rrigation Paper No. 193 Series L, Quality of Water, 19 

DEPARTR1 E.NT OF THE INTERK >R

TED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

CHARLES D. WA.LCOTT, DIRECTOR

JALITY OF SURFACE WATERS 

IN MINNESOTA

R. B. DOLE AND F. F. WESBROOK

WASHINGTON

GOVEENMENT PRINTING OFFICE 

1907
"Water-Supply and Irrigation Paper No. 193 Series L, Quality of "Water, 19

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

CHARLES D. WALCOTT, DIRECTOR

THE QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS 

IN MINNESOTA

Water Resources Brandy 

Geological Survey, 

S^ 3 ; 3 : 06, Capitol Static*

-,i " _,'._1CI <>_y-v/)

R. B. DOLE AND F. F. WESBROOK

WASHINGTON

GOVKltNMKNT J'RINTING OFFICE

190T
CONTENTS.

Introduction ........................................................... 7

Natural features ................................................ 9

Topography ......................................................... 9

Hydrography ...................................................... 10

Riven?. ...... . . . . . . . . . .................. . . . . . . . . . ................. 10

Lakes ............................................................ 11

Drainage ditches.. .......................................... 13

Floods. ..... .............. . . . . . .............. . . . . . . . ............. . 13

Climate ........ ...... ... ....... . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................ . . . 15

Temperature. ...................................................... 15

Period of frost. .................................................... 16

Precipitation .............................................. 16

Summary. ......................................................... 17

Geologic formations and soiln ............................................ 18

Geologic formations. ................................................ 19

Soil and subsoil. .................................................. 21

Economic development ..................................................... 21

Population. .............................................................. 21

Principal industries. .................................................. 22

Agriculture. ...................................................... 22

Lumbering. ....................................................... 23

Commerce. ....................................................... 24

Mining. ........................................................... 24

Water-borne diseases. ........................................................ 26

General discussion ...................................................... 26

Typhoid fever. ........................................................ 27

Cause and prevalence. .............................................. 27

Epidemics. ....................................................... 29

Improved care, control, and report of typhoid fever. ................. 30

Other water-borne diseases. ............................................ 33

Stream pollution. ......................................................... 33

Sewage. ............................................................... 33

Industrial wastes. ..................................................... 34

Mississippi River basin above Minnesota River. .............................. 35

General description. .................................................... 35

Boundaries. ........................................................ 35

Source, course, and slope of the river. ............................... 35

Storage reservoirs. .................................................. 37

Tributaries of Mississippi River. .................................... 38

Geology. ......................................................... 38

Soil and subsoil. .................................................. 39

Industrial pollution. ................................................... 40

Kinds of pollution ................................................. 40

Lumbering. ....................................................... 40

3
4 CONTENTS.

Mississippi River basin above Minnesota River Continued. PageIndustrial pollution Continued.

Paper mills............................................. ......... 42

Sugar industry.................................... 7^............... 42

Other industries................................................... 43

Municipal pollution.................................................... 44

Probability of pollution............................................ 44

Population......................................................... 44

Conditions on the Mississippi....................................... 46

General conditions............................................. 46

Conditions at Grand Rapids.................................... 46

Conditions at St. Cloud......................................... 46

Conditions at Minneapolis....................................... 47

Typhoid fever..................................................... 48

Quality of water.......................................................... 49

Notes on municipalities................................................ 59

Minnesota River basin...................................................... 65

General description..................................................... 65

Boundaries....................................................... 65

Course and slope of Minnesota River ................................ 65

Tributaries of Minnesota River...................................... 66

Topography....................................................... 67

Geology.......................................................... 67

Soil and subsoil................................................... 68

Industrial pollution................................................... 68

Municipal pollution.................................................... 69

Population......................................................... 69

Conditions on the Minnesota........................................ 70

General conditions............................................ 70

Conditions at Ortonville........................................ 70

Conditions at Mankato.......................................... 71

Conditions at mouth of river................................... 71

Typhoid fever....................................................... 72

Quality of water........................................................ 72

Notes on municipalities................................................ 80

St. Croix River basin...................................................... 86

General description..................................................... 86

Boundaries....................................................... 86

Character and slope of St. Croix River.............................. 86

Tributaries of St. Croix River...................................... 87

Geology.......................................................... 87

Soil and subsoil................................................... 88

Industrial pollution................................................... 89

Lumbering........................................................ 89

Starch making..................................................... 89

Municipal pollution.................................................... 90

Population and pollution.......................................... 90

Typhoid fever....................................................... 92

Quality of water........................................................ 92

Notes on municipalities................................................ 94

Mississippi River basin between Minnesota River and the Iowa line........... 96

General description..................................................... 96

Area discussed.................................................... 96

Character and slope of Mississippi River............................. 96
CONTENTS. 5

Mississippi River basin between Minnesota River and the Iowa line Cont'd. PageGeneral description Continued.

Tributaries of Mississippi River................................ 97

Topography....................................................... 97

Geology.......................................................... 97

Soil and subsoil................................................... 98

Industrial pollution..................................... ............. 98

Municipal pollution.................................................... 99

Population and sources of pollution.................................. 99

Typhoid fever..................................................... 101

Quality of water........................................................ 102

Notes on municipalities................................................ 106

St. Louis River basin....?.................................................. Ill

General description..................................................... Ill

Boundaries.....................................................1. Ill

Character and slope of St. Louis River............................... Ill

Tributaries of St. Louis River....................................... 112

Geology.......................................................... 112

Industrial pollution................................................... 113

Municipal pollution.................................................... 115

Quality of water........................................................ 117

Notes on municipalities.................................................. 120

Red River basin.......................................................... 122

General description..................................................... 122

Boundaries....................................................... 122

Character and slope of Red River.................................... 123

Tributaries of Red River............................................ 123

Topography....................................................... 124

Geology.............../.......................................... 124

Soil and subsoil................................................... 125

Industrial pollution................................................... 126

Municipal pollution.................................................... 127

Quality of water........................................................ 130

Notes on municipalities................................................ 134

Rainy River basin......................................................... 138

General description..................................................... 138

Industrial pollution................................................... 139

Municipal pollution.................................................... 139

Quality of water........................................................ 140

Notes on municipalities................................................ 140

Missouri River basin........................................................ 140

General description..................................................... 140

Municipal pollution.................................................... 142

Notes on municipalities................................................ 142

Des Moines River basin.................................................... 143

General description..................................................... 143

Municipal pollution.................................................... 143

Notes on municipalities................................................ 144

Cedar River basin......................................................... 145

General description................................................... 145

Municipal pollution.................................................... 145

Notes on municipalities................................................ 145

Municipal water supplies.................................................. J46

Extent of public supplies............................................... 146
6 CONTENTS.

Municipal water supplies Contimied. Page.

Development of waterworks............................................. 150

Comparative value of surface and ground waters.......................... 151

Methods of analysis........................................................ 153

Chemical examinations................................................ 153

Field assays........................................................ 153

Laboratory analyses before August, 1904............................ 153

Laboratory examinations after August, 1904......................... 154

Bacteriological examinations............................................ 155

Collection of samples............................................... 155

Method of pouring plates............................................ 156

Quantity of water used ............................................ 156

Estimation of average number of colonies........................... 156

Method of determining the presence of B. coJi commitnis. .............. 157

Index.................................................................... 159

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Pa,ge.

PLATE I. Map of Minnesota, showing location of sampling stations ........... 7

II. Map of Mississippi River basin above Minnesota River.............. 36

III. Map of Minnesota River basin..................................... 66

IV. Map of St. Croix and lower Mississippi River basins in Minnesota. .. 86

V. Profile of St. Croix River.......................................... 88

VI. Map of St. Louis River basin....................................... 112

VII. Map of Red River basin in Minnesota............................. 122

FIG. 1. Profile of Mississippi River......................................... 37

2. Diagram showing quality of Mississippi River water at Minneapolis, 1905. 57

3. Profile of Minnesota River.......................................... 66

. 4. Diagram showing relation of turbidity to gage height on Minnesota River

at Mankato....................................................... 79
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 193 PL. I

 Surface water sampling stations * *«* Drainage area boundaries

MAP OF MINNESOTA SHOWING LOCATION OF SAMPLING STATIONS.
THE QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IX MIMESOTA.

By R. B. DOLE and F. F. WESBROOK.

INTRODUCTION.

The following paper outlines the general characteristics of surface 

waters in Minnesota and the various factors that tend to modif}~ the 

quality of the drainage. It includes the results of nearly two years' 

field and laboratory work done by the United States Geological Survey in cooperation with the Minnesota State board of health. First 

the general features, both natural and economic, that influence the 

quality of the meteoric water and impart to the lakes and streams 

their essential characteristics are reviewed. Xext each drainage area 

is considered in detail, the streams are described, the sources of pollution are discussed, and the results of chemical analyses and bacteriological examinations are given. Statistics are presented regarding 

practically all of the municipal water supplies in the State, and the 

relative value of the surface and ground waters for general consumption is discussed. At the end is a description of the laboratory 

methods employed in the chemical and bacteriological work.

During the summer of 1903 arrangements were made whereby a 

study of Minnesota surface waters was commenced jointly by the 

United States Geological Survey, the Minnesota State board of health, 

and the chemical department of the University of Minnesota. Certain sections of the State were assigned to each party of the agreement 

for investigation. In pursuance of this project samples were collected 

at Brainerd, Hastings, Mankato, Prescott, Rochester, St. Cloud, Sank 

Rapids, and Wabasha, during the fall of 1903, by representatives of 

the Minnesota State board of health. Three trips over the territory 

assigned to the United States Geological Survey were made by R. B. 

Dole, assistant hydrographer, between November 25, 1903, and May 

22, 1904, during which time samples were collected at Aitkin, Bemidji, 

Biwabik, Brainerd, Cass Lake, Cloquet, Crookston, Ely, Eveleth, 

Grand Rapids, Hibbing, Sparta, Tower, and Virginia. During the 

first seven months of 1904 samples were collected by representatives 

of the State board of health at Anoka, Fort Snelling, Granite Falls, 

Hastings, Mankato, Montevideo, New Ulm, Ortonville, Prescott, 

Redwood Falls, Rochester, and Wabasha. (PI. I.) At each place

7
8 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

visited samples were collected in glass bottles and forwarded oy express for chemical analysis to the State laboratories, where they were 

examined by H. C. Carel, assistant professor in medical chemistry, 

University of Minnesota, who was employed by the State board of 

health to perform the chemical examinations of \vater. Samples for 

bacteriological examination were also collected at the same time and 

plated in the field and the cultures were sent by express to the laboratory for incubation and examination. In addition, field tests wT ere 

made for certain constituents at the time of collection.

In the summer of 1904 an agreement between the United States 

Geological Survey and the State board of health was made, by which 

an employee of the Survey was detailed by the Survey and appointed 

by the board to do such chemical work from August 1, 1904, to July 

31, 1905, inclusive, as might be necessary in an extended examination 

of waters of the lakes and streams of Minnesota. During that period 

the chemical analyses were performed by R. B. Dole, assistant hydrographer, in a laboratory at Minneapolis specially equipped for the 

purpose by the State board of health. The bacteriological examination of the water samples was conducted as formerly in the laboratory 

of the State board of health, by Dr. E. H. Beckman, assistant bacteriologist to the board. Both the chemical and the bacteriological work 

were, during the entire cooperation, under the immediate supervision 

of Dr. F. F. Wesbrook, director of the laboratories of the State board 

of health of Minnesota. In order to continue the comprehensive survey 

of the surface waters in the State, points were selected in each drainage area at which samples should be taken at regular intervals for 

examination. Sixty-five stations were thus established, at which 

samples were taken in regular series one sample during the fall of

1904. one during the winter of 1904-5, and one during the spring of

1905.

In addition to the results obtained by the laboratory work thus performed, it was considered especially important to procure all available 

information concerning matters of hydro-economic importance in the 

sections visited, and a large amount of time was expended in gathering 

data concerning every feature of municipal activity which in any way 

affects water in its relation to public health or public utilities. At 

every place wrhere it was possible, a personal inspection was made of 

waterworks systems, sewerage, and effluent-discharging factories, and 

detailed information was obtained concerning water and sewerage 

systems, ice supply, sewage-disposal works, water-borne diseases, and 

general water resources. In this manner information was procured 

regarding a majority of the principal cities and villages. In the spring 

of 1905 correspondence was carried on with reliable persons in such 

important settlements as had not been visited in order to procure the 

same kind of information, so that by the end of July, 1905, data were
TOPOGRAPHY. 9

on file concerning practically everj^ settlement in the State having a 

population of more than 1,000 according to the census of 1900, and 

also concerning practically every waterworks system in the State. 

Active field work was discontinued on June 30, 1905.

For many courtesies extended and for information given, acknowledgments are here made to the health officers, waterworks superintendents, city clerks, and others who collaborated with the authors in this 

investigation. Special thanks are due to Dr. H. M. Bracken, secretary of the State board of health, for his enthusiastic support and for 

his vast local and general knowledge of the State, which was at all 

times made available by him in the work; thanks are also due to the 

individual members of the State board of health, who supported the 

work heartily throughout and by their interest made it possible, and 

to the individual members of the staff of the laboratories of the State 

board of health, who rendered every assistance whenever it was 

desired. Mr. Marshall O. Leighton, chief hydrographer, water resources 

branch U. S. Geological Survej", originally suggested the work and 

has followed it carefully throughout, guiding it and helping in the 

correlation of the practical and scientific sides at all times.

e NATURAL FEATURES. 

TOPOGRAPHY.

The greater part of Minnesota is slightly rolling prairie, forest, or 

swamp land lying between 1,000 and 1,500 feet above sea level. Its 

watersheds are usually morainic in character, elevated but little above 

the surrounding country. The northeastern section, above Lake 

Superior, is the only part that can be called mountainous. There a 

series of ridges comprising the Sawteeth and Mesabi ranges, extends 

from the international boundary, near Gunflint Lake, southwestward 

to Mississippi River at Grand Rapids, through Cook, Lake, St. Louis, 

and Itasca counties. It includes the Vermilion and Mesabi iron-bearing districts. The highest recorded elevation is 2,230 feet 0 above the 

sea in the Misquah Hills, Cook County. The next highest section of 

elevated topography, kncwn as the Leaf Hills, extends in a nearly 

north-south line through Ottertail and Douglas counties. These 

hills stretch northward through Becker and Clearwater counties in a 

plateau; on the east and the west they slope gently to the broad valleys of Mississippi River and Red River, respectively. The highest 

part of this tract is not over 1,750 feet above sea level. In the southwestern part of the State the Coteau des Prairies, commonly known 

as the Dakota foothills, enter from South Dakota and extend southeastward through Lj-on, Murra}^, and Nobles counties to the Iowa 

boundary. They are composed of drift deposits and in Minnesota

a Winrhell, N. H., f!pol. and Natural History Survey oi Minnesota, Final Rcpt., vol. 4, p. 317.
10 QUALITY OF SUEFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

reach a maximum elevation of about 2,000 feet above the sea. Low 

and comparatively insignificant ridges, generally glacial in origin, form 

the watersheds throughout the rest of the State. The lowest parts of 

the State are the points at which the three great drainage systems 

cross its boundary. St. Louis River enters Lake Superior at an elevation of 602 feet a above sea level; Red River leaves the State at a 

mean elevation of 767 feet; 6 and Mississippi River is 617 feet c above 

the sea at the southern border.

HYDROGRAPHY. 

RIVERS.

Minnesota contains within its boundaries the headwaters of three 

great drainage systems. Approximately one-tenth of its surface, 

comprising the St. Louis drainage area and the small streams entering 

Lake Superior, is in the Laurentian basin. The Hudson Bay system, 

through its great tributaries, Red River and Rainy River, drains 

about three-tenths of the State's area in the north and west sections. 

The rest of Minnesota is tributan^ to Mississippi River either directly 

or through its large branches, Missouri, Des Moines, Cedar, St. Croix, 

and Minnesota rivers.

In this report the water conditions are discussed under the following 

headings: (1) Mississippi River basin above Minnesota River; (2) 

Minnesota River basin; (3) St. Croix River basin; (4) Mississippi River 

basin between Minnesota River and the Iowa line; (5) Red River 

basin; (6) St. Louis River basin; (7) Rain}^ River basin; (8) Missouri River basin; (9) Des Moines River basin; (10) Cedar River 

basin.

Mississippi River drainage area above Minnesota River includes 

the river from its source to Fort Snelling and comprises the broad, 

gently sloping, forested and deforested lands in the north-central 

part of the State. (See PI. II.)

Minnesota River drainage area comprises a broad tract extending 

across the State from South Dakota to the confluence of this river 

with Mississippi River at Fort Snelling. It includes parts of northeastern South Dakota and northern lowr,. (See PI. III.)

St. Croix River drainage area includes part of eastern Minnesota 

and a large part of northwestern Wisconsin. The area tributary 

to Mississippi River above the southern boundary of Minnesota 

comprises more than three-quarters of Wisconsin, together with the 

country considered under St. Croix River, Minnesota River, and 

Mississippi River above Minnesota River. Therefore a discussion of 

this lower section and the main stream must necessarily have frequent reference to the rivers above mentioned. (See PI. IV.)

a Gannett, Henry, Dictionary of altitudes in the United States: Bull. U. S. Geol. Survey No. 274. 

6 Final Kept. Minnesota Geol. and Nat. Hist. Survey, vol. 1, p. 122. 

c Mississippi River Commission. Charts of Mississippi River.
HYDROGRAPHY. 11

The Lake Superior basin in Minnesota is a comparatively small 

area, 20 to 100 miles wide, along the north and west shores of Lake 

Superior. Most of the streams are short and flow through an unsettled section of the State. The St. Louis drainage area comprises the 

greater part of this basin. (See PL VI.)

Red River drainage area in Minnesota extends from the middle of 

the western boundary north to Canada and east beyond Red Lake. 

North Dakota as far west as Devils Lake is tributary to Red River. 

A small tract in the northwestern corner of South Dakota lies in the 

basin of Red River. (See PI. VII.)

Rainy River has tributary to it a strip of the northern part of 

Minnesota along the international boundary, extending from North 

Lake, a few miles northwest of Lake Superior, to Lake of the Woods.

Missouri River receives the drainage from a small area in the 

southwest corner of the State that is traversed by Rock and Little 

Sioux rivers.

Des Moines Ri^pr has its headwaters in the southwestern part of 

Minnesota. Its drainage area includes parts of Pipestone, Murray, 

Nobles, Cottonwood, Jackson, and Martin counties.

Cedar River flows south through Freeborn, Mower, and Dodge 

counties near the southern boundary of the State.

LAKES.

Minnesota contains probably a larger number of lakes than any 

other State in the Union. The latest authority gives 84,682 square 

miles as the total area of the State, of which 3,824 square miles, or 

about 4.4 per cent, is water.0 In addition to the above area 2,514 

square miles of Lake Superior^ are within the State. Lake of the 

Woods forms part of the northern boundary. Lake Traverse and 

Bigstone Lake form part of the western boundary. Lake Pepin, an 

enlargement of Mississippi River, about 23 miles long and 3 miles 

wide, forms part of the eastern boundary. The following table 

shows the names, location, and areas of the principal lakes in the 

State:

T.VBLF. \. J'rhu'ifxil lakes of Minnesota.

Lake. 

-A-loert Ijei

Alexander

Bisrstono. .......---.-

County.

T,nke

Bi<rstone. ............

Drainage area.

O Pfl Q 1"

Minnesota ..........

Water purface.

S(j. 'irnlfs.

&9.5

cl8.5

a Gannott, Tlonrv, The areas of the United States, the States, and the Territories: Bull. U. S. Geol. 

Survey No. 302, 1906, p. 5.

feMeasured with planimeter from best available maps. 

cAnn. Kept.Chief of Engrs. U. S. A. for 1898, p. 1838.
12 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATEKS II? MINNESOTA. 

TABLE ]. Principal Mrs of Minnesota Continued.

Lake. County. Drainage area. Water surface.

Brule . ... . .......... .

Cormorant ..........

Crooked .............

Fish . ................ .

f-rVppVl

Gull . ............. . . . .

Gun Flint ...........

Ida ..................

Kabetogama .......

Lida .................

Long -----------------

Loone .............

Minnewaska ........

Namekan ...........

Nequowuon ........

Net... ...............

Osakis. ...........

Pepin ......... .f ....

Pine..................

Rainy ...........

Red (upper). .........

Red (lower) ........

St. Croix... ........

Sandy ................

Snowbank ............

Thief . .... . ..........

Trout . ... . . ..........

Vermilion. ............

West Battle . .... .....

White Bear. . ........

White Fish

Winn ibigoshish . ......

Beeker ...........

St. Louis

Ottertail.............

Cnnk

Cook

St. Louis . . .... . ....

Ottertail.............

St. Louis .

St. Louis .

Todd . ... . ..........

Ottertail......... . ...

Ottertail

Cook ................

Nicollct

Ottertail. .......... ..

\Tl qqi CQI T~\V\i

Red..... ...........

Red................

\Tl qqi QQI T^T"\I

Red . ... . ...........

1VT 1 SS IS ^ 1 T) T) 1

Red . ... ............

Red. . . . ... . ........

Red ................

Red . ... . ...........

St. Croix

Red . ... . .......... .

Red . ... . ......... ..

Red . ... . ...........

Sq. miles. 

« 18

a 14

a 9Q

"15

"1.5

"40

/ 6233.80

'( c 173. 19

d200

» 2]

a 11

« 16

a 23

Q16

Q21

c]2.20

"207

a 287

/ b 16. 52

\ c 8. 00

a 16

f 1 Q O

a 14

» 66

»13

/ b 161. 26

1 c]17.00

a Measured with planimeter from best ava lahle maps.

A High water; see p. 38.

c Low water; sec p. 38.

<*Geol. and Nat. Hist. Survey Minnesota, Final Rept., vol. 11, p. 613.

t Ann. Rept. Chief of Engrs.'U. 8. A. for 1898, p. 1838.
HYDROGKAPHY. 13

Most of the lakes are shallow and of glacial origin and are being 

gradually eliminated by silting, drainage, and perhaps other modifying agencies, so that io is only a question of time when their number will be greatly reduced.

DRAINAGE BITCHES.

On account of their unaccented topography large sections of the 

State contain extensive swamp areas which are agriculturally useless 

until they have been artificially drained. Some rivers are dispersed 

in large swamps covered with decaying black spruce, tamaracks, mosses, 

reeds, and small shrubs. In order to convert these areas into cultivable lands, canals and networks of drainage ditches have been 

dug. In 1893 a the State legislature appropriated $100,000 for drainage work in Red River Valley and at the same time created a body 

known as the Red River Valley Drainage Commission, which, under 

the act of 1901, was reorganized as the drainage commission of the 

State of Minnesota. At the end of 1899 the commission had completed 117.47 miles of ditches in Clay, Grant, Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Polk, Traverse, and Wilkin counties. Since 1901 considerable 

work has been done in Wadena and Aitkin counties and in other sections. The total number of miles of ditches built by the State at the 

end of 1904 was 206.25. The work is by no means completed. Large 

swamp sections still remain in the unsettled portions of the Rainy 

Lake area and the upper Mississippi Valley. In addition to the work 

done by the State most of the counties in Minnesota have expended 

more or less money in draining lands within their borders and large 

areas have been drained by private corporations.

FLOODS.

The melting of snow in the spring and the accompanying heavy 

rainfall cause general floods throughout the State. In the fall heavy 

rains frequently cause the streams to run very high. During these 

floods the water, which is then in its worst condition from a sanitary 

standpoint, is most difficult to purify. A large quantity of organic 

matter that has accumulated on the surface of the ground is washed 

into the streams, together with disintegrated soil. With the rise of 

water and the consequent acceleration of stream velocity the sediment in the beds of the rivers is removed and carried on by the freshet. 

The enormous influx of soft water causes a diminution in the relative 

mineral content of the water, for while the turbidity of the streams is 

increased the percentage of dissolved matter is decreased. Fortunately, the absence of steep slopes in the greater part of the State 

prevents such disastrous floods as occur in mountainous regions; but

« Ralph, George A., Engineer's Rept. on State DrainageWork in Minnesota. Crookston, Minn., 1904.
14 QUALITY OF SUEFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

the streams, nevertheless, sometimes show a marked general rise. 

The following table, compiled from records of stream measurements, 

shows the fluctuations of the principal rivers:

TABLE 2. Annual Jluct wit ion of river level in Minnesota, infect.

Minnesota. 

Red Lake.

Red...

Do....

' Place.

St. Paulc...................

Hastings a.. ................

Moorhead c .................

1901.

6.2 ""(Vs"

8.

1902.

11.8

C. 4

7.3

5.9

5.5

3.7

1903.

11.4

10.5

12.3 

8 9

11.

12.3

16.8

4.1

25.0

6.9

1904.

7.3

9.6 

6.4

7.6

7.6

f\ K

16.7

34.6

14.3

1905.

9.0

10.0

19.6

11.2

Maximum 

variation.

14.0

20.6

18.7 

15.3

15.8

18.2

33 4

"Mississippi River Commission. Stages of Mississippi River, 1901-1904.

6 Report of progress of stream measurements, 1901-1905. Water Sup. and Irr. Papers, U. S. Geol. 

Survey.

c Daily river stages of the principal rivers of the United States, Weathor Bureau, U. S. Dept. Agriculture, Pt. VII, W. B. No. 339.

Ked River shows the greatest variation between high and low water. 

There are several reasons for this: (1) The land in the basin of this 

stream, though it is not mountainous, slopes gently to the principal 

water courses,, and in level areas or places where there is opportunity 

for the water to collect in swamps ditches have been dug to assist in, its 

rapid removal; (2) there are no forest trees in the greater part of the 

area to prevent rapid run-off and quick melting of snows and ice 

during a rise of temperature; (3) the area contains no large storage 

reservoirs except Red Lake. As a result of these factors the entire 

region has a quick run-off. The spring flood on Red River, as shown 

by gagings made by the United States Geological Survey at Grand 

Forks, N. Dak., occurs during the month of April and is the most 

important rise of the year. During the other spring months and in 

October heavy rainfall sometimes causes floods of less magnitude. 

The same condition exists on Minnesota River, the drainage area of 

which is in many respects similar to that of Red River.

Mississippi River in its upper part, as shown by gagings at Aitkin 

and at Sauk Rapids, is subject to a series of floods, which generally 

begin in April and last until the latter part of June. Summer rains 

cause freshets, but these are of much less importance than those on 

Red River. Heavy rains in September and October sometimes 

cause nearly as great freshets as those that occur in the spring. The 

conditions in the Mississippi drainage area are distinctly different 

from those in the Red River region, namely: (1) Much of the upper 

section of the valley is forested; (2) the area comprises large swamps; 

(3) extensive impounding reservoirs have been constructed for the 

purpose of holding back flood waters. Therefore floods'on the Mississippi are not particularly high. Gagings of the lower river between 

St. Paul and the southern boundary of the State present a very com-
CLIMATE. 15

plex series of floods. At Winona, Minn., there is a rise in the 

latter part of March, another in April, and a still larger one during 

May. Doubtless these separate freshets are due to the fact that the 

ice and snow on different tributaries melt at different times. Heavy 

rainfalls usually cause freshets in September, October, or November.

CLIMATE.

Six climatological stations of the United States Weather Bureau 

are situated within or near the area under consideration: Duluth, 

Minn., at the head of Lake Superior, is in Lake Superior basin; Moorhead, Minn., about midway between the north and south boundaries 

of the State on its western border, is in Red River drainage area; 

Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn., are situated in the eastern part of 

the State, near the confluence of Minnesota, upper Mississippi, and St. 

Croix rivers. Though Bismarck, N. Dak., is somewhat west of the 

region under study its climate may be considered typical of the western half of Red River drainage area. As a balance to this western 

station, La Crosse, Wis., near the southeastern corner of Minnesota, 

has been added.

TEMPERATURE.

The following table shows the mean temperature for each month 

throughout the year, calculated from the records of these stations, 

which have "been established for periods ranging from fifteen to thirtyfive years:

TABLE 3. Mean temperature in the Northwest, in degrees Fahrenheit.a

Station.

Duluth. ..........

St. Paul..........

Minneapolis..... .

Jan.

10

3

6

12

14 

16

10

Feb.

13

9

14 

19

12

Mar.

24

22

22

28

29 

31

26

Apr.

38

42

42

46

47 

48

44

May.

48

55

55

58

58 

60

56

June.

58

64

64

67

68 

69

65

July.

66

68

69

73

72 

73

70

Aug.

65

66

68

71

70 

71

68

Sept.

57

56

57

60

62 

62

59

Oct.

45

44

44

48

50 

50

47

Nov.

29

25

27

31

32 

34

30

Dec.

17

12

15

19

20

23

18

Annual.

39

38

40

44

45 

46

42

a From compiled records of the U. S. Weather Bureau, Washington, D. C.

The mean annual temperature for the entire region is 42° F. Though

the variation from this figure from year to year is not large, the temperature reaches great extremes at certain seasons, so that the annual 

range considerably exceeds 100°, as is shown by Table 4.

TABLE 4. Extremes of temperature.a

Station.

Duluth. ............................................

Highest 

observed.

0 F. 

99

101

106

104

102

Itfl

Average maximum.

0 F. 

90

95

100

Q^

95

95

Lowest 

observed.

°F. 

-41

-48

-44

-40

-33

-43

Average 

minimum.

0 F.

-27

-30

-32

-24

-24

-22

.

Average 

annual 

range.

0 JJ1_

117

125

132

119

119

117

a From compilpd records of the U. S. Weather Bureau, Washington, D. C. 

IBK 193 07 2
16 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

The average maximum temperature is about 95° and the average 

minimum temperature about 27°. January, the coldest month in 

the year, has a mean of 10°, and July, the warmest, a mean of 70°. 

The coldest section is Red River valley, and here also are found the 

greatest extremes of temperature. The region around Lake Superior, 

doubtless on account of its proximity to that large body of water, 

experiences the least changes. The portion having the highest 

average temperature is the southern half of Minnesota, in which the 

mean temperature is 45°.

PERIOD OF FROST.

In the northern section the temperature falls below freezing about 

the latter part of October and rises above that point early in April. 

The first severe frosts in autumn occur'about the beginning of October 

and the last in spring about the first of May. The period during 

which the lakes and rivers are closed by ice is influenced not only by 

temperature, but by the velocity of flow and the size of the body of 

water and the percentage of ground water flowing into it. The following table gives approximately the period during which the principal rivers are closed at certain points:

TABLE 5. Ice period of principal rivers.

River. At 

St.Paul...........................

Date

closed.

Dec. 1

Dec. 1

Nov. 20

Date 

opened.

Apr. 1

Apr. 10

Mar. 20

Time 

closed, 

(months)

3.5

4

5

3.5

3.5

In general, lakes are frozen over during the 5 months of November, December, January, February, and March. The port of Duluth 

is closed about 4 months in the year on account of ice in the Great 

Lakes. Devils Lake, a large body of water in North Dakota, in Red 

River drainage area, a is generally frozen from the middle of November to the first of May, a period of 5J months. The thickness of the 

ice in different lakes and rivers varies from 1 to 45 inches.

PRECIPITATION.

The mean annual precipitation is 27 inches of rain and melted snow, 

though this figure may vary considerably from year to year in different parts of the area. It has been known to be as low as 11.03 inches 

at Bismarck, N. Dak., and as high as 44.74 inches at La Crosse, Wis.

a Newell, F. H., Water Supply and Irr. Paper No. 85, U. S. Geol. Survey, p. 239,
CLIMATE. 17

These extremes show the extent of variation between wet and dry 

years. The average rainfall at 6 stations in the Northwest is shown 

in Table 6.

TABLE (>. Precipitation in the Northwcst.a

Station.

St. Paul...................................

Duluth ....................................

Jan.

0.98

.66

.50

.89

.65

1.09

.80

July.

3.75

2.20

3.48

4.14

4.04

Fob.

l.C

.(

.£

l.C

.£

Aug.

3.44

1.97

3. 68

3.83

3.49

3.25

'}

7

3

7

8

)5

(?,

S

Ma

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

opt.

3. 67

1 19

3 ?8

3.39

4.03

2.96

r.

55

04

08

.59

70

.57

W

Oc

v

2

i

2

">:

A

t.

03

41

71

50

"4

pril.

2 12

2.36

1.92

2.34

2.35

2.36

2.24

Nov

1.5

g

1.2

1.1

1.4

3

4

7

May.

3.31

3.02

2.34

3.31

3.41

3.61

3.17

Dec.

1.26

.67

1.09

.93

1.31

98

June.

4.23

4.14

3.56

4.41

3.98

4.45

4.13

Annual.

29.98

24.60

28.42

28.65

30.83

26.77

oFrom records compiled by U. S. Weather Bureau, Washington, D. C.

There is a period of heav}" rainfall from May to September, inclusive. 

The precipitation is generally least in January, during which month 

it does not often exceed one inch. During the period of greatest precipitation there are frequent heavj- rainstorms, which in the deforested and prairie regions cause the streams to rise rapidly. Snow 

falls in every part of the region. The average annual fall is 40 inches 

of dry snow, most of which is precipitated in the region around Lake 

Superior, though the severest blizzards, during which there is the 

greatest precipitation at one time, occur in the western part of Red 

River Valley. The heaviest storms occur generally during December 

and March. The precipitation during the later part of the winter 

causes heavy floods in the spring, for the rapid melting of the snow on 

the ground after the spring rise in temperature coincides with the 

heavy rains of April and May.

SUMMARY.

At many points throughout the region under consideration voluntary observers record the temperature and the precipitation. Unfortunately these records have not been continued long enough to furnish 

data for reliable deductions concerning the general weather conditions 

of each drainage area. Therefore the following figures, representing 

averages made from the records of 36 stations in Minnesota, North 

Dakota, and Wisconsin may be subject to change as further data are 

recorded.
18 QUALITY OP SUKFACE WATEKS IN MINNESOTA.

TABLE 7. Mean annual temperature and precipitation.®

Area.

Red..............................................................................

Temperature.

Degrees F.

OQ

43

45

41

39

Precipitation.

Inches.

on

26

01

on

22

^Computed from records given in Ann. Repts. of Chief of Weather Bureau, 1892-1904, inclusive.

In general the climate of Minnesota is typical of the central part of 

the temperate zone. Since there are no high mountains to protect 

the State, it is exposed to the cold winds of Canada and to the warm 

waves of the lower Mississippi Valley. The treeless plains of its 

western section experience the greatest extremes of temperature and 

receive the least rainfall. The region around the Great Lakes has 

the least variation of temperature and a high total precipitationThere is measurable precipitation on about ten days in each month 

in every part of the area; and the year can not, therefore, be divided 

into a rainy and a dry season. To this even distribution of the rain 

throughout the warmer half of the year this section owes its remarkable fertility and its adaptability to many kinds of crops. The ground 

freezes in November and thaws in the latter part of March or the first 

of April. During the period of low temperature the rivers and lakes 

throughout the State are frozen. In the spring heavy rains accompany the rise of temperature that causes the melting of the accumulated snow and ice.

The following table summarizes the important weather conditions 

in the region considered:

TABLE 8. Summary of weather conditions in the Minnesota region.

Station.

Duluth. ...................................

St. Paul. ..................................

Temperature, °F.

Mean.

39 

38 

40 

44 

45 

46 

42

Range.

117 

125 

132 

119 

119 

117 

122

Precipitation in 

inches.

Average 

total.

29.98 

24.60 

18.14 

28.42 

28.65 

30.83 

26.77

Average 

snowfall.

54 

38 

34 

38 

40 

39 

42

Dates for severe

frosts.

Fall.

Oct. 4 

Sept. 22 

Sept. 15 

Oct. 5 

Sept. 30 

Oct. 5 

Sept. 28

Spring.

May 3 

May 14 

May 15 

May 6 

May 2 

May 1 

May 7

GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS AND SOILS.

Probably no other natural feature has more profound influence on 

the character of surface waters than the chemical composition of the 

rocks over or through which they flow. At all seasons of the year a 

certain percentage of the stream flow above ground is derived by
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS. 19

seepage from the water-bearing strata that outcrop along the banks 

of the rivers and in lake bottoms. In winter, when the surface of the 

ground is frozen and there is no surface drainage, the stream supply, 

except that which is produced by irregular and intermittent thaws, is 

derived from underground water. Therefore the nature of the geologic formations and the character of the water contained in them are 

important features to be considered in a study of surface waters. 

The soil and the subsoil also have great influence on the character of 

the water of streams and lakes, because rain water dissolves more or 

less of the soluble soil constituents and is thus modified in its chemical 

composition before it finds its way to the water courses.

 GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS.

Geologically, Minnesota may be divided into three sections: (1) A 

northeastern division, embracing the districts adjacent to Lake Superior; (2) an eastern and southeastern division, reaching, with one 

slight interruption, from the head of Lake Superior southward into 

Iowa, and (3) a western district, embracing the remainder of the 

State.0

The northeastern division, embracing the Mesabi and Vermilion 

iron-bearing districts, includes the Laurentian basin and that part of 

Rainy River drainage area that lies directly north of it. The formations are mainly crystalline, consisting of quartz, gneisses, schists, and 

other igneous and metamorphic rocks. There are valuable outcrops 

of these earlier formations at St. Cloud and in the area northeast of 

that city.

At many places along Minnesota River the bed of the stream is 

granite in place. The ore deposits in the iron districts contain large 

quantities of water, which, on one hand, embarrass miners, and, on the 

other, afford water supplies for neighboring municipalities. None of 

these rocks except the ore deposits transmits much water. The early 

formations are covered by a deposit of drift, of variable thickness, 

which affords a supply of water for shallow wells.

The eastern and southeastern division, extending from Lake Superior to the Iowa boundary, is underlain by Cambrian and Ordovician 

rocks. The belt comprising these formations gradually widens 

toward the east and west in its extension southward from the northern 

section of this region, in upper St. Croix valley. These rocks consist 

of a succession of sandstones, shales, dolomites, and dolomitic limestones, of variable thickness, which dip generally southward. The 

lowest water-bearing stratum is the basal sandstone, sometimes 

locally known as the " Potsdam." This is overlain by a succession of 

shales and dolomites called the "St. Lawrence formation," above

a Ilall, 0. W., Hydrology of Minnesota: Water-Sup, and Irr. Paper No. 102, U. S. Geol. Survey, p. 441.
20 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATEKS IE" MINNESOTA.

which lies in turn the " Jordan" sandstone, a strong artesian bed over 

100 feet thick. The next rock containing water is the Xew Richmond sandstone, of variable thickness and locally absent, which is 

separated from the " Jordan" below by the Oneota limestone (" Lower 

Oneota"). The St. Peter sandstone is separated from the New Richmond by the Shakopee limestone ("Upper Oneota"). Both the 

Oneota and the Shakopee are beds of impervious dolomite and contain no water. The St. Peter sandstone is a strong water-bearingbody, of varying thickness, extending from the region around St. 

Paul continuously southward beneath the surface through the State 

of Iowa, where it affords a supply for many artesian wells. It is 

covered by an impervious limestone which has been classed as the 

" Trenton-Galena."

The western division includes the upper part of Minnesota River 

Valley, all of Red River Valle}r, and part of upper Mississippi Valley. 

It is covered by rocks of the Cretaceous system, named in succession, 0 

beginning with the earliest, the Dakota, Benton, Niobrara, and Pierre 

formations. These consist, respectively, of sandstone of considerable 

thickness containing a few scattered beds of shale and lignite; alternating shales and clays with some limestone; calcareous marl blending into the limestone of the Benton; and shales and clays, sandstones, 

and sandy shales. The Dakota sandstone is the source of the supply 

of the famed artesian basin of the Dakotas. The Cretaceous beds 

overlie Archean and Algonkian rocks in an area in the northern part 

of Minnesota that extends as far east as Alien Junction, south of the 

Mesabi range, and cover Cambrian and Ordovician rocks in the southwestern part of the State. Deposits of drift lie at the surface throughout the State of Minnesota except in a comparatively small area in 

its southeast corner that forms a part of the "Driftless Area," which 

comprises portions of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois. The 

Pleistocene deposits vary considerably from place to place in thickness and character, and the waters they contain are therefore more 

variable chemically than those that occur in the lower rocks.

Waters derived from the Cretaceous rocks are strongly alkaline, 

and the fact that they contain many saline deposits is shown by the 

character of the water coming from some portions of Red River Valley. Waters obtained from the sandstones in the eastern part of the 

State are much less strongly mineralized than those coming from the 

sandstones of the western part, though their hardness is influenced by 

contiguous limestones and dolomites. Waters from the older rocks 

naturally show the least mineralization, and waters from the ore 

bodies in the iron ranges do not contain ingredients that make their 

economic use undesirable, such as appear in mine drainage in many 

other sections of the country.

o Upliam, Warren, The Glacial Lake Agassiz: Mon. U. S. Geol. Survey, vol. 25, pp. 81-82.
SOILS. 21 

SOIL AND SUBSOIL.

Four distinct kinds of subsoil are found within the State:0 (1) Blue 

till, (2) red till, (3) gravel and sand, (4) clay or clay loam. These 

different kinds of soil owe their general characteristics to contiguous 

earlier formations, and these characteristics in turn determine or influence the condition of the soil and the drainage in the region where 

each predominates.

The blue till, derived principally from the disintegration of rocks 

of the Cretaceous formations, is strongly impregnated with salts of 

the alkalies and of the alkaline earths. The prairie part of Minnesota 

is characterized by soils of blue till, except in parts of Red River 

Valley, where the soils are derived from lacustrine clays, and in a few 

places where they are derived from loess loam. These soils correspond, in general, to the section of Cretaceous rocks, though their 

alkaline content decreases toward the east as they become modified 

by the minerals of other systems.

The red till contains a large amount of iron oxide, practically no 

alkaline salts, and somewhat less alkaline-earth compounds than the 

blue till. Red-till subsoils extend from the northeast corner of the 

State southwestward to St. Paul, where they begin gradually to blend 

into the blue-till subsoils of the western portion of the State and the 

cla,y loams of the Driftless Area.

The gravel and sand subsoils consist of modified till, their local 

character being determined by the character of the till in the regions 

where they occur. They are abundant in parts of the morainic 

deposits known as the Leaf Hills. .

Clay or clay-loam subsoils were deposited from the great sheets of 

fresh water that once covered large sections of the State. They owe 

their predominating characteristics to the character of the tills from 

which they were derived, but contain much less alkaline material. 

They appear throughout the lower part of Red River Valley. Clayloam subsoils are also found in lower Mississippi Valley and in the 

lower section of St. Louis Valley.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

POPULATION.

The rapid increase of population in Minnesota is a most important 

element to be considered in studying the resultant inevitable increase 

in the pollution of its lakes and streams. Before the first quarter of 

the nineteenth century the region was practically an unsettled wilderness, containing only a few scattered trading posts belonging to the 

Hudson Bay Company. In 1819 a military reservation, now known

o Wmchell, N. II., Final Kept. Geol. and Nat. Hist. Survey Minnesota, vol. 1, pp. 125-128.
22 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

as Fort Snelling, was established by the United States Government 

at the confluence of Minnesota and Mississippi rivers. Settlement has 

steadily progressed from that time to the present. Prairie land of 

great fertility, easy of access by water, attracted pioneers from all 

over the world. At the end of 30 years it was deemed advisable to 

set apart from Wisconsin the territory of Minnesota. In 1858 the 

State of Minnesota was admitted to the Union. The following table, 

giving the population for the area now included within its boundaries, 

shows how rapidly the increase has taken place:

TABLE 9. Total population of Minnesota from 1850 to 1905. a

Census.

1850. ...................................................................

1860. ...................................................................

