Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-03-04
FEDERAL. IMPROVEMENTS ON LAKE
CHAPLAIN.

We are indebted to United States
Senator Carroll S. Page. who Is mani
testing great interest in the Cham
plain waterway. for copies OF
reports to the secretary OF war in re-
lation to preliminary surveys prepara-
tory to federal improvements at vari-
Gus points on Lake Chnmplaln. From
these II appears that improvements are
recommended in st. Adams bay, but the
opinion Is expressed by the engineers
that Burlington Larbor and tho chan
mel known as The Gut" between
Tromp'- Point. South Hero island and
Bow Arrow Point do not need further
improvements at this time in addition
70 those already in progress to improve
navigation.
". I. Marshall. chief Of engineers
Of the United States army. transmits 10
the secretary Of war the report Of
the examination conducted under the
terms OF the river and harbor act, APP
proved March :, 1907. It Is stated that
at the time the preliminary examina :
ton was made 1t appeared that i'm
provement of the two localities named
beyond tho requirements Of existing
projects was not necessary or desir-
able. and. under the law. no survey
was made.
1t Is stated that no work has been
done in ST. Adams harbor and SUM-
Client data not being available to deter
mine whether any improvement should
be undertaken, survey was ordered
a, provided by law. Lieut.. Col. Burr
recommends the removal to the level
Of the surrounding bottom Of all
powders and other distractions hav-
Ing = depth over them Of less than s.s
feet at low lake level The estimated
cost OF this work 10 $1,000. Lieut.. Col.
Durr's report includes the following:
The hsrbor of Burlington. VT. has
been under improvement by the United
states since the adoption by the act Of
July 4, 1888, OF tho original project
for the construction Of a breakwater.
Along and in front Of the wharyes
there Is depth Of water ample for
the needs OF the commerce OF the har.
Dor. The original project of 1886 pro-
vided for the construction Of a break
water In front Of and parallel to the
wharves at distance therefrom OF
1000 feet, and under this project, with
subsequent notifications, 3.55l feet of
breakwater have been built. The pro-
jcct OF 1855, which Is also the existin z
project, Provides for extensions OF the
original breakwater amounting to 1900
feet and the replacement Of the crib
superstructure with one of stone and
concrete. Work upon the breakwatev
IL now in progress. under the project
Of 1885, and no moulfcation OF this
project appears to be desirable or ne
cessary At this time. Correspondence
with interested parties fails to develop
Q dssire for any change in the projec,
Of lsss or desire for any other work
In tho hsrbor at Burlington.
The channel known as Tho Gut" lies
| between North and South Hero islands
Lake Champlain, and is ono Of tho tive
passages serving as means Of water
| communication between the east and
west arms OF the north end of tho lake
the second channel. Alburgh passage
| lying between North Hero island AND
Alburgh tongue, Entrance to the cas-
! arm at the south end Is closed by
shoals and artificial Instructions be
tween South Hero island and the Yer
mont shore. "The Gut" Ia an irregula,
area of water. Is narrowed at both on
frances by points projecting from thu
Islands, and Is more or less shoa
throughout, particularly at the western
entrance by tho original prC.eo
adopted by tho act of July I. 1886
1.-THE Gut was deepened by dredging