The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-06-04
OUR RIVERS AND HARBORs.
The Contemplated Improvement Of tho
Willapa and the Upper Columbia.

The Contemplated Improvement Of tho
Willapa and the Upper Columbia.
From the Senate Commerce Committees Report
on the River and Harbor Bill.
AS to the improvement of the Willapa
river and harbor, this statement is made:
The impediments met with in navigating this
river consist of five shoals, and the project for
improvement provides for deepening these so
that there will be a minimum depth
the lay to WIlapa City. The
first of these shoals is found one-half
mile below the city. This is the worst obstruc-
ton in the river, consisting OF sandstone reef.
The removal OF $500 cubic yards of this reef
will be required to give channel of eight feet
depth of water and 100 feet in width. The
second shoal is about one mile below the first,
and is composed of sand and mud. 1t is believed
to be due to the existence of Louderback
slough. coming into the river from the south,
just below the shoal By closing up this slough
the cause OF the trouble would be removed and
the river currents would in all probability soon
scour the shoal to the desired
depth. The third shoal. although of less
depth than the river generally, has
eight feet at low water, and under the project
proposed requires no attention. The fourth
shoal is just above South Bend and at the
upper end OF Mailboat slough. There is no
doubt that if Maiiboat slough is closed this
shoal will disappear and eight feet of water and
In all probability more will be obtained across it
Mailboat slough is undoubtedly the cause OF the
fifth shoal, which Is in the main river Just be-
low the lower end or the slough. This fifth
shoal has minimum depth on it of eleven to
twelve feet and is the only obstacle to the deep
sea vessels plying to the bay reaching South
Bend at nearly all stages of the tide
1t is believed that by closing Mailboat slough at
It's upper end both these shoals will be removed
by the natural action of the currents 1t is
therefore proposed to build dixie across the
upper end OF Mailboat slough, and then let
nature take its course in the main channel.
ESTIMATE.
First shoal: Removing $500 cubic yards
of rock, at s.. ..... ... & II 5n0
Second shoai Building 800 feet pile. '''00'
brush and stone dixie, at $40. -. 5000
feet pile, brush aud stone dixie across
Mailboat slough, at $40. ... 5000
io,al ......:......:.-..-.: .--...-...$ y, 800
Intendence, etc Observation-Disclosures. $50
Total amount necessary to complete
approved project ..........s3 1850
Touching upon the survey of the Upper
Columbia river, WASH, the report saws:
With the exception of the distractions at The
Dalles and the Cascades, the Columbia ia nsvi
gable from It's mouth to Priest Rapids. a dis
lance of 4o9 miles From the mouth of
the Snake river to Priest Rapids tho
Columbia will never need any Improvement
Above the Rock Island rapids there is a reach
OF ninety miles OF navigahle river to Foster
creek rapids. The portion of the Columbia
from the head OF Rock Island rapids to the foot
OF Priest rapids is about sixty miles in
length. The banks for the greater part nj
the way are nearly preci pitous bluffs from 1000
TO 5000 high, composed of columnar black
basa!t The three principal distractions to the
navigation OF this portion OF the river are
Rock Island, Cabinet and Priest rapids.
Under Date OF October l, $780, Captain svmons
submitted plan for the removal OF rock anc for
putting In at convenient locations iron posts
and ring bolts to which ascending boats could
make last and wind thenselya, ove,
the rapids, using their steam cspstaus Tina
estimated cost OF the work proposed was $50 .
Co., In addition 1t was proposed to confirm.
the survey OF the Columbia from the had of
Rock Island rapids to the international b,und-
AIRY line This project was approved By the Sec
Rotary OF war October 8, 1s9l Amount exnendas
during the fiscal year ending June 80. Isai vs.
sSl,29L Is. OF which s2,69I9l was used for survey
OF river from boundary line to Rock Island ran.
IDS The work so lar done at Priest and t,ahi
net rapids nas not produced any results of
marked nature. All rocks removed Womb
dement, navigation on this part of the river
II there were any, but there is NOT
There has been one appropriation for this work
OF s1ooo. The officer in charge recon-
mends the abandonment of fur,he,
work at P.ies: rapids under the eyis..
ing project, being convinced tina. n,
account OF the great TALL and condition of tho
bed and banks practically navigation cannot ha
obtained under l.. Amount that can be n-ost.-
bly, expended IN fiscal year ending June N tso2
(fo0,ool Tor work and $1,000 for survey 10000