1870. ...................................................................

1880. ...................................................................

1890. ...................................................................

1900. ...................................................................

1905. ..................................................................

Population.

6,077

172,023

439,706

780,773

1,301,826

1,751,394

1,979,912

Per cent 

increase.

2,730.7

155.6

77.6

66 7

33.8

613

Inhabitants per 

square 

mile.

0.03

2.2

9 9

22.1

25

a Figures for 1850-1900 are from U. S. Census; those for 1905 are from State Census. 

b Percentage increase in five years.

At the time of the first official census, taken soon after the organization of the Territory, the population was concentrated in the 

region lying within a few miles of St. Paul and in a settlement on Red 

River in Pembina (now Kittson) County. Between 1850 and 1870 

there was an enormous influx of settlers to the southern and central 

parts of the State. Since that time the percentage of increase has been 

always considerably higher than the average for the rest of the United 

States. The number of inhabitants per square mile is rapidly increasing. In spite of this growth, however, the State is still a pioneer 

country. Its density of population is little more than half that of the 

general average for the basin of Mississippi River, the most thickly 

settled portion is still in the region near St. Paul and Minneapolis, 

while in the Rainy River drainage area the population is considerably 

less than one person per square mile, and many townships are practically uninhabited. That this region will not long remain in its present unsettled condition is shown by the constant migration to it, 

The prospective removal of forests and .the drainage of swamps will 

undoubtedly result in the establishment of farms with their attendant 

trading centers and, from a sanitary standpoint, other foci of pollution.

PRINCIPAL INDUSTRIES. 

AGRICULTURE.

The chief reason for the progress and development of the State in 

general has been the abundance of inexpensive land remarkably well 

suited to the cultivation of cereals.
PBINCIPAL INDUSTEIES. 23

TABLE 10. Chief agricultural products in Minnesota, 1899. a

Bushels. 

Wheat................................................................ 95,278,660

Com................................................................... 47, 256,920

Oats................................................................... 74, 054,150

Potatoes.............................................................. 14, 643, 327

At present Minnesota is the greatest wheat-growing State in this 

country, about 12 per cent of its area producing that crop. Corn is 

extensively raised in the southern tier of counties, along the Iowa 

line. Oats, barley, rye, and potatoes are also largely cultivated. 

Red River Valley west of Thief River Falls and Minnesota River 

drainage area and the territory south of it, or about 40 per cent of 

the total area of the State are prairie lands with rich soil, requiring 

small investment for the production of large crops. Upper Mississippi Valley below Brainerd, now practically deforested, contains many 

farms. As soon as the northern counties are cleared of their timber 

it is probable that the entire section will become wheat-raising farms, 

similar to the part now under cultivation.

LUMBERING.

One of the greatest attractions in Minnesota for explorers and settlers was the great wealth of timber, principally white pine. Originally a line extending from Thief River Falls southeastward to the 

mouth of St. Croix River would have marked the southern boundary 

of the great pine region, along the edge of which stretched a belt of 

hard-wood forest 50 to 100 miles wide. At present the greater part of 

the standing timber is in the northern region, in Beltrami, Itasca, St. 

Louis, Lake, and Cook counties, and on the Indian reservations. St. 

Louis, St. Croix, and Mississippi rivers, the principal outlets for the 

lumber, afford easy access to sawmills and cheap conveyance for the 

sawed material. The amount of organic matter introduced into these 

streams and their tributaries by reason of the lumber industry is an 

important factor in the consideration of the value of surface water 

from the forested regions. A greater or less number of logs at all seasons of the year are floated in the rivers and lakes, which dissolve the 

resinous matter. Sawdust from the mills is a serious source of stream 

pollution. The total amount of lumber cut in Minnesota during 1899 

was 1,934,157,000 feet B. M., which is a fair average for the cut from 

year to year. From 500,000,000 to 700,000,000 feet are cut annually 

on the upper Mississippi alone and this enormous industry will continue until the pine forests of the State have been exhausted. The 

result of this removal on the quality and amount of surface water 

can not be predicted.

"Twelfth Census I'. S.
24 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

COMMERCE.

The principal trading centers of Minnesota are Duluth, Minneapolis, and St. Paul. The first of these, situated at the head of Lake 

Superior, owes its importance principally to its enormous traffic in 

iron ore, which is received by rail from the Mesabi and Vermilion districts and shipped across the Great Lakes. It is also a shipping point 

for grain and lumber and has a large import trade. It is the center 

of commerce for the northeastern part of the State and has considerable through traffic with the Pacific coast.

TABLE 11. Chief shipments by waterfront Duluth, 1903-5.a

Product. 1904.

11,560,083

344,109,000

4,342,782

<i Monthly Summary of Commerce and Finance, Bureau of Statistics, Department of Commerce and 

Labor, December, 1904, pp. 900-907; December, 1905, pp. 706-721.

Minneapolis owes much of its growth to the water power of St. 

Anthony Falls, by means of which this city has developed the largest 

flour mills in the world. Its principal trade is in wheat and lumber; 

it is a distributing point for all sorts of manufactured products 

throughout the Northwest.

St. Paul, at present the head of navigation on Mississippi River, is 

the transfer point of a great transcontinental traffic. It has a large 

commerce in lumber, live stock, and general merchandise. Regular 

lines of steamers run from St. Paul to lower ports on Mississippi River, 

and a considerable traffic is carried on by other vessels. Lumber is 

floated in enormous rafts down Mississippi River to St. Louis and 

other southern ports.

Besides the three cities above mentioned, points of minor commercial importance are: Winona, a distributing point for southeastern 

Minnesota; Mankato, the metropolis of Minnesota Valley; Fergus 

Falls, on Ottertail River, and Crookston, which has a large trade in 

wheat, lumber, and agricultural implements.

MINING.

Iron is the only metal that is extensively mined in Minnesota. The 

discovered deposits are included almost entirely within St. Louis 

County, north of Duluth. The Mesabi district, which extends generally northeast and southwest across the county and forms a great 

part of the north boundary of St. Louis River basin, was opened in 

1892 and quickly became the largest ore-producing district in the 

Lake Superior region. In 1904 the output of this one district alone 

was over 40 per cent of the total production in the United States.
MTXTXG. 25

North and somewhat east of the Mesabi range is the Vermilion ironbearing district, which was opened in 1884. Its annual output is 

from one million to two million tons of ore.

TABLE 12. Production of iron ores in Minnesota, 1399-l'J04. a 

[Long tons.]

Year.

1900. . .........................................................................

1901 ..... .......................................................................

190°

1903. . ...........................................................................

Vermilion 

range.

1,643,984

1,075,949

1,805,996

2,057,532

1,918,584

1,056,430

Mesabi 

range.

6,517,305

8,158,450

9,303,541

13,080,118

13,452,812

11,672,405

« Birkinbine, John, The production ol iron ores in 1904: Mineral Resources XI. S. for 1904, IT. S. Geol. 

Survey, 1905.

On account of the structure of the ore deposits, water traverses 

them readily, so that wherever mining is done the water must be 

removed. The use of mine water in this section does not present serious troubles from an industrial standpoint. The amount of dissolved 

solids it contains is comparatively small, though it varies considerably, 

depending upon the length of time it has been in contact with the 

underground strata. The rapid development of this enormous industry, however, has more bearing on the, resultant stream pollution by 

the constantly increasing population. In 1880 the total population of 

St. Louis County was*4,504. North of Duluth la}r a wilderness that 

was invaded only now and then by lumbermen. With the opening of 

the Mesabi range there was a sudden influx of prospectors and miners 

to this region and towns sprang up there as if by magic. In 1890 the 

population of the county, excluding Duluth, was 11,746; in 1900 there 

were nine settlements in the iron districts, having a population exceeding 1,000, and the total number of inhabitants in the county had 

doubled in ten years; in the period from 1900 to 1905 the total population increased by more than 35,000. With this rapid growth concentrated in mining towns, there was neglect of sanitary precautions 

and a disinclination to heed the experience of similar settlements elsewhere. Sewerage systems were constructed only after harsh lessons. 

Water supplies were taken in the least expensive way from the most 

convenient sources, generally from mine sumps or small creeks. An 

inevitable result of this disregard for hygienic measures wras the occurrence of severe epidemics of typhoid fever.
26 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

WArrKR-lJ01i:N"E DISEASES.

GENERAL DISCUSSION.

The value of water as a municipal resource is greatly affected by 

its liability to transmit disease from one locality to another. Until 

recently the belief was more or less general and even yet the opinion 

is not entirely eradicated, that the danger of water lies in part in 

"miasmatic vapors" or "fever fogs/' which may affect those w~ho 

breathe the air in the vicinity of swamps or other stagnant water. 

This paludal or miasmatic poison, vague or indeterminable in its 

origin and character, was believed to be the direct exciting cause of 

malaria or ague and even of other febrile humors, and was supposed 

besides to favor the spread of contagions and epidemics in general. 

More certain knowledge has gradually been gained concerning the 

cause, the means of spread, and the methods of preventing disease, 

and it is now known thai} water may carry living organisms or other 

substances that produce disease. Chemical substances when dissolved 

in water may act in a toxic or poisonous way. Even comparatively 

pure water, especially soft water, may prove dangerous by reason of 

its solvent action upon lead pipe if that is used for its transmission. 

Biological and clinical studies have determined beyond doubt the relationship of marshy districts ^o such diseases as malaria and yellow 

fever. It is now well known that the dangerjrom swamps is due to 

the facilities which they afford mosquitoes for breeding, since the 

virus of these two diseases, and probably also of filariasis, is transmitted by mosquitoes. In passing, it may be stated that two methods 

of protecting the public health should be combined namely, the 

extermination of mosquitoes of certain or all varieties and the protection of the sick from mosquito bites.

Sanitarians are justly concerned with a certain group of waterborne diseases, of which typhoid fever, cholera, and possibly certain 

diarrheal diseases are types. The infecting bacteria in these diseases may live for some hours or days in water. Certain of these 

diseases, particularity phoid fever, are so prevalent in this country 

that in almost every community there are some infected persons 

whose dejecta carry pathogenic germs. Since there is so much difference in the relative resistance of individuals to infective organisms, 

it frequently happens that patients who are suffering from the disease 

are not aware of it, nor are their friends. Furthermore, the long 

persistence of the infecting micro-organisms of typhoid fever in the 

body of the patient, particularly in the urine, makes the infection of 

sewage very easy, and since the same care is not exercised in the disposal of the urine as of the feces, water supplies and milk or foodstuffs may easily be infected either directly or from the hands. Water
TYPHOID FEVER. 27

into which sewage is ^discharged becomes, therefore, a vehicle for 

transmitting diseases from one place to another, and the germs of 

infection are therefore called water borne.

TYPHOID FEVER. 

CAUSE AND PREVALENCE.

Of the diseases which are transmissible by water, typhoid fever 

merits special attention in Minnesota and in other newer communities. In Massachusetts, where the conservation of water supplies and 

the proper disposal of sewage have received attention for many years, 

milk-borne epidemics are more to be considered than in Minnesota. 

Even milk-borne epidemics, though they are perhaps most usually 

due to the fact that a typhoid patient or an attendant upon a typhoid 

patient is engaged in handling milk, may be spread by means of water 

when the infecting organism gains entrance to a water supply which 

is used for cleansing utensils or, in very rare instances, where the outside of the udder and teats of the cow are contaminated by sewage 

containing typhoid bacilli. There can now be no reasonable doubt 

that B. typhosuSj the specific organism of typhoid fever, can exist for 

a considerable period of time in water. The studies of Jordan, Kussell, and Zeit would seem to show that the organism dies in ordinary 

running water in three to eight days, but the difficulty of exactly 

reproducing natural conditions in the laboratory permits only very 

guarded conclusions from such experiments.

The relationship of typhoid-polluted sewage to outbreaks of the 

disease has been clearly demonstrated in this country at Plymouth 

and Butler, Pa., Ithaca, N. Y., and many other places. In Minnesota, 

as in other new regions which are being settled rapidly, typhoid fever 

is more or less prevalent and is one of the chief causes of death in the 

State. New communities are usually established with more regard 

to financial advantages than to sanitary conditions. The careful disposal of excreta and the selection and protection of safe water supplies 

and other hygienic improvements are neglected until their necessity 

is shown by costly epidemics. Even then, unless action is taken 

during the progress of an epidemic the matter is likely to be neglected, 

since the general interest in projects affecting the public welfare is 

likely to wane unless private stimulation be applied.

The principal settlements in Minnesota are on the shores of lakes 

or on the banks of running streams, to which the towns have recourse 

both for their domestic supply and for the disposal of their sewage. 

_Since 1887, when the care of vital statistics was transferred to the 

State board of health, the statistics of deaths from typhoid fever have 

been carefully compiled. Undoubtedly a considerable percentage of
28 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

ft

the typhoid mortality has not been recorded on account of neglect to 

report from all parts of the State and also on account of diversity of 

diagnosis. Whether the death rate from typhoid fever in Minnesota 

is lower than that in Massachusetts, New York, and other States can 

not be definitely affirmed, but it would appear that the disease is very 

much less virulent in Minnesota and the Dakotas. From observations made by competent clinical men during severe local epidemics 

it appears that the death rate as compared with the case rate is 

between 2 and 4 per cent. This low rate may be due to the diagnosis 

of cases as typhoid fever in Minnesota which would not be so classified in other communities. The Widal blood test is very extensively 

used throughout the State by private practitioners and by hospitals, 

and this test is made gratuitously by the State board of health and by 

the local boards of health of Minneapolis and St. Paul. This confirmatory examination probably results in the return of cases as 

typhoid fever which ordinarily would not be so classified. 

The records of deaths received since 1888 are as follows:

TABLE 13. Deaths from typhoid fecer in Minnesota per 100,,000 population. 1*

Year.

1888....................--......---......----...---.....---.....-.........

1889

1891 ......................................................................

1892 ......................................................................

1893 ......................................................................

1894 ...................................................................

1895..... .................................................................

1896 ......................................................................

1897 ...................................................................

1868....... .. ....... ...............................................

1899 ....................................................................

1901 .................................................................. .

1902. ....................................................................

1903. . ....................................................................

1904........ ............................................................

1905 ......................................................................

Entire 

State.

53.63 

45.7 

30.8 

39.23 

28.6 

38.5 

35,2 

35.9 

27.8

22.6 

18 

32.6 

26.0 

21.21 

19.9 

18.68 

14.6

Cities exceeding 

5,000.

114 

76 

52. 2 

64.8 

47.5 

63.0 

57 

57.3 

51.6 

50 

37.2 

30.4 

43.0 

41.8 

29.73 

32.7 

33.2 

22.0

State, excluding 

cities 

over 

5,000.

30 

32 

25 

28 

21 

27 

26 

27 

17.7 

15.5 

16 

12.8 

28.0 

19.3 

1,5. 93 

14.2 

]3.4 

11.2

a From the official records of the secretary of the State board of health. The population of the cities 

considered above is estimated by adding the average annual increase as shown by the United States 

and the State censuses to each preceding year.

The village and rural death rate from typhoid fever, shown by the 

fourth column, is much lower than the urban rate, but comparison of 

the second and fourth columns indicates that typhoid fever is extremely prevalent in rural districts. Allowance should be made for 

the fact that since the better hospitals are located in the large centers many serious cases of all forms of illness are taken to them from 

outlying districts, a factor which would disproportionate!}" increase 

the total death rate for the cities. This is particularly true of Duluth, 

to which the settlements of the iron-bearing districts are tributary. 

Typhoid fever has been prevalent in these mining communities for a
TYPHOID FEVER. 29

number of years, and since many cases are brought to Duluth the statistics of deaths from the disease in that city are thus greatly increased. 

In the smaller communities a difference of one or two deaths makes 

an enormous difference in the rate per hundred thousand.

These records show that there are from 300 to 800 deaths from 

typhoid fever in Minnesota every year. Assuming a ratio of 1 to 25 a 

between the number of deaths and the number of cases, it would 

appear that approximately from 7,500 to 20,000 people are stricken 

annually with this disease, which can be and should be prevented. 

The official records show that from 1891 to 1900, inclusive, 4,532 

persons died of typhoid fever in Minnesota.

In May, 1905, reports were made by the health officers of 166 settlements in the State in reply to the following questions:

1. During 1904 how manv cases of typhoid fever occurred in your 

city?

2. How many cases of the disease in the city were personally seen 

by you ?

3. How many other cases in the city were reported to you?

4. How many cases in the city were probably not reported to you?

According to these records and the official reports of Duluth, Minneapolis, and St. Paul, there were in Minnesota 1,062 cases of typhoid 

fever during the year 1904, but from other means of checking and by 

mathematical reckoning it seems probable that there were from five 

to ten times as many cases as were reported. As bearing upon this, 

it may be stated that in three months two towns situated on Red 

River namely, Breckenridge, Minn., and Wahpeton, N. Dak., with a 

total population of 4,090 developed 200 cases of typhoid fever.

The highest mortality from typhoid fever occurs during October 

and the lowest during April, May, and June. During the summer 

months the death rate from this disease rises rapidly to its maximum 

in October and falls as rapidly. The average typhoid-fever death 

rate per hundred thousand for the entire State is 29.43, a little lower 

than the rate for the registration area (33.8), according to the Twelfth 

United States Census.

EPIDEMICS.

Hardly a community in Minnesota has escaped one or more epidemics of typhoid fever. Duluth suffered from a series of outbreaks 

which culminated in 1896. Investigation showed that the intake of 

the waterworks system, which was supposed to extend a considerable 

distance into Lake Superior, was defective, and that the water supply 

was being contaminated with more or less dilute sewage at a point 

within 300 feet of the outlet of one of the principal sewers. Repair 

of this defect and extension of the intake to Lakewood, 8 miles nearer

a In Massachusetts and older communities the death rate is about 10 per cent; that is, from two and 

one-half to four times as groat a s in Minnesota.
30 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

the main lake, has practically wiped out the disease, for the cases that 

have occurred since then are imported or are due to the use of infected 

well water or to the result of contact with imported or such local 

cases. The water supply at present seems to be satisfactory.

The largest epidemic of typhoid fever in Minneapolis occurred in 

1881 and 1882, during which time there were 350 deaths. There was 

another serious outbreak in 1897, when there were 1,534 cases and 

148 deaths. The disease has always been prevalent in the city, 

where several other well-marked epidemics have occurred, which 

have been attributed to the use of unfiltered river water. a Minneapolis has the unenviable distinction of having recorded nearly 50 

per cent of the total deaths from typhoid fever in Minnesota during 

the past decade, 6 although its population is only a little over onetenth of that of the State.

In 1898, while the United States Volunteers were.encamped at the 

State Fair Grounds (Camp Ramsey) and at Fort Snelling, 406 cases 

of typhoid fever were reported for the Fifteenth Regiment Minnesota 

U. S. Volunteers, 346 of which occurred before its departure for Camp 

Meade, Penns}dvania. c A detailed account of the fever in this regiment is given in the special report of the Surgeon-General of the 

U. S. Army on typhoid fever among the volunteer regiments during 

the Spanish war of 1898.

As stated above, settlements in the mining districts of St. Louis 

County have been subject to typhoid fever, and notable epidemics 

have occurred at Eveleth, Hibbing, and Virginia, all of them probably 

due to impure water supplies.

IMPROVED CARE, CONTROL, AXD REPORT OF TYPHOID FEVER.

Section 2131 of the Revised Laws of Minnesota, 1905, authorizes 

the State board of health of Minnesota to adopt, alter, and enforce 

reasonable regulations, which, after the approval of the attorneygeneral and due publication thereof, have the force of law, except in 

so far as they may conflict with a statute or with the charter or ordinances of a city of the first-class upon the same subject. In accordance with the authority thus delegated and upon realizing that Minnesota was suffering from a disease which is strictly preventable, the 

State board of health passed certain rules on the 14th day of July, 

1906. Rules 45 to 54 deal with typhoid fever and may be quoted as 

follows:

RULE 45. Every physician engaged in the practice of medicine in the State of 

Minnesota shall submit to the secretary of the State hoard of health the full name, 

specific residence, and hygienic data, on blanks furnished by said board for that pura Kept, special commission appointed by the city council to investigate the Minneapolis water supply, 

1901; also Cor'oett, Dr. J. F., Typhoid and water supply: Ann. Kept. Dept. Health, city of Minneapolis, 

for 1904, pp. 27-28.

t> Public Health Reports, Public Health and Marine Hospital Service, Treasury Dept.

c Kept. Minn. State Board of Health, 1895-1898, p. 472.
TYPHOID FEVER. 31

pose, of every person under his treatment for typhoid fever or suspected typhoid 

fever, within one week after the application of such patient for treatment.

Physicians in cities and villages where they are required by ordinance or sanitary 

regulation to report typhoid fever cases to the local board of health will not be required 

to report such eases directly to the State board of health, provided the local health 

officer makes returns of all cases reported to him to the State board of health once a 

month on blanks furnished for that purpose by said board.

RULE 46. The secretary of the Minnesota State board of health shall keep a careful 

and accurate record of all reported cases of typhoid fever. The same shall not be for 

publication, but may be used by said board in the discharge of its duties.

RULE 47. Immediately after being notified of anv case of typhoid fever the secretary 

of the Minnesota State board of health, or the local health officer, shall send to the 

address of the attending physician the printed matter published by the State board of 

health relative to the control of typhoid fever. Such physician shall thereupon 

deliver the same to those in charge of the patient.

RULE 48. Xo person affected with typhoid fever, or in charge of a typhoid fever 

patient, shall so dispose of the excreta or other infectious bodily secretion or excretion 

as to cause off ense or danger to any other person or persons.

RULE 49. Any health officer receiving a complaint that the foregoing rule is being 

violated shall investigate the same, and if it appears that the violation complained of 

is such as to cause offense or danger to any person he shall serve notice upon the 

offending party, reciting the alleged cause of offense or danger and requiring that the 

bodily secretions or excretions complained of be disposed of in such a manner as to 

remove all reasonable cause of offense or danger.

RULE 50. It shall be the duty of those having charge of a typhoid fever patient or 

patients to see to it that the excreta, or other infectious bodily secretions or excretions, 

from such patients are properly disinfected.

RULE 51. The apartments occupied by any typhoid fever patient shall be deemed 

infected, and when vacated by death or removal of the patient shall, together with 

their contents, be thoroughly disinfected under the supervision of the local health 

officer. All disinfection prescribed in this rule shall be a part of the control of the 

disease.

RULE 52. It shall be the duty of any person having knowledge of the facts to notify 

the local health officer within twenty-four hours after the death or removal of a person 

affected with typhoid fever from any apartments.

RULE 53. Whenever typhoid fever prevails in a locality the local board of health 

shall immediately appoint a competent inspector or inspectors to patrol the city, village, or district involved. Such inspector or inspectors shall report to the local board 

of health all water-closets, privies, vaults, and cesspools which are not fly proof, with 

screened doors and windows; and all vaults and cesspools which are not water-tight, 

dark, and fly proof. The local board of health shall thereupon enter its proper order 

in the premises to the end that all such water-closets and privies shall be made fly 

proof, and all such vaults and cesspools water-tighL dark, and fly proof.

RULE 54. Any drinking-water supply shown to "be a positive or probable source of 

disease shall "be condemned either by the local board of health or by the Minnesota 

State board of health, and when so condemned, shall not be used again as a drinkingwater supply until declared safe by the condemning party.

A blank to be used by physicians and health officers for reporting 

cases of typhoid fever has been prepared in the form of a card, the 

two sides of which are here reproduced. 

IKK 193 07 3
32 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA. 

REPORT OF A CASE OF TYPHOID FEVER.

Name in full .

(Be specific in answering the following three questions, giving name of street, house number, or other 

definite statement, such as name of farm, camp, mine, etc., in order that the patient may be definitely 

located.)

Age . Sex . Occupation .

Residence when taken ill .

Place where employed when taken ill .

Present address .

First taken sick with typhoid fever: Year . Month . Day .

First seen by a physician: Year . Month . Day .

Name and address of first attending physician .

Total number of people living in house when patient was taken ill .

[Reverse side.]

Where was patient living during the three weeks before illness began? .

(Name all places, with date of residence at each place.) 

Are any intimate associates of patient sick with typhoid fever? .

(Father, mother, child, brother, sister, husband, wife, fellow boarder, etc.) 

If so, give present address of such associates . 

Source of milk used by patient .

(Name and address of milkmen.) 

Source of drinking water used by patient before illness began .

(Name and location of well, stream, lake, or other water source.) 

Present status of case: (Still sick; recovered; convalescing; dead). 

Physician's view of source of infection . 

Filled out by Dr. of , Minn. 

Date of report , 190 .

One of the chief difficulties in the control and arrest of typhoid 

fever is the failure on the part of local authorities to realize that it is 

preventable and to make a careful canvass of the localities for the 

purpose of obtaining accurate data, such as that required in the 

above blank.

The State board of health is frequently asked to make examinations of water as a basis for action or recommendation in a given 

locality when no data are available to show which, if any, water is 

the cause of disease. It is hoped that the habit of securing full and 

accurate data will result in the education of the people of the State at 

large concerning the various vehicles of infection in typhoid fever 

and the means of arresting it.

A notice similar to the following should prevent the spread of 

typhoid fever pending the determination of the exact cause of the 

disease. The wording of this notice was suggested by Dr. H. W. 

Hill, assistant director of the laboratories of the Minnesota State 

board of health, and has been found very efficient.
TYPHOID FEVEE. 83

TO THE CITIZENS OF .

Typhoid fever is epidemic in . The Minnesota State board of health is investigating this epidemic to find its exact source. Meantime govern yourselves as follows: .

1. Typhoid fever is contracted solely through the mouth. If you do not put the 

poison of typhoid fever into your mouth you will never contract typhoid fever. 

Therefore, watch the mouth.

2. Do not eat or drink anything (water, milk, oysters, fresh vegetables, or anything else) unless it has first been boiled, broiled, baked, roasted, fried, or otherwise 

thoroughly heated through and through.

3. Do without all food or drink which has not first been thus heated. Canned or 

bottled foods or drinks (other than milk or water) are not included in this.

4. If living in the same house with a typhoid patient, do not handle your own food 

or food intended for anyone else, even if it has been heated, except with hands that 

have been thoroughly washed with soap and very hot water; preferably also with 

antiseptics. (Ask your physician about the antiseptic to use.) Wasn before every 

meal in this way and before cooking, serving, or eating anything or putting the fingers 

in the mouth.

5. If there are flies, roaches, or other insects or vermin about, see that all food and 

drink is protected from them at all times. Flies and other insects often carry typhoid 

poison to foods and drinks.

6. The poison of typhoid fever does not show itself for two weeks after it enters the 

body. Therefore for the next two weeks typhoid cases may develop from typhoid 

poison already taken in; but any case which develops on and after (a date two weeks 

later than the date of the placard) will be due solely to neglect of this notice and failure 

to carry out minutely the directions here given.

OTHER WATER-BORNE DISEASES.

There is no evidence that there are any other important water-borne 

diseases in Minnesota. It is possible that hog cholera among animals 

should be considered in the category.

STREAM POLLUTION.

SEWAGE.

Fifty-seven settlements in the State are more or less completely 

equipped with sanitary sewerage systems. Most of the cities in the 

State are situated on flowing streams, which are thus convenient receptacles for city sewage. In 1885, recognizing the fact that this would 

result in dangerous pollution, the State legislature passed a law 

entitled uAn act to prevent the pollution of rivers and sources of 

water supply/' 0 which prohibits the discharge of sewage, drainage, 

refuse, or other polluting matter dangerous to health into any surface 

waters used as a source of municipal supply. The act also gives the 

State board of health supervision over all municipal water supplies 

and the power to institute legal proceedings against violators of the 

statute. Notwithstanding the provisions of this law., sewage-purificaa> Chapter 225, sees. 1-7, laws of 1885, approved March 7, 1885.
34 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

tion plants have not been generally established in the State, so that 

stream pollution has not been materially checked. At the State hospital for the insane at Rochester a system of precipitation and nitration was put into operation in 1890. Improvements are contemplated. In 1904 a purification system consisting of a septic tank 

combined with contact and intermittent sand filters was installed at 

the State insane asylum at Anoka. A few villages have made unsuccessful attempts to comply with the requirements of the statute by 

establishing sewage-purification plants. The large cities, however, 

without exception, discharge raw sewage into adjacent bodies of 

water.

INDUSTRIAL WASTES.

Dangerous effluents from manufacturing establishments are not 

yet of serious importance in Minnesota. In the spring of 1905 inquiry 

was made to ascertain to what extent manufacturing wastes cause 

stream pollution. From replies received from 174 municipalities the 

following list has been pi epared:

TABLE 14. Industrial establishments causing stream pollution.

Industry.

Establishments.

73

138

13

14

19

98

Industry.

Establishments.

224

8

8

1

19

12

From this table it appears that there are in the State few factories 

that emit deleterious wastes. With the exception of the sawmills the 

establishments noted are generally small. Though probably some 

establishments were not reported because they are located outside of 

organized villages or cities, yet the list represents with fair accuracy 

the possible foci of pollution from industrial wastes. The kinds of 

plants whose wastes cause so much trouble in other sections of the 

country are either small or are entirely absent. No bleacheries, cotton mills, distilleries, galvanizing works, nitroglycerin factories, petroleum refineries, strawboard mills, or tin-plate works were reported 

from any part of the State. The effluents trom the majority are 

not discharged directly into streams, but are either consumed or 

decomposed on the ground. In comparison with large manufacturing centers in the East, stream pollution by industrial wastes is an 

insignificant factor in Minnesota.

The trouble from sawmills is caused by three different classes of 

waste: First, by organic matter dissolved in the water from the logs
STREAM POLLUTION. 35

which lie in the lakes and streams from the time they are run till 

they are sawed; second, by excreta from the lumbermen themselves, 

who are constantly in the water for the purpose of sorting and guiding 

the logs; third, by sawdust and other minute waste. The latter cause 

of trouble is the most evident one, and has the effect of forming nuclei 

for the growth of organisms and of obstructing the free flow of the 

water. In reports of the U. S. Engineering Corps it is stated that 

many of the bars in Mississippi River above Lake Pepin are composed 

largely of sawdust and that the material has been found by dredging 

as far south as Winona." It is evident that the distribution of this 

material over the beds of streams is anything but favorable to the 

hydrolysis of other more dangerous pollutions, and in view of the 

fact that it has a certain commercial value, this disposal of it seems 

not only unsanitary, but wasteful.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER BASIK ABOVE MINNESOTA RIVER.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 

BOUNDARIES.

Mississippi River basin above Minnesota River is bounded on the 

east by St. Louis and St. Croix drainage areas; on the north by 

Rainy River basin; on the west by the basin of Red River; on the 

south by Minnesota River drainage area. (See PL II.)

SOURCE, COURSE, AND SLOPE OF THE RIVER.

The determination of the primal source of Mississippi River has been 

the cause of much controversy among explorers and geographers, by 

whom one or another of various small lakes has been considered the 

body of water in the Mississippi system that lies most remote from the 

Gulf of Mexico and stands at the highest elevation above it. For the 

purposes of the present report it is sufficient to state that the headwaters of the Mississippi lie within Itasca State Park, a tract of reserved 

land in Clearwater County, a detailed survey of which was made by 

the Mississippi River Commission. 6 Lake Itasca, which is the largest 

body of water within this park and which may be regarded as the 

source of the river, is in its north-central portion. The lake is long 

and narrow and is divided at its upper or southern end into an east 

and a west fork, each of which is connected by small creeks with other 

bodies of water. It is about 7 miles long and one-half mile wide and 

has an average depth of 20 feet. Its shores are generally swampy; 

indeed, a great part of the Itasca reservation is wooded swamp land, 

in some pans of which it is difficult to determine the direction of the 

water flow.

a Ann. Eept. Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army, for 1882, p. 1750; also for 1881, p. 1679.

b Map of Lake Itasca Basin, Minnesota, within Itasca State Park, Mississippi River Commission, 1900.
36 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

The river is 10 to 20 feet wide where it issues from Lake Itasca, at 

the northern boundary of the park, whence it meanders through a 

narrow, marshy valley northeastward to Lake Irvine, 1 mile above 

which it is joined by Schoolcraft River, a small stream draining Lakes 

George and Plantagenet. Lake Irvine, which is nearly circular in outline, has an average diameter of 1 mile and a general depth of 20 feet. 

After leaving Lake Irvine the river traverses a narrow neck of land 

to Lake Bemidji, which is approximately 5J miles long and 1\ miles 

wide at its widest part. There is a perceptible current across this 

lake in a channel having a depth of 50 feet. The river is 60 feet wide 

and 1 to 3 feet deep at the lake outlet, and falls over intermittent 

rapids by a tortuous course to Cass Lake, a body of water that measures 9 miles from the point of entrance of the river to its place of exit 

at the northeast corner. A marshy tract, which at ordinary stages 

has no definite current through it, connects this lake at its southern 

extremity with Pike Bay, an oval lake having a circumference of 25 

miles. From Cass Lake the river flows in a tortuous course about 15 

miles eastward to Lake Winnibigoshish, a rectangular body of water 

about 6 miles wide and 12 miles long. A dam is maintained at the 

outlet of this -lake. From the northeast corner of Lake Winnibigoshish the river flows generally southeastward as a sluggish, meandering stream, through bogs and marshes, to -Pokegama Falls, where a 

concrete dam has been constructed. Four miles below this point, at 

Grand Rapids, there is another fall.

Between Lake Winnibigoshish and Pokegama Falls, Vermilion 

River and Leech Lake River enter the Mississippi from the south. 

Leech Lake River is the outlet of Leech Lake, a large, irregular-shaped 

body lying south of Cass Lake in Cass County.

From Grand Rapids to Aitkin, a distance of 130 miles, the Mississippi is navigable for light-draft steamers, which make regular trips 

during^ the open season. Swan, Sandy Lake, and Mud rivers enter 

the Mississippi from the east above Aitkin. Between Aitkin and 

Brainerd there are several falls, the principal of which are Big Eddy, 

Island, and French Rapids. Pine River enters from the west between 

these two cities. Ten miles below Brainerd Crow Wing River enters 

from the west. From Brainerd to Little Falls the stream consists 

of short stretches of rapids with intervening reaches of still water. 

At Little Falls there is a developed head of 12 feet. The bed of the 

river from Little Falls to Minneapolis is steep and the current rapid 

as compared with the other parts. The average slope in this stretch 

is 2.6 feet per mile. (See fig. 1.) The descent is, however, by no 

means even or regular. From Little Falls to St. Cloud there are several series of rapids, and at St. Cloud there is a fall of 14.5 feet. Sauk 

River enters from the west just above St. Cloud. Rapids and stillwater stretches occur alternately between St. Cloud and Anoka, where
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 193 PL.

BELTRAM I

\RAINY RIVER DRAINAGE AREA

O Population exceeding 

10,000

O Population between 

5,000 and 10,000

O Population between 

2,000 and 5,000

O Population between 

1,000 and 2,000

® With sewerage <wstem

(Population according to 

U.S.Census,l900)
MISSISSIPPI BASIN ABOVE MINNESOTA EIVEE. 37

Rum River, the outlet of Millelacs, enters. Crow River, an important stream draining much of the southern part of the upper Mississippi area, enters a few miles above Anoka. Below Anoka the descent 

of the Mississippi is rapid. At Minneapolis the river falls 77 feet in 4 

miles, and in this stretch it enters the deep, wide valley of its lower 

course.

From Lake Itasca to Minnesota River, a distance of 540 miles, 

Mississippi River has a total fall of 776 feet, which is an average 

slope of 1.4 feet per mile. (See fig. 1.)

FIG. 1. Profile of Mississippi River. 

STORAGE RESERVOIRS.

The construction of dams in upper Mississippi Valley for the purpose of retaining flood waters was begun by the War Department 

in 1880. The original project 0 was to construct forty-one reservoirs in Minnesota and Wisconsin for the purpose of collecting surplus water to be released for the benefit of navigation during periods 

of low water. Between 1880 and 1895 five rock-filled timber-crib 

dams with earth embankments were built. In 1898 the replacement 

of these wooden dams by permanent concrete structures was commenced. After this part of the work has been completed probably 

no further reservoirs will be undertaken. Those now in operation 

are as follows:

1. Winnibigoshish dam, at foot of Lake Winnibigoshish.

2. Leech Lake dam, at foot of Leech Lake.

3. Pokegama dam, at Pokegama Falls, 4 miles above Grand Rapids.

4. Pine River dam, at foot of Cross Lake.

5. Sandy Lake dam, between Sandy Lake and Mississippi River.

a Ann. Kept. Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army, for 1904, pt. 1, p. 422.
38 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA. 

TABLE 15. Storage reservoirs in upper Mississippi Valley.a

Reservoir.

Leech Lake ..........

Sandy Lake. ................................

Area of 

watershed.

Sq. miles. 

1,442.43 

1,162.80 

060. 23 

562. 07 

421.50

Area of reservoir 

surface.

High 

water.

Sq. miles. 

161. 26 

233. 80 

45.29 

23.76 

16.52

Low 

water.

Sq. miles. 

117.00 

173. 19 

24.13 

18.30 

8.00

Height of 

dam.

Fret. 

14 

6 

9

17

7

Reservoir 

capacity. 6

Cubic feet. 

45,000.000,000 

30,000,000,000 

4,700,000,000 

7,500,000,000 

3,158,000,000

90,358,000,000

a Ann. Rept. Chief of Engineers for 1894, pt. 3, p. 1704. 

6 Ann. Rept. Chief of Engineers for 1900, p. 2798.

The total storage given above would be sufficient to supply the 

river with 11,000 second-feet for ninety days, though it is of course 

impossible to discharge the water at that rate, and the reservoirs 

are not filled to their maximum capacity. Records giving the dates 

for releasing the water and its effect at St. Paul ° show that a release 

at Pokegama Falls is followed by a rise at St. Paul in seven or eight 

days, and that the full effect appears in twelve days, making the 

mean time ten days. The rise is "about 1 foot at St. Paul. This 

would indicate that it takes eight days for water to travel from 

Pokegama Falls to St. Paul, a distance of 350 miles.

TRIBUTARIES OF MISSISSIPPI RIVER.

The drainage areas of the principal tributaries of Mississippi River 

above Minnesota River are given in the following table:

TABLE 16. Principal tributaries of Mississippi River above Minnesota River,

[Drainage area in square miles.] 

Leech Lake . ................................................ ....

Pine ................................................................

................................................ ........], 001

........................................................ 788

Crow Wing ......................................... ^. .................... 3, 562

Sauk ................................................................... 98]

Crow ................................................................... 2, 961

Rum ................................................................... 1. 542

GEOLOGY.

The greater part of upper Mississippi Valley is underlain by 

Archean and Algonkian rocks, a few scattered outcrops of which 

appear in the beds of streams. Along the western border and in 

the northern third of the area alkaline formations of Cretaceous age 

overlie the early rocks. Cambrian and Ordovician limestones, sandstones, and dolomites occur in a comparatively small section of the 

southern part of the area. Drift covers the entire area to depths

a Ann. Repts. Chief of Engineers for 1895 and 1896.

6 Ann. Rept. Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army, for 1875, pt. 2, p. 437.
MISSISSIPPI BASIN ABOVE MINNESOTA KIVEE. 39

ranging from 50 to 200 feet and furnishes the supply of water for 

most of the wells. The river channels above Minneapolis are excavated in drift. Below Minneapolis the Mississippi runs through a 

deep, wide gorge cut in sedimentary rocks, a gorge formed above 

Fort Snelling, probably, by the recession of St. Anthony Falls/'

SOIL AND SUBSOIL.

The upper layers of the drift here contain less soluble mineral 

matter than is contained in the drift of the prairie regions. This 

difference may be due both to difference in climate and to difference in the character of the underlying formations. From published 

analyses in bulletins of the agricultural experiment station, University of Minnesota, averages have been computed for samples of soil 

taken from points in all parts of the ur/per Mississippi area. The 

average composition of soils taken throughout the entire State is 

given for comparison.

TABLE 17. Chemical composition of soil and subsoil in upper Mississippi basin.

Insoluble in HC1 ........................................

Volatile matter. ........ .. ...

Surface soil.

Upper 

Mississippi 

River 

basin.

86.92 

5.88 

.23 

.29 

.68 

.40 

4.88 

.19 

.07 

.08

Entire 

State.o

79.92 

8.98 

.43 

.45 

1.29 

.61 

7.20 

.20 

.10 

.62

Subsoil.

Upper

Mississippi 

River 

basin.

87.27 

3.33 

.24 

.25 

.92 

.38 

5.85 

.17 

.05 

.30

Entire 

States

82.41 

5.33 

.40 

.32 

1.78 

.8C 

8.32 

.17 

.06 

.93

a Snyder, II., Characteristic features of Minnesota soils and conservation of fertility: Bull. Chem. 

Div., Agric. Exp. Sta., University of Minnesota, No. 65, Nov., 1899, p. 69.

From Table 17 it is seen that all the alkaline and alkaline-earth 

ingredients of the soils of the upper Mississippi region are lower than 

the average in the soils throughout the State, and it appears, therefore, that the ground is less easily disintegrated and carried off in 

solution by the surface drainage. It will be noted, however, that 

there is enough calcium and magnesium to cause the hardness always 

observed in the water of Mississippi River. The soils in general contain sand, and the particles are larger than ihose in Red River Valley 

or in the southern part of the State. They are of much the same 

chemical composition as those in the valley of St. Croix River, though 

they usually contain more alkaline-earth compounds and more 

organic or volatile matter.

oWinchell. N. II., Geology of Ilennepin County, Final Kept. Minnesota Geol. and Nat. Hist. Survey, 

vol. 2, p. 315.
40 QUALITY OP SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION.

KINDS OF POLLUTION.

From reports received in June, 1905, the following list has been 

compiled to show the number of establishments likely to furnish 

deleterious or undesirable wastes to streams in this region.

TABLE 18. Industrial establishments causing stream pollution in upper Mississippi River

basin. 

Breweries...............................'.............-...-........-...-... 18

Dye works.................................................................. 6

Gas works.................................................................. 1

Paper mills................................................................. 5

Sawmills................................................................... 36

Starch factories............................................................. 4

Sugar factories.............................................................. 1

Tanneries.................................................................. 3

Woolen mills ............................................................... 3

LUMBERING.

Lumbering and its attendant industries are the sources of a great 

amount of the organic matter in the surface waters of this section. 

Almost the entire area was formerly covered by pine forest. At 

present nearly all the standing timber is north of Brainerd, comprising an area extending eastward from the headwaters of the Mississippi. 

The supply of lumber is rapidly diminishing, so that in a few years 

this enormous industry will no longer be first in rank. Table 19 

shows the total number of feet of logs sawed in the second lumber 

district of Minnesota from 1891 to 1904. Though the figures include 

a small amount sawed at Ked Wing and at Hastings on the lower 

river, they practically represent the sawmill industry of the region 

under consideration.

TABLE 19. Lumber sawed in second district of Minnesota, 189l-1904-a

Year.

1892

1CQQ

1895..................................

Feet B. M.

425,765.260

505, 407, 898

428,172,360

459,862,756

539,012,678

385,312,226

527, 367, 710

Year.

1898.................................

1899.................................

1900.................................

1901.................................

1902. ................................

1903.................................

1904.................................

Feet B. M.

533,179,510

678, 364, 430

604,328,390

690,147,940

576,555,305

590,965,050

557, 717, 210

The total cut in the same region during the winter of 1903-4 was 

674,981,820 feet B. M.; during the winter of 1904-5 it was 

536,701,660 feet B. M. The amounts sawed at certain points during 

the calendar years 1903 and 1904 are shown on the page following.
MISSISSIPPI BASIN ABOVE MINNESOTA BIVEE. 

