REPORT ON RECONNAISSANCE OF UPPER MISSISSIPPI. 
15 
with Lake Superior; to choose a point which should not interfere with steamboat navigation, 
and one that would occupy a favorable position for joining the main line east. With these 
quite definite instructions to guide my examinations, I have made an actual reconnaissance of 
the river from St. Paul’s to Fort Ripley, and beg leave to submit the following report: 
At the ferry near falls of St. Anthony, at the rapids near mouth of Sauk river, at several 
points for two miles above these rapids, at the ferry near Swan river, and at Little Falls, I 
have found locations for crossing the river with a railroad bridge. The first of these, near the 
falls of St. Anthony, is about eight hundred (800) feet. It does not occupy so favorable a posi¬ 
tion, in regard to a connexion with Lake Superior, as either of the other points. The crossing 
is much greater in length, and the quantity of masonry larger than at those farther north. 
The cost of this masonry is excessive, from the necessity of bringing the material for construc¬ 
tion from Sauk rapids. The distance to “Dead Colt Hillock”—a point near the course of 
survey—is not less by this crossing than by passing over the fine gravel country east of the 
Mississippi to Sauk rapids. The water is deep, and the current much more swift than at any of 
the other points. Passing west, the country is thickly wooded, springy, entirely impassable 
for wagons, and inducing additional cost in grubbing and culvert masonry. I deem this crossing 
the least favorable of those I have examined. Eighty miles north of the falls of St. Anthony, at 
the head of steamboat navigation, and near the mouth of Sauk river, occur several favorable 
crossings, nearly similar in character. These, with the routes connected, should at some future 
period be subjected to a careful survey; the limited time allowed for the present examination 
necessarily confining my attention to reconnaissance. 
The first of these, near the mouth of Sauk river, is about five hundred (500) feet. By encoun¬ 
tering the rapid current near the falls, excellent foundation for bridge masonry can be obtained 
upon the granite ledge of the section. Within two (2) miles are five other points, none exceed¬ 
ing six hundred (600) feet in length. The adjoining ledge furnishes granite of suitable quality 
for heavy masonry. 
I have estimated the cost of a bridge at Sauk rapids, for a road-bed of twenty (20) feet, as 
follows: 
500 feet of Howe’s truss, at twenty-five dollars ($25). $12,500 
1,353 cubic yards of bridge masonry, at twelve dollars ($12). 16,236 
Repairing foundations, say. 1,000 
29,736 
Five miles farther north, near the mouth of river Watab, occurs a crossing four hundred 
(400) feet in length, with excellent foundations of granite ledge. This crossing is so situated 
as to induce cutting of about twenty (20) feet in hard material, upon the east shore of the river; 
say twenty thousand yards at forty (40) cents, or $8,000. The adjacent ledge not being of 
suitable quality for building, the material for masonry must be brought from Sauk rapids. 
The location is neither so feasible of approach, nor in facility of getting west, as that at Sauk 
rapids, although the passage of the river is shorter, and the current not so swift. 
Twenty-four miles north of Watab, near the mouth of Swan river, is a crossing four hundred 
and fifty (450) feet in length. It has no advantages over those at Sauk rapids. The abutment 
foundations must be obtained by piling; pier foundations adjusted by coffer-dam or winter crib- 
work. The current is not swift, the water about eight feet in depth. Four miles north of this 
point, at the island near Little Falls, is a very fine crossing of three hundred and twenty-five 
(325) feet. 
Four wing abutments and a slight increase of truss will be required, from the destructible 
nature of the ledge foundation, which is slate rock, strongly impregnated with iron, and affected 
by the atmosphere. Two short bridges would be necessary—one, of one hundred and twenty- 
five (125) feet, crossing the east branch of the river to island ; thence embankment of one hundred 
