USA > Indiana > St Joseph County > A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 1 > Part 43
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97
The velocity of the stream is nearly uni- form and is about one and a half miles per hour, or one and two-tenths feet per second.
The general declivity of the marsh through which the river flows, is 1.3 feet per mile.
It is proposed to reduce the length of the river by the improvement, so that the distance from the initial point to Momence, Ill., will not exceed eighty-five miles, and the average fall per mile will be increased to more than twelve inches.
The experiments of Messrs. Richards and Stephans, made in 1871, and reported by Mr. Bennet, civil engineer, show that the Kanka- kee river, one mile above Momence, Ill., has a sectional area of 1,026 square feet, a mean velocity of 1.424 feet per second, and the volume of discharge of 1.452 cubic feet per second.
At the state line the sectional area is 543 square feet. the mean hydraulic depth is 4.5 feet, the calculated mean velocity is 2.35 feet per second, and the volume of discharge is 1,271 feet per second.
According to the same authority, the di- mensions of the new channel proposed by the Kankakee Draining Company were: Width at top. 52 feet, width at bottom 42 feet, depth 10 feet. inclination one foot per mile, area of cross-section 470 square feet, calculated ve- locity 3.32 feet per second, volume of dis- charge 1,558 cubic feet per second.
In the determination of the dimensions of the new channels which will be required, I have assumed the correctness of the experi- ments made to determine the flow at the state line, and that the volume of discharge at ordinary stages of water will not exceed 1,271 cubic feet per second.
To provide sufficient capacity for ordinary floods. I have given the lower end of the new channel, fifteen miles above the state line, an area of cross-section of 500 feet, and the calculated volume of discharge 1,358 cubic feet per second.
It is proper to remark that so much de- pends on physical features peculiar to each particular case, that hydraulic formulas can serve only as general guides in the solution of any given problem. Absolute results can not be reached, and there is always room for honest differences of opinion among engineers as to the accuracy of conclusions.
The formulas used in the calculations for the velocities and volumes are taken from Fanning's Engineering, and apply primarily
251
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
to smooth, open and straight channels. (See foot note.)
The side slopes of the new excavations are estimated at one and one-half horizontal to each vertical foot in depth.
For convenience in the detailed deserip- tions of the improvement the following di- visions are made :
Division I. From the initial point at the mouth of Grapevine creek, Sec. 4, T. 36 N., R. 1 E., to the lower end of Mud lake, at Lemon's bridge and the bridge of the Indian- apolis, Peru and Chicago railway.
Division II. From the end of Division I, to the mouth of Mill creek, See. 7, T. 34 N., R. 2 W.
Division III. From the end of Division II. by a new channel to the mouth of Crooked creek, See. 36, T. 33 N., R. 6 W.
Division IV. From the end of Division II, by the old channel, and from the town of Knox. on Yellow river, See. 22. T. 33 N., R. 2 W., to the place where Crooked creek, the new channel and old channel, form a grand junction.
Division V. From Grand Junction, by a new channel, to a point in the river in Sec. 33, T. 32 N., R. 8 W., marked station Q on the map, near the bridge on the line of the Indianapolis & Chicago Air Line railway.
Division VI. From station Q, along the general line of the river, to the state line, Sec. 1. T. 31 N., R. 10 W.
Division VII. Illinois division. From the state line along the general line of the river to Momence, Illinois.
Division I.
From the initial point at the mouth of Grapevine creek, See. 4. T. 36 N .. R. 1 E .. to the lower end- of Mud lake, Sec. 4, T. 35 N., R. 1 W.
The river begins in the open marsh and is entirely free from timber to the end of this division. The Crum's Point bridge is near the beginning of this division. "Free Bridge" is in Sec. 26, T. 36 N., R. 1 W., and Lemon's
V=V2 gri. Volume of discharge=SXV. M
S=Area of cross-section.
v == Mean velocity.
g=Accelerating force of gravity=32.2 feet. C=Wetted perimeter=sides and bottom of channel.
t=Air perimeter=surface.
r=Mean hydraulic depth= (1+.1 t.
S
i=Sine of the angle of inclination.
m=A tabulated coefficient dependent on r.
bridge and the bridge of the Indianapolis, Peru & Chicago railway, are at the terminus of the division.
Mud lake is only a widening of the river on account of a slightly less fall than the average. The diminished velocity has caused the deposit of soil, and increased the growth of grasses and weeds in the stream.