TABLE 20. Lumber sawed in second district of Minnesota, 190-3-b. n

41

Place.

Minneapolis. ...............................

Ten Strike .................................

Feet 

1903.

...................... 52,000,000

. . . 34,500,000

...................... 15,500,000

......... ...... 1,200,000

...................... 6.000,000

57 366 690

........ . 29, 627, 500

...................... 328, 434, 590 

...................... 12,100,000

...................... 6,500,000

...................... 7, 486, 340

...................... 3,250.000

...................... 8.000.000

590,965,050

B - M. Number 

of emiq04 ployees 

19U4 ' in 1904. b

52,000,000 393

30,540,000 , 430

20.000,000 136

1,200,000 ..........

4,000,000 75

31,000,000 291

293, 574, 590 2, 887 

13,500.000 101

7,500,000 100

8, 296, 480 62

533,000 ..........

2,288.700 ..........

4,000,000 ..........

557.717,210 ..........

o Letter from surveyor-general of logs and lumber, second district of Minnesota. 

b Ann. Kept. Comm. of Labor of Minnesota, 1903-4. 

cOn Mississippi River below St. Paul.

The preceding statistics show the magnitude of the lumber industry 

in this region. As noted on page 34, the three probable sources of 

pollution of streams by this industry are the logs, the sawdust or other 

waste, and the employees. Although the mills are provided with 

huge stacks in which great quantities of the waste are burned for 

steaming, much sawdust and bark reach the streams, especially during 

floods. This material deposits at certain places so as to obstruct the 

flow of the river; later it decays and gives the water a vegetable or a 

moldy odor.

The logs are kept in the water from the time they are first floated 

until they are sawed. It is probable that extract from the logs during 

this long-continued soaking forms an appreciable part of the vegetable 

matter in the water. It is worthy of note that the most highly 

colored surface waters are found in those areas in which lumbering is 

most extensively practiced.

The men who handle the logs, the "lumberjacks/' practically 

inhabit the streams and are constantly in them. They commonly 

micturate and defecate in the streams or in places near them, whence 

their bodily excretions are directly transferred to the water. At Minneapolis, where several hundred men are employed in this manner, 

just above the principal water intake, efforts have been made by the 

city health commission to reduce this dangerous pollution by establishing closets on the banks of the river."

oRinker, Cappelen. Haters, Report of eomrrission appointed by the city council of the city of Minneapolis to investigate and report the best method of filtration of water from the Mississippi River, 

1904, p. 5.
44 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IN" MINNESOTA.

ment of pathogenic organisms. In most cases the effluents contain 

valuable ingredients for which research has found or will find some 

economical method of recovery.

MUNICIPAL POLLUTION. 

PROBABILITY OF POLLUTION.

In the discussion of probable pollution from centers of population 

it should be remarked that there is always drainage of some sort from 

every collection of people, whether it consists of one family or ten 

thousand, and whether it is connected with an adjacent stream by 

sewers or by surface washing. The dejecta of one infected household 

has caused typhoid epidemics as disastrous as those originating from 

a sewered city, though the probability of infection is less. Therefore 

the surface water from an inhabited area is always liable to infection. 

The prospect of pollution is uncertain and depends upon many factors 

other than the population per square mile. Climate, geology, the 

chemical quality of the water, rate of stream flow, dilution, the 

virility of tl:e organisms, as well as their food supply, and many 

other conditions influence the distance which the pathogenic bacteria 

may be borne by water. Recent investigators with cultures of B. 

typhosus in permeable sacs found the organism able to retain its vitality from six to ten days in the water of Lake Mendota, Wis., four to 

eight days in Lake Michigan water, three to five days in raw sewage, 

and one to three days in Chicago River. Other bacteriologists have 

found longer periods of survival.0 In view of the fact, therefore, that 

the life period of B. typhosus in water is variable and at present not 

determinable with any degree of safety, it is well to assume that no 

surface water coming from an inhabited area should be used as a 

municipal supply without artificial purification. Cities that use raw 

stream water as a public supply are always in danger of typhoid 

epidemics and generally have higher t}Tphoid rates than those that 

procure their domestic supplies in some other manner.

POPULATION.

Application of the general principle stated above to upper Mississippi River demonstrates that its waters are not suitable for municipal 

use without filtration. Table 22 shows the distribution of population 

by counties in the drainage area for the years 1890, 1900, and 1905. 

Table 23 shows the density of population in the region. The method 

used in dividing the total population of a county between two or more

a See Eng. Record, Dec. 24, 1904; Sept. 23, 1905; Jour. Infectious Diseases, vol. 1, No. 4; Testimony, 

State of Missouri v. Sanitary District of Chicago, p. 2600 et seq.
MISSISSIPPI BASIN ABOVE MINNESOTA KIVEE. 45

drainage areas was as follows: The population of villages and cities 

exceeding 1,000 was subtracted from the total population of the county, 

and the remainder was divided according to the areas of the county 

sections in oach drainage basin; the population of each settlement was 

then added to that of the basin in which the settlement is located.

TABLE 22. Population in upper Mississippi River basin.

County.

Renville. ..........................................................

Todd ..............................................................

Wright ............................................................

IT. S. census of 1890.

2,262

9,884

2,630

212

6,284

548

1,247

4,774

8,852

8,598

183, 566

1,412

7,372

543

6,086

14,594

15, 456

2,645

9,693

3,320

4,106

5,908

34, 844

12, ',,30

24, 163

(")

391,188

U. S. census of 1900.

6,355

3, 772

5, 132

9,912

1,389

7,777

5,126

14,250

226, 428

6,578

11,303

2,934

7,502

16, 795

17,753

7,766

12,358

3,745

5,412

44, 464

22,214

7,921

29, 157

(")

530, 173

State census of 1905*

8,851

11,256

1,609

11,012

5, 209

a 1, 409

16, 731

11 398

9,008

7,787

16, 556

9,476

4,654

5,696

7,961

9,317

29, 467

1,920

632, 963

a Clearwater County organized from part of Beltrami County since 1900. 

>> Included under county populations in U. S. censuses.

TABLE 23. Density of population in upper Mississippi River basin.

Inhabitants per square

Drainage mile. 

1890. ' 1900. ! 1905.

Above Grand Rapids:

Above St. Cloud:

Above Minneapolis:

Above Minnesota River:

Square miles.

( 0.6

\ .6

f 7.6

\ 6.4

f 11 2

t 9.3

/ 19.8

\ 9.4

3.9

ao

12.5

10.1

16.6

14.0

14.2

6.3

4.7

14.7

15. 0

32. 1

15.4

a Ann. Rept. Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army, 1875, pt. 2, p. 437.

b U. S. Water Power Census, vol. 2, 1880, p. 138.

c Ann. Rept. Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army, 1894, pt. 3, p. 1704.
46 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IF MINNESOTA.

The present density of population for the entire area is considerably 

higher than that for the State (25 per square mile). Excluding Minneapolis, the population of which is over one-third of the total, the 

density is about 20 persons per square mile. This is not high as compared with some parts of the United States. Since,, however, nearly 

50 per cent of the inhabitants are concentrated in cities and villages 

that stand on the banks of the principal streams and are sewered 

directly into them, there is abundant opportunity for water pollution. 

It should be noted that the population is rapidly increasing, so that 

the pollution is likely to be much greater.

CONDITIONS ON THE MISSISSIPPI.

General conditions. PI. II shows the hydrography of the region 

and the location of all settlements exceeding 1,000 population according 

to the census of 1900. Those which have established sewerage systems 

are indicated by a vertical bar within the population circle. The 

most noticeable features are as follows: (1) All the settlements except 

one are in direct stream connection with Mississippi River, since they 

are situated on the banks of either the main stream or one of its tributaries ; (2) the majority of urban centers are in the southern half of the 

area; (3) the four larger cities, aggregating 285,385 inhabitants, or 

45 per cent of the total population in the basin, are on the main stream 

and are connected directly with it by sewerage systems discharging 

sewage without purification.

Conditions at Grand Rapids. The portion of the basin above Grand 

Rapids is one of the least populated areas in the State, and it may 

still be called an undeveloped region. Bemidji, on Lake Bemidji; 

Walker, on Leech Lake; and Cass Lake, on Cass Lake, are all small 

villages. Much of this area is included in Indian reservations and 

comprises considerable timber and swamp land. Three of the largest 

lakes in the State are situated in this section.

Conditions at St. Cloud. The portion of the basin above St. Cloud, 

which includes about 70 per cent of the upper Mississippi basin, is 

principally deforested land now cultivated. The chief sources of 

river pollution above St. Cloud are given in Table 24.
MISSISSIPPI BASIN ABOVE MINNESOTA RIVER.

TABLE 24. Principal settlements above St. Cloud.

Name. Stream.

Distance 

above St. 

Cloud, a

130

160

400

Population.

737

2,118

5,703

260 !

38

120

50

140

2,354

1,206

780

94

110

1,695

1,185

842

895

1900.

1,719

2,681

2,183

7,524

1,428

5,774

1,385

1,768

1,313

2,220

1,391

1,504

1.520

1905.

1,896

3,051

3,800

8,133

2,055

5,856

1,256

2,151

1,719

2,463

1,552

2,163

1,868

Total urban population ................................................ I 17,515 32, 410 ' 37,963

a St. Cloud is 76 miles above Minneapolis.

Conditions at Minneapolis. The pollution above Minneapolis has 

been discussed by the Minneapolis water commission, which recommended that Mississippi River at this point should be purified by 

slow sand nitration. a The length of time for the passage of water 

from Grand Rapids to St. Paul at low-water stage has been calculated by the U. S. Engineering Corps as eight days. From the slope 

of the river (fig. 1) and the fact that the typhoid bacillus has lived 

for three to ten days in w^ater similar to that of Mississippi River, it may 

be considered probable that Minneapolis is not exempt from infection 

by several cities on its watershed. In addition to the urban pollution 

there are farmhouses and other isolated dwellings scattered along the 

river, infection from which might reach the city. The principal settlements on the stream, with the distance above Minneapolis, and 

their population, are given in the following table. Comparison of 

the populations for successive censuses shows that nearly all of these 

places are growing rapidly.

TABLE 25. Principal settlements above Minneapolis.

Name.

(See Table 24, above.)

Litchfleld. .......................

Stream.

South Fork Crow River b ........

Distance 

above 

Minneapolis.

Miles.

17 

60 

So 

100 

 105 

95 

80 

76 

40

Population.

1890.

17,515

4,252 

606 

1,649 

1,414 

1,899 

404 

810 

7,686 

1,356

37, 597

1900.

32, 410

3,769 

1,040 

1,780 

2,495 

2,280 

1,204 

1,319 

8,663 

1,288

56, 248

1905.

37, 963

4,053 

1,124 

1,805 

2,489 

2,415 

1,319 

1,704 

9,422 

1,724

64, 018

n Rinker, Cappeleu, and TIazen, op. cit, 

IRK 193 07 1

b Locally known as Ilassan River,
48 QUALIT^ OF SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

TYPHOID FEVER.

The relations between the principal settlements and the streams, 

as shown in PI. II, counterbalance to some extent the comparatively low population per square mile and explain the prevalence of 

typhoid fever. Aitkin takes its domestic supply from Mud River. 

Brainerd, below Aitkin, uses Mississippi River water, as do also 

Little Falls, St. Cloud, and Minneapolis, all without filtration. Each 

in turn discharges sewage directly into Mississippi River without purification. In this manner each is exposed to infection from its neighbors above and subjects its neighbors below to additional danger. 

Epidemics of typhoid fever have visited nearly every community in 

the area, and the disease is always prevalent. Records at Minneapolis are as follows:

TABLE 26. Typhoid fever at Minneapolis. «

Year.

1892. ...........................................................

1 QQQ

1894. ...........................................................

1897. ...........................................................

1898. ...........................................................

1899. ...........................................................

1900. ...........................................................

1902. ...........................................................

1903. ...........................................................

1904. ...........................................................

Typhoid 

cases.

583

462

1 080 '847

740

537

376

720

Typhoid 

deaths.

93

76

134

101

88

148

86

79

66

95

Typhoid 

death 

rate per 

100,000.6

54.7

44.7

48.8

77 Q

43

no 7

41.2

48.1

Ratio of 

deaths to 

cases 

(, percent) .

16

16

13

9

12

13

21

1Q

13

a Hall. Dr. P. M., Ann. Rept. Dept. of Health, Minneapolis, 1904, p. 19.

t> Population computed from the average annual increase shown by the censuses of 1890,1900, and 1905.

The relationship of water supply and typhoid fever at Minneapolis 

has been extensively investigated, and reports of the findings have 

been published. 0 The severest epidemic in late years occurred in 

1897, when 1,534 cases were reported, a record closely approached 

in 1893, when there were 1,080 cases. In the first three months of 

1904 there were over 450 cases, with 61 deaths. A study of the progress of the disease for several years has shown that the severest 

epidemics occur after the introduction of water from the two lower 

pumping stations, 6 while the least typhoid is reported when the 

supply is drawn exclusively from stations at the northern limits of

aRinker, Cappelen,Hazen, Rept. of Minneapolis Water Commission, 1804; Hall, Dr. P. M., Ann. Repts. 

Dept. of Health of Minneapolis; Corbett, Dr. J. F., Typhoid and water supply: Ann. Rept. Minneapolis Dept. of Health, 1904, p. 27; Smith, E. G., The Mississippi River as the Source of Water Supply for 

the Inhabitants of the Mississippi Valley: Jour. New Eng. Waterworks Assoc.,. 1905, vol. 19, p. 21f; 

Bass, F. II., An epidemic of typhoid fever in East Minneapolis: Eng. News, March 3,1904, vol. 51, p. Mi.

i See p. 63 for location of intakes.
MISSISSIPPI BASIN ABOVE MINNESOTA RIVER. 49

the city. Continued bacteriological examinations of the water for 

more than 100 miles above the city have demonstrated the pollution of 

the river water.

At St. Cloud well-marked epidemics have occurred and the disease 

has seldom been absent. In twenty-one months from November 1,

1900 to August 1, 1902, 154 cases were reported, with 12 deaths. In

1901 a general spread of the disease over the city was attributed to 

infection of the water supply by seepage from the sewer of a hosiptal 

at which typhoid patients were being treated. The supply, which is 

taken from Mississippi River without filtration, has been repeatedly 

condemned by the State board of health.

The records of deaths from typhoid fever indicate that the disease is 

not confined to the cities, but is prevalent as well in the rural districts.

QUALITY OF WATER.

Samples of water were taken at points in the basin a above and 

below the principal settlements, and examined for the purpose of 

ascertaining the general characteristics of the stream water and the 

changes that might occur in it from place to place. Since it was 

not possible, on account of the expense, to make weekly or even 

monthly examinations of water from all stations, the samples were 

collected in series under conditions as nearly similar as practicable. 

Series I of Table 27 was taken during the late fall and early winter 

of 1903; Series II was collected during the early part of 1904, at a 

time when the waters had been icebound for more than two months; 

Series III, taken during May and June, 1904, represents the water 

during the decline following the spring floods. During the period 

intervening between the first and the last samples the river fluctuated 

comparatively little; gage readings at the Survey station above Sauk 

Rapids show a total fall of 1.65 feet between May 18 and June 18. 

Between September 2 and November 4, when Series IV was taken, 

there was some change in the stream discharge. Heavy rains in 

October caused a gradual rise of the river, which reached its maximum about the middle of the month and then declined, so that the 

samples taken at Anoka probably represent a greater dilution than 

those taken at St. Cloud. Series Y was collected during the latter 

part of the winter in 1905. The river was frozen during this period 

and there was little change in the discharge.

a See Pi. I for location of sampling t>tations.
TABLE 27. Quality of water in Mississippi River ba

[Parts per million.] 

SERIES I. FALL AND WINTER O

Source.

Mississippi River:

Waterworks, St. Cloud d, .........

Tributaries:

Uale Lake tit Grand Rapids c....

Date.

Dec 14

Dec. 12

Oct. 26

....do...

....do...

....do...

....do...

....do...

....do...

Dec. 12

Color.

13

4

22

-

40

>,

Odor. 2 ] .B

 £ o

H | o

0 <7 ' 0 2

0 <7 .2

.......... <7 ......

................ 1.0

.......... ...... 1.0

.......... ...... 1.0

................ 1.6

................ 1.2

.......... ...... 1.0

.......... ...... 1.6

3e. 8 ......

0 I

^ S

,c| , «£

"3 S -g 3

0 182

0 j 142

0 100

,

cS Ba s

EH

189

158

140

84

80

80

116

J99

103

SERIES II. WINTER OF 1904

Mississippi River:

Tributaries:

....do...

....do...

Jan. 29

Jan. 80

Feb. 8

....do...

Feb. 10

....do...

....do...

....do...

....do...

....do...

... do...

Jan. 30

25 4 v.

4 0

25 2v. + 2m.

18 0,

40 2e.

74 2v.

81 2 v.

60 ..........

56 ..........

60 ..........

65 2 v.

4 2e.

<? 0.3

^" "\

<7 .3

<7 .3

<7 .3

<7 ......

10 .2

10 .3

16 .3

15 .3

...... .5

...... .5

...... .8

<7 2

2

...... .2

0 .2

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

205

232

162

164

139

143

131

131

131

87

148

178

130

171

110

158

99

154

166

212

229

229

89

89

89

130
SERIES III. SPRING OF 1904.

Mississippi River:

Waterworks, Brainerd 6. .........

Above St. Cloud d................

Tributaries:

Mud River 200 feet above intake, 

Aitkin k

May 18

....do...

May 17

May 22

May 21 

....do... 

....do...

June 17 

do

60 

56 

25 

60 

116

3v. 

3v. 

2 v. 

2v. 

3v.+2e.

121 2 M. 

121 2M. 

121 , 2M.

....do...

June 18 

....do...

June 6 

May 22 

rlo .

Rum River above asylum, Anoka e June 18

Hale Lake at Grand Rapids & . . . . June 17

76 

76

74

74

78 

'8 

10

3 v.-f 2 M

3v.+ 2M.

2v.

<7 

<7 

<7 

10 

20

<7

<v

<7

10

10

<7

0.3 

.3 

,3 

.3 

.4

. 4 

.4 

.4

2.0

2.5

2.0

.4

.4 

2.

2.4

.4

0 

. 0 

0 

0 

Trace.

0 

0 

0

0

0

143 

140 

161 

100 

64

67 

64 

64

64

66

0 120

141 

134

127 

99 

74 

83

85 

85 

85 

110

70

87

113 

Bacteriological examinations by Dr. E. II. Beckinan.

Determinations of chlorine and nitrogen by II. C. Carel, other chemical determinations by R

Chemical analyses by R. B. Dole.
TABLE 27. Quality of water in Mississippi River basin above 

[Parts per million.] 

SERIES IV. FALL OF 1904.

Sourcp.

Mississippi River:

Below St. Cloud..............:-..

Tributaries;

Rum River at Anoka, above asySauk River above Sauk Center... 

Sauk River below Sauk Center...

Date.

...do....

Oct. 31

Nov. 3

...do....

...do....

Sept. 4

...do....

...do....

...do....

...do.... 

...do.... 

...do....

...do....

Sept. 4

Oct. 31

Nov. 3

Color.

40

18

56

160

112

112

112

56

60

56

56

18

88

88

88

4

4

18

25 

25

25

40

18

0

Odor.

0

0

2 v.

2 v.

2 v.

2 v.

2 v.

0

2v. + lm.

0

2v.

2v.

0

1 v.

2v.

3v. 

2v +lm.

2v.

0

2m.

0

Turbidity.

<7

<7

17

13

14

15

15

20

55

<7

13

13

20

<7

<7

11

10 

10

<1

10 <-7

<7

Chlorine.

0.6

1.4

.9

1.2

1.1

1.0

1.0

.3

.4

.7

.8

.2

.9

1.1

1.0

.5

1.0

1.0

.3 

.3

.4

1.0

.4

.9

1.2

Sulphate 

radicle.

0

0

0

0

0

0

Trace.

Trace

0

Trace.

0

5 est. 

5 est.

5 est.

Trace.

5 est.

M .

«£

31

o E-i

180

141

Q7

96

100

100

137

156

130

116

77

76

74

73

156

170

148

180 

181 

199

201

187

147

166

Total hardness.

100

132

96

104

104

132

121

76

149

204

166

173

173

215

188

132

174

Tr

Tr

Tr

Tr

Tr

Tr
SERIES V. WINTER OF 1905.

Mississippi River:

Above Schoolcraft River «........

Below Lake Bemidji«............

Below Lake Winnihigoshish a....

Above Grand Rapids a. ..........

Below Grand Rapids a,...........

Above Mud River a...............

Above Brainerd "................

Waterworks, Brainerd"..........

Below Brainerd 0 .................

Above Rum River o..............

Below Rum River«..............

Above Minneapolis c.............

Tributaries:«

Mud River at waterworks, Aitkin

Rum River above asylum at 

Anoka..........................

Rum River at Anoka waterworks

Rum River below Anoka.......

Sewage effluent at Anoka asylum.

Leech Lake at Walker..........

Feb. 27 

..do.... 

Feb. 26 

Feb. 25 

.do....

Mar. 1 

Feb. 28 

...do.... 

...do....

Mar. 14 

.. .do.... 

Mar. 16

Mar. 1

Mar. 14 

.. .do.... 

...do....

...do.... 

Feb. 28

18

18

18

18

18

40

40

40

40

22

22

20

60

25

25

25

40

4

2m.

2 v.

0

0

0

1 V.

1 V.

1 V.

Iv.+lm.

2 v.

2 v.

1 v.

3v.

3 v.

3v.

5 fe.

0

<7

<7

<7

<7

7

10

10

10

10

10

10

<7

<7

<^7

15

<7

1.5

1.7

.9

1.2

1.2

1.4

1.0

1.4

1.8

1.8

2.6

1.8

1.8

2.4

2.7

2.5

 3.6

1.5

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

5 est.

5 est.

0

Trace.

Trace.

Trace.

15 est.

Trace.

280 -----

?14

186

181

181

172

160

146

170 154

160 142

161 142

162 142

163 169

191 179

160

108

d!8

97

145 114

T

T

T

T

146 120 T

146

196

112 T

250 

ISO 172 

a Chemical analyses by R. B. Bole.

6 Bacteriological examinations by Dr. E. H. Beckiiian.

c Chemical analysis by A. D. Meeds; b

d Temporary.
54 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

The high nitrogen content, the vegetable odor, the color, and the 

fact that the albuminoid ammonia was separated with difficulty indicate that the stream contains a large amount of vegetable matter. 

These sanitary examinations show the futility of attempting to demonstrate the pollution of a stream of this character by chemical 

analysis of samples taken above and below settlements on its banks. 

The considerable amount of vegetable matter that is probably present 

completely masks the much-diluted but still dangerous sewage contributed by the towns and prevents its detection. Besides this 

difficulty, the tests indicate only an increase or a decrease in the 

amount of organic matter, without showing whether it is dangerous 

or harmless. Therefore the nitrogen determinations do not show the 

hygienic value of the stream. They do, however, demonstrate the 

presence of much organic matter, mostly in the undecomposed or 

" albuminoid" form. Free ammonia is generally about 0.05 part per 

million, but varies within wide limits. A small amount of nitrates is 

usually found; nitrites are seldom present except in winter and then 

only in small quantity; the greater part of the organic matter is 

determined as albuminoid ammonia. The water has a vegetable 

odor, combined sometimes with a moldy smell. It has at all times a 

distinct brown color, which runs as high as 160 parts per million, 

though its usual range is from 20 to 80. It has been suggested that 

the color is due to some compound of iron; but this can hardly be the 

case, because the small amount of this element present could not 

account for the high tint observed. It is probably caused by swamp 

drainage and resins extracted from the logs floated in the stream. 

The highest color is found in waters coming from swamp districts or 

in streams on which extensive logging operations are conducted, and 

the lowest in the large lakes, where opportunity is afforded for oxidation and destruction of the dissolved organic matter. The drainage of swamp lands and the decline of the lumber industry will therefore be accompanied by a progressive decrease in the color of the 

streams in this basin.

In mineral content the stream presents distinct characteristics. 

Chlorine is low, seldom exceeding 2 parts per million. A small 

amount of combined sulphuric acid, varying from a trace to about 5 

parts per million, is present. Calcium and magnesium occur in appreciable quantities, as is shown by the alkalinity and total hardness. 

They are probably present as bicarbonates, since the samples examined 

gave no alkaline reaction with phenolphthalein in the cold. The fact 

that only a small percentage of the residue is soluble in alcohol shows 

that the water contains but a small amount of alkaline salts, though 

its content of alkaline-earth compounds is comparatively high. 

These statements are corroborated by the mineral analyses given in 

Table 28.
MISSISSIPPI BASIN ABOVE MINNESOTA RIVER. 55

TABLE 28. Mineral analyses of water from upper Mississippi River lasin.o 

[Parts per million.]

Place.

Mississippi River:

At St. Cloudd.. ........

Above Minneapolis e... .

Rum River at Anoka d . .... 

Sauk River at Sauk Center d 

Platte River at Royalton d .

Place.

Mississippi River:

At Little Falls d.......

At St. Cloud d.........

Above Minneapolis «...

Rum River at Anoka d. . . . . 

Sauk River at Sauk Center d 

Platte River at Royalton d .

Date.

Aug. ,1884 

Mar. 31,1903

.....do.......

Dec. 20,1881 

.....do.......

Dec. 10,1890 

Mar. 29,1900 

Mar. 27,1903 

Mar. 31,1903 

.....do.......

1881 

May 2,1883

Date.

Aug. ,1884 

Mar. 31,1903 

.....do.......

Dec. 20,1881 

.....do.......

Dec. 10,1890

Mar. 27,1903 

Mar 31,1903 

.....do.......

1881 

May 2,1883

Total 

solids.

c!95

; 212

/211

215

188

186 

* 110

Silica 

(SiOj).

18 

4.3 

5.8 

13 

17

18 

5 

9 

4.3 

4.8

OrSus- ganic 

pendod and 

solids, volatile.

Total 

alkalinity 

(as 

CaCOs).

9

21 .

I

24 

34

_ 0 .........

8 L .......

9 ....

42

Calcium 

(Ca).

44 

43 

45 

44 

42 

,50 

40 

50 

47 

58 

22 

28

Magnesium 

(Mg).

20 

13 

14 

15 

12 

18 

13 

17 

25 

14 

10 

8

151 

152

197 

206 

198

Oxide of 

iron and 

alumina 

Fe2Oa+ 

(Al2 0-3).

3.4 

4.4

7.5

1.0 

Trace. 

3.4

So- Potasdium slum

(Na). (K).

10 1 3. 4 

8 

16 

3. 3 1.4 

2.3 1.3 

6.7

7.3 

3.9 

9 

9.6 3.2 

1.1 2.6

Chlorine 

(Cl).

0.9 

12 

24 

1.6 

1.9 

4.8

12 

g

1

Iron

(Fe).

2.0

4

1.3

1.7

Sulphate 

radicle 

(SOO.

2.0 

9 

9 

3.2 

3.5 

3.1

.8 

13 

17 

1.2 

Trace.

Aluminum

(Al).

2.1

Carbonate 

radicle 

(CO,).

90 

90 

96 

105

94 

124 

98 

118 

124 

118 

85 

64

a Expressed by analysts in hypothetical combinations; recomputed to ionic form at U. S. Geological 

Survey.

& Analysis by C. F. Sidener. 

c Traces of N03 and P04 .

d Analyses by Kennicott Water Softener Company. 

' Analyses by J. A. Dodge. 

/ Trace of NO3.

g Analyses by Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway Company, 

ft Analysis by W. A. Noyes. 

» Traces of lithium, phosphates, borates, and nitrates.

This portion of Mississippi River is distinctly different from the 

lower part, especially in its percentage of suspended matter and alkaline salts. Its use in boilers causes no serious difficulties, and it may 

be classed as good for steaming purposes. The calcium and magnesium compounds can be removed by using small amounts of soda 

ash. The water is harder than that of St. Louis River or that of St. 

Croix River and softer than the waters of Minnesota and Red rivers. 

The two latter streams also contain a higher percentage of alkaline 

salts than the upper Mississippi.

The bacterial content is of course extreme!}7 variable, and no average can be calculated logically from the data at hand. The amounts 

recorded probably indicate more nearly the actual condition of the 

stream than such figures usually do, because the samples were plated 

immediately after collection instead of after shipment to the laboratory. The water from the upper section of the system contained
56 QUALITY OP SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

from 100 to 500 bacteria per cubic centimeter, while some samples 

from the lower river contained as high as 3,000 to 6,000 per cubic 

centimeter. Though this rise in the number of bacteria shows that 

the water is open to suspicion as a source of domestic supply, the 

most positive index of pollution is the fact that from almost every 

sample examined between Grand Rapids and Minneapolis B. coli 

communis was isolated in pure culture with 1 cubic centimeter of 

water. The constant presence of this intestinal organism proves that 

the stream is unfit for domestic consumption in its natural state. In 

February, 1902, a culture of B. coli communis that was virulent for 

guinea pigs in small doses in twelve hours was isolated from the St. 

Cloud water supply, which is raw Mississippi River water. The 

importance of this fact is increased when it is stated that the total 

number of colonies was 50 per cubic centimeter, over 90 per cent 

being B. coli communis. A series of samples taken by the Minneapolis department of health from Brainerd to Minneapolis show that 

large numbers of this bacillus are constantly present in the river. 0 

It is especially worthy of note that the organism was frequently 

found in other streams of the basin while it was not isolated from 

samples of water taken from the large lakes.

Mud and Rum rivers carry considerably less dissolved mineral matter than Mississippi River, as is shown by their alkalinity, hardness, 

and total solids. Millelacs is similar to Rum River at Anoka in its 

mineral constituents. On the other hand, Leech, Winnibigoshish, 

Cass, Bemidji, Carlos, Osakis, Latoka, and Hale lakes, all lying 

within the limits of the Cretaceous rocks, have high mineral contents. 

The influence of the Cretaceous rocks may also be seen by consideration of the river analyses in series. The mineral constituents in the 

river above Bemidji are highest; from that point downstream the 

alkalinity, hardness, and total solids decrease in every series, a change 

that shows the effect of dilution by waters from the regions comprising Archean and Cambrian rocks. In the same journey the water 

increases perceptibly in turbidity and in content of organic matter.

A comparison of the analyses of the five series of samples (Table 27) 

shows the seasonal variation in the water. In winter the inorganic 

substances are all higher than at any other time of year, as may be 

expected, since practically all the stream flow is derived from underground water which has been in more or less intimate contact with the 

mineral constituents of the ground. In the main stream the alkalinity is between 130 and 280 parts per million in winter, as compared 

with 60 to 180 parts in the spring and fall. There is a corresponding 

difference in chlorine, hardness, and total residue. During the winter 

the color, turbidity, and nitrogenous matter decrease noticeably.

a Corbett, Dr. J. F., Typhoid and Water Supply: Ann. Kept. Minneapolis department of health, 

1904, p. 27.
MISSISSIPPI BASIN ABOVE MINNESOTA RIVER. 57

PARTS PER MILLION FEET

Total 

alkali mty Color Chlorine Total min - eral residue Gage height

z

I

7
58 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

Though the number of bacteria per cubic centimeter suffers some 

diminution, B. coli communis is found as often in winter as in summer, 

a fact that indicates the constant presence of polluting matter. The 

presence of large numbers of these organisms in winter is not surprising when it is considered that the river is then practically a closed 

sewer from one settlement to the next, since its surface is covered 

with 10 to 40 inches of ice and the water is effectually protected from 

the purifying influences of sun and air.

TABLE 29. Quality of water of Mississippi River at Minneapolis, Minn., 1905. a

[Parts per million.]

'En

"o ; £

0 ! 0

25

20

20

25

50

55

70

75

70

80

80

65

55

45

4.5

40

1.60

1.60

1.80

1.80

2.00

2.00

1.40

1.50

.80

.80

1.20

1.40

1.20

1.20

1.20

2.00

1

3

"* 

173

193

160

150

105

120

98

118

105

103

120

123

128

128

133

150

0)

1

C3

f^

c 

c

d

OJ

PM

, 18

14

18

19

18

10

16

18

15

12

10

g

o

T3 bb

0) £

<*> ,Q

O 2? "jS

II

!*! "

°

5,48

4.64

5.28

5.52

9.80

8.68

11.00

11.56

11.08

i

'o' 

umin mor

^

^

0.192

.3

c

ammo

S

^

0.090

.169 | .120

.312

.240

.468

.298

.416

.420

.480

13.92 .610

14.36

12.08

14 9.92

16

19

7.56

.336

.312

.336

.298

6.88 .312

14 7.60 .240

.109

.088

.072

.072

.160

.120

.088

.080

.080

.060

.072

.080

.038

.072

o

+2

X

Trace.

Trace.

Trace.

Trace.

Trace.

1

£

^

Trace.

Trace.

Trace.

Trace.

Trace.

None . Trace.

Trace.

Trace.

None . None .

None .

None .

None .

Trace.

Trace.

Trace.

Trace.

Trace.

Trace.

Trace.

Trace.

Trace.

Trace.

Trace.

Trace.

Trace.

o Analyses by A. D. Meeds, Minneapolis, Minn.

The seasonal fluctuation in the quality of the water is shown in 

more detail by Table 29, which gives the results of analyses of Mississippi River at Camden Park pumping station, Minneapolis, during 

1905. By means of fig. 2 a comparison may be made of the color, 

chlorine, alkalinity, and "fixed" or mineral residue with the river 

level at various times of the year. Acknowledgment is made to the 

department of health of Minneapolis for the analytical results. The 

gage heights, giving the change in level of the mill pond above the 

dam at St. Anthony Falls, have been obtained through the courtesy 

of Mr. R. D. Thomas, of the Minneapolis Mill Company. Color follows 

the gage height closely. In winter, when the swamps and other 

sources of vegetable matter are icebound, the color is lowest. It 

increases with the spring floods and follows the decline of the water in 

autumn, finally returning to its winter normal when the streams close. 

Chlorine and alkalinity, on the other hand, vary inversely with the 

depth of water. They are highest in winter, when the ground flow 

constitutes the greater part of the run-off and decrease during the
MISSISSIPPI BASIN ABOVE MINNESOTA RIVER. 59

open season in proportion to the dilution caused by freshets. The 

relation of the total mineral solids to the discharge is not so simple, 

because that estimate includes both dissolved and suspended inorganic solids. Therefore the dilution of dissolved mineral matter during freshets is to some extent modified by an increase of turbidity.

The examinations noted in the preceding tables support the conclusions reached by sanitary inspection. It is evident that Mississippi 

River in its raw state is not a safe source of municipal supply. It is 

not, however, so grossty polluted as to be incapable of purification by 

well-operated filters. At the same time it is the most desirable source 

of supply for general use on account of its softness as compared with 

local well waters. In conclusion, the averages of 64 analyses of waters 

of upper Mississippi River are given in Table 30, which shows the maximum and minimum determinations made.

TABLE 30. Summary of quality of icatcr of upper Mississippi River. 

[Parts per million,]

Determination. Maximum.

160

55

2.6

«5

280

229

1.5

301

.95

.14

.002

Minimum.

4

<7

0.2

0

64

83

128

7

.09

Trace.

Average.

50

2 v

<7

0.9

Trace.

151

136

Trace.

189

16

.191

.475

.05

.000

oEstimated. 

NOTES ON MUNICIPALITIES.

Thirty-four of the 42 settlements described below have public 

water supplies, 16 of which are derived from lakes or streams without purification. Twelve have sanitary sewerage systems. In all of 

them privies and cesspools are common and generally no particular 

restrictions are observed in their construction or care. Garbage is 

usually hauled outside the settlement limits and either burned or 

allowed to decay.

Aifkin, Aitkin County. On left bank of Mississippi River at its 

confluence with Mud River. Water supply is taken from Mud River 

without filtration within the village limits. The stream is exposed to 

several sources of pollution and there was considerable tj7phoid fever 

in 1904. Ice supply is taken from Mud River above pumping station. 

Sewerage system, both storm and sanitary, enters Mississippi River. 

Private sewers also enter Mud River below the pumping station. 

Garbage is hauled away to the public dumping ground.
60 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

AJcely, Hubbard County. On Crow Wing River near its headwaters. Water for fire protection only is supplied by Red River 

Lumber Company. Water for domestic use is taken from shallow 

private wells. Ice is cut from Crow Wing Lake, 1 mile from town. 

There is no sewerage system, so that cesspools and privies are common. Garbage is hauled one-half mile from town and burned.

Alexandria, Douglas County. Lakes Agnes and Winona border on 

the village and drain to Long Prairie River. Water supply is derived 

from a dug well in town, 30 feet deep by 20 feet diameter, sunk in 

gravel. The surroundings of the well are extremely unsanitary. 

Ice supply is taken from Lake Henry and Lake Latoka. A storm 

sewer enters Lake Agnes, as well as one or two private sewers, though 

there is no public sanitary sewerage. Garbage is hauled outside the 

city limits.

Anoka, Aitkin County. On Mississippi River at the confluence 

with Rum River. Water supply is taken from Rum River without 

filtration; ice supply from the same source. A municipal sewerage 

system, both storm and sanitary, has recently been established; it discharges into Rum River just above its mouth. Garbage is hauled 

outside the city limits and burned. The First State Asylum for the 

Insane (300 inmates) is located less than 1 mile above the waterworks intake, on the west bank of the river. It has a private water 

supply from shallow wells and a private sewerage system with a septic tank and intermittent contact beds and sand filters discharging 

into Rum River above waterworks.

Bemidji, Beltrami County. On west shore of Lake Bemidji, about 

50 miles below Lake Itasca. Water supply is obtained from five 

3i-inch points, driven 106 feet deep, on west side of the village at the 

edge of a swamp partially filled in with manure. Ice supply is taken 

from Lake Bemidji. Two private sewers, one from Markham Hotel 

and one from the hospital, enter Lake Bemidji in front of town. A 

public system has not yet been constructed, though a septic tank 

discharging into Mississippi River before its entrance into Lake 

Bemidji is contemplated. Garbage is hauled away and burned.

Brainerd, Crow Wing County. On Mississippi River, 11 miles above 

the entrance of Crow Wing River. Water supply is derived from 

Mississippi River in front of the city, about 1 mile below a groundwood pulp mill. Two Jewell pressure filters are installed, but their 

capacity is not equal to the daily consumption and they are seldom 

used. The supply is subject to evident pollution from houses and 

industrial plants above it. Much of the drinking water consumed in 

town is obtained from a flowing well about 1 mile from town, the 

water being peddled in carts. Ice supply is obtained from Rice Lake, 

above city. Less than half the city is equipped with sanitary sewerage. On one of the main sewers purification has been attempted by
MISSISSIPPI BASIN ABOVE MINNESOTA RIVER. 61

means of a long wooden box with baffle boards at each end. No 

test has been made of its efficiency. The other sewers discharge 

raw sewage. Garbage is hauled to dumping ground outside the city 

limits.

Buffalo, WrigJit County. On Buffalo Lake, which is connected with 

the north branch of Crow River. It has no waterworks or sewerage. 

Ice supply is obtained from Buffalo Lake. Garbage is hauled to the 

dumping ground and covered with dirt.

Cambridge, Isanti County. On Rum River, 30 miles below Princeton. Water supply is derived from a well 140 feet deep by 8 inches 

diameter, which draws water from a sandstone struck at 115 feet. 

Ice supply is obtained from Lake Fanny. No sewrerage. Garbage 

is hauled outside city limits.

Cass Lake, Cass County. On west shore of Cass Lake, near foot of 

Pike Bay. Water supply is obtained from 4 wells driven 28 feet in 

sand to clay. They have unsanitary surroundings and show evidence of pollution. Ice supply is taken from Cass Lake. A sanitary 

sewerage system discharges into a creek entering Pike Bay.

Cokato, WrigJit County. Drainage goes to a marsh that is ditched 

to Sucker Creek. No waterworks or sewerage. Ice supply obtained 

from Brooks Lake.

Deer River, Itasca County. One mile north of Mississippi River on 

Deer River. Water supply obtained from a flowing well 96 feet deep, 

with a 3-inch casing, driven through sand, quicksand, and blue clay 

into water-bearing gravel. No sewerage.

Delano, Wright County. On the south branch of Crow River. Water 

supply obtained from the river; used only for fire protection and for 

sprinkling, and not filtered. Ice supply cut from Lake Rebecca. 

Garbage burned. No sewerage.

Elk River, Sherburne County. On Elk River at its junction with 

Mississippi River. No waterworks or sewerage. Drinking water is 

generally obtained from private artesian and driven wells; ice supply 

from both rivers. Garbage is burned or hauled out in the country.

Excelsior, Hennepin County. On Lake Minnetonka. Chiefly a 

summer resort and has but small constant population. No waterworks or sewerage. About 5,000 tons of ice are harvested on the lake 

for local use and for shipment to Minneapolis. There is no public 

garbage disposal.

Fort Snelling, Hennepin County. A military reservation with 

accommodations for about 1,500 men on west bank of Mississippi 

River at its confluence with Minnesota River. Water for general use 

is obtained from a 10-inch artesian well 636 feet deep drawing its supply from the sandstone. Separate storm and sanitary sewerage 

systems discharge into both rivers. The ice supply is cut on Minnesota River just above the post.
62 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

Glencoe, McLeod County. On Buffalo Creek. Water supply 

obtained from one 8-inch well drilled 1,728 feet deep, drawing its 

supply from sand rock. Ice supply is taken from an artificial basin 

fed by artesian wells and connected with the creek most of the year. 

No sewerage. No regular garbage disposal.

Grand Rapids, Itasca County. On Mississippi River-just below 

Pokegama Falls. Water supply is taken without filtration from Hale 

Lake, which may perhaps receive surface drainage from several 

dwellings and farms. Ice supply is cut from Forest Lake, 1 mile west 

of the village. Sewerage system discharges into a small creek, thence 

into the river. Garbage is hauled to dumping ground.

Grove City, Meeker County. Is connected with Crow River by a 

slough north of town. Water supply is obtained from an 8-inch well 

sunk 740 feet deep; ice supply from a small lake 3 miles north of town. 

No sewerage.

Hector, Renmlle County. Drained by a county ditch to the south 

fork of Crow River. Water supply obtained from an 8-inch drilled 

well 420 feet deep; ice supply from an artificial pond fed by wells. 

Storm sewerage, but no sanitary system has been established.

Hutchinson, McLeod County. On South Fork (locally called Hassan River) of Crow River, near Otter Lake, Water supply is obtained 

from an artesian well 10 inches diameter, driven 60 feet to rock, then 

drilled 100 feet; ice supply from Crow River above city drainage. A 

sanitary sewerage system empties into Crow River. Garbage is 

dumped into a pit outside the city limits.

Litchfield, Meeker County. Drains to Jewett Creek, the outlet of 

Lake Ripley, which enters north branch of Crow River. Water supply is obtained from 2-inch wells driven 42 feet in the drift; ice supply 

from Lake Ripley. No sewerage. No regular garbage disposal.

Little Falls, Morrison County. On Mississippi River, 38 miles 

above St. Cloud. Water supply is procured from'Mississippi River 

without filtration; ice supply from the river opposite the city. Sanitary sewage is discharged into Mississippi River. Garbage is hauled 

outside city limits to dumping ground.

Long Prairie, Todd County. On Long Prairie River. Water supply is obtained from two dug wells, one 12 feet in diameter by 20 feet 

deep, the other 30 feet in diameter by 40 feet deep. Ice supply is cut 

from Lake Charlotte, south of the village. No sewerage. Garbage is 

generally dumped in hollows and covered with dirt.

