Cat River (or Creek) and Bogues Bay, Virginia, Letter from the Secretary of the Treasury

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WAR DEPARTMENT,
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS,
Washington, May 19, 1908.

SIR: I have the honor to submit herewith for transmission to Congress reports of June 12, 1907, and April 11, 1908, with map, by Maj. C. A. F. Flagler, Corps of Engineers, on preliminary examination and survey, respectively, authorized by the river and harbor act approved March 2, 1907, of Cat River, Virginia, with a view to obtaining a deeper channel.

Cat River is a link in the chain of inland waterways on the Atlantic side of the eastern shore of Virginia. On the north it connects with Bogues Bay, in which the depths are less than in Cat River, so that any improvement of the river to be of value must be supplemented by a similar improvement of the bay. While Bogues Bay is not named in the act authorizing this examination, it would appear that an increase of depth through the bay is essentially an integral part of any proposed plan of improvement of the river.

The project proposed, therefore, is to dredge a channel 4 feet deep at mean low water throughout Cat River and across Bogues Bay, with bottom widths of 25 feet in the river and 50 feet in the bay, widening the channel where necessary at sharp bends. The cost of the work is estimated at $12,100, with $1,200 annually for maintenance after completion.

I concur in the opinion of the district officer, the division engineer, and the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors that the locality is worthy of improvement in the manner now proposed.

Very respectfully,

A. MACKENZIE,
Brig. Gen., Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army.

The SECRETARY OF WAR.

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PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF CAT RIVER (OR CREEK), VIRGINIA.

ENGINEER OFFICE, UNITED STATES ARMY,
Wilmington, Del., June 12, 1907.

GENERAL: In accordance with instructions contained in letter from the Chief of Engineers dated March 14, 1907, I have the honor to submit the following report on a preliminary examination of Cat River, Virginia.

The river and harbor act of March 2, 1907, section 3, in making provision for preliminary examinations and surveys at various localities, reads as follows: "Cat River, with a view to obtaining deeper channel."

The interests of Cat River are mainly located in Chincoteague, Va. An informal public hearing was arranged to take place at Chincoteague on the morning of May 30, 1907, but owing to accident was not held; in lieu thereof a committee of eight of those interested accompanied me in a personal examination of Cat River on the following day. Information as to local desires, present conditions, and commercial statistics quoted below were obtained on this examination.

Cat River (locally known as Cat Creek) is located on the Atlantic side of the eastern shore of Virginia, about 65 miles north of Cape Charles. It is one of a series of thoroughfares running north and south along the coast and is much used for oyster transportation and some general traffic.

Cat River was examined in 1894 in connection with a preliminary examination for an internal waterway extending from Franklin City, Va., southward to Cape Charles, provided for in the river and harbor act of August 18, 1894. It is mentioned as one of the prin-
cipal obstructions along the line of the route, of which ten were specified. The commerce reported at that time for the entire waterway is little larger than that now obtained for Cat River alone, and the waterway received an unfavorable report.

Cat River is one of a series of thoroughfares which separates Wallops Island from the mainland. It is reached from Chincoteague Inlet on the north by way of Ballast Narrows and Island Hole Narrows, wide and deep waterways, and Bogues Bay, a very shallow sheet of water. On the south it communicates with Assawaman Inlet through Hog Creek, which does not offer any obstruction to navigation. Cat Creek, throughout its entire length of 2 3/4 miles, including its northern approach in Bogues Bay, is quite shallow and the creek itself is very narrow.

Soundings were taken from the junction of Island Hole Narrows and Bogues Bay, across Bogues Bay, and down through Cat River to its junction with Hog Creek. These soundings show mean low water depths in Cat River ranging from 9.5 feet to 1.5 feet. Widths vary from 40 to 100 feet. The stream is crooked, but possesses at present only one very difficult bend, known as Devil's reach. In Bogues Bay, at the northern mouth of Cat River, there is a shoal that goes bare at low water, and across the remainder of Bogues Bay to the entrance to Island Hole Narrows the depths vary from 0.5 foot to 4 feet. Improvement of Cat River, to be of any value whatever, would involve the creation of a channel from its northern mouth across Bogues Bay.

The river is bordered on both sides by salt marsh and has mud bottom throughout. The marshes are about 1 foot above ordinary mean water and the ordinary range of tide is about 2 1/2 feet. The tide entering Chincoteague Inlet meets the tide entering Assawaman Inlet in Bogues Bay.

Cat River is used mainly for the transportation of oysters from the [illegible] south of Chincoteague to Chincoteague, from which point they are shipped to markets by rail via Franklin City. There is also considerable traffic in other articles. Statistics collected in regard to the present annual commerce through Cat River are as follows:

It was stated that with 100 licensed business places, the yearly business of Chincoteague, in addition to the above, is $2,000,000.