The improvement of this division will re- quire the straightening of the channel in the general line of the river. The new channel could be made perfectly straight without any timber obstruction, but, by slight deviations from a straight line, at least ten per cent. of the cost of excavation may be saved, by using as much of the. present channel as possible, without material increase in distance.
The length will be 8.5 miles.
The dimensions proposed for the channel in this division are, width at bottom, 27 feet; width at top, 45 feet; depth, 6 feet.
These dimensions would give area of cross- section 216 square feet. mean hydraulic depth 4.26 feet, calculatel mean velocity, with a fall of one foot to the mile, 2.105 feet per second : volume of discharge, 455 cubic feet per second.
The excavations will measure for each lin- ear yard 24 cubic yards, for each mile 42,240 cubic yards, for the entire division, 8.5 miles. 359.040 cubic yards. This aggregate may be reduced ten per cent. for the old channel ap- propriated in the new, leaving a total for the first division of 323,136 cubic yards.
Division II.
From the terminus of Division I to the mouth of Mill creek, Sec. 7. T. 34 N .. R. 2 W.
The river in this division runs through the open marsh, and is free from timber obstrue- tion. The Baltimore & Ohio railway bridge is in this division. The length of the division will be 11.3 miles. The improvement will be along the general line of the river, and the route for the new channel will be nearly a straight line.
The dimensions proposed for the new chan- nel are-width at bottom 27 feet, width at top 48 feet, depth 7 feet. These dimensions will give area of cross-section 262.5 square feet, mean hydraulic depth 4.6 feet, calculated mean velocity 2.187 feet per second, volume of discharge 574 cubic feet per second.
The excavations will measure for each lin- ear vard 29.16 cubie yards, for each mile 51,321 cubic yards, for the division, 11.3 miles, 579,927 cubic yards. This aggregate
252
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
may be reduced ten per cent. for the old chan- nel appropriated in the new, leaving for the second division 521,935 cubic yards.
Division III.
From the terminus of Division II, at the mouth of Mill creek, by a new channel. to the mouth of Crooked creek, Sec. 36, T. 33 N., R. 6 W.
The Kankakee river below the mouth of Mill creek has a belt of timber along its banks, which would make the cost of straightening the river, as in Divisions I and II, very great.
The great deflection of the river from the general direction of the valley makes it im- portant to shorten the distance by a new channel.
The line proposed for the improvement lies in a remarkable part of the valley. The line will be clear from timber obstruction, except about one and a half miles at the lower end, where it passes through the belt of river-bank timber into the old channel. The line lies for the most part in a series of deep marshes, now impassable, and well known in the neigh- borhood as a deep slough, sand channel, etc. This division will be crossed by the Pitts- burg, Ft. Wayne & Chicago; the New York, Chicago & St. Louis; the Pittsburg, Cincin- nati & St. Louis; the Chicago & West Michi- gan ; the Chicago & Atlantic, and the Louis- ville, New Albany & Chicago railways. The new channel will take the greater part of the water of the improved river above Mill creek, and all the surface drainage on the north side in Laporte and a part of Porter county. The length of the division will be 21.5 miles.
The proposed dimensions for the new chan- nel for this division arc at the upper end- width of bottom 27 feet, width at top 51 feet, depth 8 feet, area of cross-section 312 square feet. At the lower end-width at bot- tom 33 feet, width at top 57 feet, depth 8 feet, area of cross-section 360 square feet. The mean measure will be-width at bottom 30 feet, width at top 54 feet, depth 8 feet, area of cross-section 336 square feet.
These dimensions will give-mean hydrau- lic depth 5.23 .feet, calculated mean velocity 2.405 feet per second, mean volume of dis- charge 808.4 cubic feet per second. The vol- ume of discharge at the lower end will be 878.4 cubic feet per second.
The mean dimensions will give-for each linear yard 37 1-3 cubic yards, for each mile 65,707 cubic yards, for the division, 21.5 miles, 1,412,700 cubic yards.
Division IV.
From the terminus of Division II at the mouth of Mill creek, by the old channel of the river, and from the town of Knox, Sec. 22, T. 33 N., R. 2 W., on Yellow river, to the point where Crooked creek, the new and the old channels, form the grand junction. It is important to preserve and improve the old channel of the river in this division, for the purpose of draining the large territory on the south side, including the Yellow river country.