Melrose, Stearns County. On Sank River, 20 miles below Sauk 

Center. Water supply for fire protection oiuY is taken from Sauk 

River. Drinking water is procured from private driven or dug 

wells; ice supply from Sauk River, above the dam. No sewerage. 

Garbage is hauled outside the city limits.
MISSISSIPPI BASIN ABOVE MINNESOTA RIVER. 63

Milaca, Millelacs County. On Rum River, 15 miles above Princeton. Water supply for fire protection only is obtained from Rum 

River; ice supply from Rum River. A combined sewerage system 

empties into Rum River below the village. Garbage is hauled to the 

village dumping ground.

Minneapolis, Hennepin County. On both sides of Mississippi 

River, about 9 miles above its confluence w'th Minnesota River. The 

cit}T water supply is taken unfiltered from Mississippi River by four 

intakes: («) north station, at Camden Park, near the upper city 

limits; (&) northeast station, at foot of Thirty-seventh avenue NE., 

before the river enters the city; (c) east-side station, and (d) westside station, in the heart of the city, below several sewers. The lower 

stations have been closed by the water board. The present supply 

has been repeatedly condemned by sanitary experts, who recommend 

filtration. The city ice supply, amounting to more than 150,000 tons 

annually, is cut from all the numerous lakes in Hennepin County, 

among which are lakes Amelia, Big, Calhoun, Cedar, Clearwater, 

Crystal, Twin, and Waconia. Storm and sanitary sewerage systems 

extend throughout the greater part of the cit}^, discharging into Mississippi River by several outlets. Privies and cesspools, which must 

have water-tight vaults, are permitted only where there is no access to 

sewers. Garbage is burned at a crematory owned and operated by 

the city.

Monticello, Wright County. On Mississippi River, 26 miles above 

the mouth of Rum River. Water supply is obtained from an artesian well 8 inches in diameter by 237 feet deep in the drift; ice supply 

from First Lake, west of the village, and from the river. No sewerage 

system or regular garbage disposal.

New London, KandiyoJii County. On Middle Fork of CrowT River. 

Waterworks for fire protection only. No sewerage; ice supply from 

lakes Green and Andrew and from the river.

Osakis, Douglas and Todd counties. At the south end of Lake 

Osakis. Water supply for fire protection and for sprinkling is taken 

from the lake; drinking water is commonly taken from shallow driven 

wells. Ice supply is cut from Lake Osakis. Limited storm sewerage 

is established.

Park Rapids, Hubbard County. On Fishhook River, about 2 miles 

below Fishhook Lake. Water supply and ice supply are both taken 

from the river. The village water is little used for domestic purposes. 

No sewerage. Garbage is hauled to the public dumping ground.

Paynesville, Stearns County. On North Fork of Crow River. 

Water supply is obtained from four 3-inch wells driven 80 feet in the 

drift; ice supply from Lake Koronis south of town. No sewerage. 

Garbage is dumped on convenient vacant property. 

IRR 193 07 5
64 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

Princeton, Millelacs County. On Rum River about 100 miles above 

its mouth. Water supply is taken from one tubular well, 8 inches 

diameter by 187 feet deep, in the drift; ice supply from Rum River. 

No sewerage.

Royalton, Morrison County. On Platte River, 7 miles above its confluence with Mississippi River. Ice is cut from the river. Garbage 

is carted to the village dumping ground. No waterworks or sewerage 

system.

St. Cloud, Benton, Slierburne, and Stearns counties. On Mississippi 

River 76 miles above Minneapolis and 2 miles below the entrance of 

Sauk River. Water supply is taken without filtration from Mississippi River near the upper edge of the city. It is grossly polluted 

and has been pronounced unsafe by the State board of health. The 

part of the city on the west bank of the river discharges sewage into 

the river by 5 main sewers, both storm and sanitary. East St. Cloud 

is not sewered. The Minnesota State Reformatory, with about 200 

inmates, is just below the city, on the east bank of the river. Its 

water supply is taken from 4 shallow wells in an old river bottom east 

of the reformatory grounds. The buildings are completely equipped 

with sewerage, which discharges into Mississippi River.

St. Louis Park, Hennepin County. A suburb of Minneapolis, situated on Minnehaha Creek. The ice supply is cut from the creek and 

from Lake Calhoun. No waterworks, sewerage, or systematic garbage 

disposal.

Sauk Center, Stearns County. On Sauk River. Water supply is 

derived from Sauk River just above the mill dam, opposite the city, 

without filtration. It is little used for domestic purposes. The ice 

supply is taken from the river above the city. Sanitary sewerage 

discharging into Sauk River is established. Garbage is hauled outside the city limits and dumped.

Sauk Rapids, Benton County. On Mississippi River, opposite the 

confluence of Sank River, 2 miles above St. Cloud. Ice is cut from 

Mississippi River. No waterworks or sewerage. Garbage is generally hauled away by farmers.

Staples, Todd County. Connected by a small creek with Crow Wing 

River. The ice supply is from Dower Lake, 2 miles west of the village. 

Garbage is taken to high sandy ground 2 miles east of town. No 

waterworks or sewerage.

Wadena, Wadena County. On Union Creek 2 miles south of Leaf 

River. Water supply is obtained from a well, 22 feet deep by 20 feet 

in diameter, in the center of the village. Ice supply is cut from Union 

Creek and from Leaf River. No sewerage. Garbage is hauled to the 

public dumping ground.

Walker, Cass County. On the west shore of Leech Lake. Water 

and ice supplies are taken from the lake in front of the town. The 

water is not filtered. No sewerage is established. Garbage is burned.
MINNESOTA RIVER BASIN. 65

West Minneapolis (Hopkins], Hennepin County. A shore distance 

southwest of Minneapolis. Drains to Minnehaha Creek. Water for 

fire protection only is furnished by the Minneapolis Threshing Machine 

Company from an 8-inch well 600 feet deep. Ice is cut on Shady Oak 

Lake. No sewerage. Garbage is usually hauled away by market 

gardeners.

White Bear Lake, Ramsey County. On the west shore of White 

Bear Lake, which discharges through a chain of lakes and Rice Creek 

into Mississippi River. It is a summer resort with a comparatively 

small permanent population. A 10-inch well for a village supply has 

been recently put down. No sewerage. Garbage is hauled outside 

the village limits and dumped.

MINNESOTA RIVER BASIN.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Boundaries. The basin lies across the southern third of Minnesota 

and includes also small portions of Iowa and South Dakota. It is 

bounded on the north by upper Mississippi and Red River drainage 

areas; on the east by lower Mississippi area and the basin of Cedar 

River; on the south by Des Moines River basin, and on the west by 

several small streams tributary to Missouri River. (PL III.)

Course and slope of Minnesota River. Minnesota River rises on the 

eastern slope of the Dakota foothills (Coteau des Prairies), in the 

northeastern part of Marshall County, S. Dak., about 30 miles west 

of Lake Traverse, at an approximate elevation of 1,896 feet above 

sea level (Nicollet). It flows southeastward to the State border, 

where it falls rapidly to the level of Bigstone Lake. The stream is a 

mere mountain torrent in this upper section, where the bed is often 

entirely dry. Bigstone Lake is about 30 miles long and 1 to 2 miles 

wide. Its east and west shores are well defined by gravel bluffs that 

rise abruptly 150 feet to the level of the surrounding prairies. The lake 

is narrow and shallow, exceeding 15 feet in depth at only a few places. 

Pleasure craft and other small steamers ply on the lake, and there is 

regular water communication between Ortonville and Browns Valley 

during the open season. At its upper or northern end, where Minnesota River enters, a marshy strip, not over 20 feet high, stretches northward 5 miles to the equally swampy southern extremity of Lake Traverse, the headwaters of Bois de Sioux River. At Ortonville the Minnesota River emerges from the southern extremity of Bigstone Lake 

and, after uniting with Whetstone River, which enters from the south, 

flows southeastward to Mankato, a distance of 150 miles. Though 

there are some stretches of still water between Ortonville and Mankato, the river riffles over granitic rocks at several places and is not 

navigable. Blue Earth River enters from the south just above Man-
66 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

kato, where the main stream turns abruptly and pursues a northeasterly course to its mouth. The lower portion, which has an average 

width of 300 feet, is navigable by light-draft vessels for 37 miles from 

its mouth to Little Rapids.

In the first 40 miles of its course the stream falls 900 feet, having an 

average slope of 25.4 feet per mile. (See fig. 3.) After passing 24 miles 

through Bigstone Lake it drops, by series of rapids alternating with 

reaches of still water, to Little Rapids, with an average slope of 1.25 

feet per mile. Excluding the principal drop of 50 feet in 5 miles at

900

1000

1100

FIG. 3. Profile of Minnesota River.

Granite Falls, this section has a grade of 1.06 feet per mile. Below 

Little Falls, after an abrupt descent of 2 feet, the slope is less than 0.1 

foot per mile. If the small stream above Bigstone Lake is excluded, 

the mean slope of Minnesota River is considerably less than that of 

upper Mississippi River.

Tributaries of Minnesota River. The principal affluents of the Minnesota are Pomme de Terre River, Chippewa River, and Hawk Creek
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 193 PL.

T E R T A I L

LEGEN D

Population exceeding 10,000 

Q Population between 5,000 and 10,000 

O Population between 2,000 and 5,000 

O Population between 1,000 and 2,000

(J) With sewerage system 

(Population according to U. S. Census, 1900)

SCALE OF MILES 

10 20 30 40 50

MAP OF MINNESOTA RIVER BASIN.
MINNESOTA RIVER BASIN. 67

from the north, and Whetstone, Lac qui Parle, Redwood, Cottonwood, and Blue Earth rivers from the south, all of which enter above 

Mankato. (See PL III.) The largest tributary is Blue Earth River, 

which rises in Kossuth County, Iowa, and flows northward as a meandering prairie stream. It is about 60 feet wide at its mouth and 2 to 

3 feet deep during ordinary stages. Below the mouth of Blue Earth 

River near Mankato the Minnesota drains a comparatively narrow 

area, its tributaries being small and insignificant. Around the headwaters of Pomme de Terre and Chippewa rivers there are many lakes, 

and throughout the entire valley there are small bodies of water that 

lie in shallow depressions of the drift and are fast being eliminated by 

silting, artificial drainage, and other factors.

Topography. The Coteau des Prairies, in the southeastern part of 

the area, slopes rather steeply and evenly to the plain forming the 

valley of the Minnesota. Except for this feature the entire region is 

a rolling prairie crossed by the deep, wide bed of the river. Formerly 

some lumbering was done in the extreme northern part, but now the 

forests are gone. On account of the absence of woods and of large 

lakes capable of retaining flood waters, the streams rise rapidly after 

rains or thaws and become very turbid, for they easily disintegrate 

the unprotected clayey gravels along their banks.

(Geology. Gneisses, schists, and granites are exposed along the 

deeply eroded valley of the river from New Ulm to Lac qui Parle. 

Red quartzite is found in the southern part of the valley, through 

Cottonwood, Watonwan, and Jackson counties. Limestones, shales, 

and sandstones of Cambrian and Ordovician age reach as far west as 

the valley of Blue Earth River and occupy the eastern part of Minnesota Valley. The most widespread deposits, however, are the Cretaceous rocks, which extend eastward from the Dakotas and cover" 

about two-thirds of the basin, including all of its western part except 

some small areas, in which there are exposures of earlier rocks. These 

extensive deposits and the many scattered Cretaceous beds found in 

the eastern section of the valley have undoubtedly a modifying influence on the composition of the drift and consequently on the drainage. 

The more or less stratified materials of the Pleistocene overlie the 

earlier rocks throughout the entire region.

When Lake Agassiz, a glacial lake, occupied the valley of Red River 

its outlet, to which the name Warren River has been given, extended 

through the valley in which Traverse and Big Stone lakes and Minnesota River are now situated. This river cut a channel 150 to 200 

feet deep and from 1 to 2 miles wide across the valley. Before Lake 

Agassiz was formed a body of water gathered in this basin at the 

margin of the receding ice sheet, extending from Big Stone Lake to 

Waseca and comprising an area of more than 3,000 square miles. 

This great lake, which has been called Lake Minnesota, found an out-
68 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

let southward through Blue Earth River to Des Moines River.0 Lacustrine gravels, sands, and clays, having a thickness of more than 100 

feet in some places in the central part of the valley, testify to the 

existence of this prehistoric lake.

Soil and subsoil. The top layers of the drift in this region differ 

distinctly from those of upper Mississippi Valley in their content of 

certain mineral constituents. The following table gives the average 

composition of soils in Minnesota Valley as computed from analyses 

made by the Minnesota agricultural experiment station:

TABLE 31. Chemical composition of soil and subsoil in Minnesota.

Insoluble in HC1. .......................................

Sodium oxide (Na2O) ......... .........................

Surface soil.

Minnesota 

River

basin.

76.65 

9.75 

.39 

.25 

1.43 

.80 

7.87 

.22 

.13 

.75

Entire 

State."

79.92 

8.98 

.43 

.45 

1.29 

.01 

7.20 

.20 

.10 

.62

Subsoil.

Minnesota 

River 

basin.

76.77 

6.10 

.38 

.30 

0.64 

.55 

8.89 

.20 

.08 

1.36

Entire

State."

82.41 

5. 33 

.40 

.32 

].78 

.80 

8.32 

.17 

.06 

.93

a Snyder, II., Characteristic features of Minnesota soils: Bull. 05, Agr. Exp. Sta., University of 

Minnesota, Chem. l)iv., Nov., 1899, p. 69.

The amount of sand is not excessive, the insoluble matter being 

lower than in the average soil in the rest of the State. Nearly all of 

the soluble constituents are present in larger amounts than the average, and the high percentage of these is in line with the high percentage of inorganic matter found generally in the water of Minnesota 

 River. In their content of alkaline ingredients the soils lie midway 

between those of upper Mississippi Valley and those of Red River 

basin. The influence of the Cretaceous deposits and the difference 

in rainfall may cause this difference between the soils of these regions.

INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION.

The following list gives the number of establishments in this area 

having wastes of deleterious nature:

TABLE 32. Industrial establishments causing stream pollution in Minnesota Rirer basin.

Breweries................................................................... 23

Creameries.................................................................. 45

Gas works................................................................... 2

Sawmills.................................................................... 6

Woolen mill................................................................. ]

"Upham, Warren, The Glacial Lake Agassiz: Mon. U. S. Geol. Survey, vol. 25, p. 264.
MINNESOTA RIVER BASIN. 69

Four breweries are located at New Ulm and two at Mankato, the 

total output of all these amounting to about 6,000 barrels per month. 

Most of these establishments do their own malting. Their wastes, 

consisting of washings from floors, barrels, vats, etc., and of slop, 

after the brewer's "grains" have been screened out, are run into 

Minnesota River either directly or through sewers. The other establishments noted in the list above are all small and their wastes are 

not likely to be troublesome in the streams. Corn and wheat raising 

are the principal industries of the district. Drainage from the 

cultivated lands contains generally more suspended and dissolved 

matter than that from the other lands, because the tilled soils are 

less compact and therefore more easily disintegrated. In regions 

where manure is used more or less organic matter reaches the streams 

from the fields, especially during freshets.

MUNICIPAL POLLUTION. 

POPULATION.

Table 33 shows the population by counties for three successive 

censuses in Minnesota River drainage area. There are 26 inhabitants 

per square mile, about the average density of the State (see Table 34). 

Since this region is essentially a farming countr}' the population is 

chiefly in the rural districts and is evenly distributed over the entire 

area, except possibly a small part above Ortonville, which is not now 

open for settlement. This portion of the State was first to be developed and, on account of its remarkable fertility, rose quickly to its 

present population. It is probable that" there will not be a great 

increase in the future but only the gradual growth incident to a rural 

region.

TABLE 33. Population in Minnesota River basin.

County.

Lyon. ................................................

U. S. 

census, 

1890.

....... 5,214

...... 29,210

.................. 800

................... 15,817

................... 11,758

...................' 8, 555

............. 700

................... 5,012

............. 2,872

2,200

................... 6, 008

................... 10, 708

................... 4, 885

................... 3, 438

.................. 1,728

................... 820

7 911

................... 10, 382

4 ^9

..................i 9,501

U.S. 

census, 

1900.

32,263

19, 787

12, 418

12, 499

800

7,835

7,234

22, 055

5,779

4 468

1,912

14,289

7 173

14,591

State 

census, 

1905.

8 442

a 1,200

20, 523

12, 504

13, 356

o900

8,286

3,172

7,382

5,592

4,826

2,087

1,306

11,826

15, 182

16 479

16,171
70 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

TABLE 33. Population in Minnesota Hirer basin Continued.

County.

Nicollet ...................................... ........................

Roberts, S. Dak. ........................................................

Scott ....................................................................

Steels ....................................................................

Swift....................................................................

Total ..............................................................

u. s.

census, 

1890.

7,761

2,432

(i,814

631

13, 382

3,878

100

8,151

9,386

12, 993

182

1,200

13,831

15,199

1,411

4,454

10, 161

498

11, 663

9,854

2,763

2,143

310.371

U. S. 

census, 

1900.

14,157

2,800

9,103

1,103

14,774

323

10, 288

17,261

18,281

249

8,000

15, 147

16.862

1,602

7,366

13, 503

721

13,027

11,496

14,602

4,952

3,655

411,060

State 

census, 

1905-

14, 661

2,759

« 11, 000

1,088

14, 994

5,210

323

11,035

19,034

18, 336

304

oll,000

15,094

16, 354

1,609

7,773

13, 575

902

12,085

11,494

15. 899

4,729

3,460

425. 568

« Estimated.

TABLE 34. - Density of population In Minnesota River basin.

Above Mankato:

Above Mississippi River:

Drainage 

area.

Sq. miles. 

"1,232

1890.

2.9

f 16.6

\ 14.3

I 15.7

Inhabitants per square 

mile.

1900.

23.6

19.6

25.1

20.4

1905.

24.8

20.8

26.0

21.4

CONDITIONS ON THE MINNESOTA.

General conditions. The drainage and general hydrography of the 

valley are exhibited in PI. Ill, which shows also the location and the 

relation of all settlements having a population exceeding 1,000 according to the census of 1900. A vertical bar within the population circle 

indicates that a municipality has a public sewerage system. Unlike 

those of the upper Mississippi Valley, many of the centers of population are remote from running water. It does not follow from this' 

however, that the streams thus escape pollution. The general distribution of both city and rural population all over the area is sufficient to render &ny surface water within it unsafe.

Conditions at Ortonville. Around the headwaters of the river above 

Ortonville the population is less dense than in any other part of the
MINNESOTA RIVER BASIN. 71

basin. Sisseton and Browns Valley, the only settlements in this 

district, are both small. There is little pollution in this region.

Conditions at Mankato. Over three-fourths of the Minnesota basin 

lies above Mankato. It is farming land, on which wheat and corn are 

the principal crops. One of the most noticeable features of this 

region is the number of small settlements distributed over it. New 

Ulm, the second city in size, is located on the river, a little over 20 

miles above Mankato. The presence of this large place is sufficient 

to condemn the water of Minnesota River for domestic use at Mankato without filtration. The stream is often so muddy after heavy 

rains and thaws that the use of the raw water at such times is undesirable. The chief sources of stream pollution are given in the following table:

TABLE 35. Principal settlements in Minnesota River basin above Mankato.

Name.

Blue Earth....................

Milbank, S. Dak. .......... ..

Redwood Falls

Stream.

Blue Earth River. ..........

.....do.......................

TJ.ndwnnd T?ivpr

Springfield Onttomvood River

Tracy..........................

Wells ..........................

Willmar.......................

Branch of Cottomvood River

Distance 

above 

Mankato. a

Miles. 

133 

138 

71 

161 

80 

178 

87 

45 

!."> 

30 

140 

27 

100 

1(51 

103 

1(58 

22 

149 

03 

81 

43 

38 

116 

92 

51 

51 

131 

60

Population.

1890.

994 

877 

1.569 

470 

1,205 

027

921 

824 

852 

625 

007 

1,203 

1,207 

1,437 

1,206 

3,741 

708 

1,238 

413 

939 

1,513 

710 

1,400 

2,482 

1,208 

1,825 

1,108

1900.

1,184 

1,525 

2,900 

1,100 

3,040 

1,110 

1,214 

1,254 

1,215 

1,272 

1,330 

1,008 

2,088 

1,420 

2,140 

1,934 

5,403 

1,247 

1,001 

1,075 

2,607 

2,046 

1,511 

1,911 

3,103 

2,017 

3,409 

1,816

32,035 53,504

1905.

a, 321

1,706 

2, 364 

1,505 

2,955 

1.718 

1,340 

1,205 

1,231 

1,290 

1,004 

938 

2,243

2, 595 

2,003 

5,720 

1,012 

1,800 

1,229 

2,320 

2,312 

1,540 

2,015 

2,838 

1,814 

4,040 

1,553

54, 883

« Mankato is 119 miles from the mouth of the river.

Conditions at mouth of river. Minnesota River below Mankato is 

not used for any purposes other than navigation and ice harvesting. 

The following list of settlements in its basin gives their distances above 

the mouth of the river and their population. Many of these places 

have reached their maximum size, and some of them are even now on 

a decline, due to the inevitable reaction caused by a rush of pioneers 

to cheaper lands. This decline will probably be followed by a slower 

and more permanent growth, as has been the case with similar towns 

in the older Central States.
QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IK MINNESOTA.

TABLE 36*. Principal settlements in Minnesota River basin above Mississippi River.

Name.

Settlements above Mankato 

(see Table 35, D. 7D ...........

Belle Plaine.....................

St. Peter........................

Total .....................

Stream.

.....do......................

.....do......................

Minnesota River. .......... 

.....do......................

Distance 

above 

mouth.

Miles.

52 

30 

40 

82 

119 

55 

97 

26

Population.

1890.

32,035 

814 

2,210 

1,233 

1,763 

8,838 

955 

3,671 

1,757

53,276

1900.

53. 564 

1,121 

2,165 

1,270 

1,937 

10, 599 

1,228 

4,302 

2,047

78, 233

1905.

54,883 

1,301 

2,085 

1,311 

1,842 

10,996 

1,419 

4,514 

2,069

80,420

TYPHOID FEVER.

Though typhoid fever is prevalent in Minnesota River Valley, no 

regular report of it has been made, so that detailed statistics can not 

be given. Mankato, New Ulm, Montevideo, and Ortonville all have 

had undesirable records of typhoid fever. Although there have been 

no extensive outbreaks, a number of cases are distributed over the 

area every year. Surface water is not extensively used for domestic 

supply, so that the spread of the fever is probably not due to infected 

streams. Many cases of the disease have been traced to the use of 

water from infected wells. Since modern improvements have not been 

adopted with extreme thoroughness, large sections of the principal 

cities are still unconnected with sewers, and the inhabitants have a 

general disinclination to abandon their private wells for municipal 

supplies. Consequently many driven or dug drift wells in close proximity to cesspools, privy vaults, and other foci of pollution are still 

in existence, and the use of water from these wells no doubt propagates this preventable disease. Typhoid fever will be eradicated only 

when the people generally are convinced that shallow wells in cities 

are as a rule unsafe sources of drinking water and offer much chance 

for the dissemination of specific diseases.

QUALITY OF WATER.

At the beginning of the work points were selected for the collection 

of samples above and below the principal settlements on the main 

stream and on Redwood River. Series I in Table 37 was collected 

during January and February, 1904, when the river was completely 

frozen and fluctuated little in its discharge. Series II was collected 

during the next winter under similar circumstances. Series III was 

collected when the ice was going out and, unfortunately, shows the 

stream under varied conditions at different points. The sample from 

Big Stone Lake was taken through the ice, just before the spring thaw. 

The samples at Granite Falls, New Ulm, and Redwood Falls were
MINNESOTA RTVER BASTN. 73

taken while the ice was breaking up and probably show considerable 

dilution of the characteristic run-off. When the samples at Mankato 

were taken the river was in decided flood condition, standing somewhat over 4 feet above its winter level, and rapidly rising. The sample from Fort Snelling was also taken near the crest of a flood after 

the ice had left the lower river.

The stream carries a noticeable quantity of organic matter, as 

evinced by the nitrogen determinations. Albuminoid ammonia 

almost invariably exceeds 0.3 parts per million and free ammonia 

is likewise high. Nitrates are found in measurable quantity and 

nitrites are present, especially during flood time. The water has 

generally a slight vegetable odor, which during freshets is accompanied or overshadowed by an earthy or a musty smell. Though 

the water has some color, which is, as may be expected, highest 

during floods, it is not so high as that of surface water from regions 

where swamps and forest are more abundant.

In mineral content the waters of this region are distinctly different 

from those of upper Mississippi Valley. Chlorine is considerably 

higher, generally 3 to 10 parts per million, and often exceeds the 

latter amount. Sulphates vary from 70 to 450 parts per million 

and are also present in considerable quantity in other waters of the 

basin, as shown by Table 38, which gives the results of inorganic 

analyses of surface waters from divers sources. The total residue is 

high and the amount soluble in alcohol indicates the presence of considerable sodium and potassium. The inorganic determinations in 

these tables prove that there is an essential difference between the 

prairie stream Minnesota River and the woodland drainage of upper 

Mississippi Valley. The greatest distinction is in the amounts of 

sodium, potassium, and sulphuric acid. Though the surface waters 

are softer than those furnished by wells in the region, they still carry 

much mineral matter and prove troublesome when used in boilers 

in their raw state. The river is not so strongly mineralized as Red 

River, though it is similar to it in many respects.

The samples examined bacteriologically contained excessive numbers of bacteria. B. coli communis was isolated in pure culture 

from a majority of the samples, a fact indicating the unfitness of the 

water for domestic use without filtration. The waters of the tributaries, so far as they have been examined, are similar to the water 

of Minnesota River, as might have been expected, since they drain 

regions that are similar in geologic and economic conditions. The 

influence of the Cretaceous rocks is shown to some extent by a difference between the mineral content of the waters in the upper valley 

and that of Minnesota River at Fort Snelling, though the dilution is 

not so marked as in other rivers in the State.
TABLE 37. Quality of water in Minnesot

[Parts per million.] 

SERIES I, WINTER OF 1904.a

Source.

Minnesota River:

Tributaries :

Redwood River above Redwood 

Falls.............................

Redwood River below Redwood 

Falls.............................

Date.

Feb. 17

...do...

....do...

Feb. 18

....do...

Feb. 19

....do...

....do...

Feb. 17

Feb. 18

....do...

^ 

o "3 

o

Odor.

Turbidity. Chlorine.

17.5

17.0

15.0

13.7

14.0

8.5

9 0

4.2

4.8

4.0

6.0

6.0

Sulphate 

radicle.

cs

 ^ . 

"3]? 

~£'a

o"^

c-i

112

192

185

186

155

155

ia<;

185

185

Total hardness.

708

666

706

994

986

688

620

606

891

898

408

Iron 

as Fe.

SERIES II, WINTER OF 1904-5

Minnesota River:

Minnesota River above Granite 

Falls.............................

Minnesota River below Granite 

Falls.............................

Minnesota River above Mankato...

Tributaries:

Dec. 5

...do....

Dec. 7

Dec. 8

Jan. 4

Tan 4

Dec. 7

4

OE

25

?.5

18

25 

18

18

4

2 v.

1 V.

15

<-7

<7

30

19

15 

?0

90

<r-7

12.4

4.3

5.0

4 9

4.5

4.5

4.7

10.0

3.5

457 223

188 ' 326

201 . 321

259 320

207 322

207 380 

207 i 330

514 335

71 ; 311

584

473

473

529

529

«40 

473

640

473

0

Trace.

1.0

1.0

1.0 

1.0

0
SERIES III, SPUING OF 1905.

Minnesota River:

Bigstone Lake at Browns Valley... Mar. 19 

Minnesota River above Granite

Falls............................. Mar. 20

Minnesota River below Granite

Falls............................. |.... do...

Minnesota River above New Ulm.. 

Minnesota River above Mankato... 

Minnesota River below Mankato... 

Minnesota River just above mouth. 

Tributaries:

Redwood River above Redwood

Falls.............................

Redwood River below Redwood

Falls.

Mar. 21 

Mar. 22 

....do... 

Mar. 14

Mar. 21 

...do...

29 2 v. 9 ' 7.6 

29 3v.+lm. ' <7 4.6

Blue Earth River at mouth........ Mar. 22 , 114

29 3v.+lm. 

....2 v.+2o. 

81 ,3v.+2e. 

40 !2M.+2e. 

74 J2V.+ 1M.

3M.

3M.

2 v.+2e.

30

350

95

4.6 

4.6 

3.6 

3.3 

3.0

0.4 

4.0

350 3.6

276

153

153

173

173

76

106

46

334

59

152 I 290 0 

193 304 j Trace. 

192

192

159

121

138

114

113

304

275

Trace. 

Trace.

230 0.5

157 I 0.5

197 Trace.

124

382

Trace.

Trace. 

0.5

a Chemical analyses by H. C. Carel; bacteriological examinat

b Overgrown.

^Chemical analyses by R. B. Dole; bacteriological examinati
T\BLE 38. Mineral analyses of water in Minnes

[Parts per million.]

Source.

Chippewa River at Montevideo b. .... ...... ....

Date.

Jan. 17, 1891

Nov. 17, 1895

Jan. 24, 1902

Jan. 11, 1891

Dec. 24, 1901

Oct. 12. 1892

Mar. 27, 1894

June 27, 1898

Sept. 18, 1901

Sept. 3, 1888

Oxide of 

iron and 

alumina 

(A1 2O3+ 

Fea O s).

5.0

28

8.6

11

2.0

4.4

4.1

9.9

4.4

1.2

1.5

.8

8.6

Calcium 

(Ca).

44

92

223

88

122

100

92

32

32

34

34

27

18

256

Analysis by C. T. Sidener; trace of phosphates.

Analyses furnished by Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway. d Suspended solids, 5.0.

Magnesium 

(Mg).

48 

19 

66 

53 

71 

56 

70 

16 

32 

19 

9.9 

22 

14 

15 

21 

17 

61

lished by K

TABLE 39. Analyses of waters of Minnesota and 

[Parts per million.] 

MINNESOTA RIVER ABOVE MOUTH OF BLUE 

Date.

Aug. 27, 1903 b..

Jan. 7,1904 c...

May 3, 1904 c...

Dec. 4, 1904 d...

Jan. 4, 1905 d . . 

Mar. 22, 1905 d..

Color.

0

18

25 

81

Odor.

0

2 v.

3 v.+2e.

Turbidity.

19

15 

150

Chlorine.

3

4.2

1.0

4.5

4.5 

3.6

Sulphate 

radicle.

207

207 

173

Total 

alkalinity.

200

322

380 

159

Total 

hardness.

170

529

640 

230

Iron

as Fe.

0

1.0

1.0 

0.5

Total 

residue.

520

619

728 

442

Soluble 

residue.

172

184 

107

A

a
MINNESOTA RIVER BELOW MANKAT

Aug. 27, 1905 c..

May 3, 1904 c...

Jan. 4, 1905 d. . .

Mar. 22, 1905 d..

18

40 2 M+2 e.

20

350

4.7 207

3. 3 76

330

izi

473

157

1.0

0.5

::::::::

618

603

222

55

BLUE EARTH RIVER AT MOUTH, MANK

May 3,1904 e...

Jan. 4, 1905 d. ..

Mar. 22, 1905 d..

4

114

1 V.

2 v. + 2(>.

<7

350

2.5

3.5

3.6

71

59

311

113

315

473

130

0

Trace.

0.5

457

844

92

37

MINNESOTA RIVER AT MOUTH, FORT SNE

Oct. 23, 1904 <«. .

Mar. 14, 1905 d.. 

June 12, 1905 <«..

I 40 i 1 v.+ 'lM. | 80

74 . 2 v.+ l M. 95 

81 i 2e.4-2 v. i 55

I

8.5

3.0 

4.3

106 

123

244

138 

236

243

197

Trace.

Trace.

j 411 107

364 i 74 

473 '........

a. Bacteriological examination by Dr. E. H. Beckman. 

b Chemical analysis by E. H. Beckman.

c Chemical ana

d Chemical an
78 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

From Table 39, giving analyses made of water of Minnesota and 

Blue Earth rivers at Mankato and Fort Snelling, an idea may be had 

of the variation in the quality of the water between winter and summer. The inorganic substances are higher during the season when 

the river is frozen and are supplied mainly by its underground flow. 

In the spring the water exhibits at once its highest color and turbidity 

and its lowest mineral content. Bacteriological examinations of samples taken at Mankato prove the frequent presence of B. coli communis in Minnesota River above (he mouth of Blue Earth River, both 

in summer and in winter. This is probably due to the fact that New 

Ulm, a short distance above Mankato, discharges its sewage and the 

effluent from four large breweries into the river. Fig. 4 is a graphic 

representation of daily turbidity determinations made at Mankato 

below the mouth of Blue Earth River, extending over a period of 

seventeen months. The gage heights at the same point are also given 

for comparison. These curves show an almost exact coincidence 

between the rise and fall of turbidity and gage height. Ordinarily 

the river carries suspended matter equivalent to 10 to 40 parts per 

million of turbidity, but during the spring freshets this amount is often 

increased to 600 or 800 parts per million.

It is evident that the water of Minnesota River without filtration 

is not safe for municipal supply. Its purification, however, would not 

be very difficult, and the water is more desirable for general use than 

that obtained from deep wells, on account of its comparative softness. 

The following table shows the average of 24 analyses of Minnesota 

River, together with the maximum and minimum observations:

TABLE 40. Summary of quality of water of Minnesota River. 

[Parts per million.]

Determination. Maximum.

81

350

17.5

383

380

994

1.0

933

365

.326

.710

.75

.05

Minimum.

0

1.0

105

157

364

55

.024

.100

.025

Trace.

Average.

30

70

6.4

178

220

470

556

143

.193

.454

.16

.009
MINNESOTA EIVEK BASIN. 79

JAN. FEB. MAR. APR. MAY JUNE JULY AUG. SEPT. OCT NOV DEC.

A 8

n

GAGE HE/GHT 9O5

^

Tl/R£'/O/TY

\A GAGf.' 904

\

FIG. 4. Diagram showing relation of turbidity to gage height on Minnesota River at Mankato. 

IRR 193 07 6
80 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA. 

NOTES ON MUNICIPALITIES.

Fort}T-four of the fifty-two settlements described below have underground water supplies, while only two report stream or lake water as 

their supply. Sixteen towns, less than one-third, report the installation of sanitary sewage systems. One city reports that a sewage-disposal plant is in operation. Privies and cesspools are common in all 

of these places, even where sewers have been constructed.

Alden, Faribault County. On a small creek that enters Walnut 

Lake. Walnut Lake drains to the east fork of Blue Earth River. 

The village water supply is derived from a deep well. No sewerage.

Appleton, Swift County. On Pomme de Terre River, 3 miles above 

its entrance into Minnesota River. Water supply ordinarily taken 

from a well, but there is also connection with Pomme de Terre River 

for use in emergencies. Ice supply from Pomme de Terre River above 

the village. No sewerage. Garbage is hauled to a dumping ground 

outside the village.

Belle Plain?, Scott County. On Minnesota River 52 miles above its 

mouth. Water supply is obtained from a well in the center of the 

town, ice supply from small lakes near the borough. No sewerage. 

Garbage is hauled away to the dumping ground.

Benson, Swift County. On Chippewa River 40 miles above its confluence with Minnesota River. Water supply is taken from two wells 

in the village, ice supply from Chippewa River above village. A combined sewerage system discharges into Chippewa River. Garbage is 

dumped 011 the prairie 2 miles east of the village.

Bird Island, Renville County.- Drained by a county ditch to Minnesota River. Water supply is derived from an 8-inch tubular well 285 

feet deep. No sewerage. No systematic garbage disposal.

Blue Earth, Faribault County. On Blue Earth River, 20 miles above 

Winnebago City. Water suppty is obtained from two wells, one 6 

inches b}r 375 feet, supplied from the St. Peter sandstone, the other 8 

inches by 672 feet, drawing from the "Jordan " sandstone. Tee supply is cut from Browns Lake and from Blue Earth River. Sanitary 

sewerage, discharging into Blue Earth River, is installed. Garbage 

is hauled to the public dumping ground.

Browns Valley, Traverse County. On the low divide between Lakes 

Traverse and Big Stone. Drainage goes to Big Stone Lake. Water 

supply is obtained from springs on the east side of the bluffs; ice supply from Lake Traverse. No sewerage. Garbage is hauled out of 

town and dumped at several points.

Canby, Yellow Medicine County. -On Cariby Creek 46 miles above 

the mouth of Lac qui Parle River. Has a public water service for fire 

protection only. Ice supply is cut from Canby Creek east of the cit}T . 

No sewerage. Garbage is taken to the city dumping ground and 

burned.
MINNESOTA RIVER BASIN. 81

CTiaska, Carver County. On Chaska Creek at its entrance into Minnesota River. Water supply, used chiefly for fire protection, is 

obtained from an 8-inch artesian well 640 feet deep; ice supply from 

Minnesota River above the city. No sewerage. Garbage is hauled 

out of town.

Elmore, Faribault County. Drains to Blue Earth River. Water 

supply is obtained from a 6-inch drilled well 300 feet deep; ice supply 

from a small lake and from the river. No sewerage. Garbage is 

hauled one-half mile out of town to a dumping ground.

Fairmont, Martin County. Lakes George and Sisseton, which drain 

by Center Creek to Blue Earth River, receive the surface drainage of 

the city. Water supply is taken from Lake Budd, a short distance 

south of the city; ice supply from Lakes George and Budd. No sewerage. Garbage is hauled to the city dumping ground.

Glenwood, Pope County. On north shore of Lake Minnewaska, from 

which the ice supply is taken. Water supply is obtained from springs, 

which flow into a large concrete basin properly protected against pollution. A sanitary sewrerage system, equipped with a septic tank, is 

installed, discharging its effluent into the lake. Garbage is commonly 

dumped on low ground and covered with earth.

Granite Falls, Yellow Medicine County. On Minnesota River 16 

miles below the mouth of Chippewa River. The only considerable 

water power on the stream is located at this point. Water supply is 

taken from Minnesota River. The water goes by a canal from above 

the dam to the waterworks plant, where it is passed through a bed of 

coarse gravel and sand into a well. Since the well is at the base of a 

high gravel bluff there is probably a large ground flow to the well. 

Ice supply is cut from Minnesota River above the dam. No sewerage. 

Garbage is hauled to a dumping ground outside the city limits.

Henderson, Sibley County. On Minnesota River 73 miles above its 

mouth. Ice supply is taken from a small lake near the city. No systematic garbage disposal. No report on waterworks or sewerage.

JanesviU.e, Waseca County. At south end and near the outlet of 

Lake Elysian, which drains by Lesueur River into Blue Earth River. 

Water supply is obtained from a 3-inch tubular well 75 feet deep. It 

passes through 61 feet of clay into sand and gravel. No sewerage. 

Ice supply is cut from Lake Elysian 2 miles above its outlet. There 

is no public garbage disposal, but each resident takes care of his own 

household waste.

Jordan, Scott County. On Sand Creek, about 7 miles above its 

entrance into Minnesota River. Ice supply is cut from Sand Creek 

above the dam. Garbage is hauled to the village dumping ground. 

No report on waterworks or sewerage.

Lake Benton, Lincoln County. At south end of Lake Benton on 

the divide. Water supply is procured from a well; ice supply from
82 QUALITY OF SUBFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

Lake Benton, northeast of town. No sewerage. Garbage is hauled 

outside the village to the regular dumping ground.

Lake Crystal, Blue Earth County. On shore of Crystal Lake. 

Water supply, for fire purposes only, is obtained from an 8-inch well, 

775 feet deep, drawing water from the rock. Ice supply is cut from 

Crystal Lake. No sewerage. Garbage is removed to the village 

dumping ground and covered with earth.

Le Sueur, Lesueur County. On Minnesota River, 82 miles above 

its mouth. Water supply is obtained from one 8-inch well, 668 feet 

deep in the rock; ice supply from Minnesota River. Sanitary sewerage discharges into Minnesota River. Garbage is hauled to the 

village dumping ground and burned.

Madelia, Watonwan County. Near Watonwan River, just below 

the junction of North and South forks. Water supply is procured 

from two 6-inch wells, each 206 feet deep; ice supply from three 

lakes near the village. Sanitary sewerage discharges into Watonwan 

River. Garbage is hauled to a dumping ground near Watonwan 

River.

Madison, Lac qui Parle County. Five miles from Lac qui Parle 

River. Water supply, for fire protection only, is derived from cisterns in the city. Ice supply is cut from Lac qui Parle River and 

some small lakes. No sewerage. Garbage is removed to the city 

dumping ground, where it is sometimes burned.

Mankato, Blue Earth County. On Minnesota River, just below the 

entrance of Blue Earth River. Water supply is obtained from two 

artesian wells, 650 feet deep in the rock. Ice supply is cut from Minnesota River, above the city. Sanitary and storm sewerage discharges into Minnesota River. Garbage is commonly hauled outside 

the city limits and dumped. The Second State Normal School and 

St. Joseph's Hospital are situated in this city.

Mapleton, Blue Earth County. Drainage to Blue Earth River by 

way of Little Cobb Branch and Lesueur River. Water supply is 

obtained from a deep well. A combined system of sewerage discharges into Little Cobb River. Ice supply is cut from an artificial 

lake supplied by wells. Garbage is hauled to the village dumping 

ground.

Marshall, Lyon County. On Redwood River, 45 miles above its 

mouth. Water supply is procured from an artesian well, 410 feet 

deep in the rock, and a dug well, 40 feet deep by 12 feet in diameter, 

with two driven pipes in the bottom, 4 inches by 70 feet and 9 inches 

by 90 feet, respectively. An 8-inch well, 250 feet deep, is used for the 

boiler supply and there is also an emergency pipe to Redwood River. 

Ice supply is cut from Redwood River on the outskirts of the village. 

A sanitary and storm sewerage system discharges into Redwood River. 

Garbage is hauled outside the city.
MINNESOTA KIVEK BASIN. 83

Milbarik, Grant County, S. Dak. On Whetstone River, 12 miles 

above its entrance into Minnesota River. Water supply is obtained 

from deep wells in the town; ice supply from Whetstone River above 

the city. A combined system of sewerage is in process of construction. Garbage is hauled outside the city and burned or covered with 

dirt.

Minneota, Lyon County. On south branch of Yellow Medicine 

River. Water supply is obtained from a 6-inch tubular well, 105 feet 

deep, drawing from the sandstone; ice supply from Yellow Medicine 

River. A combined sewerage system discharges into the river. 

Garbage is collected and burned regularly, except during the winter.

Montevideo, CJiippewa County. On Chippewa River, 1 mile above 

its entrance into Minnesota River. Water supply is taken from 

collecting galleries sunk in an uninhabited gully 3 miles north of town; 

ice supply from Chippewa and Minnesota rivers. A combined sewerage system discharges into Chippewa River. Garbage is hauled to 

the village dumping ground.

Montgomery, Lesueur County. Drained by a county ditch to a 

neighboring lake, which connects with Minnesota River. Water 

supply is procured from a 10-inch well 238 feet deep; ice supply from 

Lake Pepin, north of the city. No sewerage. No systematic garbage 

disposal.

Morris, Stevens County. Drained to Pomme de Terre River, 2 

miles east of town. Water supply is taken from five 8-inch wells 78 

feet deep, one mile east of the city; ice supply from Pomme de Terre 

River. No sewerage. A United States Indian School situated near 

the city is supplied with city water and discharges its sewage into the 

river after it has passed through a septic tank. Garbage is hauled to 

dumping grounds outside the city limits.

