8. Waterway between Jefferson, Tex., and Shreveport, La.—The waterway from Jefferson, at the head of navigation of Cypress Bayou, to the foot of Caddo Lake is navigable for about six months each year for light-draft boats. The banks of the bayou are stable, the channel reasonably straight, and. although somewhat obstructed by snags, these are being removed. After leaving Caddo Lake the waterway passes through Big and Little Willow Passes, which have good depths, and spreads out into Soda Lake, which has no navigable depth except during very heavy rises, which do not occur with sufficient frequency or regularity to justify any serious attempts at navigation. From Soda Lake the stream passes over the falls into Twelve- mile Bayou and thence into Red River. The falls are working their way upstream and the lower part of Soda Lake has already been drained. After they have eaten through about 2J miles more they will have entered the passes, where the water is deep, and will at once begin on the foot of Caddo Lake, eventually draining that and destroying all navigation now existing between Jefferson and Mooringsport. Cypress Bayou rises in northeast Texas, flows slightly southeastward approximately 119 miles to Caddo Lake, thence approximately 19 miles across Caddo Lake to Big Willow Pass, thence approximately 24 miles through Willow Pass, Soda Lake, and Twelvemile Bayou, to Red River, just above Shreveport, La., a total distance of about 162 miles. That portion between Jefferson, Tex., and Red River, about 68 miles, is under project in Dallas district.

During the period of the great raft in Red River the bottom lands of Cypress Bayou were flooded—became lakes—and afforded a navigable route from Red River, near Shreveport, La., to Jefferson, Tex., 65 miles. Work by the United States for the improvement of this waterway was commenced in 1872. The funds appropriated were expended for dredging and straightening the channel, removing stumps, snags, and logs, and clearing the banks. The work was completed in 1880, at a total cost of $94,000.

Owing to the temporary nature of the work a further expenditure of $36,498.67 was made up to June 30, 1906, in connection with maintenance.

In addition, the sum of $12,613.05 was expended on surveys during the period 1890-1896.

The total expenditure on the original project was $143,111.72.

The existing project is to maintain a navigable channel from Jefferson, Tex., to Shreveport, La., by way of Cypress Bayou and connecting waters by the removal of shoals, stumps, logs, and other obstructions, no dimensions fixed (approval of the Chief of Engineers, upon recommendations of the district officer) ; and to construct a dam without lock across the foot of Caddo Lake at an estimated cost of $100,000. (River and harbor act of June 25, 1910, H. Doc. No. 220, 60th Cong., 1st sess.) Estimated cost of snagging, etc., $5,000.No estimate for maintenance.

The removal of the raft (1872-73) and the subsequent closure of outlets and construction of levees down the right bank of Red River from the hills in Arkansas to near Shreveport, La., cut off the water supply of the lakes, which, in conjunction with the quicker drainage resulting from the lowering of the bed of Red River, gradually caused them to dry up. In consequence the period of navigation shortened from year to year until 1897, when boats from Red River ceased plying altogether.

July 1, 1913, balance unexpended : $1,142.07

June 30, 1914 amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance of improvement 875. 67

July 1, 1914, balance unexpended 266.40

July 1, 1914, outstanding liabilities 45. 00

July 1, 1914, balance available j 221.40

Amount allotted from appropriation made by the river and harbor act approved Oct. 2, 1914 2,000.00

Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30,1915 2,221. 40

Amount that can be profitably expended In fiscal year ending June

30, 1916, for maintenance of improvement '5,000.00

(J) Dam at the foot of Caddo Lake.—The project for this work is based on the report published in House Document No. 220. Sixtieth Congress, first session. The estimated cost was $100,000.

This dam, now under construction, will cut off navigation between those portions of the waterway above and below it.

There was expended to June 30, 1914, on the existing project the sum of $61,440.72.

During the year the contractor continued work on the construction of this dam. There was expended during the fiscal year on this work the sum of $22,975.34.

It is estimated that at the close of the fiscal year the dam was 60 per cent completed,

July 1, 1913, balance unexpended $61, 534. 62

June 30, 3914, amount expended during fiscal year, for works of

Improvement 22,975. 34

July 1, 1914, balance unexpended 38,559.28

July 1, 1914. outstanding liabilities 126. 54

July 1, 1914, balance available 38, 432. 74

July 1, 1914, amount covered by uncompleted contracts 36,042.34

(See Appendix U 8.)