The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1910-04-27

Wenatchee to Bridgeport.
| The Columbia river between We
natchee and Bridgeport, Wash, is
about so miles in length, has suffi-
cient depth for all purposes of navi-
cation, and the only difficulties in
the way of navigation are the swift
currents and rocks and reefs which
occupy the channels.
The existing project, adopted by
act of March 2, 1907, contemplates
the improvement of the river by the
removal of rocks, boulders, ETC., ana
the construction of dikes and wing
900.
Owing to the great range of the
river between high and low water
and the short period at which it is
at the stage low enough for practi-
cable operations, it was not possible
to take up more than one of the sew
eral works embraced in the project.
The project is about 60 per cent
completed.
Bridgeport to Kettle Falls.
| The district officer states that
while the permanent Improvement
of the river will require locks, the
time has not yet arrived when this
method would be justified, but that
the removal of the worst distractions
will make the rapids reasonably safe
and the river susceptible of naviga-
ton. He reports 26 localities where
work will be required. The plan of
Improvement contemplates the re-
moval of large, loose rock along the
shores, the excavation to depth Of
at low water, and the removal to
! the same depth of some submerged
rock. He estimates the cost of this
work, including contingencies, at
100000 Owing to the absence of
suitable plant for carrying on such
work, the district officer is of the
opinion that one should be provided
and owned by the government, con-
sisting of a lignt-draft towboat,
quarter boats, drill scows, and other
necessary plant, the cost Of which
he places at 1000, making the
total appropriation required for the
improvement which he recommends
$4,000. The division engineer
concurs in the recommendations of
the district officer.
The Board believes that the meth
cd for carrying on the work as sug-
gestei by the district officer is the
! best that can be followed in this iso-
J lated region. The work will be OF
! such a character that it will be very
difficult to measure and let by con-
tract. Furthermore, although GER
tain places can now be named where
work is evidently needed, yet ex-
perience in similar cases elsewhere
indicates that as this work is pro-
excessively completed the necessity
for operations at other points will
become apparent, and it is therefore
especially desirable that the Govern
ment shall own the plant and be at
liberty to use it wherever necessary,
under appropriations to be made for
general improvement or mainten-
ance.
Based on all information now
available, the Board reports that in
It's opinion the present and pros
pective commerce of this section OF
country is of sufficient extent and
Importance to Justify the United
States in undertaking the improve
ment of the Columbia river between
Bridgeport and Kettle Falls, as sug-
gested by the district officer, at an
estimated first cost of $175 900, and
it recommends that this amount be
appropriated in one sum. The op-
Grafton of the plant to be thus pro-
vided should be extended even be-
yond the sum named for such oper-
alton if this be found necessary in
the course of the work.