Morion, Renville County. On Minnesota River about 6 miles below 

the entrance of Redwood River. Water supply is procured from 

springs in a gravel bluff above the village level; ice supply from Minnesota River. No sewerage. Garbage is removed to a dumping 

ground outside the village limits.

Mountain Lake, Cottonwood County.- Between the North and South 

forks of Watonwan River. Water supply is obtained from a well in 

the village, 10 feet deep, provided with a stone curbing. Ice supply 

is cut from a creek near the village. No sewerage. Garbage is 

removed to the public dumping grounds.

New Prague, Scott and Lesueur counties. Water supply is procured 

from an 8-inch well 300 feet deep; ice supply from an artificial lake 

in the city. No sewerage. No systematic garbage disposal.

New Ulm, Brown County. On Minnesota River, 22 miles above Mankato. Water supply is obtained from wells in the city, about 200 feet 

deep, two with 6-inch, three with 8-inch, and one with 10-inch casing.
84 QUALITY OP SURFACE WATEKS IN" MINNESOTA.

They are said to go through 145 feet of clay and 20 feet of sandstone 

to granite. Ice supply is cut from Minnesota River. A combined 

sewerage system discharges into Minnesota River. Garbage is 

hauled to the city dumping ground and buried.

Olivia, Renville County. Drains to Minnesota River by way of the 

east fork of Beaver Creek. Ice is commonly not cut in the vicinity, 

but is shipped in from Granite Falls. Garbage is hauled into the 

country. No report on waterworks or sewerage.

Ortonville, Bigstone County. At the foot of Big Stone Lake on 

Minnesota River. Water supply is procured from a dug well, 45 feet 

deep by 26 feet in diameter; ice supply from Big Stone Lake, 1 mile 

from the city. No sewerage. There is no systematic garbage disposal.

Ottawa, Lesueur County. On Minnesota River, 90 miles above its 

mouth. No waterworks or sewerage. Ice supply is cut from Minnesota River.

Redwood Falls, Redwood County. On Redwood River, just above 

its entrance into Minnesota River. Water supply is obtained from a 

dug well in the outskirts of the village, 12 feet in diameter by 20 feet 

in depth. There is also a connection with Redwood River for use in 

emergencies. Ice supply is cut from Redwood River above the dam. 

A sanitary sewerage system discharges into Redwood River below the 

dam.

Renville, Renville County. Connected with Minnesota River by 

Sacred Heart Creek. Water supply is obtained from an 8-inch well, 

230 feet deep, passing through about 180 feet of clay into water-bearing sand. Ice supply is obtained from Granite Falls. No sewerage. 

Garbage is removed to the village dumping grounds.

St. James, Watonwan County. Drains to Watonwan River by St. 

James Creek. Water supply is obtained from one well 8 inches by 

185 feet; one well 10 inches by 385 feet, for domestic use; and one dug 

well 40 feet deep, for boiler use. Ice supply is cut from St. James 

Lake, west of the city. A sanitary sewerage system discharges into 

St. James Creek. Garbage is hauled to the dumping grounds below 

the city.

St. Peter, Nicollet County. On Minnesota River, 97 miles above its 

mouth. Water supply is obtained from an 8-inch well 350 feet deep; 

ice supply from a small lake at the foot of the bluffs. A storm sewerage system discharges into Minnesota River. Garbage is commonly 

hauled to the city dumping ground. Gustavus Adolphus College, 

with about 350 students, and the First State Hospital for the Insane, 

with 1,000 to 1,200 inmates, are located at this place. The water 

supply for the hospital is procured from two 6-inch wells, 260 feet 

deep, in water-bearing sandstone. A sanitary sewerage system from 

the hospital empties into Minnesota River.
MINNESOTA RIVER BASIN. 85

SJiakopee, Scott County. On Minnesota River, 26 miles above its 

mouth. Xo waterworks or sewerage. Ice supply is cut from Minnesota River. Garbage is hauled to the village dumping ground.

Sherburne, Martin County. Near Temperance Lake. Water supply is obtained from an artesian well; ice supply from Fox Lake, 2 

miles north of Sherburne. Sewerage not reported. Garbage is 

removed to the city dumping ground.

Sleepy Eye, Brown County. Drains to Big Cottonwood River by 

way of Sleepy Eye Creek. Water supply is procured from a dug well 

in the center of town, 20 feet in diameter and about 20 feet deep. In 

the bottom of this pit a casing is driven to rock. Ice supply is cut 

from Sleepy Eye Lake and Cottonwood River. No sanitary sewerage. Garbage is regularly removed to the city dumping ground.

Springfield, Brown County. On Big Cottonwood River. Water 

supply, for fire protection and sprinkling only, is obtained from a 

6-inch well 28 feet deep, in the village. Ice supply is cut from Big 

Cottonwood River above the dam. No sewerage. Garbage is 

occasionally hauled outside the village.

Tracy, Monroe Township, Lyon County. Water supply is obtained 

from a 10-inch drilled well, 500 feet deep; ice supply from Lake Sigel. 

No sewerage. Garbage is hauled to the village dumping ground.

Waconia, Carver County. On south shore of Clearwater (Waconia) 

Lake. No public water supply. Ice supply is cut from Clearwater 

Lake. Storm sewerage has been installed, but no sanitary system. 

Garbage is hauled to the village dumping ground.

Waseca, Waseca County. A short distance from Clear Lake. 

Water supply is procured from two artesian wells, 10 inches by 400 

feet and 10 inches by 1,000 feet, respectively. Ice supply is cut from 

Clear Lake. No sewerage. No regular garbage disposal.

Wells, Clark Township, Faribault County. Water supply is obtained from a 12-inch artesian well and an 8-inch well, 200 feet deep. 

Ice supply is cut from an artificial lake, which is filled with water from 

the public supply. A combined sewerage system is installed, the outlet of which is not reported.

Westbrook, Cottonwood County. Near Double Lake, which discharges into Cottonwood River. The village is equipped with water 

service for fire protection only. No sewerage.

Willmar, Kandiyohi County. Near Foot Lake, which discharges by 

way of Hawk Creek into Minnesota River. Water supply is obtained 

from wells 240 feet deep; ice supply from Eagle Lake, 5 miles northeast of the city. The city has storm and sanitary sewerage.0

Winnebago, Faribault County. One and one-half miles east of Blue 

Earth River. Water supply is obtained from an 8-inch well, 283 feet

a Baker, M. N., Manual American Waterworks, 1897, p. 454.
86 QUALITY OP SUEPACE WATERS IN" MINNESOTA.

deep, ice supply from Blue Earth River. No sewerage. Garbage is 

hauled to the village dumping ground.

Winthrop, Sibley County. Near the North Branch of Rush River, 

to which its surface drainage goes. Water supply is procured from a 

10-inch drilled well, 239 feet deep, which passes through about 200 

feet of blue clay into water-bearing gravel and sand. Ice supply is 

cut from Sand Lake, 3 miles from the village. No sewerage. Garbage is hauled to a dumping ground 2 miles from the village.

ST. CROIX RIVKR BASIN. 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Boundaries. The St. Croix basin is bounded on the east by Chippewa River drainage area, on the west by upper Mississippi River 

drainage area, and on the north by drainage areas of streams tributary 

to Lake Superior. It forms part of the boundary between Minnesota 

and Wisconsin. (PI. IV.)

Oharacter and slope of St. Groix River. St. Croix River has its head 

in Upper St. Croix Lake, a body of water in Township 45 N., R 11 W., 

Douglas County, Wis., about 25 miles east of the Minnesota-Wisconsin boundary. This lake, which is 4 miles long and one-half 

mile wide, is fed by many springs from its sandy bed and along its 

banks. After emerging from this lake, the river flows generally 

southwestward for 70 miles to the mouth of Kettle River, and thence 

pursues a more southerly direction to its confluence with the Mississippi. Its watershed comprises many forests of pine and hard wood, 

dotted by cedar or tamarack swamps. The major part of the territory 

was formerly covered with timber, but steady encroachments have 

been made upon it from the south until much of it has been converted 

into farms. The river is navigable for light-draft vessels from its 

mouth to The Dalles of the St. Croix at Taylors Falls. At St. Croix 

Boom, one mile above StillwT ater, the river spreads out to form a lake 

one-half mile to 1 mile wide, which continues to Prescott. This sheet 

of water, 25 miles long and 6 to 15 feet deep, has a barely perceptible 

current, except during flood times. At its lower end it narrows 

abruptly to a channel about 100 feet wide, which connects with 

Mississippi River 3 miles below Hastings. St. Croix River flows for 

the most part between high bluffs of gravel or of rock. It is extensively used for logging purposes. Numerous lakes lie within its drainage area, especially in the upper part of the valley, though none of 

them are of large size.

In the first 20 miles of its course, including Upper St. Croix Lake, 

the river falls but little. (PI. V.) It then enters upon a series of
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 193 PL. IV

( J Population exceeding 10^000

Population between 5,000and 10,000 

O Population between 2,000and 5,000 

O Population between 1,000 and 2,000

With sewerage system 

(fbpu/at/on according to U. S Census, 1900)

[£ \ O vvatervule_(^

CT r.Rn X AND LOWER MISSISSIPPI RIVER BASINS IN MINNESOTA.
ST. CROIX RIVER BASIN. 87

rapids which extend to the mouth of Yellow River, 28 miles, and in 

which the average slope is 4.2 feet per mile. The stream then continues with a slope of 1.6 feet per mile to the head of Kettle River 

Rapids. A section of rapid descent extends thence to the head of 

navigation at Taylors Falls, in which the river falls about 3.5 feet per 

mile. Below this point the grade is slight, so that from Stillwater to 

Prescott there is hardly any fall at all. In the last 50 miles of the 

river's course, the navigable portion, there is a grade of 0.3 foot per mile. 

The principal falls are Kettle River Rapids, at the mouth of Kettle 

River, and St. Croix Falls, just above Taylors Falls village. In the 

170 miles from the mouth of the river to the head of Upper St. Croix 

Lake there is a total fall of 345 feet, or an average of 2 feet per mile.

Tributaries of St. Croix River. M&ny short streams enter St. Croix 

River. (See PI. IV.) Kettle River, its largest tributary, rises in 

Township 49 N., R. 14 W., Carlton County, Minn., and flows in a 

southerly direction across the open, sandy lands of Carlton and Pine 

counties to its entrance into St. Croix River. It has several falls, 

especially in its lower course, where it drops 185 feet in ,25 miles. 

Namekagon River, the tributary second in size, is the outlet of 

Namekagon Lake, which is located in the central part of Buffalo 

County, Wis. The river flows southwestward, then westward, entering St. Croix River 133 miles above its mouth. It is a forest stream, 

much used for logging purposes. The following list gives the chief 

tributaries of St. Croix River, with the area drained by each and the 

distance from its mouth to Prescott:

TABLE 4]. Principal tributaries of St. Croix River.

Tributary.

Clam...........................................................................

Kettle ..........................................................................

Yellow........... .. ... . . .. ...... ...... ...................

Drainage

area. «

Sq. miles. 

427

416

1,093

1,025

937

310

Distance 

of mouth 

above 

Prescott.

Miles. 

30

108

95

133

92

122

« Water powers of the United States, Tenth Census V. S., pt. 2, sec. 2, p. 77.

Geology. The formations which, in other sections of the State, especially in its western half, make drainage water hard or alkaline are 

absent from St. Croix Valley. Drift generally covers the area to a 

depth of 75 to 100 feet, except in the deeper valleys, so that outcrops 

of rock are infrequent and limited in extent. Trap appears in the 

valleys of Pine County and at Taylors Falls in Chisago County, where 

precipitous walls of it extend along the river for some distance. In 

Kanabec County the limited exposures are coarse-grained syenite,
QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IK MINNESOTA.

granite, and schist. Sandstone is seen along Kettle River and is found 

extensively in the southern part of the main valley. Limestone, 

which underlies most of Washington County, is in sight at Stillwater." Cretaceous formations apparently do not lie in this basin. 

The most important geologic feature from a hydro-economic view is 

the apparent absence of calcareous rocks in the upper part of the 

valley around the headwaters of the principal streams.

Soil and subsoil. -The transported Pleistocene materials are derived 

mainly from areas of early rocks around Lake Superior and were 

deposited as bowlder clay or till, in which water-bearing beds of sand 

and gravel are found. There are many areas of stratified gravels and 

sands of the modified drift. Alluvium similar to that in lower Mississippi Valley occurs along St. Croix River bottom as far north as Taylors 

Falls. Throughout Chisago and Isanti counties a yellow gravel and 

sand subsoil is found and sandy soils occur in many parts of the area. 

The following table gives averages of analyses of soil from different 

parts of St. Croix Valley made by the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station:

TABLE 42. Chemical composition of soil and subsoil in St. Croix River basin.

Insoluble in HC1 ......................................

Surface soil.

St. Croix 

River

basin.

Per cent. 

86.64 

3.65 

.19 

.19 

.48 

.28 

5. 70 

.41 

.07 

.09

Entire 

States

Per cent. 

79.92 

8.98 

.43 

.45 

1.29 

.61 

7.20 

.20 

.10 

.62

Subsoil.

StRfvrp°rix Entire a" state-a

Per cent. 

86.97 

3.91 

.23 

27 

.36 

.32 

6.57 

.42 

.06 

.09

Per cent. 

82.41 

5.33 

.40 

.32 

1.78 

.80 

8.32 

.17 

.06 

.93

a, Snyder, II., Characteristic features of Minnesota soils: Bull. 65, Agr. Exp. Sta., University of Minnesota, Chem. Div., Nov., 1899, p. 69.

These averages show characteristics pertaining to sandy soils. 

Siliceous matter is high, while all other constituents are low, both 

soil and subsoil containing about half as much as the State in general 

of those ingredients known as incrustants. Calcium, magnesium, and 

sulphuric and carbonic acids are small in amount and there is little 

sodium or potassium. As a result of this composition of the upper 

drift layers the water of St. Croix River is one of the softest in the 

State.

aMinn. Geol. and Nat. Hist. Survey, Final Kept., vol. 2, Geology of Washington, Isanti, Kanabec, 

Chisago, and Pine counties t
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

Feet above

sea level

IZOO

1100

1000

900

800

700

600

170 miles 160 150 140 130 \2Q 100 90 80 

PROFILE OF ST. CROIX RIVER

Reproduced from Exhibit Q, Lake Superior and Mississippi Canal, H. Doc
ST. CROIX RIVER BASIN. 89 

INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION.

Twenty-three 0 establishments in St. Croix basin wrere reported as 

likely to furnish wastes of deleterious character.

TABLE 43. Industrial establishments causing stream pollution in St. Croix River basin.

Breweries.................................................................... 5

Gas works...................................................................... 1

Sawmills..................................................................... 13

Starch factories............................................................... 4

The breweries are small and their effluents are not large in amount.

Lumbering. Lumbering is still the principal industry, and the 

industrial pollution from this source is important. Nine large sawmills are located at Stillwater and South Stillwater on Lake St. Croix. 

The logs are boomed and stored on the lake. After the lumber is 

sawed much of it is rafted down the river. Doubtless a large amount 

of the color in St. Croix River is due to dissolved resins and other 

extractives from the logs floated in the water and from the sawdust, 

~t>ark, and other kinds of refuse that reach the stream. During the 

past ten years from 300,000,000 to 350,000,000 feet of logs have been 

run annually on St. Croix River above Stillwater.6 The waste from 

this industry is not, however, specifically dangerous or likely to 

become noxious during putrefaction. It is undesirable because it 

increases the color and the organic content of the water and provides 

foci for the growth of bacteria.

Starch making. Complaint was made in 1900 that Goose Creek, in 

Chisago County, was being polluted by a starch factory at Harris. 0 

Inspection showed that the stream for 2 or 3 miles below the factory 

was full of potato gratings in an advanced state of putrefaction, and 

it was claimed that fish in the creek were killed by the waste. This 

condition is typical where the effluent from these factories is permitted 

to enter streams without previous purification. In the usual method 

for manufacturing starch from potatoes the tubers are first washed 

free from adhering dirt and sand by agitation in a revolving drum 

with brushes so placed as to scrub the potatoes. The waste water 

from this process contains the coloring matter of the skins, some particles of the peelings, and a large amount of dirt. The potatoes are 

then rasped or ground to a soft pulp, which is passed through a series 

of shaking sieves or revolving wire-gauze cylinders where the starch 

is washed out with water. After the suspended starch is removed 

from this liquid by levigation it still contains the soluble part ol the 

potato, considerable potash, phosphoric acid, albumin, and other

a One sawmill in Ellsworth, Wis.; 1 in New Richmond, Wis.; 1 sawmill and 2 breweries in Hudson, 

Wis., and 1 starch factory in River Falls, Wis., are included in this number. 

6Ann. Rept. Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army, 1901. p. 2332. 

c Biennial Rept. State board of health of Minnesota for 1899-1900, p. 111.
QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

nitrogenous matters, which rapidly become offensive by putrefactive 

fermentation. a These waste liquids can be used to irrigate land, 

while the pulp remaining after the starch is extracted can be pressed 

and dried for sale as a low-grade cattle food. There is no excuse for 

discharging this waste into streams, for with a small amount of care 

valuable materials which now create a nuisance could be economically 

recovered.

MUNICIPAL POLLUTION.

Population and pollution. Stillwater and Taylors Falls, on the 

main stream, are two of the oldest places in the State. Pioneers 

attracted by the seemingly inexhaustible timber resources of the area 

built up a vast lumber industry, with its headquarters at Stillwater. 

Settlers seeking farms followed the lumbermen in their progress northward and are now turning the former forest lands into wheat farms. 

Up to the present time few large villages have been established in the 

drainage area, and the population, except the large percentage of it 

concentrated at Stillwater, is composed of farming communities and 

of inhabitants of lumber camps. The following table shows the distribution by counties of the total population in St. Croix Valley for 

three successive censuses. (See also PI. IV.)

TABLK 44. Population in St. Croix River basin.

County.

Polk, Wis. . ..............................................................

U. S. 

Census, 

1890.

200

205

407

4,393

1,096

10,359

272

235

1,579

200

4,928

4,052

12,968

988

16,857

2,761

23,308

84,718

U.S. 

Census, 

1900.

388

374

747

7,478

2,778

13,248

924

372

4,614

300

11,546

17,801

3,157

19, 518

4,991

24,996

118,955

State 

Census, 

1905.

686

440

1,900

9 261

13, 678

14,341

1,220

452

6,194

400

K Kf\A

14,869

20, 885

4,172

19, 492

25, 908

141,931

TABLE 45. Density of population in St. Croix River lasin.

-11CAAC tHjL&O] .................................................... I ^ ~ /\A(J

xcluding chief settlements................................... j '

Inhabitants per 

square mile.

1890.

/ 5.7 

^ 5. 6

1900.

9.8 

9.6

1905.

13. 

12.

18.5

15.2

a Thorp, F. H., Outlines of Industrial Chemistry, 1901, p. 360. 

> Measured from best available maps. c Gannett, H., Twelfth U. S. Census, Bulletin 1.
ST. CEOIX EIVEE BASIN. 91

The number of inhabitants per square mile in the valley is considerably less than the average for the entire State. The distribution 

of both rural and urban populations is similar to that of the Mississippi area above Minneapolis. In the upper part of the basin the population is scant, only two villages, North Branch and Sandstone, having had more than 1,000 inhabitants in 1900. The lower part is more 

thickly inhabited and contains several important settlements, the 

largest of which, Stillwater, with a population of 12,435, is one of the 

industrial and commercial centers of the State. The growth of 10 

per cent in these cities and villages during the last 15 years is small 

as compared with the rapid increase of villages in other parts of the 

State. During the same period an increase of 60 per cent in the total 

population of the area indicates an important occupation of territory by farmers and homesteaders. Within the last decade and a 

half the number of inhabitants per square mile in the area above 

Stillwater has more than doubled, and the part of the valley that was 

developed earlier has shown a decided increase. The population is 

not yet so dense as that of Minnesota Valley and there is still prospect of growth.

The portion of St. Croix Valley above Stillwater includes over 90 

per cent of the basin, but is occupied by a little over 60 per cent of 

the population. The density of population is considerably less than 

in the St. Croix Valley as a whole. North Branch and Sandstone are 

the largest villages. Mora, Taylors Falls, St. Croix, and Pine City 

are other places of minor importance. None of these towns have sanitary sewerage, and the pollution of St. Croix River by them is not 

large.

The principal cities and villages of the valley of St. Croix River are 

situated a short distance above the confluence of this stream with the 

Mississippi.

TABLE 4(i. Principal settlements in St. Croir River basin,.

Place.

River Falls, W is ..................................

Distance 

above 

Mississippi 

River.

Miles.

............... 79

............... 12

............... 120

............... 20

............... 23

P

1890.

2,885 

1,408 

1,141 

911 

1,783 

1,054 

1,453 

12,004

22, 639

opulatio 

1900.

3,259 

1,631 

1,211 

1,002 

2,008 

1,189 

1,422 

12,318

24,040

n. 

1905.

3,220 

1,824 

1,375 

889 

2,300 

1,589 

1,572 

12, 435

25, 204

Including Branch Township.
92 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

Three of the six cities below and including Stillwater, having a population of 17,000, are equipped with sanitary sewerage. The larger 

two (see Table 46), Stillwater and Hudson, discharge their sewage 

without purification into the sedimentation basin of the lower river, 

called Lake St. Croix. It is probable that a great part of the sewage 

is rendered innocuous before it reaches Mississippi River. While the 

discharge of raw sewage into this part of the river can not be commended, the volume of pollution from these sources is insignificant 

when compared with the discharge of sewage into Mississippi River at 

Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Typhoid fever. Comparatively few cases of typhoid fever occur in 

this region, doubtless because it is not thickly settled. Stillwater, 

the chief commercial center and the largest city in the area, has naturally the most typhoid fever. The use of Lake McKusick as a partial 

source of supply subjected the city to constant danger, because there 

was no provision against infection from houses and other buildings on 

the banks of the lake. Fortunately, no cases of typhoid fever were 

cared for in that immediate locality while the lake water was used, and 

this source of domestic supply has now been abandoned.

QUALITY OF WATER.

Two series of samples from St. Croix River were examined.0 The 

first was taken in the fall of 1904, while the river was open and at an 

ordinary stage. The second was collected when the river was covered with ice about 30 inches thick and is fairly representative of 

winter condition. Examinations of Lake McKusick and Browns 

Creek at Stillwater were made during the summer and fall of 1904.

TABLE 47. Quality of water in St. Croix River basin.b 

[Parts per million.]

Locality and source.

St. Croix River 

Above Taylors Falls. . .

Above Stillwater ......

Above Taylors Falls. . .

Above Stillwater ......

Lake McKusick at Stillwater, average of five

Date.

Oct. 22,1904 

.....do.......

Oct. 21,1904 

.....do.......

Oct. 14,1904

Mar. 15,1905 

.....do.......

Mar. 16,1905 

Feb. 11,1905

Aug. 15,1904

Oct. 1,1904

Color.

120 

162

162 

148

29

18 

22

18 

25

40

25

Odor.

2 -. 

2 '.

2 '. 

2 -.

2 -.

2 *. 2 -'.

2 -.

1 '.

3 '.

2 -.

Turbidity.

35 

30

17 

15

9

10

10

9

<7

<7

<7

Chlorine.

0.8

.8

1.0 

1.5

.3

1.2 

1.4

1.4 

1. 1

1.1

.7

Sulphate 

radicle.

0 

0

0 

0

0

Trace. 

Trace.

Trace. 

c5

Total alkalinity.

45 

45

58

no

87

91

72

95 

108

139

182

Total 

hardness.

49

4Q

63 

63

90

84 

67

90 

111

135

188

Iron.

0

0 

0

0

1.0 

1.0

1.0

a See PI. I for location of sampling stations.

b Chemical analyses by R. B. Dole. Bacteriological examinations by Dr. E. II. Beckman. 

c Estimated.
ST. CROIX RIVER BASIN. 93

TABLE 47. Quality of water in St. Croix River basin Continued. 

[Parts per million.]

Locality and source.

St. Croix RiverAbove Taylors Falls. . .

Above Stillwater ......

Above Taylors Falls . . .

Lake McKuaick at Stillwater, average of five

BrownsCreekat Stillv ater.

Date.

Oct. 22,1904 

.....do.......

Oct.. 21,1904 

.....do.......

Oct. 14.1904

Mar. 15,1805 

.....do.......

Mar. 16,1905

Feb. 11,1905

Aug. 15,1904

Oct. 1,1904

Total 

residue.

115

127 

112

118

129 

110

1 00

132

183

208

Soluble 

residue.

9

8 

9

8

9 

10

15

11.

Albuminoid 

ammonia.

0 192 

192

420 

408

210

162 

402

194

240

.078

Free 

ammonia.

0.098

nno

.052 

.046

.054

.024 

.180

.014

.434

.024

Nitrites.

o.oco

000

.000 

.000

.000

fyifi

.000

.12

.007

Nitrates.

0.04 

.04

.04 

.04

.05

.05 

.05

.05

.10

.19

.4.)

Bacteria 

per 

c. c.

3,500 

4 800

2,400 

1,£00

750 

1,100

400

64

1,400

1,700

B.coli 

communis.

+

+

+

The characteristic effect of woodland drainage is seen in the high 

albuminoid ammonia, color, and odor. On the other hand the mineral 

content is low. There is practically no sulphuric acid present and 

very little chlorine or iron. The turbidity is low for the samples 

examined, and the amount of suspended matter is never excessive. 

The low hardening constituents, which are principally bicarbonates 

of calcium and magnesium, indicate that the stream is excellent for 

boiler use.

B. coli communis was isolated in pure culture from every sample 

taken in the fall, while in the winter it was found only above Stillwater. The number of bacteria per cubic centimeter was found to be 

considerably lower in winter than in fall. It is especially significant 

that both examinations at Prescott show a diminution in the number 

of bacteria present. Two other examinations of water from the river 

at Prescott also gave very small numbers of bacteria; on August 29, 

1903, 45 colonies were counted, and on June 8, 1904, there were 130, 

while B. coli communis was not isolated in either case.

The effect of sedimentation is further shown by the reduction in 

color, odor, turbidity, albuminoid ammonia, and free ammonia, and 

the increase in nitrates. At the same time there is an increase in 

alkalinity, hardness, and total residue, probably due to the introduction of ground water from the limestone region along the shores 

of Lake St. Croix. The same changes were noted between summer 

and winter conditions as in other streams; the nitrogens, color, and 

bacterial content decrease, while all amounts representing mineral 

matter are increased, showing the effect of a change in the percentage 

of underground flow to the river. The principal features to be noted 

in regard to the quality of this water are that it drains from a wooded, 

swamp, and farming country, not very thickly settled; that there 

are no serious industrial pollutions in the area; that it is softer than

IKK 193 07 7
94 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

that of the other two great tributaries of Mississippi River in Minnesota; that the small amount of municipal pollution is largely eliminated by sedimentation and oxidation in Lake St. Croix.

In conclusion a table is given showing the average of nine analyses 

of the river water, with the maximum and minimum determinations. 

The water is likely to vary considerably from these figures because 

they do not represent examinations made over a long period.

TABLE 48. Summary of quality of water of St. Croix River. 

[Parts per million.]

Determination.

Turbidity. . ........................................................

Maximum.

162

2 v.

35

1.5

108

111

1.0

133

10

.180

.420

.10

Minimum.

18

1 V.

<7

0.3

0

45

49

0

110

.014

.140

.04

.000

Average.

70

2v.

14

1.0

Trace.

89

89

135

9

.094

.239

.05

.000

o Estimated. 

NOTES ON MUNICIPALITIES.

Of the 8 Minnesota settlements mentioned below wells are reported 

as public water supplies from 5. Sanitary sewerage has been installed 

at only one place.

Hudson, St. Croix County, Wisconsin. On St. Croix River at the 

mouth of Willow River. Water supply is taken from two 8-inch artesian wells, 250 and 500 feet deep, respectively, which enter sandstone 

at 15 feet and are supplied from it. Ice supply is procured from Willow River and from St. Croix River, which is at this point known as 

Lake St. Croix. A sanitary sewerage system discharges into St. Croix 

River.

Mora, Kanabec County. On Snake River 30 miles above St. Croix 

River. Water supply is procured from one 10-inch driven well, 210 

feet deep; ice supply from Lake Mora. No sewerage. Garbage is 

hauled to the public dumping ground.

New Richmond, St. Croix County, Wisconsin. On Willow River 15 

miles above its mouth. Water supply is obtained from a 6-inch well, 

drilled 185 feet deep; ice supply from Willow River above the dam. 

A combined sanitary and storm sewerage discharges into Willow 

River. Garbage is hauled to the village dump.

North Branch, Chisago County. On North Branch River 8 miles 

above St. Croix River. No waterworks, sewerage, or public garbage 

disposal. Ice supply is cut from two small lakes near the village.
ST. CROTX EIVER BASIN. 95

Pine City, Pine County. On Snake River at the outlet of Cross 

Lake. No waterworks or sewerage. Ice supply is cut from Snake 

River. Garbage is buried or burned at the village dumping ground. 

A private sanitarium for the treatment of tuberculosis is situated 

above the town.

Prescott, Pierce County, Wisconsin. At confluence of St. Croix and 

Mississippi rivers. No waterworks or sewerage. Ice supply is cut 

from Lake St. Croix. Garbage is carted outside the village limits and 

burned.

River Falls, St. Croix and Pierce counties, Wisconsin. On Kinnickinnic River, 12 miles above Prescott. Water supply is obtained from 

artesian wells 550 feet deep. There is no public sewerage. Ice supply is cut from the mill pond on Kinnickinnic River. Garbage is 

hauled outside the city limits.

Rush City, Chisago County. On Rush Creek. Water supply, for 

fire protection only, is obtained from shallow wells. Ice supply is cut 

from Rush Lake. No sewerage. Garbage is hauled outside the village limits.

Sandstone, Pine County. On Kettle River, about 25 miles above 

St. Croix River. Water supply is derived from two wells drilled in 

sandstone, 12 inches by 750 feet and 10 inches by 150 feet, respectively. 

Ice supply is cut from Miller and Wolf lakes. No sewerage. Garbage 

is hauled to the village dumping ground, where all putrescible matter 

is burned.

South Stillwater. Washington County. On St. Croix River, 20 miles 

above its mouth. Water supply, for fire protection only, is procured 

from a dug well 25 feet deep by 20 feet diameter, on the bank of a 

brook, with which there is also an emergency connection. Ice supply 

is cut from St. Croix River. No sewerage. Garbage is hauled to the 

public dumping grounds.

Stillwater. Washington County. On St. Croix River 23 miles above 

its confluence with Mississippi River. Has two distinct water systems. One, for drinking and domestic use only, is supplied by a 

spring in the sand rock and a deep well, both located in the central 

part of the city. The deep well, drilled 2,640 feet deep and 8 inches 

in diameter, was cased 650 feet and afterward plugged at 750 feet,a so 

that the water is probably derived from the " Potsdam" sandstone. 

The other water system, for fire protection and boiler use, is supplied by Lake McKusick, a small shallow body of water on the outskirts of the city. The ice supply is taken from Lily Lake, within the 

city limits, and from St. Croix River in front of the city. The sewerage 

discharges by two main outlets into St. Croix River near the bridge. 

The Minnesota State prison is situated near St. Croix River, in the

« The Stillwater deep well; review of paper by A. D. Meeds, read before the Minnesota Academy of 

Natural Sciences: Am. Geol., vol. 3, 1889, p. 342; Science, vol. 13, No. 329, p. 401.
96 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATEKS IN MINNESOTA.

northern part of Stillwater. Its sewage is discharged into St. Croix 

River.

Taylors Falls, CJtisago County. On St. Croix River 52 miles above 

its mouth. No waterworks or sewerage. Ice supply is cut from 

Thaxter Lake, Wisconsin. Garbage is commonly hauled outside the 

village limits.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER BASIN BETWEEN MINNESOTA BIAHER 

AND THE IOWA

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Area discussed. Above the southern border of Minnesota the Mississippi River basin extends over nearly one-half of Minnesota and 

Wisconsin, including the area drained by Minnesota, St. Croix, Chippewa, and Black rivers. The area considered under this heading 

includes the portions of Minnesota that are drained by Mississippi 

River below Minnesota River except the St. Croix basin (PL IV), 

which is described under a separate heading. Examinations of the 

main stream were, however, made only as far south as the foot of Lake 

Pepin, just above the entrance of Chippewa River, near Wabasha, 

Minn. Consequently, the discussion of the quality of water in this 

lower section is confined to that part of the basin that lies above the 

mouth of Chippewa River. The consideration of municipal pollution 

above that point must necessarily have reference to settlements on the 

upper portion of the Mississippi, on the Minnesota, and on the St. Croix. 

In addition there is presented a brief summary of conditions in settlements of the Minnesota portion of the area.

Character and slope of Mississippi River. After passing Minneapolis, the Mississippi assumes the appearance that characterizes its 

lower sections. From a swift running, highly cojored stream it 

becomes sluggish, receives considerable suspended matter from its 

tributaries, and spreads out over a wide alluvial bottom cut b}7 

sloughs and dotted with islands. Its slope is greatest from St. 

Anthony Falls to the mouth of Minnesota River, a stretch in which 

the stream passes through a deep, wide gorge which it has excavated 

during the gradual recession of the falls. After it is joined by Minnesota River it commences to occupy a broad valley, through which 

it runs in a tortuous course. St. Croix River enters from the north 32 

miles below Minnesota River. The Mississippi then pursues a southeasterly course to the State border. Its valley is from 2 to 3 miles 

wide and 50 to 200 feet deep, with sandstone and lime rock frequently 

exposed along its banks. The river follows several channels, commonly called "sloughs," and its bed is sand, gravel, and fine silt. 

Twenty-five miles below the entrance of St. Croix River it broadens 

in a body of water called Lake Pepin, about 23 miles long and 3 miles 

wide, through which there is a gentle current at all times. Below
MISSISSIPPI BASIN BELOW MINNESOTA RIVES. 97

Lake Pepin it again assumes its character as a stream of many chanels. It is joined immediately by Chippewa River from the east, and 

a few miles farther down by Zumbro River from the west.

In the 172 miles from the mouth of Minnesota River to the Iowa 

boundary, Mississippi River falls a little over V2 feet, making an average slope of 0.42 foot per mile (see fig. 1). Lake Pepin, through which 

there is practically no fall, is seemingly an excellent place for the 

sedimentation and destruction of polluting matter received from the 

large cities upon its banks. At flood times, however, the water 

passes along swiftly and probably gets little purification between St. 

Paul and La Crosse.

Tributaries of Mississippi River. The three larger tributaries on 

the west side below Minnesota River are Cannon, Zumbro, and Root 

rivers. The first, having its source in the northwestern part of Rice 

County, after performing a semicircle through Lesueur County, flows 

northeastward to Mississippi River near Red Wing. Straight River, 

its chief tributary, rises in the southern part of Steele County and. 

flowing northward, joins Cannon River at Faribault. Cannon River 

below this point is 80 to 85 feet wide and flows in a series of rapids and 

reaches of smooth water. Ten miles below Cannon Falls the stream 

becomes narrow, deep, and tortuous as it sinks to the alluvial plain 

bordering the main stream. Zumbro River is formed by the junction 

of three small branches in Wabasha County. In its upper part there 

are many rapids and shoals, but as it emerges from the high bluffs 

bordering Mississippi River the rapids become fewer and the stream 

deepens and grows winding, like the other tributaries. Root River 

rises in Mower County in two branches, which unite in Olmsted 

County, after which the river pursues an easterly course across Fillmore and Houston counties to its confluence with Mississippi River, a 

few miles above the State border. Chippewa and Black rivers are 

important streams that drain a large part of Wisconsin below Lake 

Pepin.

Topography. The southeastern part of Minnesota is rolling prairie, 

bounded on the east by the wide, deeply eroded valley of Mississippi 

River, which is intersected at different points by large trenches bearing tributary streams. The area is now devoted to the cultivation of 

corn and wheat. The number of lakes in this section is small as compared with those in other parts of the State.

Geology. The Archean and the Algonkian rocks, so common in 

other parts of the State, are not exposed below Minneapolis. Conspicuous formations throughout the counties in this part of the State 

are the sandstones and limestones of the Ordovician and the Cambrian. The "St. Croix" sandstone appears along the valley of Mississippi River. The coarse, friable St. Peter sandstone outcrops here 

and, gently dipping southward, becomes an important aquifer in the
98 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

artesian basin of Iowa. Rocks of Trenton age, mainly limestones, 

occur all over the region, particularly in the southern counties. 

Occasional deposits belonging to the Cretaceous period appear in the 

western part of the basin, and Devonian rocks are found in the southern part of Mower and Fillmore counties. Drift of varying thickness 

covers all except about 3,000 square miles in the southeast corner of 

the State, which unites with similar country in Wisconsin, Iowa, and 

Illinois to form the " Driftless Area." The drift is thickest in the western 

part, where it is similar in character to that found in Minnesota Valley, 

being mainly blue till. Toward the east it becomes thinner and 

gradually blends with the red till. In the deep river bottoms stratified alluvial deposits of sand and gravel are found.

Soil and subsoil. The soil and subsoil are similar to those of Minnesota River basin in chemical composition. They show a fair percentage of alkaline and alkaline-earth ingredients, though true " alkali" 

soils are not found. Toward the east they gradually lose this characteristic and contain less and less soluble ingredients.

INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION.

From lower Mississippi Valley there have been reported as likely to 

furnish effluents of undesirable character the following establishments:

TABLE 49. Industrial establishments causing stream pollution in lower Mississippi River

basin in Minnesota. 

Breweries.................................................................. 20

Gas works.................................................................. 5

Sawmills.................................................................... 17

Tanneries.................................................................. 4

Woolen mills............................................................... 3

Several large breweries are included in this list, and their effluents 

are all discharged into Mississippi River and its tributaries either 

directly or through the city sewers. This waste contains considerable 

nitrogenous matter that is capable of offensive putrefaction. The 

gas-works wastes vary according to the character of the process used 

and the care with which valuable ingredients are recovered. By-products in the manufacture of coal gas are coke, ammonia, and tar. The 

latter two, in liquid form, are sometimes discharged into streams, 

though this procedure is wasteful and is not countenanced by progressive establishments. The larger sawmills along Mississippi River 

use considerably less lumber than those on the upper tributaries. 

The tannery wastes are spent bark liquors, vat sludges, lime, and 

wash waters containing bits of flesh, hair, and other putrescible matter. Although there has been no complaint on this account, the same 

kind of pollution has caused a great deal of trouble in other parts of 

the United States and is likely to become a public nuisance if the 

establishments increase in size. The three woolen mills noted are
MISSISSIPPI BASIN BELOW MINNESOTA EIVER. 99

small, and the wastes that reach the streams are wool scourings, 

soapy water, and waste dye liquors. The abattoirs, packing houses, 

rendering works, and stockyards of the slaughtering establishments 

at St. Paul discharge a great deal of objectionable material through 

private sewerage systems into Mississippi River. The pollution consists, mainly, of foul, bloody, wash water, yard drainage, and putrescent scraps of animal matter that pass through the skimming tanks. 

If Minneapolis, just above St. Paul, is included, the manufacturing 

establishments in this region exceed in number, size, and value of 

output all those in the rest of the State.

MUNICIPAL POLLUTION.

Population and sources of pollution. Lower Mississippi Valley in 

Minnesota was the first part of the State to be settled and is now the 

most densely populated. Twenty-six towns (see PI. IV) exceeding 

1,000 population are situated in the valley, and the country surrounding them is well occupied by homesteads. The following table shows 

the distribution of population by counties:

TABLE 50. Population of Mississippi River basin in Minnesota below the mouth of Minnesota River, excluding St. Croix River basin.a

County.

U.S. 

census 

of 1890.

17,368

8,890

25,996

28,806

14,653

3,390

4,706

19,806

136, 476

23, 786

11,821

16,972

2,684

1,650

33, 797

350, 771

U. S. 

census 

of 1900.

18, 848

10, 896

28, 238

31, 137

15,400

3,772

5,620

23,119

166,809

25,831

14,922

18, 924

2,812

1,733

35,686

403, 747

State 

census 

of 1905.

20,299

10, 415

27,216

31,628

15,092

3,796

5,286

22,409

201, 676

25,943

14,984

18, 710

2,976

1,608

35,836

437, 874

a The statistics of population in St. Croix River basin are given in Table 44, p. 90. 

TABLE 51. Density of population in Mississippi River basin in Minnesota.

Mississippi River basin above foot of Lake Pepin:

Lower Mississippi basin in Minnesota:

Drainage 

area.

Sq. miles, 

a 19, 731 

a 16, 350 

b7,655

| c 46, 586 

1 d 6, 260

Inhabitants per square 

mile.

1890.

19.8 

15.7 

11.1

/ 21.9 

\ 12.2

f 56.0 

\ 23.9

1900.

26.9 

25.1 

15.5

28.5 

16.4

64.5 

25.3

1905.

32.1 

26.0 

18.5

32.3 

17.9

69.9 

24.6

a Ann. Rept. Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army, 1894, pt. 3, p. 1704. 

b Gannett, Henry, Bull. 1, Twelfth Census U. S.

c Measured from best available maps.

d Hall, C. W., Geography and Geology of Minnesota, vol. 1, p. 151.
100 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATEKS IN MINNESOTA.

Mississippi Kiver above the foot of Lake Pepin is the most heavily 

polluted stream in Minnesota, as is shown by the following table, 

which gives the names of the principal settlements above this point, 

the distance of each above the foot of the lake, and the population for 

three successive censuses.

TABLE 52. Principal settlements in Mississippi River basin above the foot of Lake Pepin.

St. Paul.....................

West St. Paul. ...............

Total..................

Cannon River .................

.....do.........................

.....do.........................

Distance 

above

Lake 

Pepin.

Miles. 

132

46

110

73

39

51

63

120

10

89

78

62

93

26

60

77

106

73

71

93

77

I

1890.

814

1,078

2,210

6,520

670

3,705

2,885

1,233

2,128

164, 738

1,408

2,659

3,849

6,294

133, 156

1,757

937

1,596

 "opulation

1900.

1,121

1,239

2,165

7,868

1,052

3,811

3,259

1,270

2,744

202, 718

1,631

5,561

7,525

163,065

2,047

12,318

1,260

1 STA

433, 558

1905.

1,301

1 460

2,085

8,279

1,066

3,220

2,877

261, 974

3,438

1,400

5,651

8,149

9 QrtO

197, 023

2,069

12, 435

1,383

9 IrtO

531, 068

By reference to this list and to Table 51 a the position of pollution 

foci on the three great streams which unite to form lower Mississippi 

River and the relative danger from human habitations on this watershed can be seen. Upper Mississippi Valley is the largest area and has 

also the greatest density of population. Minneapolis in that basin is 

the chief pollution center. St. Croix drainage area, the smallest basin, 

has the smallest number of inhabitants per square mile. The number 

of inhabitants per square mile above Lake Pepin for the entire area 

is 32.3; in the same basin, excluding the chief settlements, it is 17.9. 

This means that nearly one-half of the population above Lake Pepin 

is concentrated in sewered cities. With a population of over 450,000 

in two cities 60 miles above the head of the lake, there is no need for 

analysis of the water to establish its pollution and the necessity for 

artificial purification before it is used for domestic supply. Practical 

experiments at the price of human lives have demonstrated that the 

so-called self-purifying power of streams is too precarious a safeguard 

against water-borne disease. There can be no doubt that sewage discharged into Mississippi River at St. Paul or at Minneapolis has time

a See also Pis. II, III, and IV.
MISSISSIPPI BASIN BELOW MINNESOTA KIVEK. 101

to reach Lake Pepin before the death of pathogenic organisms in it. 

