The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1892-08-12
GOVERNMENT WORK AT YAoUINA.
A SYNOPSIS OF CAPT. sYMoNs' REPORT
TO TIE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS,


ment of Yaquina bay, says:
"The project adopted in 1881
was to run out a dixie jetty on the
south side of the entrance, SO as to
cause the south channel to shoal
up and the flow to be DETECTED
northward, with view to opening
and maintaining the central chan
mel with a least depth of II feet at
high water.
The dixie was to run out into the
sea distance of 25OO feet, and
was to rise to two feet above mean
low water.
The stone for the jetty was to be
deposited in place from barges,
and cribs were to be used if prac-
ticable. 1t was found, however,
that cribs could not be used on ac-
count Of the strong currents and
high seas.
The present project, adopted in
1885, is to raise the south jetty to
full high water, without extending
it seaward, thus making its total
length 3.74S feet, and to construct
mid-tide jetty on the north side
of the entrance about $500 feet in
length, extending from the north
head along and behind the reef
putting out from the head to a
point opposite the end of the south
ietty and distant from it about
1000 feet.
The appropriations up to Sep
tember 19, 1890, amounted to
$3.50, 1000, and the amount expen-
ded to June 80, 1891, $451 ,239.57.
The amout expended during the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1892,
was $s4,1OS.69.
During the year the north jetty
has been extended $40 feet; of
this 4O5 feet are in an incomplete
condition. The results obtained
by the work done during the past
year have been highly satisfactory.
The extension of the north jetty
has prevented the formation of a
sand bank under the lee of the
south jetty, and the entrance
channel has been continuously
straight.
The bar depth of II feet at low
water last year has been materially
increased. During the past Win
ter it was constantly reported by
the pilot in charge of the bar tug
that there was from IL to Is feet
at low water. Recent soundinss
taken by the tug indicate even a
greater depth than this, and it is
believed that the bar channel now
has at least a depth Of 16 to -
feet. 1t is intended to make a
careful survey during the summer
as soon as The north jetty is ex-
tended to its full length to deter
mine the actual conditions on the
bar.
The extension of the north jetty
is fraught with uncertainty. 1t is
founded upon rock. The tram
way piles do not penetrate this
rock more than a foot or two, and
are secured in place by braclng,
and as soon as possible by dump
ing rock about them. If before
they are finally secured by the en-
rOckment severe storm occurs
the piles are very apt to be
washed away. Such has been the
case on several occasion. 1t is
hardly possible to estimate what
will be the cost of completing this
jetty. owing to this circumstance.
Last year the amounr estimated
for the completion of the existing
project was $165,000 This is Il e
amount stated that can be profita-
bly, used the next fiscal year for
the completion ofthe project. 1t
is possible that this amount is in
excess Of what will be required for
the completion of the work. A
close estimate of the cost of COM
pleting the work can be had one
year from the present time.
It is expected to continue work
on the north jetty now until it is
finally and fully completed in ac-
cordance with the plan of the