The new channel of Division III will relieve the present bed of the most of the water above Mill creek, and its relative carrying capacity will thereby be largely increased; but owing to its extreme crookedness, it will be necessary to expend a liberal amount in dredging and in cutting off the most troublesome bends, in order to increase the velocity of flow, which would otherwise be diminished below its pre- sent rate. The English lake region is similar to that above called Mud lake, and is only an enlargement of the river, of rather an ex- tensive widening of the deep marsh border. In this lake the wild rice and grass grow in the greatest luxuriance. Austen's wagon bridge, Sec. 34, T. 34 N., R. 3 W .; Lougee's wagon bridge, Sec. 24. T. 33 N., R. 4 W., and Dunn's wagon bridge, Sec. 15, T. 32 N., R. 5 W., are in this division ; and also, bridges on all the railway lines mentioned in Division III, except the Chicago & West Michigan.
For the improvement of this division, I would recommend the expenditure of not less than $80,000.
Division V.
From Grand Junction, Sec. 36, T. 33 N., R. 6 W., by a new channel, to a point in the river in Sec. 33, T. 32 N., R. 8 W., marked on the map as station Q, near the bridge on the line of the Indianapolis & Chicago rail- way.
At Grand Junction, the new channel or the upper Kankakee, the old channel or the Yel- low river section, and Crooked creek, unite their waters and form the enlarged lower river.
From Grand Junction to the state line, and to Momence, Ill., there is plenty of water for the purposes of navigation, and it is desir- able that the improvement below Grand Junc- tion should be made with reference both to drainage and navigation. The route proposed for the new channel, as shown by the map. will be through the open marsh, entirely free
253
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
from timber obstruction, except one mile of river bank timber on the west end, and is admirably loeated with reference to the drain- age of some of the deepest marshes in the entire valley.
Another route may be adopted, nearly if not quite as good as the one proposed, by running the new line more direetly west after it enters Newton county, and terminating in the river north of station Q; thence by the straightened river to the terminus at station P. The cost of the two routes will be about equal.
The length of the division will be 16 miles.
The dimensions proposed for the new chan- nel for this division are-at the upper end, width at bottom 36 feet, width at top, 63 feet, depth 9 feet, area of cross-section 445.5 square feet. At the lower end-width at bot- tom 42 feet, width at top 69 feet, depth 9 feet, area of eross-section 499.5 square feet. Mean measure-width at bottom 39 feet, width at top 66 feet, depth 9 feet, area of cross-section 472.5 square feet.
These dimensions will give-mean hydrau- lie depth 6.06 feet, calculated mean velocity 2.7 feet per second, volume of discharge 1,275.7 eubie feet per second. The volume of discharge at the lower end station will be 1,358.6 eubie feet per second.
The mean dimensions give for each linear vard 52.5 cubic yards, for each mile 92,400 eubie yards, for the division (16 miles) 1,478,400 eubie yards.
The old channel of the river below Grand Junetion receives no important ereek, and only a small expenditure will be required to keep this channel open for its limited drain- age area.
Division VI.
From the terminus of Division V, at sta- tion Q, along the general line of the river to the state line.
The increased velocity of the river in this division, owing to its increased slope and the general direction of the stream, make the im- provement desirable along the general line of its present flow.
A new channel in Sec. 33. T. 32 N., R. S W., one mile in length, and a similar one, chiefly in Sections 1 and 2, T. 31 N., R. 9 W., two and a half miles long, will be required. The dimensions of these new channels are estimated the same as in Division V-per mile 92,400 cubic yards-31/5 miles 323,400 cubic yards.
The other improvements in this division will consist in a general straightening of the channel, the removal of timber obstruetion and dredging the channel to secure an addi- tional depth of two feet.
The estimated length of the division after the improvement has been made, will be fif- teen (15) miles.
Messrs. Cass, Singleton, Williams, Luck & Co. are constructing a large diteh, twenty feet wide and six feet deep, on the north side of the Kankakee, which will be an important part of the general improvement.
This diteh is located on the map, and ex- tends from Sec. 29, T. 33 N., R. 7 W., in a general southwesterly direction to the river near the state line.
The marsh is very wide in this region, but when the land is reclaimed, as it doubtless will be when this ditch is completed, it will be as beautiful and as rich as any portion of the state.
The enterprising owners have two steam dredging machines in successful operation, and the construction of the ditch is progress- ing satisfactorily.
Division VII .- Illinois Division.
From the state line along the general course of the river to Momence, Illinois.