There is, therefore, a flow of highly polluted water into the lake. In 

its comparatively slow journey of 23 miles through this broad body of 

water considerable organic matter is destroyed during ordinary water 

stages. When the spring freshets are in progress and the current is 

accelerated, Lake Pepin is no longer a sedimentation basin and the 

water passes through it in its worst sanitary condition, with practically 

no purification.

In lower Mississippi basin in Minnesota there are 26 settlements 

having a population exceeding 1,000, and among these are some of the 

largest cities in the State. These cities and villages are given in the 

following list:

TABLE 53. Settlements in Mississippi River basin in Minnesota, below Minnesota River.

Locality.

Chatfleld .....................

Stream.

Mill Creek.....................

Branch of Znmbro River.

Kenyon. ..................... . ..do. ................. .....

North St. Paul !

Preston ......................

Red Wing. ...................

St. Charles...................

Spring Valley ................

Total ..................

Root River ....................

White River...................

Spring Valley Creek. ..........

..... do............... ..........

Distance 

above 

State 

line.

Miles.

22 

138 

100 

165 

145 

150

100 

05 

154 

180 

185 

45 

80 

118 

145 

50 

45 

170 

165 

100 

90 

185 

170 

51 

135

I 

1890

927 

1,078 

1,335 

0, 520 

3,705 

992 

666 

2,128 

898 

2, 659 

1,099 

3,849

6,294 

5,321 

968 

1,178 

133,156 

2,242 

1,381 

2,487 

937 

1,596 

18,208 

867

200, 491

^opulation. 

1900. 1905.

1,175 

1,239 

1,426 

7,868 

3,811 

1,112 

1,202 

2,744 

1,102 

3,210 

1,110 

5.561 

1,038 

1,278 

7, 525 

6,843 

1,062 

1,304 

163,065 

2,322 

1,770 

2,528 

1,260 

1,830 

19,714 

1.119

1,405 

1,460 

1,300 

8,279 

3,810 

1,049 

1,252 

2,877 

1.041 

3,438 

1,405 

5,651 

1,140 

1.320 

8.149 

7,233 

1,133 

1.238 

197,023 

3,458 

1,573 

2,619 

1,383 

2,100 

20, 334 

1,129

242,792 495,933

With 70 inhabitants per square mile this is the most densely populated district of the State, and over one-half of this number are in 

cities, one of which, St. Paul, is the city second in size in Minnesota. 

Most of the settlements are old; some have reached their maximum development and are now decreasing in size. In general they 

do not show such advance in sanitary matters as do similar communities elsewhere in the State, for of the 32 principal settlements 7 have 

no public waterworks, 2 have waterworks for fire protection only, and 

only 13 have public sewerage.

Typhoid fever. Records of typhoid fever are extremely fragmentarj^, and do not adequately represent its true prevalence. The 

disease is frequently found both in the cities and in the country.
102 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATEES TIST MINNESOTA.

Although some cases are imported, the spread of the disease and its 

general continuation is probably due to unsanitary conditions in the 

small villages and to the lack of proper sewage disposal, on account 

of which the shallow wells used as sources of suppty become infected.

QUALITY OF WATER.

The Mississippi unites with the Minnesota just above St. Paul. 

Thirty-two miles farther downstream the St. Croix enters the Mississippi from the north. Both tributaries are large and the water from 

each of them constitutes an appreciable percentage of the flow of the 

main stream. As a result, therefore, the water of the lower Mississippi River shows a quality that is less representative of the regions 

immediately bordering its banks than of the three great areas from 

which its headwaters are derived. The dissolved and suspended ingredients not only have this composite nature but the amount of each 

constituent varies measurably with the rise and fall of the tributary 

that introduces it. A sudden rainfall in upper Mississippi basin 

causes a flood and a resultant increase of flow at Winona; the percentage of water from upper Mississippi drainage area is relatively 

increased and the mineral constituents that are most abundant in 

that region will be found to increase in Mississippi River at Winona. 

A freshet on Minnesota River causes a similar fluctuation in the 

ingredients peculiar to that locality. Table 54 gives general averages for the various estimates made on the waters of the three tributaries, together with the size of each drainage area.

TABLE 54. Quality of water of chief confluents of lower Mississippi River. 

[Parts per million.]

Determination.

Odor. ........................................................

Turbidity ....................................................

Upper 

Mississippi 

River (drainage area 

19,731 square 

miles) .

50

2 v.

<7

.9

151

136

189

16

.191

.475

.05

.000

Minnesota 

River (drainage area 

16,350 square 

miles) .

30

70

6.4

178

470

Trace

556

.193

.454

.16

.009

St. Croix 

River (drainage area 

7,655 square 

miles).

70

2 v.

14

1.0

Tr&ce

89

89

135

9

.094

.05

.000

By comparison of the figures it is seen that:

1. Upper Mississippi and Minnesota basins are nearly equal in size 

while St. Croix basin is less than half as large as either of the other 

two. This comparison gives some idea of the relative amount of discharge from each stream.
MISSISSIPPI BASIN BELOW MINNESOTA EIVER. 103

2. The water of St. Croix River is higher in color and generally 

lower than that of the other two streams in all other amounts estimated. The difference is especially noticeable in alkalinity, total 

hardness, and residues.

3. The water of upper Mississippi River is higher than that of St. 

Croix River but much lower than that of Minnesota River in alkalinity, 

total hardness, and residues.

4. Minnesota River water has the lowest color, the greatest amount 

of suspended matter, and the highest mineral solids.

It is to be expected, therefore, that increased discharge from Minnesota River will increase the mineral content of the lower Mississippi 

and will cause especially a rise in turbidity and alkalinity. An 

increased discharge from St. Croix River, on the other hand, will 

cause an increase in color but will lower the percentage of mineral 

matter.

The average quality of upper Mississippi River water, as shown in 

Table 54, is determined from analyses made above Minneapolis and 

consequently above the pollution introduced from that place. It is 

probable, therefore, that the nitrogen determinations made do not 

represent the quality of the water just above the mouth of Minnesota 

River. In other constituents, however, the averages are representative. In Table 55, giving the results of analyses of water in Lower 

Mississippi \alley at different points,0 there may be found assays of 

Mississippi River at Hastings. Since this sampling station lies 

between the mouths of Minnesota and St. Croix rivers, it represents 

the condition of the stream after its confluence with Minnesota River 

and shows the effect of that stream. The turbidity, chlorine, sulphuric acid, alkalinity, total hardness, total residue, and soluble 

residue are all greater than in the Mississippi above Minneapolis, and 

the water has a different appearance. Beside the entrance of strongly 

mineralized water from Minnesota River it has received gross pollution, which appears as decomposing sewage and other refuse, from 

a population of over 450,000 at Minneapolis and St. Paul. The 

examinations made at Red Wing show the quality of the water just 

above the head of Lake Pepin and below the mouth of St. Croix 

River. Comparison with examinations made at Hastings shows that 

sulphuric acid, chlorine, total alkalinity, total hardness, and total 

residue are decreased by the introduction of the soft water of St. 

Croix River. The examinations at Wabasha do not reveal a greater 

change in mineral content than might be expected by reason of the 

introduction of water from small tributaries.

« See PI. I for location of sampling stations.
TABLE 55. Quality of water in lower Mississ

[ Parts per millicn.]

Locality and source.

Mississippi River:

Below Red Wing d..... ..........

Zurnbro River:

Date.

Aug. 29,1903

Oct. 14,1904

Oct. 13,1904

.....do.......

Feb. 10,1905

Feb. 11,1905

.....do.......

Aug. 28,1903

Aug. 29,1903

May 4, 1904

Oct. 14,1904

Feb. 11,1905

Aug. 17,1904

..-..do.......

.....do.......

tH 

_O~o 

u

0

44

40

25

29

29

29

0

0

18

18

18

4

4

44

4

24

Odor.

3v

2v

2v

2M

2M

0

0

0

2v

2M

2e+ Iv

0

3M

Turbidity.

19

15

15

12

10

« 10

«10

«20

60

<1

<15

Chlorine.

3

2.2

1.3

2.4

5.3

4.6

3.3

10

1.7

3.5

2.1

5.2

2.6

7.3

2.2

2.0

2.6

18.2

2.6

6.8

0>

+J .

=3.2 

Pi'3 

"3 h

02

«15

«10

«15

25

«20

elo

15

elO

elS

d5

<«5

cS 

.M .

^£

"3'S 

 :-

H

140

124

141

228

190

175

130

221

226

214

250

209

416

306

318

Total hardness.

168

160

132

160

233

194

174

187

187

230

230

215

529

418

418

Ir

Tr

Tr

Tr

a Bacteriological examinations by Dr. E. II. Beckman. 

6 Analysis by Dr. E. H. Beckman.

c Analysis by II. 

d Analysis by R. 
MISSISSIPPI BASIN BELOW MINNESOTA RIVER. 105

The condition of the organic matter in the lower stream is distinctly 

different from that in the river above Minneapolis. Though the river 

has received an enormous amount of sewage, the albuminoid ammonia 

averages less than in upper Mississippi River. Free ammonia is, however, higher, and nitrites are usually found, and both ammonias vary 

considerably from time to time. In winter nitrites are generally 

found. The evidence of fecal pollution is more positive from the bacteriological examinations, which show enormous numbers of bacteria 

in nearly every sample examined. B. coli communis was isolated in 

pure culture from all but three of the bacteriological samples taken 

in lower Mississippi basin, and this fact indicates a general presence 

of pollution. It is unfortunate that more detailed data could not be 

obtained regarding the possible purification of the water during its 

passage through Lake Pepin. In October, 1904, Mississippi River 

was about 5 feet above its normal level at Wabasha, and the water 

passed swiftly through Lake Pepin. The samples taken at that time 

show no appreciable decrease in the amount of organic matter nor a 

great change in its condition. Water from the foot of the lake revealed 

a trace of nitrites, which did not appear at the head, and the number 

of bacteria per cubic centimeter was lower The presence of B. coli 

communis, however, was established. In February, 1905, samples 

taken at the same points did show an apparent oxidation of organic 

matter by a reduction of the albuminoid ammonia, free ammonia, and 

nitrites, and a slight increase in nitrates. The number of bacteria was 

reduced, and B. coli communis was not isolated. It should be remarked 

in this connection, however, that only 1 cubic centimeter of water 

was examined for this bacillus, and it is possible that it might have 

been found if larger amounts of water had been used.

Examinations were made of Zumbro River at Rochester and above 

its mouth, near Wabasha. Since this stream drains prairie country, 

its quality fluctuates greatly with the season and the amount of local 

precipitation. Heavy rains cause sudden floods in it, which are accompanied by great increase of turbidity and organic matter, due to 

the scouring effect of the current on its easily disintegrated banks 

and bed. In winter the water of the stream was found to be clear and 

sparkling and to contain a considerable amount of mineral matter, as 

is shown by the alkalinity and total residue. In the fall it was in 

flood, and the estimates show flood conditions. There is an increase of 

mineral matter during its course to the Mississippi. All examinations 

showed large numbers of bacteria, and B. coli communis was isolated 

in every case but one. Straight River was examined during the latter 

part of November, 1904, when the stream was frozen. It has a high 

mineral content, and its bacterial condition indicates pollution. There 

is an increase of organic matter at Owatonna.
106 QUALITY OF SUKFACE WATEKS IN MINNESOTA.

In 1882 considerable excitement was caused at Waterville by the 

existence of supposed poisonous algae in Lake Tetonka and other ponds 

in that vicinity. Samples of the organisms were examined microscopically by Prof. J. C. Arthur, who has fully reported the incident.0 

The death of several cattle was attributed to this plant without any 

experimental basis for the popular belief, which was not concurred in 

by the above-mentioned author.

Mississippi River below Red Wing may be said to vary in its quality 

according to the fluctuations of St. Croix, Minnesota, and upper Mississippi rivers. If examinations were extended from that point to the 

State border, the river would doubtless be found to increase in mineral 

content on account of drainage from the limestone formations in its 

area. The river is grossly polluted, and the sewage introduced has not 

disappeared by the time the water reaches Wabasha. It would be 

decidedly dangerous for domestic consumption without purification. 

The following table gives a summary of the examinations made.

TABLE 56. Summary of quality of water of lower Mississippi River. 

[Parts per million.]

Determination.

Odor ...............................................................

Maximum.

44

2 M

19

5.3

25

228

233

297

32

0.48

0.44

0.25

0.010

Average.

28

2 v+1 M

13

3.1

16

219

23

0.218

0.13

Minimum.

25

0

10

1.3

10

124

132

0

169

16

0.08

0.238

0.05

NOTES ON MUNICIPALITIES.

Twenty-two of the thirty-two settlements in the basin use ground 

water, one is supplied with river water, and one is supplied with both 

well and lake water. Eleven cities and villages are equipped with 

sanitary sewerage.

Caledonia, Houston County. On a small creek entering Mississippi 

River. Water supply is obtained from an 8-inch well, 318 feet deep, 

passing through clay, 40 feet; hard sandstone, 30 feet; limestone, 130 

feet; soft sand rock, 118 feet. Ice supply is cut from Crooked Creek 

and from one of the sloughs connected with Mississippi River. No 

sewerage system. Garbage is taken outside the city.

a Arthur, .7. C., Some alga? of Minnesota supposed to be poisonous: Bull.Minn. Acad. Nat. Sci., 1880-82, 

vol. 2, Bull. 4, Appendix 1. Also A supposed poisonous seaweed in the lakes of Minnesota: Froc. Am. 

Assoc. Adv. Sci., 1883, vol. 32, p. 305.
MISSISSIPPI BASIN BELOW MINNESOTA EIVEK. 107

Cannon Falls, Goodhue County. On Cannon River, 20 miles above 

Mississippi River, at the mouth of Little Cannon River. Water 

supply is obtained from an 8-inch artesian well, 400 feet deep; ice 

supply from Cannon River. A sanitary sewerage system discharges 

into Little Cannon River. Garbage is hauled to the public dumping 

ground outside the city.

Chatfield, Fillmore County. On Mill Creek just above the north 

branch of Root River. Water supply is procured-from a 6-inch well, 

200 feet deep, drilled through sand rock and limestone; ice supply 

from Root River above the city drainage. No sewerage. Offensive 

garbage is hauled outside the city and buried.

Claremont, Dodge County. Near a branch of Zumbro River, to which 

it drains. No waterworks. Ice supply is cut from Zumbro River and 

Rice Lake. Storm sewerage is installed.

Dakota City, Winona County. On Mississippi River, 18 miles below 

Winona. No waterworks or sewerage.

Dodge Center, Dodge County. A short distance from the south 

middle branch of Zumbro River. No waterworks. Ice supply taken 

from Zumbro River. No sewerage. Garbage and night-soil commonly used on adjacent farms.

Faribault, Rice County. On Cannon River at its confluence with 

Straight River, 27 miles above Cannon Falls. Water supply is 

obtained from two artesian wells 800 and 700 feet deep, respectively, 

and from two surface wells with uncemented brick walls 20 feet deep. 

Ice supply is cut from Cannon and Straight rivers. Sanitary sewerage discharges into Cannon River. Garbage is hauled to a dumping 

ground on the outskirts of the city. Shattuck School for Boys, 200 

pupils; St. Mary's Hall for Girls, 100 pupils; Bethlehem Academy for 

Girls, 70 pupils; State School for the Deaf, 300 pupils; State School for 

the Blind, 100 pupils; State School for the Feeble-minded, 1,000 

pupils, are all located within or near the city. These institutions are 

supplied with city water and connected with the city sewerage.0

Farmington, Dakota County. On Vermilion Creek, about 20 miles 

above its entrance into Mississippi River. No waterworks or sewerage. Ice supply is cut from Vermilion Creek. Garbage is removed 

to a dumping ground just outside the village limits.

Hastings, Dakota County. On Mississippi River, 3 miles above its 

confluence with St. Croix River. %No waterworks or sewerage. Ice 

supply is cut from Mississippi River, Lake St. Croix, and Lake 

Rebecca. Garbage is hauled to the dumping ground outside the city. 

The Second State Asylum for the Insane is located about 2 miles from 

Hastings. It has a private water supply, derived from a deep well, 

and a sanitary sewerage system discharging into Mississippi River.

o Biennial Kept. Minnesota State Board of Health, 1901-02, p. 284.
108 QUALITY OF SUBFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

Kasson, Dodge County. On a small creek about 3 miles above its 

entrance into the south middle branch of Zumbro River. Water 

supply is obtained from an 8-inch well, 200 feet deep, drilled into the 

rock; ice supply from small branches of Zumbro River. Storm 

sewerage, but no sanitary sewerage has been installed.

Kenyon, Goodhue County. On north branch of Zumbro River, 20 

miles above Zumbrota. Water supply is taken from a well 25 feet 

deep; ice supply from Zumbro River. No sewerage. Garbage is 

hauled to a public dumping ground east of the city.

Lake City, Wabasha County. On the shore of Lake Pepin, 20 miles 

below Red Wing. Water supply is obtained from a dug well in the 

village. There is also an emergency connection with Lake Pepin. 

Ice supply is cut from Lake Pepin. A combined sewerage system 

discharges into Lake Pepin.

Lanesboro, Fillmore County. On Root River, 45 miles above its 

confluence with Mississippi River. Water supply is procured from a 

spring near the village; ice supply from south branch of Root River 

above the mill-pond dam. No sewerage. Garbage is dumped on a 

lot outside the corporation limits.

Norihfield, Rice County. On Cannon River, 6 miles above Cannon 

Falls. Water supply is obtained from an 8-inch artesian well, 640 

feet deep, drilled through the following strata:

Log of well at Northfield.

Feet. 

Lime rock. .................................................\................ 265

Sand rock................................................................... 50

Shale....................................................................... 225

Sand rock................................................................... 20

Shale....................................................................... 3

Sand rock..................................................................... 15

Shale......................................................................... 9

Sand rock..................................................................... 35

Lime rock................................................................... 25

Ice supply is cut from Cannon River. A sanitary sewerage system 

discharges into Cannon River. Garbage is hauled to a dumping 

ground outside the city.

North St. Paul, Ramsey County. -Near the city of St. Paul. Water 

supply is obtained from an 8-inch well, 300 feet deep. There is also 

an emergency connection with an adjacent lake. Ice supply is cut 

from a lake south- of town. No sewerage. There is no regular 

garbage disposal; it is usually burned by individual householders.

Owatonna, Steele County. On Straight River, 20 miles above Faribault. Water supply is procured from five drilled wells three 

8-inch wells, 120 feet deep; one 5-inch well, 90 feet deep; and one 

8-inch well, 650 feet deep, all entering rock at 40 feet. The 120-foot 

wells are driven in the bottom of a dug well 20 feet by 27 feet. Ice
MISSISSIPPI BASIN BELOW MINNESOTA EIVEE. 109

supply is cut from Straight River, above the mill dam. A sewerage 

system discharges into Straight River. Garbage is removed to the 

public dumping ground. The State School for Dependent and Neglected Children, with 250 pupils, is located at Owatonna. Its water 

supply is taken from two 6-inch wells, 260 feet deep, and it has also a 

private sewerage system entering the river.

Plainview, Wabasha County. Water supply is procured from two 

deep wells, 4f inches by 335 feet and 5| inches by 700 feet, respectively. 

They penetrate 60 feet of clay and are then drilled through limestone 

and sandstone. No sewerage.

Preston, Fillmore County. On South Branch of Root River, 60 

miles above its entrance into Mississippi River. Water supply is 

obtained from a spring near the village, inclosed with rock and 

cement, and covered. Ice supply is cut from Root River. No sewerage. Garbage is hauled to a public dumping ground 1 mile below the 

town.

Red Wing, Goodhue County. On Mississippi River, just above the 

head of Lake Pepin. Water supply for fire protection only is taken 

from Mississippi River; ice supply from Mississippi River. Sewerage 

discharges into Mississippi River. Garbage is removed by a public 

scavenger and buried at the city dumping grounds. The Red Wing 

Seminary, 130 pupils; Lutheran Ladies Seminary, 200 pupils, and the 

State Training School, with about 400 inmates, are located in or near 

Red Wing. The water supply for the training school is taken from a 

surface well 15 feet in diameter, sunk in the sand near the river, and a 

sewerage system discharges into Mississippi River. a

Rochester, Olmsted County. On Zumbro River, at its confluence 

with Bear Creek. Water supply is obtained from driven points and a 

bricked well 30 feet in diameter by 30 feet deep on the banks of Bear 

Creek, near its confluence with Zumbro River. There is also an 

emergency connection to Bear Creek. Sewerage discharges into 

Zumbro River. The Second State Hospital for the Insane (about 

1,300 inmates) is situated 1J miles east from the center of the town, 

near a small creek. The water supply is obtained from four 8-inch 

wells. The private sewerage system is equipped with a disposal 

plant designed to purify the sewage by precipitation and intermittent 

filtration. 6

Rushford, Fillmore County. On Root River, at the entrance of 

Rush Creek. Water supply is procured from a 6-inch flowing well, 

565 feet deep, in limestone and sandstone; ice supply from Root 

River. A sanitary sewerage system is installed, discharging into 

Rush Creek. Garbage is commonly thrown into the river.

a Biennial Rept. Minn. State Board of Health, 1901-2, p. 280.

& Rafter and Baker, Sewage Disposal in the United States, second edition, p. 500; Biennial Rept. 

Minn. State Board Health, 1901-2, p. 277; Engineering and Building Rec., vol. 23, p. 72.

IKK 193 07 8
110 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

St. Charles, Winona County. On Whitewater River, 25 miles 

above Mississippi River. Water supply is obtained from a 10-inch 

well, 942 feet deep, in sandstone. No sewerage. Garbage is hauled 

to a dumping ground 1 mile from the city.

St. Paul, Ramsey County. On Mississippi River, just below the 

entrance of Minnesota River. The city water supply is both surface 

and ground water, though the greater part is from lakes. The wells, 

37 in all, with depths varying from 63 to 85 feet, are put down on the 

shore of Vadnais and Centerville lakes. The surface supply is taken 

from 22 small lakes, 5 to 20 miles away from the city, principal!}' from 

Phalen, Vadnais, and Pleasant lakes. ° Ice supply is cut from Minnetonka, White Bear, Phalen, Bass, McCarrons, and Long lakes, and 

from Minnesota River, just above Fort Snelling. Sanitary and storm 

sewerage discharges into Mississippi River. Part of the city garbage 

is dumped into Mississippi River, but most of it is sold to farmers for 

fertilizer.

South St. Paul, Dakota County. On Mississippi River, just below 

St. Paul. Water for the public supply is furnished from private artesian wells at Swift & Co.'s packing house. Ice supply is cut from 

small lakes in the vicinity. No sewerage. Garbage is hauled to the 

stock yards and dumped near the river.

Spring Valley, Fillmore County. On Spring Valley Creek, which 

enters the middle branch of Root River. Water supply is procured 

from a spring a short distance from the pumping station; ice supply 

from Deer Creek, 3 miles north of the city. A combined sewerage 

system discharges into Spring Valley Creek. Garbage is removed to a 

dumping ground, where it is buried at intervals.

Stewartville, Olmsted County. On Root River. Water supply is 

obtained from an 8-inch well drilled 62 feet in the rock; ice supply 

from the river. No sewerage. Garbage is hauled to the village 

dumping ground.

Wabasha, Wabasha County. On Mississippi River, just below the 

foot of Lake Pepin. No water supply or sewerage. Ice supply is cut 

from Mississippi River above the town. Garbage is generally burned, 

though some is dumped into the river.

Waterville, Lesueur County. Between Lakes Tetonka and Sakata, 

through which Cannon River flows. Water supply is procured from 

an 8-inch drilled well, 185 feet deep; ice supply from Lake Sakata. 

No sewerage. Garbage is removed to a public dumping ground, 

where animal matter is usually burned and other refuse buried.

West Concord, Dodge County. On north middle branch of Zumbro 

River. Water supply for fire protection. No sewerage.

« Fanning, M. G., Observations on the algae of the St. Paul city water: Minnesota Botanical Studies, 

second series, pt. 5, July 20, 1901, p. 609.
ST. LOUIS KIVEE BASIN. Ill

West St. Paul, Dakota County. On Mississippi River, opposite St. 

Paul. No waterworks or sewerage; ice supply from Thompson and 

Sunfish lakes. No regular garbage disposal.

Winona, Winona County. On Mississippi River, 51 miles above 

the southern State boundary. Water supply is obtained from two 

shallow wells in Riverside Park near the river. There is an 

emergency connection from Mississippi River to the north shallow 

well. Ice supply is cut from Mississippi River and Lake Winona. 

Separate storm and sanitary sewerage equipped with Shone automatic ejectors discharge into Mississippi River. There is no public 

garbage disposal.

Zumbrota, Goodhue County. On Zumbro River, 50 miles above its 

entrance into Mississippi River. Water supply is obtained from 

a well drilled 210 feet deep into limestone; 0 ice supply from Zumbro 

River. No sewerage. Garbage is hauled to the public dumping 

ground.

ST. LOUIS RIVER BASIN. 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Boundaries. This area includes a small but important section in 

the northeastern part of the State, north and west of Lake Superior. 

It is bounded on the north by Rainy River drainage area, from which 

it is separated by the highest elevations in the State. It is bounded 

on the west and the south by Mississippi basin. On the east are 

the basins of the minor tributaries of Lake Superior. (PI. VI.)

Character and slope of St. Louis River. The streams are in general 

short and tumultuous. They rise on the slopes of the Mesabi and 

Sawteeth ranges, and there are many rapids and cataracts in their 

courses. The largest stream, St. Louis River, has its source in the 

west-central part of Lake County and flows southwestward across St. 

Louis County, nearly to its southwest corner, where at its confluence 

with Floodwood River it turns abruptly and flows southeastward for 

about 40 miles, then eastward, in which general course it continues 

to its entrance into Lake Superior at Duluth. Throughout its entire 

course it is a typical woodland stream, traversing regions in which the 

pine timber is now standing or from which it has been removed but 

recently. In most of its course it is swift, broad, and moderately 

deep, and it receives practically the whole drainage of the Mesabi 

Range.

Comparatively little data have been published regarding surveys 

on this stream, so that a proper profile can not be presented. Though 

it is rather sluggish in its upper section, it has considerable fall in its

a Biennial Rep. Minn. St. Bd. Health, 1901-2, p. 327.
112 QUALITY OP SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

lower part, below the points of entrance of the principal tributaries. 

A survey made by the Corps of Engineers of the United States Army 

shows the slope of the river from Floodwood to its mouth.0 Below 

the entrance of Floodwood River it falls about 40 feet in 6 miles; 

thence to Cloquet Rapids the stream has little descent, but at these 

rapids there is a natural fall of 5 feet in less than one-quarter of a 

mile. A short distance below, at Grand Rapids, the river falls 75 

feet in 5 miles. At Knife Falls it drops 20 feet in a very short distance and has a total fall of 154 feet in less than 5 miles. This power 

has been partly utilized at Cloquet. Between these falls and Fond 

du Lac lie the rapids of the St. Louis, in the course of which the 

river descends about 460 feet. Fond du Lac, appropriately so named 

because it is situated at the head of navigation on St. Louis River, is 

18 miles above Lake Superior. From this town to Minnesota Point 

the river widens out into a placid shallow bay, with a barely perceptible current.

Tributaries of St. Louis River. The longest tributary of St. Louis 

River is Cloquet River, which rises in Lake County and, flowing 

southwestward across St. Louis County, enters the main stream near 

Cloquet Rapids, a few miles above the village of Cloquet. (See PI. 

VI.) The stream is rapid in its upper portion, but becomes less swift 

after entering the level parts of St. Louis County. Its drainage area 

is 675 square miles.6 Whiteface River lies between Cloquet and 

St. Louis rivers and follows the same general direction across St. 

Louis County, joining the St. Louis near Floodwood. Its drainage 

area is 534 square miles. 6 East Swan River has its headwaters in 

the Mesabi Range, near Hibbing, and flows southward to St. Louis 

River. Floodwood River is also a western tributary running southward from Itasca County into St. Louis River near Floodwood. Its 

drainage area is 257 square miles. 6 Embarrass River is a smaller 

tributary, which has its source in the central part of St. Louis County 

and flows southward, crossing the Mesabi Range, passing through 

several long narrow lakes, and entering St. Louis River above East 

Swan River. Many smaller streams of similar character enter St. 

Louis River. Woodland lakes are distributed all over the basin. 

They are of moderate depth and are highly colored by the dissolved 

vegetable matter that reaches them.

Geology. The geological features of St. Louis Valley and the rest of 

the Lake Superior region have been elsewhere discussed in much 

detail. 0 A prominent feature is the line of hills comprising the Sawteeth and Mesabi ranges, which form the northern boundary of the

a Lake Superior and Mississippi Canal, Exhibit F, H. R. Doc. 330, 54th Cong., 1st sess. 

b Water Powers of the United States, pt. 2, Tenth Census U. S., p. 72.

c Winchell and Grant, Geol. and Nat. Hist. Survey of Minnesota, Final Eeport. vol. 4, pp. 212-S8; 

Leith, C. K., The Mesabi Iron-bearing District of Minnesota; Mon., U. S. Geol. Survey, vol. 43.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 193 PL. VI

LEGEND

C J Population exceeding 10,000

Q Population between 5,000and 10,000

O Population between 2,000 and 5,000

(J^) With sewerage system 

(Population according to U S. Census, 1900)

SCALE OF MILES 

10 20

MAP OF ST. LOUIS RIVER BASIN.
ST. LOUIS RIVER BASTN. 113

basin and separate its waters from, those of the Rainy River system. 

The rocks of the range are old, belonging almost entirely to the 

Archean and Algonkian systems. Though generally modified by 

glacial action, bed rock is widely exposed in these hills and the drift 

is thin in many places. South of these elevations there is in St. 

Louis County a broad expanse of level, often swampy land, heavily 

covered with drift underlain to some extent by Cretaceous formations. 

Bordering Lake Superior below this plain there is another rugged section exhibiting early rocks of hard, durable character, which cause 

waterfalls and rapids in the streams that cross them. The most important formations from an economic standpoint are the iron-ore 

deposits in the Mesabi district, the hydro-economic influences of 

which are discussed elsewhere. 0 Along the lake shore lava is seen 

at many places. Granite, micaceous schists, gneisses, and slates are 

the prevailing rocks all over the area; there is little material to render the drainage water hard and chemical analyses in general show 

amounts of incrustants so small that the streams of this basin may 

be ranked with those of the St. Croix as the softest in the State.

INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION.

Little manufacturing is done in the Lake Superior region and few 

establishments exist which would be likely to pollute the streams.

TABLE 57. Industrial establishments causing stream pollution in Lake Superior basin.

Breweries.................................................................... 2

Gas works.................................................................... I

Paper mills.................................................................... 1

Sawmills..................................................................... 15

Tanneries.................................................................... '2

Woolen mills................................................................. 1

Many of these establishments are located at Duluth and their effluents are discharged into Lake Superior. There are five sawmills at 

Cloquet and there is another large one a short distance below, at 

Scanlon. These are situated along the banks of St. Louis River and 

much of their waste goes into that stream. A paper mill and two 

pulp mills, operated by the Northwest Paper Company, are also located at Cloquet. The ground-wood process is used without chemicals 

and the capacity of this establishment is about 86,000 pounds a 

day of news, manila, and hanging paper.5

i See pp. 25, 115, 116-117.

6 Post's Paper Mill Directory, 1895-6, p. 191.
TABLE 58. Quality of underground waters in 

[Parts per millon.]

Locality and source.

Biwabik:

Do.&.. ..................

Do.»... .................

Do .....................

Eveleth:

Do.6....................

Do......................

Do.....................

Hibb ingOld prospecting shaft, pubDo. ....................

Do.....................

Date.

Nov. 29,1903

May 11,1904

Sept. 19, 1904

Nov. 29,1903

May 13,1904

Sept. 21, 1904

Sept. 20, 1904

Nov. 25,1903

Feb 1 1904

1o 

u

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

4

0

0

Odor.

0

2e

0

0

2e

3e+2M

2e

0

0

0

0

0

0

Turbidity.

0

0

0

0

0

0

10

c5

0

0

0

0

0

0

Chlorine.

0.3

.30

1.9

0.30

.45

1.5

4.8

.35

1.5

Sulphate radicle.

0

dO

ClO

Trace

Trace.

0

0

0

Trace.

Alkalinity.

'

165

182

202

88

112

111

78

69

57

69

77

*&

03 

^ § 

"3 fl

o

171

226

216

103

155

132

90

90

103

110

86

83

Iro

c

Tra

Tra

o Analyses by R. B. Dole. Bacteriological examina

& Nitrogen and cnlorine determinations by H. C. Ca

c Estimated.
ST. LOUIS RIVER BASIN. 115

Lumbering and mining are the chief industries in the region. Logging was the first attraction for explorers, but that business has been 

far outranked by iron mining in the Mesabi district. Statistics regarding the extent of this industry are given on page 25, and the hygienic 

condition of the water in the ore is discussed under the heading "Municipal pollution/' on pages 116-117, so that it is here necessary only to 

speak of the probable effect of the mine drainage on the mineral constituents of the streams. Since the mineral content of natural water is 

determined by the character of the geologic formations it traverses, 

the drainage from ore deposits will contain compounds similar to those 

that are most prominent and most soluble in the ore itself. Analysis 

of many representative ore samples from the Mesabi district 0 shows 

that the ores contain from 50 to 60 per cent of iron, 2 or 3 per cent of 

silica, less than one per cent of calcium and magnesium and small 

percentages of manganese and aluminum, while the phosphorus and 

sulphur together seldom exceed 1 per cent. The mine drainage does 

not therefore seriously affect the quality of the waters for boiler use. 

Chemical analyses of samples of mine waters corroborate these conclusions. (See Table 58.)

MUNICIPAL POLLUTION.

Lake Superior basin in Minnesota outside of St. Louis County is 

very thinly settled, so that pollution from human habitations in that 

region is not yet important. Two Harbors is the only large settlement in Lake County, and the country east of that village is generally 

wild and uninhabited. Duluth, the chief center of population in St. 

Louis Valley, owes its growth to its strategic commercial position. 

The remarkable growth of population in the drainage area north of 

Duluth during the last twenty-five years has been caused almost 

entirely by the discovery and the development of the Mesabi ironbearing district. All of the cities in this area have been established 

since 1890, and their location and their increase or decrease in population have been coincident with the development of mining properties. The statistics presented in Tables 59-62 indicate the enormous 

rate at which settlement has taken place.

TABLE 59. Population in the Lake Superior basin of Minnesota.

Area.

U.S. 

census, 

1890.

45, 157

98

1,299

(« )

46, 554

U.S. 

census, 

1900.

78, 920

810

4,654

w

84, 384

State 

census, 

1905.

1,462

6,275

362

124,974

a Leith, C. K., The Mesabi iron-bearing district of Minnesota: Mon. U. S. Qeol. Survey, vol. 43. 

6 Included in the population of Cook County.
116 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS I1ST MINNESOTA. 

TABLE 60. Population in St. Louis River basin.

Area.

Total ..............................................................

1890.

4,174

39, 983

(a)

45, 157

1900.

7,239

71,681

(a)

78, 920

1905.

12,069

103, 920

886

116,875

a Included in the population of Oarlton County. 

E 61. Density of population in Lake Superior basin in Minnesota.

Area.

Lake Superior basin:

St. Louis basin:

Drainage 

area in 

square 

miles.

| a.7, 175 

| b 3. 700

Inhabitants per square 

mile.

1890.

f 6. 5 

t 1.3

f 12.2 

\ 2.5 

t 3.3

1900.

11.8 

2.2

21.3 

3.6 

7.0

1905.

17.3 

4.1

31.6 

7.3 

14.0

a Hall, C. W., Geography and Geology of Minnesota, vol. 1, p. 151. 

* Measured from the best available maps.

TABLE 62. Principal settlements above Duluth.

nibbing...............

Distance

Duluth.

Miles. 

125

30

100

110

120

I

1890.a

2,530

3 opulation

1900.

1,299

2,752

2,481

2,962

12,566

1905.

946

5,332

6,666

6,056

25, 017

« Information regarding population is incomplete.

The Mesabi district, a strip across St. Louis County on the northern 

border of St. Louis drainage, is the chief mining district of the State 

and, since mining is the reason for its population, the inhabitants are 

collected into small villages at the "locations," while the lands around 

the mines are generally uncultivated and uninhabited. The principal 

mining towns are Biwabik, Chisholm, Eveleth, Fayal, Hibbing, 

McKinley, Missabe Mountain, Mountain Iron, Sparta, and Virginia. 

In some of these places, particularly in Eveleth, the mine water has 

undoubtedly been the cause of considerable typhoid fever. The 

porous ore body contains more or less water, which must be removed 

for successful operation. From the standpoint of the hydraulic engineer it is economical to utilize this water for domestic purposes, but 

from the sanitarian's standpoint it is dangerous. The mines are
ST. LOUIS RTVEE BASIN. 117

inhabited by large numbers of men, one or two of whom are always 

likely to have an infectious disease. The miners commonly urinate 

and defecate in the mines, the drainage from which reaches the sumps, 

whence the water is pumped to the surface. When this infected water 

is used for a public supply, serious epidemics usually result. Whether 

the water from unused shafts is dangerous is a debatable matter, but 

it should always be regarded with suspicion until a thorough inspection 

has demonstrated that the shaft which is being utilized is not connected by seams or faults or artificial passageways with a mine in 

operation. In considering the probable pollution of underground 

water by the dejecta of miners, it may be noted that B. coli communis 

was isolated in three out of four examinations of the town supply of 

Eveleth, which was taken from a shaft mine, and was not found in 

that of Biwabik village, the supply for which is taken from a deep shaft 

dug for water supply, nor in the supply of Hibbing, which comes from 

an old prospecting shaft. The cities of Hibbing, Eveleth, and Virginia are equipped with sewerage systems, which discharge into tributaries of St. Louis River. The other towns have no public sewerage 

as yet, and the use of privies and cesspools is general.

The St. Louis basin, between the Mesabi district and Cloquet, is now 

but slightly populated and contains much forest and swamp land. 

Floodwood and Swan River are small villages.

Between Cloquet and Duluth the river basin is more thickly populated on account of the gradual extension of the city suburbs and the 

development of water powers on the river. Scanlon, Carlton, and 

Fond du Lac are small villages in this section. The figures given in 

Table 61, showing the density of population in the basin excluding the 

chief settlements, do not adequately represent the condition, because 

it was impossible to learn the population of many of the small villages. 

As a matter of fact, the population of St. Louis basin is concentrated 

in Duluth, two or three large sawmill towns, and the mining locations 

of the Mesabi district. Except these, the region contains only a few 

scattered farms in its southern part, and the county in general is 

unsettled.

QUALITY OF WATER.

The first series of samples collected in St. Louis basin was taken in 

the early winter of 1903, just after the lakes and streams had become 

icebound. The second series was taken during February, 1904, under 

similar conditions. The third series was taken in the spring of 1904, 

just after the ice had gone out, when the stream showed flood conditions at many places. The fourth series was taken in the fall of the 

same year, while the streams were open. The fifth series was taken at 

Cloquet during the winter of 1905, while the river was icebound.
TABLE 63. Quality of water in St. Lou

[Parts per million.]

Locality and source.

Do................................

Do................................

~Do.l>.. ............................

Do................................

Do.............'...................

Do. 6. .............................

Do. b. ...... .......................

Do.6... ...........................

Do.b... ...........................

Do................................

Do.6.... ..........................

Do. 6. .............................

Do.6. .............................

Do................................

Do................................

Do.b..... .........................

Do................................

Do................................

Do. 6. .............................

Do................................

Do................................

Do. 6. .............................

Do. 6. ........ .

Do................................

Do. 6........... .... ....

Do.6. .............................

Do ................................

Date.

Nov. 27,1903

May 14,1904

Sept. 21,1904

Feb. 3,1904

May 11,1904

Sept. 20,1904

May 12,1904

Sept. 20, 1904

Feb. 3,1904

May 12,1904

Sept. 20, 1904

Nov. 26,1903

May 13,1904

Sept. 19, 1904

Nov. 29,1903

May 11,1904

Dec. 11,1903

Oct. 31,1904

Feb. 25,1905

Jan. 31,1904

Oct. 31, 1904

^

_o "o 

o

324

120

86

1 "^S

20

18

18

18

18

OE

25

25

29

18

4

324

224

224

296

176

160

112

112

112

324

324

Odor.

3v.

3M.

2M.

3M.

0

0

2v.

2v.

0

0

1 V2v.

4v.

2v.

2v.+lM.

3 v.

2v.

2v.

2v.

2v.

Turbidity.

10

50

15

9

0

0

0

<7

<7

<7

<7

10

<7

<7

12

10

10

17

<7

20

20

<7

19

<7

Chlorine.

0.5

.3

3.0

.3

.3

.3

.3

1.8

.3

2.0

2.1

1.8

.3

.3

.5

.5

2.0

.4

1.8

1.3

.3

.4

1.0

1.6

1.2

.3

.4

1.8

1.4

1.8

1.0

Sulphate 

radicle.

Trace.

dlO

0

0

0

0

Trace

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

0

0

0

0

0

h . 3£

o"" Si 1

EH

31

44

80

42

48

50

49

58

46

64

61

12

99

19

<10

13

20

<6

94

26

97

80

34

104

82

33

90

31

QQ

m

Total hardness.

62

89

50

90

m

75

89

78

50

62

34

91

29

21

32

48

30

35

100

94

28

35

35

97

CO

i Determinations of chlorine and nitrogens by H. C. Carel; other tests by R. B. Dole. 

6 Analyses by R. B. Dole.
ST. LOUIS RIVER BASIN. 119

Most of the samples examined were collected from small lakes 

adjacent to the mining towns in the iron range. (See PI. VI and 

Table 63.) Silver Lake, at Virginia, is a small, shallow body of water, 

which is connected at its upper end immediately with Virginia Lake 

and discharges by a small brook to Threemile Lake. Neither 

Silver Lake nor Virginia Lake exceeds one-half mile in diameter or 

20 feet in depth, and both receive much infiltration from the city. 

They are used for log storage. They show high color and low chlorine, sulphuric acid, alkalinity, and total hardness. The albuminoid 

ammonia is fairly high and nitrites are generally present. B. coli 

communis was isolated in pure culture from every sample taken from 

these lakes. Samples were collected from Ely Lake at Sparta and at 

Eveleth. This body of water is considerably larger than either 

Silver or Virginia Lake. Though possibly as much lumber is floated 

in it, the effect of the logging operations is different because the 

volume of water is greater and the timber is stored for shorter periods. 

In this water the color and all of the dissolved constituents, including 

the nitrogenous matter, are low. B. coli communis was isolated 

in only one sample, though it might have been found if amounts 

larger than 1 cubic centimeter had been examined. St. Marys 

(or Virgin) Lake, about 3 miles from Eveleth, is a small deep body of 

water surrounded by woods. At the time samples were taken from 

this lake logging operations were not in progress on its shores and 

there were no logs in the water. As compared with the other lakes it 

is lower in color and in organic constituents, especially albuminoid 

ammonia. The water is very soft, has practically no turbidity, but 

sometimes has a slight vegetable odor. Its bacterial content is 

extremely low and B. coli communis was not isolated. Longyear 

Lake lies on the eastern border of Chisholm village. A sawmill is 

located on its eastern shore and the water is continually used for log 

storage. It has very high color and odor. It is low in mineral and 

other contents and is probably the softest water that was examined. 

-8. coli communis was isolated from two samples. Embarrass Lake 

is an enlargement of Embarrass River, long, narrow, and shallow. 

