Evening star., 1903-08-03
Operations During the Year.

Field operations during the past year
were limited to the building of store
house at E,asbys Point to replace old
one which had become worthless, the re
moval of the old structure, the rebuilding
of about 80 linear feet of the boundary
fence which had become unserviceable the
cutting off and removing of a dense growth
Of oy.rhanginS branches along the 18th
street sewer canal. the cutting of brush
and weeds on the park and other work
incidental to the maintenance Of the i'm
prOVement
Owing to the comparatively small amount
of funds available for this work and to the
local conditions it was impracticable to
undertake any extensive operations prior
to the close of the year. The channels.
which had been dredged in 1901 to as great
an extent as the funds then available would
permit remained in serviceable condition
during the year 1902 The annual spring
freshets generally shoal the channels to a
greater or less extent. and 1t consid-
cred unwise to expend the available funds
until the effect of the spring freshets of
1903 was determined. These freshets con-
tinued until unusually late in the season
and the water was frequently highly
charged with silt. although the maximum
height reached, at Easby's Point, was but
81 feet above low tide The desired ex-
animation of the channel could not be made
until the last of May and first Of June, and
1t revealed the fact that considerable shoal-
ing had occurred in both channels. Speci-
work which. while 1t will afford temporary
relief, Will necessitate the expenditure Of
practically all OF the available funds.
The advantages which will result to navi-
cation from the increase in channel depth
and to the park improvement from the ad-
ditfonal filling have been stated in previous
reports At least one large vessel coming
to Washington has recently been obliged to
first partially discharge its cargo at another
port. which could have been avoided had
the same depth been available at Washing.
ton as exists below 1t. With an increase Of
depth more deep draft vessels would un-
doubtedly seek this port
Potomac Park
Congress by act Of March 3, 1897, declared
the reclaimed flats public park This ex-
tensive tract amounting to G21 acres Of land
and 11s acres of inclosed water area, is
capable of being transformed into one Of
the finest parks In the country.
While it Ia necessary that the greater pa TT
Of this area be. for the present. reserved
for the deposit of material dredged from
the river channels. If sufficient funds be
appropriated certain portions of the same
can at the same time be filled to their final
height and covered with rich alluvial
soil by dredging and then devoted exclu-
sively to park purposes.
During the past fiscal year about II, 900
cubic yards OF good earth, free from OBJ
tectonal matter, were dumped upon
Potomac Park. at localities remote from
the river. where deposit by dredging is
most expensive. and graded by private
parties. under permit. free Of cost to the
United States
The reports for several years past have
called attention to the fact that about 50 600
is required per annum for maintenance and
preservation Of the reservation, inlet gates
sea wall. training dixie. for clearing weeds
and underbrush. etc. and the need Of
proper police supervision has been noted.
Appropriation Of 100000.
Owing TO the continual shoalins Of the