The Forrest City times., 1902-08-01
Annual Report of the Mississippi
River Commission Submitted to
the Chief of Engineers.
THE ESTIMATES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR.
improvements Heretofore Made Are
Generally In Good Condition, Hut
In Places Damage Has Occurred
by Reason of Lnek of Funds to
Carry Ont Projects.

Washington, July 2o.-The Missis-
sippi river commission, having in
charge the works of improvement of
the river from the mouth of the Ohio
to the head of the passes, has sub
mitted its annual report to the chief
of engineers. The estimates for the
fiscal year 1901 are as follows:
Continuing work under the COM
mission, $2,ooo000; protection Of
banks at Caruthersyille, 100000;
harbor at Memphis, Tenn, $4,000;
harbor at Greensille, Miss, $4,000;
preservation of works at Delta Point,
La, 5000; harbor at Natchez, Miss,
and Nidalia, La, Sl00,000 rectiiica-
tion of Red and Atchafalaya rivers,
La, $50, 1000; harbor at New Orlcnas,
La, 100000.
On the first of the present fiscal
year, a balance Of s.. $50 ,264 was avail
able for improvements of the river.
\ statement is made showing that
since the organization of the COM
mission, in 1879, until the present
time, the total amount appropriated
for that portion of the Mississippi
river under the commission has been
S43,572,693. The report speaks of the
success of the dredging fleet and rec
ommends an increa e in the number
and capacity, by which the present
standard eepth, nine feet and $50
feet wide at low water can be in
creased to advantage. The report
further states that, in consequence
Of the failure Of appropriations,
work has been restricted to such re-
pairs of existing work as were possi-
bic with the balances on hand.
The report shows that the i'm
proyements heretofore made are gen
orally in a good condition, but in
places damage has occurred by reason
of lack of funds to carry out exist
ing projects. Speaking particularly
of the levce, the report says: THE
cubic yardage of the levees lost by
caving during the past year has been
about three-quarters Of one per cent.
of the amount already in place. The
average amount of loss for the past
six years, during which time records
have been kept, is not in excess of
two-thirds of one per cent 1t is prob
able that in the near luture this rate
of loss will be temporarily increased,
i'll consequence of the proximity OF
caVing banks in some .ocalties.
I'm several cases the question of a
new location is complicated by the
existence of old rivers, lakes or 9TH
er distractions in the immediate rear
of the leyee Lne.
1t is shown that in the construction
of leyees along the Mississippi river
during the past year the United
States has built 33l ,G79 cubic wards
and the states by which the river
flows 1,47j,ss2 cubic yards.
In connection with the SURVEYS of
the river the report says: "Leyeling
of parts of the line along the lower
river has shown discrepancies which
indicate n geological disturbance
along the shore of the gulf of Mexi-
co. The interesting question thus
raised makes it highly important
that the line below the older forma-
h,ns on the river bank which give
relative assurance of The stability of
the earth's surface should oe re-run
at proper intervals"