It-lies about three-quarters of a mile east of Biwabik, and is separated 

from it by a high ridge. Logs are driven on Embarrass Kiver, and the 

lake generally contains a large number. The water is high in color 

and the albuminoid ammonia is usually excessive. It is soft and 

contains practically no sulphates, chlorine, or suspended matter. 

Its bacterial content is not particularly high and B. coli communis 

was not found.

St. Louis River was sampled (a) above all sources of pollution at 

Cloquet, (6) just above the paper mill below the village and (c) at 

Scanlon, 3 miles by river below Cloquet. Comparison of the three samples of each set shows almost identical organic content, and the slight
120 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

variations are quite as likely to be due to refuse from the sawmills at 

Cloquet or to normal fluctuations in the water as to pollution from the 

village. Five large sawmills stand along the river between the points 

at which the first and second samples were taken, but since the water 

is full of logs, which probably cause its high color, it is not possible to 

determine from the examinations whether the mills increase its 

organic content. S. coli communis was isolated once from water taken 

above Cloquet and in every sample but one taken below the village.

The waters of this basin are, in general, extremely soft. The dissolved minerals are principally small amounts of bicarbonates of calcium and magnesium. Sulphates and chlorides are present only in 

very small amounts. Table 63 gives an average of 11 examinations 

of St. Louis River near Cloquet, which shows the general quality of 

the discharge. It is especially noteworthy that Silver, Virginia, 

Longyear, and Embarrass lakes and St. Louis River at Cloquet, all 

of which contain great numbers of logs, show high color, and a vegetable odor; while, on the other hand, Ely and St. Marys lakes, which 

are not so much used by lumbering firms, show comparatively low 

color. It is possible that log extract is not the only source of the color, 

but it is fair to infer from the data at hand that it is the chief source. 

It should be mentioned in this connection that St. Louis basin below 

the Mesabi Range is largely swamp land, and the drainage from this 

area may be in part a cause of the color. Iron was found only in very 

small amounts. The test for iron was made by thoroughly oxidizing 

the sample with nitric acid and developing the potassio-ferric sulphocyanide. A qualitative examination of the sample taken from St. 

Louis River above Cloquet on October 31, 1904, was made to determine the nature of the coloring matter. Twenty-five hundred cubic 

centimeters of the sample were evaporated to dryness on the water 

bath and the residue was tested with various reagents. It consisted 

almost entirely of organic matter of vegetable origin, and the color of 

the dissolved residue was affected by change in the reaction from acid 

to alkaline or vice versa. It was apparently a solution of tannin and 

vegetable extractives.

St. Louis River at Cloquet shows the same seasonal variations that 

are exhibited by other rivers in the State. In winter the color, the 

turbidity, and the organic content are decreased, while the total 

residue, total hardness, and alkalinity are increased.

NOTES ON MUNICIPALITIES.

Four of the thirteen places in this basin have well-water supplies 

and four have lake-water supplies. Six municipalities report sanitary sewerage.

Biwabik, St. Louis County. Near Embarrass Lake, which is connected with St. Louis River by Embarrass River. Water supply is
ST. LOUIS EIVER BASIN. 121

obtained from a well in the village, dug and timbered 9 feet by 9 feet 

square, extending through 100 feet of clay and 75 feet of sand and 

gravel. Ice supply is procured from Ely Lake at Sparta. No sewerage. Garbage is hauled to a public dump 1 mile from the village and 

burned as thoroughly as possible.

Carlton, Carlton County. Near St. Louis River and below Cloquet. 

No waterworks or sewerage. Ice supply is cut from a mill pond on 

Otter Creek and from Chub Lake. Garbage is hauled to the village 

dumping ground and burned.

ChisJiolm, St. Louis County. On Longyear Lake. A public water 

supphr is installed; source of water not reported. Garbage is buried 

at the public dumping grounds.

Cloquet, Carlton County. On St. Louis River a few miles below its 

confluence with Cloquet River. No public waterworks. Ice supply 

is cut from St. Louis River above the village. Sanitary sewerage 

discharges into St. Louis River. Garbage is hauled to dumping 

grounds away from the village and burned.

Dulufh, St. Louis County. At confluence of St. Louis Bay, the 

lower part of St. Louis River, with Lake Superior. Water supply is 

obtained unfiltered from Lake Superior, 8 miles east of the center of 

the city, by an intake which extends 1,500 feet into the lake and is 

65 feet under water. Ice supply is obtained from Spirit Lake and 

from Lake Superior. Separate sanitary and storm sewerage systems 

discharge into Lake Superior. Garbage was formerly dumped on 

the bay front, but a modern crematory is now being installed. A 

State Normal School and large hospitals are located at Duluth.

Eveleth, St. Louis County. On a small creek that enters Swan 

River, a tributary of the St. Louis. Water supply is taken unfiltered 

from Lake St. Marys (Virgin Lake), about 3 miles from the city. Ice 

supply is cut from Lakes Ely and St. Marys. A sanitary sewerage system discharges into the creek west of town, near Spruce Location. 

Garbage is regularly collected and hauled outside the city limits.

Hibbing, St. Louis County. Drainage is carried by small creeks to 

Little Swan River. Water supply is obtained from an old prospecting 

shaft, 215 feet deep, passing through the following strata:

Log of u'ell at Nibbing, St. Louis County.

Feet.

Surface soil and gravel..................................................... 6

Blue-clay hard pan......................................................... 55

Quicksand................................................................ 10

Hardpan.......................................... ........................ 7

''Paint rock" and iron ore.................................................. 127

Ice is shipped in from Lake Ely at Sparta. Sanitary sewerage 

discharges into Penobscot Creek 2 miles south of the city. Garbage 

is taken to a dumping ground outside of the city and burned.
122 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS m MINNESOTA.

McKinley, St. Louis County. On the shore of a small lake connected with St. Louis River. Water supply is derived from driven 

wells, 5 inches in diameter by 40 feet deep, on the shore of the lake, 

passing through blue clay 9 feet and the rest in quicksand. The 

water is filtered through a chamber containing crushed rock, and 

provision is made for the use of alum coagulant if necessary. Ice 

supply is taken from the lake. No sewerage. Garbage is hauled to 

the village dumping ground.

Proctorknott (Proctor post-office), St. Louis County. On Kingsbury 

Creek, which enters St. Louis Bay. No waterworks or sewerage. 

Ice supply cut from Kingsbury Creek.

Scanlon, Garlton County. Three miles below Cloquet, on St. Louis 

River. No waterworks or sewerage. Ice is shipped in from Cloquet. 

Garbage is collected at regular intervals and deposited outside the 

village limits.

Sparta, St. Louis County. On west shore of Lake Ely. Water 

supply is. taken, unfiltered, from Lake Ely, which is at times, especially in the spring, exposed to local pollution. Ice supply is cut 

from Lake Ely. Considerable ice is sent from Sparta to neighboring 

cities and villages. No sewerage.

Two Harbors, Lake County. On north shore of Lake Superior, 27 

miles east of Duluth. Water supply is taken from Lake Superior, 

without filtration, by a 20-inch intake pipe extending 620 feet into 

the lake, with inlet 56 feet under water. Ice supply is cut from 

Lake Superior. A combined storm and sanitary sewerage discharges 

into Agate Bay. Garbage is regularly removed to the public dumping grounds.

Virginia, St. Louis County. On the shores of Virginia and Silver 

lakes. Water supply is obtained from a well on the shore of Silver 

Lake, with an emergency connection to Silver Lake. Consumers' 

ice is cut on St. Marys Lake. Ice for cold-storage purposes is cut 

on Silver Lake. Sewerage discharges into Threemile, or Mashkenoda, Lake.

RED RIVER BASIN. 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Boundaries. Red River drainage area in Minnesota is bounded 

on the east by Rainy River area and by Mississippi basin, on the 

south by Minnesota River drainage area, on the west by the Dakotas, and on the north by Canada and minor tributaries of Red River. 

The river forms the boundary between North Dakota and Minnesota. (PI. VII.)

This section treats essentially of that part of Red River drainage 

area which lies in Minnesota, but comprises also descriptions of the 

three principal North Dakota cities on Red River and a few inor-
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 193 PL. VII

LEGEND 

Population between 5,000 and 10,000

O Population between 2,000 and 5,000 

O Population between 1, 000 and 2,000

With sewerage system 

(Population according to U.S Census, 1300)
BED RIVER BASIN. 123

ganic analyses of water from western tributaries, procured from 

divers sources. Laboratory examinations were made of samples in 

Red River Valley as far north as Grand Forks, N. Dak., where Red 

Lake River joins the main stream. No samples were collected from 

tributaries in North Dakota and no field work was done in that 

State; consequently the conditions in the western half of the drainage area can be only briefly mentioned.

diameter and slope of Red River. Red River is formed* by the 

confluence of Ottertail and Bois de Sioux rivers at Breckemidge, 

whence it flows northward in an extremely tortuous course between 

North Dakota and Minnesota, through the province of Manitoba, 

into Lake Winnipeg. Its total length from Breckenridge to the 

Canadian boundary is 395.5 b miles, though the distance between 

these points in a straight line is only about half that number of 

miles. Although the river is very crooked, it does not meander 

more than 4 or 5 miles to the right or left, but has many short 

ox-bow curves in its windings. It is a true prairie stream, having 

all the characteristics of rivers of that type. From Grand Forks to 

the border it is navigated by flatboats and scows carrying grain and 

other produce. Red Lake River, the chief tributary, is navigable 

from Thief River Falls to and across Red Lake. With these exceptions, the streams of this region are not generally used for shipping, 

either on account of shallow water or the presence of rapids.

Red River is extremely sluggish, its slope rarely exceeding 6 inches 

per mile. c From Breckenridge to Moorhead, which are 41 miles 

apart in a direct line, the stream runs 97 miles and has a total fall 

of 74 feet, 34 feet of which occur in a stretch of 21 miles, leaving 

the average slope of the remainder only 0.5 foot per mile. From 

Moorhead to Grand Forks, 155 miles, there is generally a slight 

slope, except at Goose Rapids, where a fall of 13 feet occurs in a 

little over 33 miles. In the 143.5 miles from Grand Forks to the 

Canadian border the river has an average slope of about 0.24 foot 

per mile. From Breckenridge to the international boundary its 

total fall is 180 feet, and its average slope in the United States is 

0.4G foot per mile.

Tributaries of Red River. Of the two streams that unite to form 

Red River the Ottertail furnishes 90 per cent of the stream flow. It 

rises in the southwest part of Clearwater County on the western slope 

of the Leaf Hills and flows southward to Fergus Falls, passing through 

or uniting with a great number of lakes scattered over Becker and 

Ottertail counties, the principal of which are Height of Land, Pine,

a Decision of the United States Geographic Board. 

6 Ann. Eept. Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army, for 1904, pt. 1, p. 427. 

c Ann. Eept. Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army, for 1875, pt. l,p. 370. 

Ibid, for 1904, pt. 1, p. 427.

Gannett, Henry, Profiles of rivers in the United States: Water-Sup, and Irr. Paper No. 44, U. S, 

Geol. Survey.

IRR 193 07 9
124 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

Rush, and Ottertail lakes. After its confluence with the chief tributary, Pelican River, 4 miles below Fergus Falls, it follows a westerly 

course to its mouth. From Ottertail Lake to Breckenridge its total 

fall is 368 feet, nearly all of which occurs in the-hilly country above or 

near Fergus Falls, the river in its lower portion being sluggish and 

flowing in a tortuous course. Bois de Sioux River is a small, meandering stream, nearly dry in summer, forming part of the boundary 

between the Dakotas and Minnesota; Lake Traverse, its headwaters, 

is a long, narrow body similar to Big Stone Lake, which lies south of 

it and from the basin of which it is separated by a low, narrow strip 

of land. Lake Traverse is 1 to H miles wide and 15 miles long, and 

its average depth is 10 feet. It stretches northeast and southwest in 

a deep valley, which it fills from bluff to bluff. At its marshy northern extremity the high banks gradually recede and Bois de Sioux 

River flows from it 35 miles northward to Breckenridge. The river 

has a total fall of 21 feet. Red Lake River is the outlet of Red Lake,a 

in the central part of Beltrami County. This body of water, the largest lake that is included entireh" within the State, is divided into two 

parts by a long cape extending from the east side. The southwestern 

portion is slightly larger than the other and is the source of the river. 

The lake is shallow and is surrounded by marshy woodland. From 

Red Lake the river runs westward 50 miles to its junction with Thief 

River at Thief River Falls. This upper portion of the stream is 

navigable, and regular water communication is maintained during 

the open season between Thief River Falls and the small settlements on Red Lake. In its southwestern course to Crookston the 

river traverses several falls and rapids, so that it is not there navigable. Below Crookston it winds westward again as a sluggish prairie 

stream to its confluence with Red River at Grand Forks, N. Dak. 

Its total fall from Red Lake to Grand Forks is probably not less than 

400 feet.& Other smaller tributaries of Red River are Wild Rice, 

Sand Hill, Snake, and Two Rivers in Minnesota, and Pembina, Cheyenne, and Wild Rice rivers in North Dakota.

Topography. The basin consists of two sections a central, rolling 

prairie and a surrounding hilly country, which is also prairie land but 

rather more undulating than the lower part. The eastern or hilly part 

of the basin is forested and contains many lakes; the lower or prairie 

portion along the main stream comprises many swamps, as well as 

sites of swamps that have been drained by ditches.

Geology. Since the entire basin of Red River in Minnesota is covered with thick glacial deposits, nearly all information regarding the

a Though Red Lake is commonly regarded as the source of Red Lake River, that name is also applied 

to the largest tributary of Red Lake, which rises in Lake Julia, in Nebish township, Beltrami County, 

about 20 miles south of Red Lake.

6 Water Powers of the United States, pt. 2, sec. 1, p. 90, Tenth Census U. S.
EED KIVEK BASIN. 125

underlying rocks must be derived from an examination of well borings. 

Fortunately a large number of deep wells have been bored all over 

the area, and from the records of these borings considerable data concerning the geology of the section have been obtained. The older 

formations throughout the greater part of the basin are covered by 

Cretaceous rocks, upon which rests a heavy mantle of Pleistocene 

deposits. The older rocks have, however, practically no influence on 

the quality of surface waters in the valley of Red River. The Cretaceous rocks, 011 the other hand, through their alkaline contents, 

have an important influence. The stratified materials of this system 

in Red River Valley have been described in full by Prof. Warren 

Uphain." The earliest deposits, termed the Dakota formation, consist of yellow, red, and white sandstone, with occasional shales and 

impure lignites. They furnish a strong artesian flow in many parts 

of the area. Next in order of time are the beds of the Benton formation, consisting of shales and clays, alternating in some places with 

laj-ers of soft limestone. Above these lie the calcareous marls of the 

Niobrara and the darker colored shales and clays of the Pierre. The 

latter three are extensive and generally encountered by well borings 

sunk throughout the valley. All of these rocks are strongly impregnated with alkaline and alkaline-earth compounds.

The unmodified drift, from 100 to 200 feet thick, consists mainly 

of hard blue till, which becomes softer and has a yellow color near the 

surface. Since all this material is largely derived from the disintegration of the Cretaceous deposits, it is, like them, strong in hardening constituents, and on account of its comparative!}- loose packing 

is more easily dissolved by the waters with which it comes in contact. 

Water drawn from wells in the old drift is strongly alkaline and often 

brackish and unpalatable.

In the latter part of the Pleistocene epoch Lake Agassiz covered the 

greater part of Red River basin. This immense lake found outlet 

southward, through the valley now occupied by Traverse and Big 

Stone lakes and Minnesota River. The traces of its existence consist of the beaches it left in its gradual recession, the broad, deep 

valley that formed its outlet, and the fine, lacustrine silts which make 

Red River A^alley one of the most fertile regions in the world.

Soil and subsoil. The characteristic influence of the Cretaceous 

rocks on the upper layers ot the drift is demonstrated by an examination of Table 64, which gives the average composition of the soil and 

subsoil in Red River Valley and in the entire State. This table shows 

how greatly the soil here differs from the soils in other parts of the 

State, and especially from the nonsoluble soils of the St. Croix Aralley.

a The Glacial Lake Agassiz: Mon. U. S. Geol. Survey, vol. 25, pp. 81-107.
126 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

TABLE 64. ('hemical composition of soil and subsoil in Red River basin.

Constituent.

Surface soil. Subsoil.

Red E ti Red 

River *!'. r<0 ' River 

basin. ^<ltc - a basin.

Volatile...................

Potassium oxide (KzO) . . . 

Sodium oxide (Na2O) .....

Magnesium oxide (MgO) . . 

Oxides of iron and aluminum (Fe2O3+ A12 O3) ..... 

Phosphoric anhvdrido 

(PiOt). .......... ........

Sulphuric anhydride(SOs) . 

Carbonic anhydride (OOa) .

10. 43 8. 98 

. 55 . 43 

. 49 . 45 

2.18 1.29 

. 89 . 61

10. 59 7. 20

. 2(i . 20 

. 27 ' . 10 

1. 78 . 62

65.93 

5.51

.45 

.37 

o.67 

1.52

10. 41

.18 

.08 

5.72

Entire 

State.®

82.41 

5.33 

.40 

.32 

1.78 

.80

8.32

.17 

.06 

.93

Surface soil.

Marsh.

19.70 

27.72 

.44 

.30 

23. 27 

.80

3.25

.30

.75 

23.00

Swamp. ! Peat.

14.33

27.72 

.44 

.30 

23.31 

.80

3.25

.30 

.75 

23.00

12.60 

52.60 

.40 

.21 

12.20 

.64

2.02

.21 

.22 

12.60

Alkali.

67.05 

6.57 

.46 

2.56 

7.48 

.16

9.04

.27 

1.00

4.84

« Snyder, IT., Characteristic features of Minnesota soils and conservation of fertility: Bull. 65, Agr. 

Exp. Sta., University of Minnesota, Chem. Div., Nov., 1899, p. 69.

The amount of soluble material is much greater than the average 

for the State, while the quantity of volatile matter is slightly less. 

All other constituents are much higher, especially calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium. It is evident that there are considerable amounts of alkaline carbonates, which produce a corresponding hardness in the drainage waters. The analyses given in 

the last four columns show the characteristic composition of different 

types of surface soil. The marshes are found to be very high in 

volatile and soluble constituents, especially in calcium, possibly on 

account of marl deposits. The peaty soils contain over 50 per cent 

of volatile matter, and, they too, indicate the presence of much calcium carbonate. True alkali soils are found in many places where 

the surface of the ground is covered with a white efflorescence due 

to the deposition of alkaline salts by evaporation. Such soils are 

naturally high in soluble matter, particularly sodium. Just as the 

Cretaceous formations have influenced the chemical constitution of 

the drift, the drift has in turn produced an alkaline soil, which 

imparts its essential qualities to the lakes and streams that stand or 

flow over it. The waters examined in this valley show a far greater 

percentage of dissolved minerals than those in any other part of the 

State.

INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION.

Only a few manufacturing establishments are located in Red 

River basin, and these furnish little waste of undesirable character. 

They are tabulated below.

TABLK 65. Industrial establishments causing stream pollution in Red River basin.

Breweries ... 

Sawmills. .... 

Tanneries... 

Woolen mills .
RED RIVER BASIN. 127

Nearly all of the sawmills are on Red Lake River at or above 

Crookston. The color of the stream may be, to some extent, affected 

by the logging operations or the wastes from the mills.

MUNICIPAL POLLUTION.

Since Red River basin is devoted principally to lumbering and to 

wheat raising it is thinly populated, and the size of its towns or cities 

is determined not by the development of manufacturing interests, 

but by the necessity for trading centers. The following tables show 

the distribution of population for three successive censuses:

TABLE 66. Population in Red River basin in Minnesota.

County.

Clay .....................................................................

Polk.....................................................................

1890.

0. 771

100

508

11,517

(a)

3, 437

100

9,130

10,618

(6 >

(C)

797

4 m &

(<n

(d)

1900.

10,603

2,949

856

17^942

(«)

4.467

753

7.889

90 fi7i

1,355

(d)

1905.

13,425

3,504

19, 457

A OOft

2 795

Q Q7Q

17 737

1 D -1 7f*

37 ^12

4,968

a Formed from part of Beltrami County in 1903. 

6 Formed from part of Polk County in 1897.

< No population given for 1890. 

d Included in county population.

TABLE 67. Density of population in Red River basin.

Area considered.

Red Lake River basin, above Crookston:

Entire area...................................

Excluding chief settlements..................

Red Lake River basin, above mouth:

Entire area...................................

Excluding chief settlements..................

Ottertail River basin, above Fergus Falls:

Entire area...................................

Excluding chief settlements..................

Ottertail River basin, above mouth:

Entire area...................................

Excluding chief settlements..................

Red River basin in Minnesota, above Moorhead:

Entire area...................................

Excluding chief settlements..................

Red River basin in Minnesota, above ReJ Lake:

Entire area...................................

Excluding chief settlements..................

Red River basin in Minnesota:

Entire area...................................

Excluding chief settlements..................

Drainage 

area in 

square 

miles.

b 18

.100

.311

, 300

800

800

. 365

Population per square 

mile.

1890. ! 1900. 1905.

1.9

1.8

3.8 

2.0

10. 5

10.0

11.1

8.4

10.2 

6.6

9.3

7.8

4.3 

3.6

14.7

13.1

15.7

10.8

15.2

11.6

13.9

11.3

9.4

10.2

S.2

18.0

13.9

16.0

13.6

11.5 

9.4

a Measured from best available maps.

* Hall, C. \V., Geography and Geology of Minnesota, vol. I, p. 151, Minneapolis, 19Q3.
128 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

The population of the hasin is less than half as dense as the average 

for the State as a whole. Though statistics show that the population 

is rapidly increasing, it is doubtful whether Red River Valley will 

ever become as thickly settled as some regions of the State where 

manufacturing interests are more predominant, for this is essentially 

a farming and lumbering district. Its most thickly settled part lies 

between Moorhead and Lake Traverse, particularly in the basin of 

Ottertail River. The population is most sparse in Red Lake River 

basin above Crookston. The low population per square mile is 

counterbalanced, however, so far as stream pollution is concerned, by 

the fact that the cities and villages are situated directly on the banks 

of streams into which they discharge sewage and other refuse. Since a 

great many of these settlements are supplied with unfiltered surface 

water for general municipal consumption, it is particularly important 

to consider in detail the chance of river pollution from farms and 

villages on the watershed. (See PL VIT.)

TABLE 08.- CM-ef settlements in Red Hirer basin, above Breclcenndge.

Locality.

Total ....................................................

Distance 

above 

Breckenridge, 

in miles.

90

40

110

(50

90

F 

1890.

1,510

3, 772

624

0, 667

opulalion 

1900.

(i, 072

11,347

1905.

6 692

12, 448

TABLE 69.-- (^hief settlements in Red River basin, above Moorhead.

Locality.

Total ....................................................

Distance

Moorhead , in 

miles.

97

]

1890.

6,667

1,510

^opulation

1900.

2 228

1 ^ QSQ

1905.

12,448

TABLE 70. -Chief settlements in Red Hirer basin, above Grand Forks.

Locality.

Total. ...................................................

Distance

Grand 

Forks, in 

miles.

155

I

1890.

9,215

622

1,069

5,664

'opulation

1900.

15, 989

1,253

1,326

9,589

31,887

.

190.5.

1,515

a 12, 000

a Ksuimated.
EED RIVER BASIN. ' 129

Table 67 gives the number of inhabitants per square mile above 

each of the principal cities. Tables 68 to 70 give the principal sources 

of municipal pollution. In view of the fact that the lesser drainage 

basins have the same characteristics with a few exceptions, observations on one may be applied as well to the others. The statistics 

show sources of pollution above every city that uses raw stream 

water as a public supply. It is also evident from a consideration of 

gage heights that at certain periods of the year much objectionable, 

if not dangerous, matter is in the streams, and is transported by them 

to the vicinity of all the waterworks intakes. Above Fergus Falls, 

on Ottertail River, there is considerable rural population and immediately above the city intake there are several likely sources of contamination. Fergus Falls itself furnishes too much pollution from 

its sewers and from the State insane asylum, near by, to permit the 

use of unfiltered river water at Breckenridge. Fargo and Moorhead, 

on Red River, are using a water that is objectionable on account of 

its turbidity, and is besides liable to sewagic pollution not only by 

settlements above but by the suburbs of the cities themselves. Much 

of the territory above Orookston, in Red Lake River basin, is timbered and the reservations have not yet been entirely opened for 

settlement; consequently the population per square mile is low. 

Three sawmill villages Thief River Falls, Red Lake Falls, and St. 

Hilaire are located on the river above Crookstoii. The principal 

source of pollution of Red Lake River above East Grand Forks is 

Crookston, which discharges sewage into the river. The supply of 

Grand Forks, N. Dak., is taken from Red Lake at its entrance into 

Red River. There can be no doubt that Red River, receiving as it 

does the sewage of Fargo, Moorhead, and Breckenridge, is the more 

seriously polluted stream of the two. It is also evident that the 

water of Red Lake River in its unfiltered condition is not safe for 

drinking or for general domestic use. Whether the sewage from the 

above-mentioned cities alwa}Ts reaches Grand Forks is a debatable 

question, not to be decided by a consideration of the distance traveled 

alone, but by a determination whether the pathogenic bacteria 

perish during the time consumed in the voyage. Unfortunately, the 

average stream velocities can not be determined by the data at hand. 

Ordinarily Red River is sluggish, shallow, arid winding. During 

flood times it is subject to rapid and extreme rises, which sweep the 

bed free from accumulated organic matter and greatly increase the 

velocity of the current. Red River carries at all times an amount 

of suspended matter that would make it undesirable for use without 

filtration.

The Red River system drains about half of North Dakota along 

the broad prairie in that part of the State bordering Minnesota east
130 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

of the Dakota foothills. The valley is devoted almost exclusively to 

wheat raising, containing within its borders some of the largest farms 

in the world. The population is sparse, and there are few large 

cities. Three of the largest Grand Forks, Fargo, and Wahpeton 

are on the banks of Ked River. (See PI. V.) The North Dakota 

tributaries of Red River are generally small, meandering, and sluggish. Many of them are dry in summer.

QUALITY OF WATER.

The location of sampling stations in Red River basin is shown in 

PI. I. They were selected above and below the principal settlements 

with the view (a) of determining how much evidence of pollution 

from infiltration or from direct discharge of sewage could be gained 

by laboratory examinations; (6) of estimating by rapid and approximate methods the amount of mineral matter ordinarily carried by 

the streams; and (c) of finding the seasonal variation in the chemical 

and bacteriological conditions of the water. Two complete sets of 

samples were taken, one late in the fall of 1904, just before the streams 

closed, the other in the latter part of March, 1905, while the ice was 

going out and the streams were rising in flood. In addition some 

miscellaneous samples vvere taken at Crookston and at Grand Forks. 

Table 71 gives the results of analyses.

It is commonly believed that the entrance of sewage into water may 

be detected in analyses by changes in the figures representing certain 

arbitrary estimates. The amounts of chlorine, free ammonia, and 

albuminoid ammonia are supposed to increase; nitrites, representing 

organic matter in an unstable condition of oxidation, are regarded as 

indicating pollution; the amount of nitrates is considered to represent 

the completeness of the destruction of the organic material; finally, 

an increase in bacterial count is expected, together with the presence 

of B. coli communis, an intestinal organism always present in fresh 

feces. The chemical analyses made fail to reveal positive evidence 

that any of the unquestionable sources of dangerous pollution damage the stream waters, either because the contaminating substances 

were much diluted or because the samples did not happen to strike 

currents of pollution in the rivers. The points for analysis were, 

however, chosen with the definite object of getting representative 

samples both above and below each city, and the stations were such 

as would generally be selected by chemists engaged in similar work. 

Though some of the analyses indicate slight increases in the figures 

representing organic matter, yet the changes noted were only such as 

might be due to normal fluctuations in quality, independent of the 

introduction of sewage. From this point of view the chemical results 

are unsatisfactory.
TABLE 71. Quality of water in Red R

[Parts per million.]

Locality and source.

Red Lake River:

Below Crookston c ... .......

Ottertail River:

Traverse Lake at Browns Valley c. . .'. 

Bois de Sioux River at Breckenridge c 

Red River:

Date.

do

Nov. 22,1904

.....do.......

..... do .......

..... do .......

Nov. 21,1904

Mar. 31,1905

.....do.......

.....do.......

May 25,1905

Nov. 18,1904

.....do.......

Nov 19 1904

Mar. 2s',1905

.....do.......

Mar. 29,1905

Nov. 19,1904

.....do.......

Mar. 19,1905 

Mar. 29,1905

Nov. 20,1904

Nov. 21,1904

....do.......

Mar. 29,1905

.....do.......

Mar. 30, 1905

.....do.......

....'.do. ......

0~p

25

25

18

18

12

12

18

18

18

25

25

60

4

4

4

4

4

0

60

4

18

4

29

12

12

18

4

4

18

60

60

o

T3

O

0

0

0

0

0

2 -.

2 '.

9 

1 '.

 } 7

3 V.

0

1M.

0

2 e.

0

2 v+lm. 

3m.

9 p

3e.

3e.

3e+l M.

2v+2M.

+J

"2

T^

12

17

17

25

25

40

9

10

30

50

250

<7

20

<7

100

10

<7

50

11 

<7

26

50

50

90

70

65

60

Chlorine.

6.4

.3

.4

.3

.5

.4

.4

.9

1.0

1.2

1.7

1.7

1.1

1.0

1.8

1.9

2.2

2.2

26.0

2.2

c

13.0

8.2

7.7

9.2

7.2

2.6

2.8

9.5

7.5

4.8

Sulphate 

radicle.

Trace.

Trace.

Trace.

d5

ezs

do

<*10

d20

<tl5

Trace.

<t5

d5

d5

<*5

432

442

d5

359 

185

35

50

29

<*5

dlQ

47

37

Total alkalinity.

153

164

144

146

149

141

185

131

132

139

142

145

178

182

181

197

196

193

194

216

314

278

247

112 

121

209

242

217

192

172

200

195

202

194

Total hardness.

173

206

104

166

166

160

166

251

129

129

149

142

136

199

209

209

209

183

180

183

696

640

304

277

382 

245

333

333

333

186

177

208

182

268

243

T

T

T

T

T

a Bacteriological examinations by Dr. E. TI. Beckman.

& Determinations of chlorine and nitrogens by H. C. Carel; other determinations by R. B. Dole.
132 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

The bacteriological examinations yield much more satisfactory 

evidences of pollution. Water taken from Red Lake River above 

Thief River, after flowing through a practically uninhabited country, 

does not show the presence of B. coli communis. In all other samples of water from Red Lake River the organism was found. It is 

worthy of note that it was isolated from 1 cubic centimeter amounts 

of every sample taken above the intake of the Crookston waterworks. 

It was not found in samples of Ottertail River taken above Fergus 

Falls, but, except in one or two other samples, it was found in the 

waters of all the rivers of the area.

Red River and most of its tributaries show higher mineral content 

than the other streams in the State, due to solution of the alkaline 

materials constantly present in the soil and subsoil. The water of 

Lake Traverse, at the head of Bois de Sioux River, shows the highest 

percentage of total and soluble solids, total hardness, sulphuric acid, 

and chlorine, indicating that it is very strongly charged with alkaline 

salts. This alkalinity is probably caused by the inflow of springs that 

have percolated through the calcareous alkaline strata of the bluffs that 

rise abruptly on both shores. The stream that forms its outlet, Bois 

de Sioux River, is similarly mineralized. Ottertail River, at Fergus 

Falls, is low in chlorine, sulphuric acid, turbidity, and color, but has 

considerable alkalinity and total hardness. The percentage of solids 

soluble in alcohol is noticeable here, as in general throughout the Red 

River basin, indicating the probable presence of alkaline salts. There 

is little change in these constituents at Breckenridge except the 

increase in turbidity, which causes a corresponding change in total 

solids. In its northward course from Breckenridge Red River is 

joined by a large number of short streams that drain swamps or the 

alkaline soils of the valley near the main river, and the effect of this 

added drainage is shown by comparison of analyses of the water of 

Red River at Breckenridge, Moorhead, and above Red Lake River at 

Grand Forks. The comparatively high chlorine in Red River is 

undoubtedly due to soluble chlorides derived from the soils and not 

to sewagic pollution. Therefore this figure gives no index of the sanitary condition of the water. The turbidity is generally high and the 

color low. The odor is extremely variable. The amount of sulphuric 

acid is high as compared with that in Mississippi River. The water 

of Red River is similar in many respects to that of Minnesota River. 

Iron is always found. The total residue in the water of Red River is 

higher than that found in any other stream examined, and the percentage of solids soluble in alcohol is noticeable.
TABLE 72. Mineral analyses of surface water in 

[Parts por million.]

Locality.

Bathgate, N. Dak ...........

r>o.. ....................

Do.......................

Leeds, N. Dak.... ...........

Wild Rice, N. Dak. .........

Source.

Tongue River ..............

.....do......................

.....do......................

Pond........ ...............

.....do......................

Date.

Mar. 5,1904o 

Mar. 31,1903o

.....do........

Mar. 26,1903o

Mar. 31,1903o

Feb. 12,]903o

Apr. ]4,1903o

Juno, 1882 c Mar. 31, 1903 «

Nov 14,18886

Feb. 24,1903o

.....do........

Mar. 26,1903o

Feb. 12,1903«

Feb. 24,1903o

.....do........

Apr 17,1903o

Aug. 13, 1903 b

Oct. 17,18886

Apr. 31,1903o

Suspended matter.

6.8 

18

31

18

3 9

4.9

8

12

2

11

8.9

9 9

9

5.9

Silica 

(Si02).

29 

4.4

14

18

3.7

8 9

9 9

14

17

27

15

28

7

20

12

Oxides of 

iron and 

aluminum 

(Fe2O3 

+A12O 3).

3.4

2 5

j

3.9

11

1 2

49

10

20

3.4

3.

5.9

f>

1.5

1.5

Trace

10

Trace.

7.5

<t Analysis furnished by Kennicott Water Softener Company.

6 Analysis furnished by Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway.

c Analysis by W. A. Noyes.

d Traces of nitrates, nitrites, bromides, and lithium; potassium=2.4.

c Traces of nitrites and bromides. Nitriies=0.83; phosphate radicle=^0
134 QUALITY OP SUBFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

The water of Red Lake River resembles in many respects that of 

upper Mississippi River. It is low in turbidity and sulphuric acid 

and has moderate alkalinity, total hardness, and total residue, while 

it carries some color and generally has a vegetable odor. It is somewhat similar to that of Ottertail River above Fergus Falls. The differences between the waters of upper Red Lake and Ottertail rivers and 

that of Red River lead to the inference that forest lands have considerable influence on the quality of stream water, perhaps because forest 

soils are less easity disintegrated and not subject to the excessive leaching that occurs in prairie regions. It is at any rate worthy of note 

that the waters of Red River basin that come from forested areas are 

softer and apparently contain less alkali than those that come from 

the prairies.

Red River and Red Lake River unite at Grand Forks. A comparison of the three samples taken in that vicinity, namely, above and 

below Red Lake River on Red River, and above Red River on Red 

Lake River, show the effect of diluting Red River with a softer water. 

The turbidity, chlorine, sulphuric acid, alkalinity, total hardness, and 

total residue are decreased, while the color is often increased. The 

organic content of Red Lake River at this point, as shown by the 

nitrogen determinations, is higher than that of Red River.

In conclusion, a table is given showing the average condition of 

Red River as compared with upper Mississippi and Minnesota rivers. 

It is distinctly different from the former and conforms in quality in 

many respects with the latter.

TABLE 73. Summary of quality of water. 

[Parts per million.]

Determination.

Odor...............................................................

Red River.

21

6.3

202

251

Trace.

346

0.428

0.03

Minnesota 

River.

70

6.4

470

Trace.

556

1 4*?

0.009

0.16

Upper Mississippi 

River.

rn

9

151

189

16

0.191

0.000

NOTES ON MUNICIPALITIES.

Twenty-five Minnesota settlements are reported in Red River 

basin. Eleven are supplied with ground water, five with surface 

water, and six are equipped with sanitary sewerage.
EED ETVER BASIN. 135

Ada, Norman County. On Marsh Kiver, which is at this point connected with Wild Rice River by a ditch. Water supply is obtained 

from two 2-inch tubular wells, 265 feet deep, driven through clay to 

water-bearing sand. Sewerage system discharges into Marsh River. 

Ice supply is cut from "Long Lake," a part of the ditch joining the 

two rivers. Garbage is hauled to a dumping ground outside the 

village.

Argyle, Marshall County. On Middle River, 10 miles above its 

entrance into Snake River. No waterworks or sewerage. Ice supply 

is cut from Middle River. Some garbage is fed to hogs and the remainder is taken to the village dumping grounds.

Audubon, Becker County. On Audubon Lake. No waterworks or 

sewerage. Ice supply is cut from Audubon Lake and other small 

lakes in the vicinity.

Bamesville, Clay County. On south branch of Buffalo River. No 

waterworks or sewerage system. Ice supply is cut from a pond 

formed by damming a neighboring creek. Garbage is burned or 

hauled away at intervals.

Black Duck, Beltrami County. -On Black Duck River at the outlet 

of Black Duck Lake. Water supply for fire protection is taken from 

two 4-inch wells about 90 feet deep in the drift. Ice supply is cut 

from a small lake near the village. No sewerage. Garbage is hauled 

to the village dumping ground.

Breckenridge, Wilkin County. At point where Ottertail and Bois de 

Sioux rivers unite to form Red River. Water supply is taken without filtration from Ottertail River near the upper edge of the town. 

Ice supply is cut from Ottertail River. A combined sewerage system 

discharges into Ottertail River. Garbage is carted to the village 

dump.

Crookston, Polk County. On Red Lake River 50. miles above its 

entrance into Red River. Water supply is taken unfiltered from Red 

Lake River 1 mile above the center of the city. Deep-well water is 

also furnished by a separate system over a limited area. Ice supply 

is cut from Red Lake River. A combined storm and sanitary sewerage discharges into Red Lake River below the city. Garbage is 

removed to the village dumping ground and burned.

Detroit, Becker County. On Pelican River near Detroit Lake. 

Water supply is obtained from a shallow well dug in sand. Ice supply 

is cut from Detroit Lake. No sewerage. Garbage is removed to the 

municipal dumping ground.

East Grand Forks, Polk County. On Red Lake River at its confluence with Red River opposite Grand Forks, N. Dak. A system of 

waterworks is under construction. Part of the village is at present 

supplied from the public system of Grand Forks. Ice supply is cut
136 QUALITY OF SUEFACE WATERS IN" MINNESOTA.

from Red River, from Red Lake River, and from Maple Lake. Garbage is irregularly hauled outside the village limits.

Fargo, Cass County, N. Dak. Opposite Moorhead, on Red River. 

Water supply is taken from Red River without filtration. Ice supply 

is cut from Red River. The combined sewerage system empties into 

the same body of water.

Fergus Falls, Ottertail County. On Ottertail River 40 miles above 

its confluence with Bois de Sioux River. Water supply is taken 

unfiltered from Ottertail River at a point 1 mile above the center of 

the city. Ice supply is cut from Ottertail River. A combined sewerage system discharges into Ottertail River. Some garbage is hauled 

from the city and some is used for grading. The Third State Hospital 

for the Insane, 1,500 inmates, is situated about 1 mile north of the 

center of the city. The hospital is at present supplied with city water 

and is connected with the city sewers.

Fertile, Polk County. On Sand Hill River 30 miles below Fosston. 

Water supply is obtained from a 6-inch well 250 feet deep, passing 

through sand 10 feet, clay 30 feet, gravel 210 feet. Ice supply is cut 

from Sand Hill River. No sewerage. Garbage is hauled to the village 

dumping ground and buried.

Fosston, Polk County. On Sand Hill River, 30 miles above Fertile. 

Water supply is obtained from a dug well, 40 feet deep by 20 feet in 

diameter. Ice supply is taken from lakes near the village. No 

sewerage. No regular garbage disposal.

Frazee, Becker County. On Ottertail River, 60 miles above Fergus 

Falls. No waterworks. Ice supply is cut from Carow Lake, 1 mile 

east of the village. Garbage is commonly removed to the village 

dumping ground.

Graceville, Bigstone County. Water supply is obtained from a deep 

well. No report on sewerage. Ice supply is cut from Bigstone Lake. 

Garbage is burned or hauled outside the village limits.

Grand Forks, Grand Forks County, North Dakota. On Red River, 

at its confluence with Red Lake River. Water supply is taken from 

Red Lake River at its entrance into Red River. The water is purified 

by a slow sand-filtration plant having a capacity of 1,000,000 gallons a 

day. Ice supply is cut from Maple Lake and Red River. A combined sewerage system empties into Red River. The University of 

North Dakota and Wesleyan University are located near the city.

Hallock, Kittson County. On Two Rivers about 10 miles in a 

direct line above its entrance into Red River. Water supply is taken 

from the river unfiltered. Ice supply is cut from Two Rivers. No 

sewerage. Garbage is hauled to the village dumping grounds.

Herman, Grant County. A short distance north of the South Fork 

of Mustinka River. Water supply is obtained from a 6-inch tubular 

well, 122 feet deep, penetrating the following strata:
BED EIVEE BASIN. 137

Log of well at Herman, Grant County.

Feet. 

Black loam................................................................ 2

Yellow clay............................................................... 17

Blue clay containing small bowlders ...................................... 40

Hardpan................................................................... 1

Blue clay and quicksand ................................................... 60

Water-bearing gravel........................................................ 2

The village lias no public sewerage.

Lake Park, Becher County. On Lake Flora, which is connected 

with Buffalo River. Water supply is obtained from an 8-inch well, 

350 feet deep, which passes through the following strata:

Log of well at Lake Park, Keeker County.

FeetLoam...................................................................... 3

Yellow clay............................................................... 130

Blue clay.................................................................. 60

Hardpan................................................................... 10

Gravel..................................................................... 20

Hardpan................................................................... 118

Quicksand................................................................ 6

Gravel..................................................................... 3

Ice supply is cut from Lakes Labella and Boyer, near the-village. 

No sewerage.

Moorhead, Clay County. On Red River 97 miles below its head. 

Water supply is taken from Red River unfiltered; ice supply from 

Red River and Detroit Lake. A combined sewerage system discharges into Red River. Garbage is commonly hauled to the city 

dumping grounds. A State normal school, 500 pupils, and Concordia 

College, 400 pupils, are situated in Moorhead.

Pelican Rapids, Ottertail County. On Pelican River. No waterworks; storm sewerage; ice supply from Pelican River.

PerJiam, Ottertail County.- Near Ottertail River. Ice supply is cut 

from Little Pine Lake and Ottertail River. Water supply for fire 

protection is taken from one large well. No sewerage.

Red Lake Falls, Red Lake County. On Red Lake River at its confluence with Clearwater River. No waterworks or sewerage. Ice 

suppty is cut from Red Lake River. Garbage is hauled to the public 

dumping ground and buried.

St. Hilaire, Red Lake County. -On Red Lake River 50 miles above 

Red Lake Falls. No waterworks or sewerage. Ice supply is cut from 

Red Lake River. Garbage is hauled to the village dumping ground.

Thief River Falls, Red Lake County. -On Red Lake River about 50 

miles below Red Lake. No waterworks or sewerage. Ice supply is 

taken from Red Lake River below the entrance of Thief River. 

Garbage is regularly removed during the summer.
138 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

Wahpeton, Eichland County, North Dakota. Opposite Breckenridge at confluence of Ottertail and Bois de Sioux rivers. Water and 

ice supply from Ottertail River. No report on sewerage. Garbage 

hauled outside the city limits.

