The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-08-14
BELOW ROCK ISLAND:

ne prevailing low water IN Ine MIS-
sissiPpi is matter of general interest to
steamboat meu owing to its effect upon
transportation lines along the river 1t
Is remarkable as being the lowest water
according to the best evidence 10 be had,
since the great low water in 1864. The
low water of 1864 is the datum on which
the government works are used, and this
low water of 1864 is, excepting at the
Rock Island and the Des Moines rapids,
calculated from the low water of 1877.
In that year the water fell very low aud
continued so for long time At the
upper and lower rapids OF the Mississippi
river the writer was within inches OF the
low water OF 1864 aud was sent in a
little steamer called the Louisa to locate
low water marks at every town between
keUkuk and St Paul This was done
by leveiiug down from some permanent
bank markline stone or step or some
such permanent object To the lowest stage
of water in 1877 and recording the differ
ence of height These bank marks re
naming with a level, il is easy at any
time to determine theE: by the stage at
each town. The gauges on the various
bridges were left as they were found, but
as there are few of them correctly set,
the gauges were compared with low wat J.,
eT of 1877, and the amount OF correction
in each case is known. For example 10
get correct readings above low water of
1864, it is necessary to subtract from the
St. Paul gauge 6 inches, from the Dabu>
: afn Tho haSF ln.,r at
er mark on the whole river is boulder i'll.
the rapids one mile above Nashville call
| ed Mechanics rock. 1t is a granite block
weighs several tons and is of conical
shape. 1t derives its name from boat
that struck it in early days and was
sunk. When the top of this rock APP
pears above water the pilots consider
that the low stage of the river begins
and most boats take the canal. When
this rock stands 3Sl inches out of water
the low water of 1864 is reached, but the
stage has never, since 1864, been till now
within nine inches of that point. To-Day
| this rock is 3d. inches above water line
the actual stage above low water of 1864
| being only five inches One remarkable
fact about this low water stands promi
nently forth, the largest steamers are still
running to St Paul, and they report
more water than is to be found between
Keokuk and St. Louis. Steamboat men
who knew the river before the advent of
the government improvements alone can
appreciate the full force of this fact
Were it not for the government works,
navigation by the large boats TO st. Paul
| would have ceased two months ago Ii
| is only right that the public should know
and appreciate the fact that the govern
ment works for improving the upper
| Mississippi river are now being subjected
to the severest possible test. and arc
demonstrating the feasibility and useful
ness of the plan of improvement that has
been adopted. No steamboatmen will
hesitate to say that this year the success
Of the government works is demonstrat
cd. There is much vet to be done. Many
boats drawing two feet and half could
not reach St Paul at low water. Now
boats 90 there drawing three and hall
to four feet. The limit of the improve
ment feasible and possible will not be
reached until there is five feet at the low
est stage, for navigation between St.
Louis and St. Paul. There Is abundant
water at all times for a six-foot channel
A few days ago | saw man wade the
Mississippi above Burlington from shore
to shore, and the water did not rise above
his breast. Even this shoal water die
not stop navigation, but it cut down the
carrying power of the boats so that thu
railroad suddenly found itself doing
double its ordinary business. A few
more years of work will put the Missis
sippi in condition to be independent O.
the accidents of weather for purposes o
navigation"