Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-09-03

execution of the modified project will
cost about S2.706.000, which total they
say, may be increased by from 5000, 900
to 100000, depending on judicial de-
cisions as to the title of certain lands
required. The estimated cost of the
original project was $2,046100
The act of Congress approved March
3, 1913, making appropriations for be-
ginning the improvements, authorized
the requirement by purchase or con-
demnation of lands required on both
sides of the river. and provided also
that the cost of acquiring the land
should be met by assessing the same
as benefits on contiguous land owners.
There has been already appropriated
toward the improvement 100000. of
which S425,766 had been expended up
to July l. last. leaving an unexpended
balance of s274.000.
Subject to the approval of Congress.
agreements have been entered into with
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company
and the Washington Gas Light Com
pany. two of the principal riparian
owners. which permit the execution or
the project on their lands without ex-
pense to the government. All the other
land required for the project south or
Massachusetts, avenue has been acquir-
ed or is in process of condemnation, and
preliminary steps have been taken for
the land required north of Massachu-
sets avenue. The principal work now
In progress consists of dredging the
river channel and constructing sea-
walls between the Anacostia bridge and
the Pennsylvania railroad bridge. me
Pennsylvania avenue bridge has been
altered so as to provide for free navi-
cation of the channel at that point.
Channel Depths Of Past.
The portion Of the Anacostia river in
cluded In the project extends from Ana
costa bridge upstream five miles to the
District line. It is subject to a mean
tidal oscillation Of three feet and a maxi
mum rise during freshet to about twelve
feet above mean low water.
A report on examination Of the Ana
costa river by S. T. Albert in 1875 states
that Sin 1885 vessels carrying 100 hogs
were able to load at Bladensburg," but
no record of the exact depth at that time
is available. In 1862 the minimum chan
mel depth was eighteen feet at mean low
water at Anacostia bridge. twelve feet
at the Philadelphia, Baltimore and Wash
ington bridge, and three feet at the
Benning bridge. In 1891. the minimum
channel depth was fifteen feet at mean
low water at Anacostia bridge, twelve
feet at the Philadelphia. Baltimore and
Benning bridge, and three feet at the Dis
trict line.
The present minimum channel depth
Is about the Same, except near the
District line. whore the minimum depth
is now about two feet at mean low
water.
The channel is narrow and winding,
and between the channel and the banks
are extensive flats and marshes which
are alternately exposed and flooded by
tidal action.
In summer the fats are covered with
rank growth of aquatic plants,
which prevents a rapid cleansing move
ment of the tide and causes deposits
of mud and filth. The meadows. which
are above ordinary high water level
are flooded at varying intervals, when
ever the water is raised by food or
easterly winds above normal level. and
every depression retains a stagnant
pool, a condition most favorable for
the development Of malaria These con-
ditions will be eradicated by the exc
cution of the present project. and the
National Capital will have an addi-
tional park area worthy OF it's impor-
ance.