SECOND.

MIDDLE DIVISION.

The work, throughout this part of the line, has been advanced equal to the expectations formed at the close of the last year. Of forty sections, which have been under contract, twenty-five are finished; and, with the exception of sections 69, 74, 75, 102, and 107, but a small expenditure is necessary to complete the others. The sections enumerated will progress during the winter, and can be completed early next season.

The work around the Kankakee bluffs is in a very forward state, being effectually protected against the spring floods. With the work that may reasonably be done during the winter, the entire work may be finished by the first of June next, and at an aggregate expense considerably less than the original estimate.

In preparing the estimate of the cost of sections on this division, I have had reference to the use of the surplus water at the lower end of section 75 and upper end of section 76, in the town of Juliet. The estimate of this work is based upon the plan of building two parallel walls of dry masonry, ten feet apart, the space between them to be filled with clay and gravel. The water is drawn through the walls and embankment, by the means of rectangular stone culverts, provided with the necessary stop gates. Other plans may be adopted, in construction, which will vary the cost accordingly. The plan here contemplated, is recommended by its simplicity and economy of construction; and it is believed that it will be found safe and efficient in use.

The structures have generally progressed very well, though not in all cases equal to the expectations previously formed; yet they are all in a condition to be completed next season, if the same progress be made as during the past year.

Lock No. 1, has not been commenced, beyond the collection of materials; the stone are quarried, and will be cut and hauled to the site during the winter. Lock No. 2, is about two-thirds finished, and the stone necessary to complete it will be prepared as early as they can be used. Locks Nos. 3 and 4, have been commenced, and the masonry of No. 4, is about two-thirds finished. At the head of No. 3, the ground is well adapted to the use of the surplus water; but considering the arrangements at Lockport and Juliet fully adequate to the demands of the country, for several years, no estimate is made of the expense necessary to bring it into use. Lock No. 5, is nearly completed; and some progress has been made in procuring stone for dam No. 1, which is to be built in connection with the lock. A large proportion of the stone for dam No. 2, are quarried and cut. The masoury has not been commenced. Should these dams be completed next season, it will become necessary to provide a temporary bridge over the river and canal, unless the contemplated bridge at dam No. 1, be commenced early in the season.

The guard lock, at Juliet, is built to the height for coping, and part of it is laid. It can be completed in a few days, whenever the season will admit.

There has been no work done on the Du Page feeder and dam, during the year. A small amount of work will complete them.

The structures next in order, are locks No. 6 and 7, at the crossing of the Du Page river. At this point the plan has been twice changed since the commencement of the work. It was first designed to form the canal in the ordinary manner, by making an embankment on each side, with an enlargement or basin above the aqueduct, for the convenient use of the water, and to accommodate the town, which will naturally grow up at this place.

The objections to this plan, were, that the towing path was upon the side of the canal where the business must be transacted, and that the location of the locks rendered it necessary to encounter deep cutting after crossing the river. To obviate these difficulties, the tow path was changed about three-fourths of a mile above the crossing, and a single bank formed on the river side, the earth for which was taken out in such manner as to form a spacious basin. The position of the locks was changed by moving them up the line, so as to unite the head of lock No. 6 with the abutment of the aqueduct, thereby giving room to change the direction of the line, and avoid, in a great measure, the deep cutting below. This change was made early in the season of 1839, and the work upon the section, and preparing materials for the aqueduct, progressed until the spring of 1840. The flood at that time rose about six feet above what had been previously regarded as the highest water. This was attributed, in part, to the unusual quantity of rain, but more particularly, to the construction of an embankment across a depression extending above the head of the feeder, thereby confining the water to its proper channel, which would otherwise flow through this depression into the valley of Rock run.

The level of high water, at the site of the aqueduct, was about two feet below the bottom of the trunk, and the stream spread over a much wider space than the aqueduct afforded. It was therefore apparent that the length of the aqueduct would have to be greatly increased, which would increase the cost so much, that it was deemed advisable to dispense with the aqueduct, and cross the river in the pool of a dam. To effect this, lock No. 6, of 12 feet lift, is to be made, before crossing the river. This will require a dam that will raise the water about six feet above an ordinary stage. The land overflowed is inconsiderable, and belongs to the State.

Lock No. 7, is 3 feet lift, and built equal to 9 feet lift, to guard against floods.

The expense of crossing the river, upon the different plans, does not vary essentially, but the plan adopted is somewhat objectionable.

After the change of plan was determined upon, it became necessary to procure a relinquishment of the aqueduct contract. This was effected, without subjecting the State to loss on the materials provided or the payment of damages. The contractors for the locks having abandoned them, an amicable arrangement was made with the contractors for the aqueduct, for its relinquishment, and the construction of the locks, at fair prices, with the condition, that the materials provided for the locks by the original contractors should be used in their construction, at such prices as had been paid for them: Also, that such materials as had been provided

for the aqueduct, and were suitable, should be used in the locks, at such prices as the Chief Engineer might estimate. The materials not suitable for the locks, can be usefully employed in the dam and bridges.

Lock No. 6, is about two-thirds built, and the stone necessary to complete it and No. 7, will be prepared during the winter.

With the necessary funds, that part of this division, now under contract, could be completed for use next season.

The following account shows the estimates of each quarter of the current year:

First quarter, ending 28th February,

$115,522 02

31st May,

31st August,

31st October,

77,909 40

80,170 28

60,200 00

$333,801 70

The following statement exhibits the relative progress and cost of the work on the Middle Division:

From the above statement, it appears that the sum of $283,062 62, only, is required to complete that part of this division, now under contract, equal to twenty-one miles.

