The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-05-14
RIVERS OF 7HB STATB.
Plans for the Government WorL
on West Virginia Streams
PREPARED BY ENGINE
Hundreds OF Thousands of Dollars
to BE Expended This Year on Inn
provcments...NIore Appropri.
ations are Necessary.

WASHINGTON, D. O., May 1S.-The
officials OF the Engineer Bureau have
been engaged in the preparation Of plans
for work on rivers and harb9rs during
the present season. It is known, Of
course, that Congress failed to pass the
river and harbor bill at the last session,
but this will not seriously embsrrass the
engineers, as sufficient funds remain
from the unusually large appropriations
granted last September to carry on oper.
tions during the present year. In order
that your readers may be informed ]
have prepared the following statement
which briefly shows what is proposed
for the rivers OF West Virginia.
The most costly river improvement in
the State is that under way on the great
Kanawha river, and which, alter many
years, can now be said to be approach.
ing completion, as out ot the millions oi
original estimated cost there remains to
be appropriated to finish the Job but
s670,00O. To further the improvement
there was made available $500, 900 which
will be applied to lock construction,
dredging the pools, aud the removal Of
snags where necessary. The great BEN
efits arising from the work are go we'll
known that they need not be referred to.
ELK RIVER IMPROVEMENT.
For the Improvement oil, Elk river the
allowance is S2,50O, sum sufficient, in
the Judgment OF the engineers, for the
removal OF distractions and the compile.
tion OF such work as is now under way.
The fact is not generally appreciated,
perhaps, that the value OF the commerce
that comes down Elk river, which but
recently was a comparatively undeyel-
oped region, is valued at considerably
more than million dollars year, and
that, too, with an expenditure ot but
SIC, 900 in its improvement.
Gauley river was provided with $1,000
which will be used 10 sLTaighten the
channel and In the removal OF obstruc.
tons which interfere with navigation.
The email sum already expended the
engineers say, has resulted in cousidsra-
BILE benefit to the people OF this section.
To complete the improvement, which
will only be carried up stream as far as
the "Roughs.p requires another appro.
pliatien Of $1,000.
All the money necessary to complete
the existing PROJECT for the improvement
OF the Big Sandy river has been pro.
vided, the last allowance having been
SSl 600. This money will be expended in
the completion OF the dan near Louisa,
blasting out the lover approach to the
lock at the same point, aad in clearing
away distractions. In order to carry
slack water navigation from the Ohio to
Louisa, two additional locks and dana
are needed, which will cost S2l30C0,
should Congress authorize them.
ouYANDoTTR RIVER.
But $1,000 was granted to GuYandotte
river, but this will finish up the work.
The money is to be spent ein the removal
Of rocks, snags, and other distractions.
The engiueers say, however, that there
are no less than Eve mill.d that must
be taken out before the improvements
will be OF much account during low
stages. Should Congress- decide upon
their removal an appropriation Of Sl0,-
600 must be provided.
The full amount ($40,0OO) necessary
for the completion Of work on the Little
Kanawha has been provided. This will
finish the lock at Burning Springs, con.
struct dam with stone ahutuent, ex.
cavate the approaches to the lock, and
build guide crib above and below the
lock. There has been appropriated for
the improvement OF this river $2IS, ,S75.
1t Is said the improvements thus far
made have had a very distinctive inhu.
ence in tho development Of commerce.
PUcKHANNoN RIVER.
BuCkhannon river has but $1,000 TO
carry along the work of removing log
jams and rock distractions. The en-.
gineers report against any further appro-
priationa for this stream, as a railroad
has some time since been completed
along its bank and up 10 the timber
country, and few or no logs are now
fioated down. Besides, even this limit.
ed navigation is possible for only few
months Of the year.
Cheat river is another Of the local
streams where the full amount necessary
for the completion Of the project has
been provided, the amount being Sl3 900.
This is to be expended in blasting and
removing rock. After this is done the
channel will be sufficiently smooth to
develop Its capabilities, the engineers
sSy, and the question Of further i'm.
Rroyement by closing duplicate channels
and similar work can then be determined
by the results OF the work now to be
done. The improvement OF Cheat river
is expected to result in great good, as
the country contiguous 10 it is u virgin
forest, filed with the finest white oak,
cherry and other valuable timber.
Lastly cones the Tug Fork OF the Dig
Sandy river, for which 81, 500 was made
available ior the removal Of snags, over.
hanging trees and other distractions.
The engineers say that even this small
sum will be productive OF much good to
the people located along the river, who
are compelled TO depend upon the water.
ways for marketing their produce and
Obtaining suppliCg on account Of the
wretched character OF the few roads to
be found in this mountainous region.
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