The morning times., 1896-05-10

shoaling In the same way. These flats ars
already assuming a market value for agrt-
cultural purposes, and at no distant day
will be diked in If not otherwise reclaimed.
They cannot be depended on as a part or
the tidal compartment OF the river in the
future. If omitted, the tidal prism above
Poplar Point will be reduced 10 80 1878 800
cubic feet.
LAS determined by the coast and geodetic
survey the duration OF Hood tide is five
hours forty minutes and of ebb six hours
fOrty-five minutes, while the same author
lty gives % feet as the mean rise and fall
'Supposing that the tidal compartment
should remain unchanged. then. on a basis
OF a constant flow, the amount of water
passing into il on flood tide or out OF
1t on the ebb would not be enough to accom-
plish a reasonable amount OF securing ef-
feet on a wide channel, and when the
tidal compartment becomes smaller the
effect would be still further reduced.
1T may be assumed that a channel OF
less width than about l 600 feet Will not
meet the requirements Of the future. Two
hundred feet OF such channel should have
a depth of about "a feet. as the Potomac
itself will, in all probability at no dis
tdnt day, be improved to that depth. The
remaining 500 feet should be as follows:
For 100 feet on each side OF the "a foot
channel the bottom should slope upward
o 2 feet, and from thence TO either bank
TO 8 feet. The low water section would
hen be 1880 feet. This would be the
deal channel Of the future and the ulti-
mate project aimed at The velocity OF
he current, either on flood or ebb, Is not
constant. but the amount OF water passing
into or out of the tidal compartment is
100 small TO justify any hopes or scoUr
that would materially benefit such a
as it is at present, the discharge per
EecOnd, based on constant flow, wOulss
only be 5.695 cubic feet per second On
rbb and 6,653 cubic feet per second on
flood, and with the prism reduced TO
10, ,378 $50 it would be much less
AS before stated. however. the recIama-
t!on OF the flats must soon become a neces-
Sity. and how can this be done in any way
that VIII be more satisfactory than by
making the improveme ut of the channe!
and the filling OF the flats a single Job?
Dredging is necessary. What viii be done
with the dredgings if they be not Ce-
posted on The fats? There are 10 suitable
dumping grounds IN the Potomac within
reasonable distance. DredginGs are usually
transported in sCOws. These ScOws when
loaded draw from eight % twelve feet
OF water. The consequence IS they must be-
dumped IN comparatively deep water. from
mately be washed into the channel, or, II
not, they will obstruct the part Of the
river used by light craft
DISPOSAL OF DREDGINGS.
The disposal OF the spells of dredges is
getting 10 be a serious matter on al tidal
streams and the most satisfactory way Of
accomplishing this object. wheu II is prac-
tIca BILE. is to utilize them IN iiuug neighbor-
ing 77c---- marshes Laud thus reclaimed
from overflow assumes market value
in some cases sufficient TO pay for the in
prOvement OF the navigation. 1t is so ID
the maiE branch of the POjCmac River at
Washington, and the case Is salmOstident1CaI
| in L<e A Anacostia. The impTovemen Cf the
Cuannel Will thus help TO pay Tor itself, and
| the reclamation of the flats Will produce
| better sanitary condition of the neighbOr-
hood.
Il would therefore recommend the follow
/ ing plan of Improvement for the AuaCOstia
river. .Dredge a channel from its mouth TO
| the Navy Yard Bridge, 24 feet deep aud zoo
| feet wide, with basin IN front of the yard
400 feet wide. OF the same epth- This
| channel to be widened, at a reduced depth,
| 10 900 feet as the demands Of commerce
| require 10 the future. The material dredgsd
| to be deposited on the flats or marshes
| on either side OF the river, as may be most
/ advautd geOuS and economical at the tim 2
| the appropriations are available. For the
present il Will be sufficient to dFedce a
| channel 20 feet deep Up as far as the navy
! ward, as that is the ruling depth on the
| shoals in the Potomac at the present time.
The areas 20 be reclaimed, as we'll as tile
| channel to be dTeGgeG, are Indicated on the
| accompanying tracing. That portion OF the
| river above the Navy Yard Bridge which
| in due time Will need in provement should
I ha TaT F,r
| bor lines should be established at an early
| day along the banks OF the river from It's
| mouth 10 Benning Bridge.
| The value of the land TO be reclaimed,
| if the property of TIE United states. would
lie considerable. The eight acres south Of
| the Arsenal, which wOuIu LndOuhteGly be
long to the United states. would be worth
| not less than 5000 per acre. That Oh
| the opposite side OF the Ilver would be less
| COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS.
| The members OF the committee or the East
| Washington Association, Messrs. Tracy L
| Jcffords. Thomas W Smith J R. Noting
| ham, A F .Sperry Evan II. Tucker, Hugh l.
| Taggart and James 4. d Richards, after d
! careful study or the subject, decided tt
| recommend the plan suggested by Lieut.
| Col Hams, with an addition. That addl
tion was that similar Improvement be ex
| tended to the District line by Strengthening
the channel or the river, and uarro wing
il as advance is made from its mouth, anC
that a tide basin or basins be made at SuCt
point or points along its course as may oS
determined by the authorities having tn
! matter in charge.
| 1t was also the sense oftne committee tha
part of the flats, so reclaimed above th'
railroad bridge be used as public parks.
The map which is printed on this pag'
ito N ia nd 4
lines of the proposed Strengthening or tn
channel. Along these lines are to be bull
the buIkheads, and just here is where an
other great point is gained This car
be used as the dumping ground for ashes
Ashes are the best filters IN the world, ant
at present there is no place where they cal
be deposited Herethey would be oct OF th
road, and would help fill in.