Craft engaged in the above business were given as follows:

The transportation is mainly by small sloops and by a type of scow known as a "monitor." These are about 60 feet long and 15 feet wide with a loaded draft of 3 1/2 feet. Their capacity is about 1,500 bushels of oysters. They are towed by power boats drawing about 4 feet. The sloops sometimes go by the outside route from Assawaman Inlet to Chincoteague Inlet to avoid the Cat River shoals, but the monitors are compelled to wait for the tide, and frequently a cargo of oysters is thus spoiled.

There is a large amount of oyster ground, not now in use in the bays immediately south of Cat River, which is stated would be developed if navigation were improved.

The desires expressed regarding improvement were for a channel depth of 4 feet on a width of 20 or 25 feet in the northern end of Cat River and over the approach thereto across Bogues Bay, and also for cutting off a point at Devils reach.

The interests involved are not very extensive, but the improvement desired is very small and inexpensive, and in my opinion the cost of maintenance would be slight. There is a small suction dredge now at Chincoteague suitable for the work, and others could be brought up the inland water route from Norfolk without much exposure. The narrow stream offers ease of disposal of material, and I would not predict and excessive prices for the work.

In my opinion Cat River, Virginia, is worthy of improvement by the General Government to a limited extent, and I respectfully recommend that authority be granted for a survey and the preparation of a project and estimate. Estimated cost of survey is $345.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

C. A. F. FLAGLER,
Major, Corps of Engineers.

Brig. Gen. A. MACKENZIE,
Chief of Engineers, U. S. A.

(Through the Division Engineer.)

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[First endorsement.]

U. S. ENGINEER OFFICE, EASTERN DIVISION,
New York City, June 15, 1907.

Respectfully forwarded to the Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army.

The act calling for the within examination specifies "Cat River, with a view to obtaining deeper channel." The stream is called Cat Creek on the maps. It appears from the within report of the district engineer that the "improvement of Cat River to be of any value whatever would involve the creation of a channel from its northern mouth across Bogues Bay," and as this part of the water route is not covered by the act calling for an examination it does not appear that a survey is necessary, as such survey by the act would be limited to Cat River.

D. W. LOCKWOOD,
Colonel, Corps of Engineers,
Division Engineer.

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[Third endorsement.]

BOARD OF ENGINEERS FOR RIVERS AND HARBORS,
Washington, D. C. June 24, 1907.

Respectfully returned to the Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army.

In the within report the district officer gives consideration to the advisability of improving Cat Creek, which is a small thoroughfare connecting Bogues Bay with Assawaman Inlet through Hog Creek. The waterway in question is about 2 3/4 miles long, 40 to 100 feet wide, and from 1.5 to 9.5 feet deep.

In 1894 an examination was made of this thoroughfare as part of a proposed inland waterway from Franklin City to Cape Charles, Va., the report on which was unfavorable for providing the depth of 6 feet then proposed. The commerce of the entire waterway was reported as 58,005 tons, which amount the district officer states is now nearly equaled by the commerce of Cat Creek alone. As indicated by the statistics contained within, this commerce consists largely of oysters and oyster shells, though several thousand tons of potatoes, cord wood, hay and grain are included.

It is stated that those interested desire a channel 4 feet deep and from 20 to 25 feet wide in the northern end of Cat River and over the approach thereto across Bogues Bay. They also desire that a cut-off be made to eliminate a difficult bend. The district officer believes that the work required to provide this improvement will be small and inexpensive and that the expense of maintenance will be slight, and he recommends that a survey be made at an estimated cost of $345 for the preparation of a project and estimate of cost.

The Board concurs in the views of the district officer, and recommends that a survey be authorized, unless in the opinion of the Department and as suggested by the division engineer, the act can not be construed to cover the deepening of the channel across Bogues Bay.

For the Board:

D. W. LOCKWOOD,
Colonel, Corps of Engineers,
Senior Member of the Board.

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[Fourth endorsement.]

WAR DEPARTMENT,
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS,
Washington, June 26, 1907.

Respectfully submitted to the Secretary of War.

This is a report on preliminary examination of Cat River, Virginia, authorized by the river and harbor act of March 2, 1907.

Inviting attention to the report of the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors, in the preceding endorsement, I recommend that a survey of the locality, as proposed, be authorized.

A. MACKENZIE,
Brig. Gen., Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army.

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[Fifth endorsement.]

WAR DEPARTMENT,
June 27, 1907.

Approved as recommended by the Chief of Engineers in the preceding endorsement.

ROBERT SHAW OLIVER,
Acting Secretary of War.

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SURVEY OF CAT RIVER (OR CREEK), VIRGINIA.