Beyond the jurisdiction of Indiana it will be necessary to continue the improvement of the river to a point below the dam at Mo- mence.
A new channel, beginning a short distance from the state line and running west nearly two miles, will ent off a great bend of the river and effect an important saving in dis- tance.
The dimensions of this channel should be the same as in Division V, and owing to its short length it will readily adjust itself to any required size by the action of the stream itself.
The other improvements of this division will be similar in every partieular to those in Division VI, until the rock ledge near Mo- mence is reached.
This obstruetion is a limestone ledge which extends about one and a half miles in width, and its removal is a necessity for the proper improvement of the river.
The increased velocity of the straightened channel above will carry down large quanti- ties of soil and sand, for which a free outlet must be provided by opening a way through the rocky ledge.
254
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
Even now the improvements in the Beaver lake region have increased the growth of grasses and weeds in the river at Momence and this will be further increased to a very damaging degree, unless this free ontlet is provided.
The general government has ordered a sur- vey of this portion of the river, and the methods for this improvement doubtless will receive proper consideration. A channel forty feet in width and five feet in depth will be large enough to meet the requirements of the new improvement, which will give approx- imately for the entire length 60,000 cubic yards.
After the completion of the improvement of the river, the estimated distance from the the state line to Momence will be 12 miles.
The total distance as shown by the preced- ing division will be :
Division I
8.5 miles.
Division II 11.3 miles.
Division III 21.5 miles.
Division V
16.0 miles.
Division VI 15.0 miles.
Division VII
12.0 miles.
Total 84.3 miles.
Division IV is not included in this estimate of the length of the new channel.
The entire work may be divided into two general parts, the first including Divisions I, II, III and IV, from the initial point to Grand Junction, Section 36, T. 33 N., R. 6 W .. and the second including Divisions V. VI and VII, from Grand Junction to Momence.
The distance from the initial point to Grand Junction will be 41.3 miles, and from Grand Junction to Momence, 43 miles.
It is entirely feasible to begin the improve- ment of either of these general parts without delaying for the other, and pending the set- tlement of the proper question of the relation of the general government to the lower por- tion as a navigable stream, it is recommended that work be begun as speedily as possible on the upper portion.
METHODS AND COST.
In the construction of the new channel for the Kankakee, it will be necessary to use steam dredging machines.
The best forms of these machines, as now constructed, are made to float in channels of their own making. The Kankakee open marshes and sandy soil afford the best field for the economic use of these dredging ma- chines. The two now in use by Messrs. Cass,
Singleton. Williams & Co., are constructed after an excellent model, and the work being done by them is satisfactory. Five to six men are required to do the work on each boat, and one machine can excavate thirteen hun- dred cubic yards per day.
The engine has forty-horse power at sixty pounds of boiler pressure.
All the operatives are comfortably fed and lodged upon the boats.
The special machinery for the excavation consists of a series of scoops attached to an endless chain, which passes over a projecting arm in the forward part of the boat, this arm being adjustable to any point in front, where it is desired that the excavation be made.
The scoops deliver their loads into an ele- vated chute, which is inclined about 30 de- grees, and extends over the side of the boat far enough to deposit the excavated earth at the proper distance from the ditch.
In the Kankakee improvement a number of these machines will be required. For the wide channels it will be more expeditious and eco- nomical to use the machines in pairs-one digging half the width and the second follow- ing close behind and digging the remaining half.
In addition, it will be found necessary to have small steam tenders to carry supplies to the dredge boats, as in many parts of the marsh it will be impossible to reach the boats by wagons.
The cost of the dredging machines will be from $7,000 to $10,000 each.
I am not able to say what is the lowest pos- sible price at which this work can be done with these dredging machines-or rather the lowest price per cubic yard at which the con- tract could be made with responsible and capable parties.
The manufacturers of dredging machines claim that the expense of moving earth will be from two to three cents per cubic yard. This amount, however, can not inchide the use of capital invested, wear of machinery, and necessary losses by breakage and other delays.
Persons with some experience in this kind of work think that five to seven cents would be a fair price, including interest on capital and all risks incident to the work; while others believe that contracts with responsible parties can not be obtained at less than ten cents per cubic yard.
Herewith I submit the cost of the earth
255
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
work at both seven and ten cents per cubic yard, and if a less price can be realized it will only be the more satisfactory.
According to the foregoing estimates, the amount of earth work included in the im- provement, from the initial point to Grand Junction, will be :
Division I 323,136 cubic yds.
