95 
ANNUAL REPORT—COMMERCE. 
channel is practicable. But while upon that question, many, 
even of those acquainted with the river, may doubt, they 
cannot, nor can any one have doubt, upon tlie other ques¬ 
tion of the practicability of a canal, or slack-water improve¬ 
ment. 
“reports of general warren—THE COST. 
“ Under instructions from the engineer department, issued 
in July, 1866, Major Greneral Gr. K. Warren took charge of the 
surveys of various |ivers, including the Fox and Wisconsin. 
Under date of January, 1867, his report was made to the de¬ 
partment, and was subsequently submitted to congress. To 
this report reference is made. 
“ Estimates were made of the cost of enlarging the im¬ 
provement of the Fox river to a uniform low-water draught 
of four feet and to one of six feet, which v/ere, for four feet, 
$444,442, and for six feet, $1,288,515.40. The surveys of the 
Wisconsin river were not then completed, and estimates of the 
cost of the improvement were not then made. 
“Underdate of April, 1868, Greneral Warren made a fur¬ 
ther report to the department, which was subsequently sub¬ 
mitted to congress, and to which reference is made. In speak¬ 
ing of the Wisconsin he says: 
‘From the present state of our investigations, therefore, I am in favor of 
dams, jettees, revetments, etc., of brush and stone, in^ connection with 
dredging, in preference to a canal along the banks, or to locks and dams in 
the river, though the estimates have not been completed. The question as 
to the kind of improvement will mainly turn upon the making of six and 
seven feet navigation; but with three and four feet at lowest stages, and 
boats properly constructed and with, a wide passage way, almost any amount 
of transportation can be done. 
* I have thought that from $20,000 to $30,000 per mile would secure this 
low-water navigation of from three to four feet depth of water. * * 
An expense annually would afterwards be required for repairs amounting to 
from $20,000 to $30,000. * * If ol canaJ^ of great size is required be¬ 
tween the Mississippi and the lakes, there is no question hut that of cost involved in 
its construction. It is a very favorable feature that the Wisconsin river, at 
low stage, is nearly on a level with the summit of the canal at Portage, and 
no expensive works are required to procure from the river all the water that 
might be needed for lockage thence to Winnebago lake. As a canal route’ 
the natural feeders are inexhaustible.’ 
