Report Upon the Physics and Hydraulics of the Mississippi River: Upon the Protection of the Alluvial Region Against Overflow; and Upon the Deepening of the Mouths: Based Upon Surveys and Investigations Made Under the Acts of Congress Directing the Topographical and Hydrographical Survey of the Delta of the Mississippi River, with Such Investigations as Might Lead to Determine the Most Practicable Plan for Securing it from Inundation, and the Best Mode of Deepening the Channels at the Mouths of the River

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U.S. Government Printing Office, 1867 - Channels (Hydraulic engineering) - 214 pages
 

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Page i - Congress directing the topographical and hydrographical survey of the delta of the Mississippi River, with such investigations as might lead to determine the most practicable plan for securing it from inundation, and the best mode of deepening the channels at the mouths of the river.
Page 82 - Napoleon on the right bank, and many isolated levees existed along the lower part of the Yazoo front. Above Napoleon few or none had yet been attempted. In September, 1850, a great impulse was given to the work of reclaiming the alluvial region below the mouth of the Ohio by the Federal Government, which, by an act approved Sept.
Page 78 - A keg similar to that used in collecting water below the surface was sunk to the bottom of the river. The current immediately overturned it, and the valves opening allowed the water to pass freely through. After remaining a few minutes it was drawn suddenly up, and was invariably found to contain material such as gravel, sand, and earthy matter.
Page 192 - It has been demonstrated that no advantage can be derived either from diverting tributaries or constructing reservoirs, and that the plans of cut-offs, and of new or enlarged outlets to the gulf, are too costly and too dangerous to be attempted.
Page 93 - ... (always on the river side unless otherwise directed), and in excavating and removing it care must be taken to injure or disfigure the land as little as possible. In no case must it be obtained within twenty feet...
Page 81 - the levees extended from the English Turn, twelve miles below, to thirty miles above, and on both sides of the river." The same year, the insufficiency of the works was demonstrated, as " the water was very high and the levee broke in many places.
Page 78 - ... long periods of time be considered. Annual amount transported to the gulf. If this be so, and if the mean annual discharge of the Mississippi be correctly assumed at 19,500,000,000,000 cubic feet, it follows that 812,500,000,000 pounds of sedimentary matter, constituting one square mile of deposit 241 feet in depth, are yearly transported in a state of suspension into the gulf.
Page 24 - River by that which is discharged by the Cocodrie and the Tensas. The floods of the Mississippi are produced by water which does not go into the swamps at all, but which descends through the main channel of the river; aided by the discharge received from the tributaries on the way. The height of the flood at any point depends on the volume that is brought down by the river and its tributaries, and not by the discharge from the swamps.
Page 67 - These samples were secured in a small keg, heavily weighted at the bottom and provided at each of its heads with a large valve, opening upward. These valves allowed a free passage to the water while the keg was sinking to the required depth, but prevented its escape while being drawn up. When the keg reached the surface, the water contained in it was thoroughly stirred and a bottle filled from it. On returning to the office, 100 grammes of water were accurately measured from each of the samples,...
Page 129 - ... second. Allowing a very liberal estimate for diminution of discharge at this date, the rise when highest could' not have carried past Natchez more than 935,000 cubic feet per second. How then is this enormous difference of 400,000 cubic feet per second to be accounted for? Only in one way. The reservoir furnished by 550 square miles of channel between Columbus and Natchez absorbed it all. This is an extreme case, because such a rise at so low a stage is almost unprecedented, but it plainly shows...

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