Division II 521,935 cubic yds.
Division III 1,412,700 cubic yds.
Total 2,257,771 cubic yds.
At 7 cents per cubic yard the cost of this excavation would be. $158,043 97
Or at 10 cents per cubic yard. 225,777 10
The amount proposed for Division
IV is 80,000 00
Making a grand total of. 238,043 97
305,777 10 Or of
The amount of earth work included in the improvement from Grand Junction to the State line and to Momence will be :
Division V 1,478,400 cubic yds.
Three and a half miles of
Division VI 323,400 cubic yds.
Total 1,801,800 cubic yds. At 7 cents per yard this will cost .... $126,126 00 At 10 cents per yard this will cost ... 180,180 00 The estimated expenditure for the re-
maining 111% miles of Division VI
is $6,000 per mile, or for the divi- sion, $69,000; making a grand total from Grand Junction to the State line of
195,126 00 249,180 00
Or
The estimated cost for Division VII, Illinois Division, is 1012 miles, at $6,000 per mile
65,000 00
One and a half miles rock excavation at $15,000 per mile.
22,500 00
Total $ 87,500 00
The total cost from Grand Junction to Momence, on the estimates at 7 cents, will be. .
$282,626 00
336,680 00
On the estimate at 10 cents, will be .. The total cost from the initial point
to the State line, at 7 cents, will be 433,169 97 At 10 cents, will be. 545,975 10
The entire cost from the initial point to Momence will be, at 7 cents ... At 10 cents.
520,669 97
642,457 10
GENERAL RESULTS.
Miles
Cubic
Cost
Cost
Divisions. Length.
Yards.
at $0.07.
at $0.10
I
8.5
323,136
$22,619.52
$32,813.60
II
11.3
521,935
36,535.45
III
21.5
1,412,700
98,889.00
52,193.50 141,270.00 80,000.00 147,840.00 32,340.00
V
16.
1,478,400
103,488.00
22,638.00
VI
15.
111%
69.000.00
69,000.00
VII
12.
87,500.00
87,500.00
Totals 84.3
$520,669.97 $642,457.00
In addition to the cost of construction, the question of maintenance of the new channel requires consideration. The same causes which produced the present crooked river will, in a less degree, affect the straightened stream, and continued care will be required to preserve an unobstructed flow.
The broad valley of the Kankakee marsh is doubtless the result of glacial action. At the close of the glacial period, we may suppose that a shallow river extended from bank to bank of the valley. This stream had a slope of about one foot to the mile, and a conse- quent velocity rapid enough to take up the partieles of fine sand and carry them forward. The retardation along the borders would canse the deposit of the sand. and thereby make the stream more narrow by the forma- tion of banks. The narrowed and deepened stream would have an increased velocity, and henee, other masses of sand would be taken up by the current and carried forward to form obstructions in the general direction of flow. Following the lines of least resistance, the channel would be diverted from its orig- inal direction and would change from straight to crooked, and continue to change so long as the velocity was too great for the stability of the sand bed over which the river flows. By these processes, doubtless, the sinuous Kankakee was formed ; and its present length, with its many windings, approximately de- termines the velocity consistent with perma- nenee in the wide marsh which it now so im- perfectly drains.
The formation of the timber line along the river may be explained in like manner.
During freshets the low lands would be overflowed, and the soil and sand brought down by the increased current would be de- posited, first along the banks of the river, thereby raising the surface next the stream enough above the level of the marsh to permit the seeds of trees to grow, which would not germinate in the swamp itself.
If we assume that the river now has an op- proximately stable bed, the result mainly of the free action of natural forces on the sandy soil, it is evident that any increase of velocity will affect this stability and introduce a dis- turbing element which will require special at- tention.
The banks of the new channel will likewise deliver quantities of sand into the current until they assume their proper angle of rest
IV
80,000.00
3% 323,400
256
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPHI COUNTY.
and are protected by grass or other vegeta- ble growth.
The lateral ditches, also, will bring down masses of sand which will, if left uncared for, form bars where these ditches empty into the river.
To meet these difficulties it will be necessary to keep at work one or two dredging machines until the new channel has assumed a partially stable condition.
Grass grows most luxuriantly in all parts of the Kankakee valley, and from this cause we may expect that the banks will be covered very rapidly. After the drainage has been once accomplished and the lands brought under cultivation, there will be a great dimi- nntion of the volume of water to be carried off.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.