Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1902-08-02
IHE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.
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, But
in Places Damage Has Occurred
by Reason of Lack of Funds TO
Garry Out Projects.

Washington, July 29.-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 chez
of engineers. The estimates for the
fiscal year 1904 are as follows:
Continuing work under the com
mission, 100000; protection OF
banks at Caruthersyille, $4,000;
harbor at Memphis, Tenn9 $4,000;
harbor at Greenville, Miss $4,000;
preservation Of works at Delta Point,
La, $25, 1000; harbor at Natchez, Miss,
and Vidalia, La, 100000; rectifca-
ton of Red and Atchafalaya rivers,
La, $4,000; harbor at New Orlcnas,
La, 100000,
On the first Of the present fiscal
wear, balance of $2,539,264 was avail
able for improvements Of the river,
A 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
$43, ,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 Gepth, nine feet, and 2jO
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-
Bile with the balances on hand.
The report shows that the i'm
proyements heretofore made are gem
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 levee, the report says; THE
cubic yardage Of the levees lost by
eaying during the past year has been
about three-quarters Ct 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 Iuture this rate
of loss will be temporarily increased
4. ,,l
caying banks in some ocalties.
"In several cases the question of q
new location is complicated by the
existence of old rivers, lakes or 9th
er distractions in the immediate real
of the leyee Line.
II is shown that in the construction
of levees along the Mississippi river
during the past year the UniteC
States has built 331679 cubic yards
and the states by which the river
flows 1,473,ss2 cubic yards.
In connection with the surveys Of
the river the report says: "Leyelina
of parts of the line along the lower
river has shown discrepancies which
indicate a geological disturbanc,
along the shore of the gulf of MeXl
co, The interesting question thus
raised makes it highly importan
that the line below the older forma
II ms on the river bank which civ,
relative assurance Of the stability O.
the earth's surface should oe re-rm
at proper intervals