Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-08-08
KEEPING UP THE FIGHT
FOR ANDALUSIA HARBOR

Andalusia, Ill, Aug. Editor Ar
gus: Following is a copy of a letter
signed by Dan C. k1ngman, chief of
engineers u. S. army, dated July 81.
1914, addressed to Hon. Clyde H. Tav-
enner:
Sir: Replying TO your letter of July
Is with enclosures protesting against
the reerection of certain dams in the
Mississippi river above Andalusia, l
have the honor to inform you that
report has been received from the dis
trict officer, from which it appears
that the residents of Andalusia are
unnecessarily alarmed, as the district
officer does not propose to close the
Andalusia dam at present, but he
claims that he is waiting to decide on
proper steps when the river subsidies
somewhat from its present high stage.
He further claims as follows:
THE river and harbor act of June
IA, 1880, ordered a survey of the Mis-
sissippi river at Andalusia, Ill. The
survey was promptly made and re-
port and project was rendered by this
officer Dec II, 1880, with an estimate
of $4,000 for performing the Eeccs-
sary work. The primary object of the
proposed improvement was to better
the conditions of the Andalusia land
ing, which had become choked with
mud and sand, as we'll as at the cross"
ing thereto from the main river be-
tween islands 321 and 800, but all
work was also projected with view
to the improvement of the main river,
which is now and always has been on
the north or Iowa side. The project
comprised the construction of dam
closing Andalusia chute at its head;
the protection of the shore of island
321 for about 900 feet; the construc-
ton of dam to close the narrow pass
age between islands 800 and 319, and
of a third dam to close the passage
between islands 319 and SIS. 1t was
expected that strong current would
result down the Andalusia side from
the head of Smiths island (No. 317)
along the Andalusia landing and
through the crossing or cut off be-
tween islands $40 and 321, and that
this current would remove deposits
in front of Andalusia, and in the cut
off. In the latter case the results
were very good, but at the landing not
especially so, so that in 1897 a landing
pier 270 feet long was built by the
government, and on several occasions
some dredging has been done. :
In 1903 as the elimination OF deposits
at the Andalusia landing was not sue
cessful. it was at first intended to re-
build the dam, which had greatly de-
Perforated, but it was finally decided to
dredge an opening in the dam in or
der to start a current along the land
ing and incident tally to aid the passage
of small boats in the chute. The
projected main channel on the Iowa
side was reduced from 1000 to 500
feet to permit a portion of Andalusia
slough to remain open. Ii is now con-
sidered q part of the six foot channel
project to so diminish from head of
island 81 (Smith's), TO the foot of
the slough at Fai-port and it would
not be permissible TO close Andalusia
chute entirely at its head or below
Andalusia without a radical change of
projects, which is not anticipated. It
may be said that ell of the work done
in vicinity of Andalusia would have
been required in carrying out the six
foot channel project, and that that pro-
ject is now so well advanced, that its
aim is nearly accomplished the six
foot channel having been secured ex-
cept at two or three places, which a
little dredging will further improve,
said Improvement extending from
head of island 81 to and below Fair
port covering the stretch also occu-
pied by Andalusia slough. In
1878, shortly before the project was
adopted there were six bars with less
than 3 1-2 feet at low water in Anda-
lusia slough, and in the main channel
none at all. In 1913 there were about
20 places of less than 1-2 feet, and
seven less than three feet at low wa
ter. while in the improved cham ell
there were no places less than l-2
and only two with less than six feet "
This matter has also had consider.
alton by the division engineer, Col. C.
Med. Townsend. corps of engineers,
ST. Louis. Mo, and he concurs with
the views of the district officer as
stated in the foregoing report. 1t may
be added that less than one-fourth OF
the volume of the Mississippi river
goes down the Illinois side of the
channel, and that the Andalusia chan.
mel Is not shorter than the main char