The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-17

uoii, ouch nigh Water lowing orSt ~
freely. The remaining portions were
deficient, both in hight and other dimen-
sions, so that there really did moi. exist
five miles OF what is now considered good
levee IN the entire district.
Of the present "Back Line" nine
miles, since constructed, did not exist at
all, and the remainder had to be greatly
enlarged.
PRESENT CONDITION OF THE LEvEEs.
After the completion OF certain work
now under contract, and nearly finished,
the entire line, except thirteen and a half
miles, will be up TO or above the standard
liked in 1884; that is, three feet above the
high water OF 1882, with slopes OF three to
one on each side and crown from six to
ten feet, according to hight OF levee, the
smaller figure applying only to leyees
under six feet high The thirteen and a
half miles excepted consist OF portions OF
levees built to q temporary grade one
foot below standard, and which is in
other respects sound and good.
On the 'Black Line, or "Ilushpuck-
ana System" the grade adopted is three
feet above the high water OF 1856, which
was here few inches higher than that OF
1882, from the Hushpuckana Bayou south
ward. Above that point standard grade
Is maintained for one and half miles,
and is thence horizontal line to the up
per extremity OF this system, being here
designed TO resist back water only.
The high water Of 1885 exceeded in ele-
walton that OF 1882, on tho lower half Of
our front; that Is, from the mouth OF the
st. Francis southwark. The maximum
difference occurred at Friars Point, where
4 10 I..a. a.
diminish the margin between standard
grade and extreme high water along this
part Of the line, though in subsequent
enlargement the grade was raised some
what above the standard, especially at
and above Glendale, where the influence
of the st. Francis is most felt. The exist
ing grades on this part OF the levee are rs
follows:
At Flower Lake, six miles below Austin,
.. 4 above extreme high water (lSSG).
At Glendale, and for three miles above,
feet.
At Yazoo Pass, 23 feet.
At Fnars Point, .93 feet
At CO.. StovalPs, 9.5 feet.
At Burks Landing and below, 90 feet.
On the "Back Line" there is one mile
OF levce at Ash Slough and Tottin's Ridge,
which, though up TO the proper grade, is
deficient in cross-sccllon and needs
strengthening.
The portions Of levee mentioned as be-
ing one foot below the standard of 1884,
are three miles between Sections IL and
10 in DeSoto County; three miles between
Sections % and ~ in Tunica; four miles
between Sections SO and Al in Tunica;
hall mile in. Section AZ two miles be-
tween Sections 80 and SO in Tunica, and
one mile on Sections 10 and 50 in Goa
homa County.
There Is also quarter Of a mile near TO
and above Friars Point deficient in cross
section, though up TO standard grade.
There remains OF old work still unsod-
ded Sections 7G and II aud part OF So and
So. nearly three miles, and on the Back
Line" about five miles that was sown in
herds grass as an experiment, but which
was found TO be unsatisfactory.
ARKANSAS LEvEEs.
Tho Mississippi River Commission Or
dered last fall q complete survey to DO
made Of the 81. Francis basin front. which
work is now in progress This is being
done in contemplation OF a design 10 en-
/ tirely close that side OF the river by a suit
| ficient line OF leyoe. The execution of this
| design will probably depend upon the de-
| gree OF liberality which Congress shall exc
! hibit toward river improvement IL seems
| pretty certain, however, that this object
| will be consummated within the next few
years. IL seems also an unavoidable con-
| clusion that the immediate effect OF such
closure will be 10 raise the high water plane
| in the upper part OF this district, and de-
press IL somewhat nj the lower end.
Austin appears 10 be about the neutral
| point in our line between the influence Of
| the St. Francis, as at present eXcrted from
| below, and the counter influence which
! is water may be expected 10 exert from
above when excluded from that stream.
These considerations will suggest the ex-
! pcdcncy OF raising the deficient portions Of
! the leyee above Austin at least 10 the
standard OF 1884.
IL may be considered of more immediate
importance, however. 10 bring TO n higher
standard those parts OF the line below Aus.
! tin which are deficient in relation 10 tho
flood plane Of 1856, and are within the in.
iluencc Of the 81. Francis under existing
conditions.
At the lower end Of Flower Lake. and
Immediately opposite the mouth OF the
~. Francis. the present grade Is "a feet
above highest water. Between that point
and Willow Slough. four and q half miles
below, parts Of the intermediate leyee are
less than two feet above the flood plane Of
| 1885. Friars Point also Is the central
point OF depression in the grade line, with
reference 10 the 1886 high water, the pres
ent grade here being little less than two
fee, above extreme high water, ascending
TO 80 above at the billiard & Coffin place,
and % above at Col. Siovall's place.
Il would seem very desirable TO bring
up the grade line In the localities named
20 at least 20 feet above the highest water,
and also one mile of second.grado lcvce
on the Fonlainc and McCloud fronts, 10
the standard Of the adjoining leyee.
ESTIMATE OF WORK.
In Dcgoto County-scciions n 10 i6............ bU
Ia 1unica COunty-Ab0vc Auttin-........ -. 10. %
Below Austin the work recommended
between Flower Lake aud Willow Slough
cannot be well Appropriated without be-
ing cross-seclioned, as the ground Is very
Irregular
IN Coahoma Couniy-seciions - aud So. 5..ou
ON Iniicua ltiigc'...'..s.....',.. l4uN
Tho work recommended in the Friara
Point neighbOrhoOd must be crOss-sec'
toned In order 10 bc estimated.
GAZING At DELTA.
Increased activity In the caying Of the
bank below Delta gave some uncasincss In
tho early part OF winter, but Subsequent
observation show that no danger threatens
Tor the present season at least
Tho salient NJ the lower junction OF the
now lovcc Is 30 feet from the bank, III,