The remaining thirty sections are included, at the estimate of 1836, the line not having been revised since that time, with sufficient care, to warrant any change.

THIRD.

WESTERN DIVISION.

This part of the canal was submitted to my charge in March last. In a review of the work at that time, accompanied by Capt. Burnett and the Assistant Engineers, the following prominent features were presented: 1st. The almost abandoned condition of that part of the work between Marseilles and Ottawa, three sections only having been completed, and two others nearly finished; the remaining seven having been suspended at an early stage of the work. 2d. The damages by floods, at the Pecamsagan dam. 3d. The liability to injury, from the same cause, should the Little Vermilion aqueduct be constructed according to the original design; and, 4th. The damage sustained at the Fox river dam and feeder.

The sections not under contract, between Marseilles and Ottawa, were authorised by the Board of Commissioners to be constructed upon the following conditions, viz: That the work should be performed at the same prices paid to the original contractors, to be paid for whenever funds were provided, and that the State should not be liable for damages, upon a non-payment of estimates, or an entire suspension of the work.

Under this arrangement, the several sections were commenced, and have made such progress as to ensure their completion early next season. The amount of work performed upon the sections thus pro

secuted, is

Estimate to complete the same,

$49,847 37 23,565 97 Section No. 167, which extends across the Fox river, is completed. The unfinished sections below Fox river, are Nos. 170, 173, 182, 195, 196, and 197.

The estimate for completing sections 170, 173, and 182, is For completing sections 195, 196, and 197, comprising the steamboat basin and channel, is

In addition to the above, there will be required, to remove the slides upon sections 192, 193, and 194,

$4,740 90

173,774 25

5,000 00

$183,515 15

But a small amount of money is required to complete all the excavation and embankment, now under contract, on this division, except tl.e steamboat basin and channel, which could be completed by the opening of navigation in the spring of 1842, should the work not be unusually delayed by the overflow of the river.

STRUCTURES.

Those under contract are in a condition to insure their completion next season. The stone for culvert No. 1, of 18 feet chord, are mostly cut, and will be delivered this winter. No. 2, of the same chord, is completed, except the pointing of the arch and about four chains of embaik

ment.

A wooden culvert on section No. 161, a stone culvert of 10 feet chord, on section No. 162, and wooden culverts, on sections 170 and 185, have not been commenced. The culverts on sections 183 and 187, have been completed.

The masonry of the Fox river aqueduct has made fair progress during the season. About the same amount of work will be required to complete it next season.

It is much to be regretted that the contract for the chord timbers of the trunk could not be made so as to have them procured this winter. If they were delivered next spring, the aqueduct might be fully completed

next season.

Lock No. 11, is about half built. No. 12, is in a more advanced state. No. 13, has been the subject of contention between sub-contractors, during the season, and consequently but little work has been done. It has recently been relinquished to the State. No. 14, is about two-thirds built. The masonry of No. 15, is not begun. The stone are mostly de

livered and cut. This being the outlet lock to the steamboat basin, requires a deep excavation for the foundation, which will delay the masonry; but it proper exertions are made, it can be finished next season. The stone, to complete all the locks, will be prepared this winter; and, judging from the work now done, they can all be finished next season.

PECAMSAGAN CHANNEL, DAM, AND AQUEDUCT.

The channel, formed to pass the waters of the creek under the canal, and a stone dam, to prevent the deposite of the creek from filling up the channel, was finished in November, 1839. The flood, of last spring, undermined the dam, and displaced about one-half of the stone in the face of it. This has been repaired, in a permanent manner, at an expense of $927 39.

But little progress had been made in the aqueduct, at the time of the flood, when it was found to be too small to discharge the water safely. The increased expense of the necessary enlargement induced a change of plan. It is now proposed to cross the stream with a trunk similar to that of an aqueduct, to be supported underneath, and protected on the sides, by rough stone, thrown in promiscuously, except at the bearings of the trunk. This will admit the water to pass under the canal, except in time of floods, when it will flow over the top of the trunk. It is believed the water can be safely passed in this way, and the estimate is made accordingly.

LITTLE VERMILION AQUEDUCT.

The same causes which induced a change of plan in crossing the Pecamsagan, have produced a change in the plan of crossing the Vermilion. It is now proposed to cross the river in the pool of a dam, which is estimated to be built of stone, arranged to form the segment of an arch, with the arch reversed, to form an apron at the foot of the dam. It is to be raised 3 feet above canal bottom, and a recess 3 feet wide is to be formed on the top, in which it is proposed to fix a gate 24 feet high, arranged in a series of leaves, to be supported in an upright position by braces on the lower side. The braces are to be so arranged that whenever the water shall rise so as to flow over the gate one foot in depth, a part of thei will yield to the pressure, and the leaves of the gate will fall into the recess formed to receive them. As the water continues to rise, the leaves will fall, in succession, until the whole length of the dam will present an unobstructed flow, to the depth of 24 feet below top water line of canal. It is believed a dam can be constructed, upon this plan, which will be perfectly secure, and which will operate as a kind of self-acting regulator to the fluctuations of the river, and thereby save the expense of increasing the height of lock No. 14, and the embankment for about 2 miles between locks 13 and 14.

When the navigation is closed for the season, these gates should be let down, to avoid any liability to injury from the spring floods.