sand. bars At extreme low water they are
impossible for any class Of steamers plying on
the river The channel here be improved
by means of contraction works, or wing dams,
at a cost of $40
''The work at Grand Chain has consisted in
the cutting of q channel through the rocky reef,
and the building OF a guide dixie at the head OF
it. This work is incomplete, and requires the
expenditure of $25, 600 to complete it.
THE river near GRANVILLE is in a condition
which requires immediate attention. Here
serious cut off is threatened, which will shorten
the river almost three miles and by this sudden
change of slope cause serious injury to naviga-
ton The cut off would also cause GRANVILLE a
great loss, as its principal business is saving
lumber, which would be entirely destroyed, as
the cutoff would leave the town about a mile and
half from the channel Of the new river Steps
should be taken to prevent this cut off, and it is
estimated that the of $40 900 could be ju-
diciOusly expended for this purpose.
1.-The dam at New Harmony was intended to
close the chute, prevent the river from making
this cut off, and cOnfine the low water to the
channel proper. The dam has required constant
repair since its construction. the tendency of the
river being to cut around its seat. by constantly
washing away the banks of the island or which
it rests. 1t will require repairs each season
until the chute becomes filled up For the next
year S., 900 will be required.
The effect Of the improvements hitherto
carried has been to greatly facilitate the navi-
cation of the river.
'The work in this portion of the river, between
Vincennes and TeTTe Haute, consisted of the
completion of the dam at Horseshoe island and
the removal of snags from the channel. There
were removed from the river 81 snags III over
hanging trees, and one wreck Of fatboats.
IAN increased demand for, and value Of GER
tain kind of timber heretofore considered as
useless for manufacturing purposes, has given
decided impetus to the navigation Of this stream
as we'll as White river. Four good-siZed steam
boats have been exclusively employed in towing
RATS.
WHITE RIVER.
The first appropriation for the Improvement
Of this river was made in 1879, since which timo
work has been carried on 1t has consisted in
the removal of snags and a reef of rock known
as Kelley's ripple. During the past year work
has been confined to the removal of the rock at
Kelleys ripple. The improvement contemplates
channel 100 feet wide and three and half feet
deep at low water At present there is low
water channel throughout the whole length of
the ripple of fifty feet wide and Of the required
depth.
The proposed operations for the next fiscal
year will consist in the completion of the cut
through Kelleys ripple. 1t is estimated that an
appropriation of $15 900 will complete
this work. 1t is not considered advisable
to attempt any other work on White river until
the removal of the obstruction at Kellvs rip
pie is completed, the river is not navigable at
low water while this obstacle exists 1t is very
desirable that the whole amount be appropri-
Rted at once, as the work can be finished in
favorable season.
'"rhe cut at Keey's ripple has opened the
river to low water navigation as far as HaZleton.
Above Hazeton it is not at present an econom-
cal expenditure of funds to attempt any i'm
pcovement of the river as long as the railroad
bridge at this point remains, at present, as an
obstruction to navigation"
A survey has been made Of Wolf lake, In
diana, with a view to its improvement The
engineer says that the Improvement Of this
lake would be of no Importance except connec.
tion be made with Lake Michigan through the
short branch known as Wolf river
and through which an outlet could be made into
Lake Michigan. The question of the improve
ment of the lake, the connection with Lake
Michigan and the formation of a harbor of refuge
outside, have been several times investigated
The situation remains tho same as at the last
report, so far DIS industrial pursuits are CON
cerned, and the locality is not one worthy Of
Improvement by the government at the present
time.