ENGINEER OFFICE, UNITED STATES ARMY,
Wilmington, Del., April 11, 1908.

GENERAL: In accordance with instructions contained in letter from the Chief of Engineers U. S. Army, dated July 1 1907, I have the honor to submit the following report on a survey of Cat River, Virginia, with project and estimate for its improvement.

The survey was made under the direction of Mr. G. W. T. Miller, assistant engineer, copy of whose report, with map, is attached hereto.

The preliminary examination of Cat River provided for in the river and harbor act of March 2, 1907, was reported upon by me under date of June 12, 1907. This report gave the present commerce of Cat River as amounting to $1,015,100 per annum and a valuation of vessels engaged in commerce thereon as $318,750, with the prospect of a large increase in both figures, could the river be sufficiently improved to justify the opening up of large areas of shallow water suitable for oyster beds to the south of Cat River.

Cat River is a link in a chain of waters offering a passage from Chincoteague Bay to Assawaman Inlet and the adjacent waters. This chain offers sufficient depth and width for the local navigation interests at all points, except in Cat River and Bogues Bay at the northern end of the river. Any improvement of Cat River, to be of value, must be supplemented by similar improvement across the shallows of Bogues Bay, and a channel therein is therefore included in the project and estimate herewith.

The desires of those interested in the navigation are for a channel through Cat River and Bogues Bay of 4 feet depth at mean low water and 20 to 25 feet width. The width of 25 feet in Cat River would probably maintain itself fairly well, but in the open channel across Bogues Bay wave action would tend to more rapid deposit of silt in a dredged cut, and 50 feet is considered the minimum advisable width in order to allow for annual shoaling.

The proposed project is as follows: To dredge a channel 4 feet deep at mean low water throughout Cat River and across Bogues Bay from Cat River into Island Hole Narrows, with bottom widths of 25 feet in Cat River and 50 feet in Bogues Bay, widening the channel where necessary at sharp bends.

Estimate.

It is my opinion that the present and prospective commercial interests that will benefit by the improvement of Cat River are of sufficient importance to justify improvement by the United States to the extent covered by the above estimate.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

C. A. F. FLAGLER,
Major, Corps of Engineers.

Brig. Gen. A. MACKENZIE,
Chief of Engineers, U. S. A.
(Through the Division Engineer.)

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[First endorsement.]

U. S. ENGINEER OFFICE, EASTERN DIVISION,
New York City, April 23, 1908.

Respectfully forwarded to the Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army, concurring in the opinion of the district officer.

D. W. LOCKWOOD,
Colonel, Corps of Engineers.
Division Engineer.

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[Third endorsement.]

BOARD OF ENGINEERS FOR RIVERS AND HARBORS,
Washington, D. C., April 27, 1908.

Respectfully returned to the Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army.

The advantages to be gained by the construction of a suitable channel through Cat Creek and Bogues Bay were explained in the district officer's report on the preliminary examination and briefly outlined in the Board's endorsement thereon of June 24, 1907. The desires of those interested are stated to be for a channel 4 feet deep at mean low water and from 20 to 25 feet in width. While a channel of the latter width would probably maintain itself fairly well through Cat Creek, the district officer believes that a greater width should be provided through the open waters of Bogues Bay, where wave action would tend to a more rapid deposit of silt in the dredged cut. He estimates at $12,100 the cost of constructing a channel 4 feet deep at mean low water, with bottom widths of 25 feet through Cat Creek and 50 feet through Bogues Bay, to equal dimensions in Island Hole Narrows, including the easing of bends where necessary. The cost of maintenance is estimated at $1,200 per annum.

It is the opinion of the Board that the expenditure involved is reasonable when compared with the benefits which may be expected from the improvement, and it therefore unites with the district and the division engineer in recommending favorable consideration of the project contained within.

For the Board:

R. L. HOXIE,
Colonel, Corps of Engineers,
Senior Member Present.

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REPORT OF ASSISTANT ENGINEER G. W. T. MILLER.

ENGINEER OFFICE, UNITED STATES ARMY,
Wilmington, Del., March 21, 1908.

MAJOR: I have the honor to submit a report upon the survey of Cat River, Virginia, an examination of which was called for by the river and harbor act of March 2, 1907.

The preliminary examination was made and an informal hearing was held May 31, 1907. The report thereon, dated June 12, 1907, contains a description of the river, of its relative position and importance in the inland traffic carried on through the series of thoroughfares and bays bordering the eastern coast of Maryland and Virginia, and the commercial statistics of that traffic, all of which led to the conclusion that the river was worthy of improvement to a limited extent by the General Government.

The survey necessary to determine the extent and cost of an improvement that would meet the needs of commerce was made in November, 1907, Mr. William E. Snyder, inspector, being in charge of the field work. The survey extended from the deep water at the southern end of Island Hole Narrows across Bogues Bay and down Cat River to deep water at the "Keys," a total distance of 12,300 feet.

Two tide gauges were established and read while the survey was in progress. One was placed at the southern end of Island Hole Narrows and the other on Cat River about 1,500 feet south of Bogues Bay. The readings of the first gauge gave a mean range of tide of 3.4 feet and those of the second 2.9 feet. Both gauges showed the flood setting toward Bogues Bay and the ebb away from it, making Bogues Bay the neutral meeting point of the tides from Chincoteague Inlet to the northward and from Assawaman Inlet to the southward. On one day only during the period of observation were the conditions different. Then, under the influence of a strong northwest wind, which probably drove the water more rapidly out of the larger (Chincoteague) inlet, the ebb of Cat River from below the tide gauge flowed northward across Bogues Bay and into Island Hole Narrows until the shoal bottom of Bogues Bay, going bare, checked it.

It does not appear that improvement in depth will materially change these conditions, as the large area of Bogues Bay, compared with the size of the streams connecting it with the inlets, is sufficient to take care of all the flood tide they discharge into it to the extent of keeping it the neutral point. Hence no lowering of the low water plane nor increase in tidal range can be expected.

Bogues Bay is about 1 3/4 miles wide from east to west and about 1 mile across from north to south, narrowing toward its eastern side, so that the distance across from Island Hole Narrows to Cat River along a line about 1,500 feet from the eastern shore of Bogues Bay is about 2,300 feet. Bogues Bay is nowhere more than 4 feet deep at mean low water. Its general depth is about 2 feet and at many places the bottom is bare at ordinary low tide. Along the line of the proposed improvement it is especially shoal.

Cat River within the limits of the proposed improvement varies in width from 40 to 120 feet, averaging about 70 feet. The depth also is quite variable, from 1.9 feet to 10 feet at low water. Although quite crooked, there are but two bends in the river so sharp as to require rectifying, and this can be accomplished by trimming the points, thereby widening the turns and giving more area in which boats may swing. These points constitute what is known as Devils reach, about half a mile south of Bogues Bay.

The bottom of Bogues Bay is mud, with a crust of oyster shells in places from 1 to 1 1/2 feet thick. The bottom of Cat River is mud. The shores are low-lying salt marsh, sufficiently firm to hold the banks of dredged material, which can be easily cast over upon them. Crossing Bogues Bay the material may be cast partly upon both sides of the cut, so as to leave communication open with the portions of the bay lying to the eastward and to the westward of the line of improvement.

The execution of the work, therefore, presents no unusual difficulties beyond the transportation of a dredging plant, which will involve an ocean trip of from 80 to 85 miles, depending upon whether the plant starts from Norfolk, Va., of from Philadelphia, Pa. Norfolk is about 95 miles distant and Philadelphia about 175 miles from Cat River. This factor will increase the cost of the work. At the time of the hearing there was a small suction dredge at Chincoteague, but as its owners are endeavoring to sell it, it can hardly be depended upon in estimating upon work which will not be done for a year or more.

As it was stated at the hearing that a channel 4 feet in depth at mean low water and from 20 to 25 feet in width would give the relief desired, an estimate is submitted for a channel 4 feet in depth and 25 feet in width in straight reaches, with additional width at some sharp turns in Cat River. Certain reasons suggest, however, that a 25-foot width would not be sufficient across Bogues Bay. Although the bay is comparatively sheltered and very shallow, there is some wave action, which, together with the suction of passing boats, would soon close a 25-foot cut. It would therefore seem advisable to give this cut a width which will make it, relatively, as permanent as the work in Cat River. A width of 50 feet seems to meet this requirement. There are no currents of sufficient power to train to keep the channel scoured, and the expectation is that there will be a gradual return to original conditions. The course to follow, therefore, is to postpone this result as much as possible, particularly in a locality where there are no dredges. The estimate for annual maintenance is $1,200.

In the estimate the usual allowances are included for an overdepth of 1 foot and for side slopes of one on one.

ESTIMATE.

For dredging a channel 4 feet in depth at mean low water, with bottom widths of 50 feet across Bogues Bay and 25 feet in Cat River, widening at some sharp turns:

At the hearing the statistics given showed that the value of the commerce passing through Cat River is $1,015,000, and the value of the 725 vessels carrying this commerce is $318,750. The estimated cost of the improvement is therefore about 1.2 per cent of the value of the commerce and about 3.8 per cent of the value of the vessel property. Additional business to the amount of $2,000,000 is reported for Chincoteague Island in general merchandise, a part of which goes through Cat River, but this was not included in the above statements.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEORGE W. T. MILLER,
Assistant Engineer.

Maj. C. A. F. FLAGLER,
Corps of Engineers, U. S. A.