'Warren, Marshall County. On Snake River. Water supply is 

taken from an 8-inch artesian well, 200 feet deep, sunk through clay, 

hardpan, and sand. Ice supply is cut from Snake River above the 

dam. No sewerage. Garbage is regularly removed to the village 

dumping ground and buried during the summer months.

Wheaton, Traverse County. On Mustinka River. Water supply is 

obtained from two wells, one 8 feet square by 150 feet deep, curbed 

with plank, the other 4 inches in diameter by 180 feet deep, with an 

iron casing. Ice supply is taken from a small creek entering Mustinka 

River. Garbage is burned at the village dumping ground. A combined sewerage system discharges into Mustinka River.

RAI1STY RIVER BASIN.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

The Rainy River basin, lying along the northern boundary, is more 

thinly settled and less fully explored than any other part of the State. 

A chain of lakes forms the international boundary from North Lake, in 

the northeastern part of Cook County, to Rainy Lake. Rainy River 

runs westward along the border to Lake of the Woods, which is connected with Hudson Bay by Nelson River. The area is bounded on 

the north by the Dominion of Canada, on the east by the Laurentian 

basin, on the south by Mississippi Valley, and on the west by Red 

River drainage area. It includes the northern parts of Cook, Lake, 

St. Louis, Itasca, and Beltrami counties, comprising an area of 9,675 

square miles.a It is in large part covered with pine forests, but contains many large swamps, which by artificial drainage will become 

productive lands. The principal tributary of the Rainy River system 

is Vermilion River, which rises in Vermilion Lake, a large body of 

water of very irregular form, not very deep, situated in the northcentral part of St. Louis County, 011 the western edge of the Vermilion 

iron-bearing district, at an elevation of about 1,330 feet above sea 

level. From a northern arm of this lake Vermilion River runs northward, with numerous falls and rapids, to Crane Lake, and empties into 

one of the chain of lakes forming the northern boundary. Other 

important tributaries are Bowstring River, which enters Rainy River 

about 15 miles below Rainy Lake and drains much of Itasca County, 

and Little Fork River, which enters Rainy River a short distance 

above Bowstring River.

» Hall, C. W., Geography and geology of Minnesota, vol. 1, p. 151, Minneapolis, Minn., 1903.
RAINY RIVER BASIN. 139

INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION.

At present there is in this area practically no pollution of rivers from 

industries. One brewery and two sawmills are located at Tower, on 

the shore of Tower Bay, an arm of Vermilion Lake. Koochiching, now 

a frontier village at International Falls, near the outlet of Rainy Lake, 

is likely to become a manufacturing center and may sometime be the 

site of important industries. Near Tower and at Ely there are large 

shaft mines from which considerable water is pumped. This drainage 

is unimportant and will probably never cause any trouble.

MUNICIPAL POLLUTION.

As previously stated, Rainy River basin is the most thinh^ settled 

area in the State. The following table shows the distribution of 

population:

TABLE 74. Population of Rainy River basimn Minnesota.

County.

Population.

U. S. I II. S. State

census, census, census,

1890. 1900. 1905.

100

4,879

(a)

4,979 16,484

3,504

1,985

13,593

238

762

22,082

a Given in county popula«ion.

TABLE 75. Density of population in Rainy River basin in Minnesota. 

[Drainage area, !l,675 square miles.]

Area considered.

Entire basin in Minnesota.. 

Excluding chief settlements.

Inhabitants per square 

mile.

1890. 1900. 1905.

0.5 

.3

More than half the inhabitants of this basin live in the Vermilion 

district of St. Louis County, and most of them are concentrated at 

Ely and Tower. The pollution from population is therefore inappreciable, except, possibly, in the vicinity of these two places. Ely, a 

city of 4,045'inhabitants, is on Long Lake, to which its sewage goes. 

Tower, with 1,340 inhabitants, is on a bay connected with Vermilion 

Lake. The rapid growth of population in this section and the advantages it presents to settlers indicate that it will soon be as thickly 

inhabited as any farming section of the State. 

IRR 193 07 10
140 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATEES IN MINNESOTA 

QUALITY OF WATER.

Very few chemical or bacteriological examinations of the water in 

this basin have been ir.ade, and not much is known regarding its quality. Since the rocks of this region are hard and insoluble, and the 

drift is largely derived from granite, schists, and slates, it is fair to 

presume that the waters will not be extremely hard. Samples were 

collected from Tower Bay and Vermilion Lake, outside Tower Bay, 

near Tower, as well as from the head and the foot of Long Lake and 

from over the waterworks intake at Ely. Analyses of these are given 

in Table 76.

The whaler of TowTer Bay shows a higher color than that of the main 

lake, but in other respects it is much the same. B. coli communis was 

isolated once from the water of Tower Bay. This was in the spring, 

when flood conditions prevailed, after the ice had gone out. The bacterial count was generally low. The wT ater of Long Lake at Ely is 

soft. It contains little matter that could be called incrusting, but its 

colour makes the use of a coagulant desirable in its purification.

NOTES ON MUNICIPALITIES.

Ely, St. Louis County. On south shore of Long Lake. Water supply is taken from Long Lake and purified by a Continental Jewell 

filter, with alum coagulant supplemented by a large sedimentation 

tank. Ice supply is cut from Long LaKe. Sewerage discharges into 

Long Lake. Garbage is regularly removed to the village dumping 

ground and burned.

Soudan, St. Louis County. Near Tower. No waterworks or sewerage. Ice supply is cut from a small pond. Garbage is hauled outside the village limits.

Tower, St. Louis County. On shore of Tower Bay, an arm of Vermilion Lake. Water supply for fire protection is taken from a small 

creek running through town. Ice supply is cut from East Two 

Rivers. No sewerage. Garbage is hauled to the village dumping 

ground.

MISSOURI RIVER BASIN.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

In the southwest corner of .the State, parts of Pipestone, Rock, 

Murray, Jackson, Lincoln, and Nobles counties are drained by streams 

tributary to Missouri River, principally by Rock River. This stream 

has its source in Etna Township, Pipestone County, flows southward, 

and enters Big Sioux River near Calliope, Iowa. Little Sioux River 

has its source near Lakefield, Jackson County, flows southwestward 

across Iowa, and discharges into Missouri River near River, Iowa.
TABLE 76. Quality of water in Rainy R

[Parts per million.]

Locality and source.

Tower Bay: 

At Tower&. .......................

Do. 6..........................

Do.b... .......................

Vermilion Lake: 

At Tower 6 .......................

Do. &. .........................

Long Lake at Ely:

Do. t>. .............. ...........

Do.c. .........................

Do. *>... .......................

Do. 6. ........................

Do.e. .........................

Do. 6. .........................

Do. 6. .........................

Date.

Nov. 30,1903

Feb. 5,1904

May 10,1904

Feb. 5,1904

May 10,1904

Sept. 17,1904

Feb. 6,1904

Mav 9,1904

Sept. 18, 1904

Feb. 0, 1904

June 5, 1904

Aug. 15,1904

Dec. 1, 1903

Feb. 0,1904

May 9, 1904

Sept. 18,1904

Color.

324

148

00

74

50

40

50

40

44

50

44

15

40

44

40

Odor.

3v

2v

2v

2v

0

0

Iv

0

0

2M

Turbidity.

13

<7

12

<7

<~

>-'7

<~

<1

<7

<7

<7

<7

11

Chlorine.

.3

.2

.3

.7

.3

.2

.9

.3

Sulphate 

radielo.

0

0

0

0

0

0

Trace.

6

0

0

Total 

alkalinity.

18

23

22

20

25

27

25

20

27

Total 

hardness.

51

30

41

3fi

44

36

37

99

28

42

28

« Bacteriological examinations by Dr. E. II. Beckman.

b Nitrogen and chlorine determinations by II. C. Carel; other determinations by K. B.Dole
142 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA. 

MUNICIPAL POLLUTION.

This is in general a farming area, with only small trading centers. 

The population is shown in Table 77.

TABLE 77. Population in Missouri River basin in Minnesota.

Population.

Rock. ...........................-.....-..........--..----..---..--....-..

1890.

5,132

1,139

6,817

631

3,979

820

24,518

1900.

8,941

1,793

9,668

1,103

7,466

1,304

30,195

1905.

9,339

1,998

9,729

1,648

7,528

1,306

31,348

TABLE 78. Density of population in Missouri River basin in Minnesota. 

[Drainage area, 1,550 square miles.a]

Population per square 

mile.

1890.

15.8

13.6

1900.

19.5

15.6

1905.

20.2

16.1

a Hall, C. W., op. cit., p. 151. 

NOTES ON MUNICIPALITIES.

Adrian, Nobles County. On Kanaranzi Creek, 15 miles above its 

entrance into Kock River. Water supply is obtained from a large 

well, ice supply from Kanaranzi Creek. No sewerage. Manure is 

hauled to adjacent farms; other combustible rubbish is usually burned.

Ldkefield, Jackson County. On Little Sioux River a near its head. 

Water supply is derived from an 8-inch tubular well, 185 feet deep, 

passing through black loam 2 feet, yellow clay 42 feet, sand 2 feet, 

blue clay hardpan 130 feet, sand 9 feet. Ice supply is cut from Heron 

Lake. No sewerage. Manure is regularly hauled to the village 

dumping ground. House garbage is privately collected and fed to 

hogs.

Luverne, Rock County. On Rock River. Water supply is taken 

from a well in the river bottom, 22 feet deep by 20 feet in diameter, 

stoned and cemented and covered by a wooden roof. It passes through 

top soil 2 feet, clay 5 feet, gravel 6 feet, quicksand 7 feet. Ice supply 

is cut from Rock River above the city. Sanitary sewerage discharges 

into Rock River. Garbage is hauled to the village dumping ground 

below the city.

Pipestone, Pipestone County. Near Pipestone Creek, which flows 

southward into Sioux River. Water supply is obtained from two

a Geol. Nat. Hist. Survey Minnesota, Final Rept., vol. 6, PI. XIX,
DES MOINES EIVER BASIN. 143

wells in the city; one 6 inches in diameter by 200 feet deep, entering 

rock at 30 feet; the other 8 inches in diameter by 365 feet deep, 

entering rock at about the same depth. Ice supply is cut from a small 

lake on the neighboring Indian reservation and from Pipestone Creek. 

Garbage is hauled to the village dumping ground.

13 ES MOHSTES RIVER BASIN. 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Des Moines River basin in Minnesota is situated near the southern 

border of the State. The river has its source in two branches, which 

flow southward, uniting near Humboldt, Iowa; thence it flows southeastward across Iowa to Mississippi River near Keokuk. The east 

fork rises in Jay Township, Martin County, and flows through Tuttle 

Lake into Iowa. The west fork, which is much larger and longer, has 

its source in Rainy Township, Pipestone County, on the east slope of 

the Dakota foothills, and flows thence generally southeastward into 

Iowa, draining parts of Murray, Nobles, Cottonwood, and Jackson 

counties. It is a fairly swift stream about 100 feet wide and 5 to 6 

feet deep.

MUNICIPAL POLLUTION.

Des Moines River basin in Minnesota is a well-settled portion of the 

State, comprising general farming districts and a few manufacturing 

and trading centers.

TABLE 79. Population of Des Moines River basin in Minnesota.

County.

U. S. 

Census, 

1890.

8,104

1,642

6,061

3,979

22, 186

U. S. 

Census, 

1900.

4,234

13, 489

2,779

10,808

7,466

38, 776

State 

census, 

1905.

13,572

2,926

10,069

7, 528

38,383

TABLE 80. Density of population in Des Moines River basin in Minnesota. 

[Drainage area, 1,847 square miles.a]

Population per square 

mile.

1890.

12.0 

10.5

1900.

21.0 

17.7

1905.

20.8 

17.5

o Hall, C. W., op. cit., p. 151.
144 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATEES IN MINNESOTA.

TABLE 81. Chief settlements m Des Homes River basin in Minnesota.

Population. 

Locality.

Jackson.

1890. 1900. 1905.

720 1,756 1,776

Windom....................................................................... 835 944 1,884

Worthington.................................................................. 1,164 ' 2,386 | 2,276

5,936

NOTES ON MUNICIPALITIES.

Fulda, Murray County. Near Sevenmile Lake, now usually called 

Fulda Lake. Water supply is obtained from a well 230 feet deep, 

entering rock. Ice supply is cut from Sevenmile Lake. No sewerage. Garbage is irregularly hauled outside the village.

Heron Lake, Jackson County. Near north end of Heron Lake, 

which is connected by a small lake with Des Moines River. No 

waterworks or sewerage. Ice supply is cut from Heron Lake. 

Garbage is dumped on the ground about 1 mile from the village.

Jackson, Jackson County. On Des Moines River. Water supply 

is obtained from a well dug in gravel, 20 feet square by 20 feet deep, 

and walled with brick. There is also an emergency connection with 

Des Moines River. Garbage is removed to the village dumping 

ground. A combined sewerage system discharges into Des Moines 

River.

Slayton, Murray County. On Beaver Creek. Water supply is 

obtained from one 8-inch well, 205 feet deep, sunk through hardpan, 

clay, and gravel. Ice supply is cut from Badger Lake. The village 

is equipped with storm and sanitary sewerage. Garbage is removed 

to a dumping ground outside the village.

Windom, Cottonwood County. On Des Moines River. Water supply is procured from wells. One is an 8-inch well, 280 feet deep. 

There is also a shallow dug well, 20 feet deep, in the bottom of which 

about thirteen 3-inch points have been driven to a depth of 60 feet 

in the gravel. Ice supply is cut from Des Moines River above the 

dam. No sewerage. Garbage is commonly hauled to adjacent farms.

Worthington, Nobles County. On Lake Okabena. Water supply is 

obtained from four driven wells 60 feet deep, three of which are 

10 inches and one 8 inches in diameter. At the time of an investigation of the city supply in 1905 a connection existed between the 

reservoir, into which the well water was discharged, and a cistern 

that held water coming from a trench or collecting gallery on the 

shore of Lake Okabena. Ice supply is cut from Lake Okabena. A 

combined sewerage system discharges into a small creek that runs 

northward from the city. No systematic garbage disposal.
QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA. 145

CEDAR RIVER BASIN.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Cedar River rises in Hayfield Township, Dodge County, and flows 

southward across Mower County into Iowa; then, turning slightly to 

the east, it flows across that State to Mississippi River. It drains 

parts of Dodge, Mower, and Freeborn counties.

MUNICIPAL POLLUTION.

TABLE 82. Population of Cedar River basin in Minnesota.

County.

Total ....................................................................

Population.

1890.

1,974 

13,077 

13,313

28, 364

1000.

2, 444

16, 059 

16,715

35, 228

1905.

2,342 

16, 843 

21,385

40, 570

TABLE 83. Density of population in Cedar River basin in Minnesota. 

[Drainage area, 1,165 square miles.a]

Inhabitants per square 

mile.

1900. ' 1905.

34.8

24.4

a Hall, 0. W., op. cit., p. 151.

Austin, one of the important cities of the State, situated on Cedar 

River, about 20 miles above the Iowa boundary, discharges its sewage 

directly into the stream. Albert Lea, in Freeborn County, on Shellrock River, a tributary of Cedar River, also discharges its sewage into 

the stream. No analyses of surface waters were made in Cedar River 

basin during the cooperative work.

NOTES ON MUNICIPALITIES.

Albert Lea, Freeborn County. Near the upper end of Lake Albert 

Lea, which is drained b}T Shell Rock River. Water supply is procured from an artesian well 650 feet deep. a Ice supply from Fountain Lake above the city. No report on sewerage.

en. Kept. Minnesota State Bd. Health, 1899-1900, p. 172.
146 QUALITY OP SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

Austin, Mower County. On Cedar River. Water supply is obtained from five drilled wells one 150 feet, one 400 feet, and three 

600 feet deep passing through the following strata:

Log of well at Austin, Mower County.

Feet.

Drift...................................................................... 35

Limestone................................................................ 132

Shale..................................................................... 2

Limestone. . . . . . . ......................................................... 306

Shale..................................................................... 25

Sandstone.................................................................. 100

The supply of the deeper wells is probably derived from the "St. 

Peter 7 ' sandstone. There is also an emergency connection with 

Cedar River. Ice supply is cut from Cedar River. Separate storm 

and sanitary sewerage discharge into Cedar River. Garbage is 

removed to the public dumping ground. The Southern Minnesota 

Normal College and School of Commerce, with 100 to 700 pupils, is 

situated at Austin.

Blooming Prairie, Steele County. Near the west fork of Cedar River. 

Water supply is procured from a 10-inch tubular well, 244 feet deep, 

which is sunk about 100 feet in the rock. Ice supply is cut from 

Cedar River. Public sewerage. Part of the garbage is carted outside the village limits.

Glenville, Freeborn County. On Shell Rock River. No waterworks or sewerage. Ice supply is taken from Shell Rock River.

MUNICIPAL WATER SUPPLIES.

EXTENT OF PUBLIC SUPPLIES.

In order to ascertain the extent to which surface waters are used 

for public supplies in Minnesota, inquiries were made in over 200 of 

the principal settlements of the State. Nearly 50 per cent of this 

information was obtained by visits to the municipalities. The 

remainder was derived from statements signed by the city or village 

clerk and by the superintendent of waterworks where there is one. 

It is believed that fairly accurate information has thus been gained 

concerning the condition of the water supplies before July, 1905. 

The results of the inquiry are summarized in the accompanying 

tables. Table 84 comprises towns supplied with ground water. In 

the last column it is noted whether there is an emergency connection with an adjacent surface supply. Table 85 gives the names of 

places having surface supplies, the source of the water, and, under 

"Remarks," pertinent observations regarding some supplies. Table 

86 gives the names of settlements that were reported to be without 

public waterworks at the close of the inquiry (July, 1905). Hender-
MUNICIPAL WATER SUPPLIES. 147

son, Jordan, and Olivia are the only important settlements that 

failed to report on waterworks. Table 87 comprises places that 

have public supplies whose source is not reported.

TABLE 84. Places having ground-water supplies.

Locality. Source of supply.

to sand.

Alden 1 deep well

Depth. ^wen? 1" °f Remarks.

265 feet 2 inches

100 foet a .......

Alexandria ........ Dug well ..................... 30 feet .......... 

Applet on . . . ' 1 well -_... - - - .....'.... . .........

Belle Plaine.......

Black Duck........

Blue Earth ........ 

Browns Vallej' ....

1 well.........................

1 tubular well ................

Dug well through clay into 

gravel. 

2 driven wells. ...............

2 drilled wells; supply from 

sandstone.

1 drilled well; supply from 

sandstone.

1 driller! wpll

Chaska 1 driller! well

Detroit............

Fertile.............

Fort Snelling......

Fosston.. .. .

Fulda.............

Glencoe ............

Hector.. ..........

Jackson . ..........

Janesville ......... 

Kasson. ...........

Kenyon

1 drilled well; supply from 

rock. 

1 flowing well through clay 

into gravel.

(One 150 feet..... 

<mne 400 feet.....

[Three 600 feet . .

12 feet a .....

20 feet ......

(One 7J inches 

<Four 11| m- 

[ ches ......

106 feet. ........ Scinches....

285 feet .........

90 feet.......... 

244 feet .........

1375 feet.........

140 feet

8 inches. .... 

9 feet square

4 inches. .... 

10 inches. . . . 

6 inches. ....

8 inches..... 

. .do. ...

28 feet .... ..... . .

640 feet

96 feet... .......

800 feet .........

\2 surface wells . ... 700 feet . .

1 well through clay into gravel.

sandstone. 

1 dug well through clay into 

sand.

1 drilled well; supply from 

sandstone.

^50 feet

1,728 feet........

1 deep well ' 740 feet

... .do ... ' 4?0 feet.

1 tubular well through clay 

into gravel. 

Dug well; old prospecting 

shaft. 

1 drilled well.................

1 dug well in alluvial gravel . .

1 well; supply from gravel . . . 

1 well drilled in rock. ......... 

1 shallow well . . .

122 feet

KiO feet

75 feet .......... 

200 feet ......... 

25 feet.

8 inches .... 

6 inches

3 inches. ....

6 inches. ....

20 feet ......

8 inches. ....

.....do......

10 inches. . . . 

20 feet 

square.

3 inches. .... 

8 inches.....

Lake Benton ...... 1 well ......... ...... .... .. ....... ......

Lake City ...... 1 dn? well in sanrl

Lake Crystal ...... 

Lakefield ..........

Lanesboro

1 tubular well ... . . . ... 185 feet ... . . .

1 well; supply from gravel . . . 

A snriner in side of bluff 3 fppt.

i

8 inches.....

8 inches..... 

8 inches..... 

30 feet 

square.

Auxiliarj' supply 

from State ditch.

Connection with 

Pomme de Terre 

River.

Chiefly used for 

fire protection.

Connection with 

Des M o i n e s 

River.

Emergency connection with 

Lake Pepin. 

For fire purposes 

only. 

Supply from sand.

' Bien. Rept. Minnesota State Bd. Health, 1899-1900, pp. 168-204.
148 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

TABLE 84. Places having ground-water supplies Continued.

Locality.

Luverne ...........

McKinley..........

Montgomery ...... 

Monticello. ........

Mountain Lake. . . .

New Ulm

Northfleld.........

North St. Paul....

Paynesville

Source of supply. Depth Dia elL r °f Remarks.

668 feet ......... 8 inches.....

Driven wells in gravel ...' 42 feet __ . ....

2 dug wells; masonry lining . .

1 well dug in quicksand . ..... 

Driven points in gravel on 

shore of lake.

Dug wells

1 artesian well in rock, 1 deep 

well, 1 dug well 40 feet deep 

by 12 feet in diameter with 

2 driven points in it. 

1 tubular well; supply from 

sandstone. 

Collecting galleries in a gully 

north of town.

1 well through blue clay. ..... 

1 drilled well . ................ 

1 driven well .................

5 driven wells in sand and 

gravel.

1 dug well; stone curbing. . . . . 

1 well .........................

6 drilled wells; supply from 

sandstone.

1 drilled well; supply from 

sandstone. 

1 well

f20 feet ..........

22 feet. ......... 20 feet ......

5 inches.... . 

6 inches

650 feet .......................

265 feet a 1

(410 feet ........

190 feet ..........

105 feet .........

238 feet ......... 

237 feet ......... 

210 feet .........

4 inches.. .. . 

9 inches..... 

6 inches .....

10 inches. . .. 

8 inches..... 

10 inches....

10 feet

300 feet .........

640 feet. ........

3(10 feet .... i

5 drilled wells in rock; 1 dug One 650 feet, 

well 20 feet by 27 feet. ' one 90 feet, 

three 120 feet.

4 tubnla.r wells 80 f eet _ _ . . .....

Perham . . . . 11ararewp.il.. ... .. .............

Redwood Falls ....

Rush City .........

St. Charles ........

Sandstone. ........

Sleepy Eye

South St. Paul. ...

South Stillwater . .

2 wells entering rock at 30 feet .

2 drilled wells; supply from 

sandstone.

1 tubular well in gravel ......

1 well through clay into sand. 

Bricked well in gravel and 

driven points (large well) .

1 drilled well; supply from 

sandstone. 

1 well; supply from sandstone.

(1 dug well . ...................

\1 drilled well in the rock. ..... 

2 wells drilled in sandstone. . .

J200 feet ........

8 inches..... 

Three 8 

inches , 

two 6 

inches , 

one 10 

i nc he s .

Sinches..... 

26 feet ......

(8 inches ..... 

^5 inches..... 

[8 inches..... 

3 inches.....

6 inches..... 

Sinches..... 

44 inches. . . .

187 feet .........

20 feet .......... _ ..........

8 inches..... 

12 feet ......

230 feet 8 inches .

30 feet ..........

942 feet. ........

(185 feet. ........

30 feet ......

Sinches.....

\385feet. ........ lOinches.... 

40 feet .......... ..............

350 feet .........

flSOfeet . ........

9(1(1 fpet o

Sinches..... 

10 inches.... 

12 inches....

1 tubular well 205 feet S inches .

Dug well with casing in bottom driven to rock. 

Artesian wells

20 feet ..........

Dug and stoned well con- 25 feet .......... 

nected with a brook.

20 feet ......

20 feet ......

See p. 122.

For fire protection 

only.

Emergency c o nnection to Chippewa River.

Iron collects in 

mains. 

Emergency connection with a 

lake.

) 120-foot wells in 

> bottom of dug 

J well.

For fire protection

Inclosed with rock 

and covered.

Connection with 

Redwood River.

Emergency connection with 

Bear Creek. 

Fire protection 

only. 

O b jec t ion able 

odor.

1 Dug well for boiler 

/ use only.

Supply from sand 

and gravel.

For fire protection 

only.

oBien. Kept. Minnesota State Bd. Health, 1899-1900, pp. 168-204.
MUNICIPAL WATER SUPPLIES. 149

TABLE 84. Places having ground-water supplies Continued.

Locality.

Warren

AVaterville

Worthington ......

Source of supply.

Iwell.. .......................

1 drilled well .................

sand.

1 drilled well .................

Wolla

1 dug, 1 drilled, and 13 driven

wells. 

Iwell.........................

gravel and sand. 

4 driven wells ................

Depth.

28 feet ..........

750 feet .........

500 feet .........

22 feet ..........

200 feet .........

J400 feet .........

\1,000 feet .......

QQQ feet

600 feet ........

(150 feet. ........

[Thirteen 60 feet.

239 feet .........

60 feet .......... 

210 feet .........

Diameter of

well.

f 8 inches.....

\12 inches....

18 feet by 8

/ feet 4 inches

14 feet ......

3 inches.. .. .

50 feet ......

Three 1 0 

inche s , 

one 8 

inches.

Remarks.

from Lake McKusick. See p. 95.

nection with Silver Lake.

only.

low well.

Mississippi 

River.

«Bien. Rept. Minnesota State Bd. Health, 1901-2, p. 327. 

TABLE 85. Places having surface water supplies.

Locality.

Ely....................

Fairmont ..............

Granite Falls.. ........ 

Hallock................

Red Wing. ............ 

St. Cloud..............

St. Paul. ...... ........

Walker................

Source of supply.

Ottertail River.......

Lake Budd. ..........

Minnesota River. .... 

Two Rivers ..........

Mississippi River.....

Small lakes ...........

Ely Lake.............

Filtered.

No......

No......

No......

No.....

No .....

No .....

Yes

No.....

No..... 

No.....

No.....

No..... 

No.....

No.....

No.....

No.....

No.....

No .....

No.....

No .....

No.....

No.....

No. .... 

No.....

No.....

No .....

No.....

No.....

Remarks.

So-called filter of no practical value.

Do.

Do.

For fire protection only.

Auxiliary supply from artesian wells. See 

p. 110.
150 QUALITY OP SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

TABLE 86. Settlements having no public water supply.

Argyle. Farmington. Sauk Rapids.

Audubon. Frazee. Scanlon.

Buffalo. Glenville. Shakopee.

Carlton. Hastings. Soudan.

Clareinont. Heron Lake. St. Hilaire.

Cloquet. North Branch. St. Louis Park.

Cokato. Ottawa. Staples.

Dakota City. Pelican Rapids. Taylors Falls.

Dodge Center. Pine City. Thief River Falls.

East Grand Forks. Proctorknott. Waconia.

Elk River. Red Lake Falls. Wabasha.

Excelsior. Royalton. West St. Paul.

TABLE 87. Places whose source of supply is not reported.

Akely. Chisholm. Westbrook. 

Canby. New London. West Concord.

Several interesting facts are revealed by these tables. Possibly the 

most striking one is that only 15 settlements, with a population 

exceeding 1,000, according to the census of 1900, are without public 

water supplies. The next is that less than 25 per cent of the supplies 

are surface waters; while correlative with this seeming preponderance 

of ground supplies is the fact that St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Duluth, 

the three largest cities in the State, use surface water, except that 

the St. Paul system is provided with auxiliary wells. Among cities 

of moderate size those in the southern or older part of the State are 

generally supplied from wells, and those in the northern, or more 

recently settled part, are generally supplied from lakes or streams.

DEVELOPMENT OF WATERWORKS.

In the natural development of communities water supply is now 

one of the first public utilities to be considered. Many things which 

were once looked upon as luxuries are to-day necessities, and water 

available for use in the house and in the streets ranks high in this list. 

When, therefore, a newly established village is obliged to install 

waterworks in order to obtain reasonable insurance rates, an adjacent 

river or lake is seized upon as the most convenient source of supply 

for fire protection. When, subsequently, the householder desires to 

have running water in his dwelling, he discovers that the water of the 

river or lake is colored, turbid, or so polluted that it is undesirable. 

Since color and turbidity are the most obvious troubles they are avoided 

by the use of shallow wells in the line of seepage to the lake or stream. 

The householder then finds that the water from these shallow wells is 

invariably harder than the surface water; that it takes an enormous 

amount of soap to wash with it; that steam boilers are corroded or
MUNICIPAL WATER SUPPLIES. 151

scaled by it; and that frequently it contains so much iron that clothing washed in it is rusted and stained. The next move is to explore 

the deeper aquifers for more suitable water, and in regions where it is 

possible to obtain supplies in this manner deep wells are generally 

used as a source of public water. The wells, however, fail to meet 

the increasing demand and connection with the river is made for use 

in emergencies. The supply is then worse than ever from a hygienic 

point of view, for it is never known when the polluted surface water 

is in use or when after its use the pollution introduced into the system 

of pipes has disappeared. By increased consumption of the surface 

water, due to continued growth of urban population, the deep wells 

in turn become the auxiliary supply and are frequently abandoned 

altogether. Finally, the ultimate step of filtering the surface water is 

taken and the city has an abundance of safe, soft water. All settlements do not pass-consecutively through every one of these stages. 

Some places, profiting by the experience of their neighbors, jump at 

once to the final solution of the problem, and some never progress 

beyond the first condition. Cities affording examples of all the different stages of development in water supply are found in Minnesota.

COMPARATIVE VALUE OF SURFACE AND GROUND WATERS.

Many factors other than the age of the settlement have, however, 

influenced a choice between surface and ground supplies. The quantity of water always has been, and doubtless always will be, the chief 

controlling condition. The supply and the demand, present and 

prospective, can be accurately estimated by mechanical contrivances, 

and the results of these measurements, reduced to gallons per day, can 

be comprehended by a majority of the consumers. There must be at 

all times sufficient amount of water and sufficient pressure to afford 

adequate protection in case of fire; sanitary appliances require fixed 

supplies for their proper performance of duty; sprinklers, hydraulic 

elevators, and steam boilers also demand a never-failing quantity; 

therefore the quality of the water is regularly subordinated to the 

quantity. In recent years, however, the quality has been receiving 

more and more attention. It has been demonstrated that certain 

diseases are transmissible by water. It has been shown by experience 

that water acceptable from a hygienic point of view will not be drunk 

if it is muddy, highly colored, or odoriferous. With increased scrutiny of the cost of production in industries, the removal of the hardening constituents of water is receiving more careful attention.

As has been noted in previous pages, very few surface water supplies in Minnesota are well protected against pollution, and many of 

them are therefore likely to become the vehicles for the transportation of pathogenic bacteria. Without engaging in a lengthy discussion of the problem it may be said that many of the shallow wells
152 QUALITY OF SUKFACE WATEES IN MINNESOTA.

used for public service are also exposed to danger of infection and 

that the users of them depend too much on the overtaxed filtration 

power of the surrounding soil or gravel. On the other hand, the deep 

wells, especially those in southern Minnesota, can probably be considered safe from a hygienic standpoint if they are carefully cased. 

Nearly all of the deep driven or drilled wells go through impervious 

strata, which effectually cut off surface drainage and protect the underlying water-bearing beds. Deep-well water is usually more satisfactory in "esthetic" qualities than raw surface water. In the northern 

or forested portion of the State many of the streams are frequently 

so highly colored that their water is undesirable for domestic use in 

its raw condition, and requires careful filtration before it can be made 

suitable for many industries. In the southern or prairie section of 

Minnesota floods scour the easily disintegrated banks of the streams, 

and the resultant muddy water is objectionable. Some of the deepwell waters develop growths of micro-organisms that impart to them 

disagreeable odors or tastes and cause troublesome flocculent deposits 

in pipes. The surface waters are much softer than the ground waters. 

The deep-well waters carry more mineral matter than those of the 

lakes and streams in the same region for many reasons. They remain 

longer and more intimately in contact with the limestones and other 

rocks containing soluble minerals in the strata through which they 

pass. Their solvent action on the minerals with which they come 

in contact is greater than that of surface waters, because of their 

greater content of carbon dioxide, greater pressure, and other differences in physical conditions. In addition they are not so immediately 

subject to dilution by soft running water or by.rains. Since the 

underground waters carry a large amount of scale-forming and corrosive ingredients, the task of procuring good water for use in locomotives and for other steaming purposes is difficult in some parts 

of southern Minnesota. The general employment of deep-well waters 

in laundries and for domestic purposes is not economical, for they 

must be artificially softened before they can be used. The reports 

of waterworks superintendents throughout the State show that in 

the majority of towns supplied with well waters it is necessary to use 

preheaters and boiler compounds to make the water suitable for 

steaming purposes. Soda ash, trisodium phosphate, oils, vegetable 

mixtures, and all kinds of proprietary boiler compounds are commonly employed. In the smaller cities such trouble as this is not so 

serious as absolutely to prohibit the use of hard well water, but in 

the large cities it has been found necessary to provide a soft surface 

water for steaming purposes, because the cost of softening the well 

water would economically prohibit its use. At present the solutions 

of the problem seem to be, on one hand, the filtration of the unpro-
METHODS OF ANALYSIS. 153

tected surface supplies, or, on the other, the adoption of two separate 

systems, with deep-well water for general domestic use and with 

raw lake or stream water for fire protection and industrial use. The 

latter is costly to install and affords a menace to health, since, if 

available, it might lead to the use of an unsafe supply for drinking 

and other domestic purposes.

METHODS OF ANALYSIS.

CHEMICAL EXAMINATIONS. ~"

Field assays. Color, turbidity, iron, chlorine, sulphates, alkalinity, and total hardness were determined according to the methods 

outlined in Water-Supply Paper 151, entitled "Field Assay of Water." 

Odor was determined cold and expressed as outlined in Tables 92 and 

93. The field analyses were all made under cover, either in a hotel 

room or in the office of the local health officer. The determinations 

of color, odor, iron, and turbidity are comparable in accuracy with 

laboratory results obtained by the same procedures. The determination of chlorine is probably least accurate on account of its relatively low percentage in the waters as compared with the strength 

of silver nitrate tablet used. The high color of some samples, error 

in measuring the amount of water used, and the variation in the 

strength of tablet may all be sources of error in the determination 

of alkalinity. These factors may cause a probable error of 5 to 10 

parts per million. In case total sulphates were too low for determination by the turbidimeter, the amount was estimated by the 

cloudiness of the precipitated fluid when held up to the light. Total 

hardness was so low in nearly all cases that the results are comparable with laboratory figures obtained by using soap solution. When 

turbidity was less than 7 on the graduated turbidity rod the expression " <7" has been used.

Laboratory analyses before August, 1904- Samples were collected 

in 2-quart cork-stoppered or 1-gallon glass-stoppered bottles and 

shipped in locked wooden boxes to the laboratory, where they were 

submitted to chemical examination. A few analyses were made 

by Prof. G. B. Frankforter, dean of the chemical department, University of Minnesota, or by Dr. E. H. Beckman, assistant bacteriologist, 

Minnesota State board of health. Standard methods were used in 

the work, and the results are comparable with any laboratory analyses. The greater part of the chemical laboratory work done during 

this period was performed by H. C. Carel, assistant professor of 

medical chemistry, University of Minnesota, who was employed by 

the State board of health to make chemical examinations of water. 

He determined quantitatively chlorine, ammonias, and total hardness according to current methods.
154 QUALITY OF SURFACE WATEES IN MINNESOTA.

Laboratory examinations after August, 1904- The chemical analyses 

made between August 1, 1904, and July 1, 1905, were performed by 

R. B. Dole, assistant hydrographer, United States Geological Survey. 

Color, turbidity, iron, and sulphates were determined according to 

the methods outlined in Water-Supply Paper 151 and circular 9 of 

the hydrographic branch. Since it was believed that the importance 

of the determination of sulphates did not warrant the more laborious 

gravimetric method, the Jackson electric turbidimeter was used in 

nearly all cases. In the determination of iron the samples were boiled 

vigorously with nitric acid in order to insure complete change of the 

iron to the ferric form.

Chlorine, free and albuminoid ammonia, and nitrates were determined according to the methods described by Mason 0 with some 

exceptions. If the chlorine content was less than 5 parts per million, 

250 cubic centimeters of the sample were concentrated on the water 

bath with 1 drop of strong sodium carbonate solution before titration. Albuminoid ammonia was determined on the residue after the 

free ammonia estimate by distilling five 50 cubic centimeter tubes 

after adding a freshly-boiled alkaline permanganate solution. Many 

of the samples were highly colored and were decomposed very slowly 

by the oxidizing agents employed.

Nitrites were determined by the Ilosvay modification of the Greiss 

method: 0.5 gram sulphanilic acid was dissolved in 150 cubic 

centimeters acetic acid (specific gravity 1.04); 0.1 gram naphthylamine hydrochloride was boiled in 20 cubic centimeters of water, 

filtered through a plug of absorbent cotton, diluted to 200 cubic centimeters with acetic acid (specific gravity 1.04), and mixed with the 

sulphanilic acid solution. Five cubic centimeters of this reagent was 

added to 100 cubic centimeter amounts of the waters under examination in beakers and coincidently to appropriate dilutions of a standard 

nitrite solution. By comparison of the colors at the end of twenty 

minutes the amount of nitrites was estimated. Both nitrites and 

nitrates are reported as nitrogen.

Alkalinity was estimated by titrating with N/50 sulphuric acid, 

using methyl orange indicator. Free carbon dioxide was found by 

titrating with N/10 sodium carbonate, using phenolphthalein indicator.

For total solids 100 cubic centimeters of the sample was evaporated 

to dryness on the water bath in a tared platinum dish, dried at 110° C. 

for two hours, cooled, and weighed. For "soluble solids" the total 

residue was extracted fer ten-minute periods with three successive 

portions of 20 cubic centimeters each, of 65 per cent alcohol; after 

each digestion the alcohol was carefully decanted; finally, the residue

« Mason, W. P., Chemical examination of water, 1902.
CHEMICAL AND BACTEKIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS. 155

was dried at 110° C. for one-half hour, cooled, and weighed. This 

process is believed approximately to separate the incrustants from the 

nonincrustants,a for silica, ferric oxide, calcium carbonate, calcium 

sulphate, and magnesium carbonate are practically insoluble in 65 

per cent alcohol. Therefore the difference between the total solids 

and the soluble solids represents approximate!}' the incrustants in the 

sample.

Total hardness was determined by titrating 50 cubic centimeters of 

the properly diluted sample with standard soap solution as described 

by Richards. 6 The mineral content of most of the waters tested is 

so high that the figure representing the so-called "total hardness" is 

practically valueless and frequently does not bear proper relation to 

the other inorganic estimates.

The analytical data are expressed in parts per million. Odor is 

reported as outlined in circular 8 of the hydrographic branch of the 

Survey according to the following tables:

TABLE 88. Description of odor.

v. vegetable. s. sweetish. f. fishy.

g. grassy. o. oily. d. disagreeable.

m. moldy. a. aromatic. p. peaty.

M. musty. e. earthy. H2S. hydrogen sulphide.

TABLE 89. Intensity of odor.

Numer-'

ical 

value.

Term.

None.........

Very faint....

Approximate definition.

No odor perceptible.

An odor that would not be ordinarily detected by the average consumer, but

that could be detected in the laboratory by an experienced observer. 

Faint......... An odor that the consumer might detect if his attention were called to it, but

that would not otherwise attract attention. 

Distinct...... An odor that would be readily detected and that might cause the water to be

regarded with disfavor. 

Decided...... An odor that would force itself upon the attention and that might make the

, water unpalatable. 

Very strong... An odor of such intensity that the water would be absolutely unfit to drink;

a term to be used only in extreme cases.

BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS, c

Collection of samples. All samples were collected in glass-stoppered bottles having a capacity of 300 cubic centimeters. After the 

bottles had been thoroughly washed the stoppers were placed in 

them, a piece of twine was inserted between the stopper and the neck 

of the bottles to prevent the stopper from sticking, a clean cloth

a This procedure has been extensively investigated and employed by the Kennicott Water Softener 

Company, of Chicago, and by Dr. C. B. Dudley, chief chemist, Pennsylvania Lines.

b Richards, E. H., Air, water, and food analysis.

c See also Wesbrook, P. F., Laboratory methods and devices: Proc. Am. Pub. Health Assoc., vol. 30, 

pt. 2, pp. 321-324.

IRR 193 07 11
156 QUALITY OP SURFACE WATERS IN MINNESOTA.

reaching well down on the neck of the bottles was put over the stopper 

and firmly tied to the neck with twine. The bottles thus prepared 

were sterilized by dry heat at a temperature of 160° C. for at least an 

hour. After the samples were collected the stopper was replaced, the 

cloth tied in position, and the sample labeled and taken to a hotel or 

some suitable place for making the plates. All plates were made 

within two hours of the time of collection.

Method of pouring plates. All Petri dishes were wrapped in filter 

paper and sterilized \)\ the same method and for the same length of 

time as the bottles previously mentioned. With a sterile pipette the 

desired amount of water was taken from the above-mentioned bottle 

after thorough shaking and placed in a sterile Petri dish. Tubes of 

plain agar and litmus lactose agar containing about 10 cubic centimeters of the media were melted in a portable water bath and allowed 

to cool nearly to the point of solidification (about 45° C. to 50° C.). 

The cotton plugs of these tubes were burned off in the open flame, the 

plug was removed, the mouth of the tube placed in the flame for a few 

seconds, and the contents of the tubes poured into the Petri dish containing the measured quantity of water. The cover of the Petri dish 

was immediately replaced and the contents of the dish were thoroughly mixed and evenly distributed in the usual manner. After 

the media had solidified, the Petri dish was labeled, replaced in the 

sterile filter paper, and shipped to the laboratory.

Quantity of water used. Usually plain agar plates were made with 

0.5 cubic centimeter and 0.1 cubic centimeter of water and litmus 

lactose plates with 0.5 cubic centimeter of water. These amounts 

were varied as circumstances demanded.

Estimation of average number of colonies. The plain agar plates 

were used as a basis for all colony counts. These plates were incubated at a temperature of 22° C. for fortj^-eight hours after reaching 

the laboratory. Whenever it was possible the total number of colonies on each plate was counted. Otherwise a definite fraction was 

counted and the total number estimated from this count. In computing the average number of colonies from two or more plates containing different amounts of water the following method was used: 

The total number of colonies per cubic centimeter for each plate was 

multiplied by the number of tenths of a cubic centimeter used in making that plate; these amounts were then added and the sum was 

divided by the number of tenths of a cubic centimeter contained in all 

the plates. For example, suppose there were two plates made using 

0.5 cubic centimeter and 0.1 cubic centimeter of water. The total 

number of colonies per cubic centimeter on the plate containing 0.5 

cubic centimeter of water was multiplied by 5. To this amount was 

added the total number of colonies per cubic centimeter on the plate
BACTEEIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS. 157

containing 0.1 cubic centimeter of water and this sum divided by 6 

that is, the number of tenths of a cubic centimeter used in making both 

plates; the result was taken as the average total number of colonies 

per cubic centimeter for this sample of water. Insignificant figures 

were rejected, according to the recommendations of the committee of 

the American Public Health Association on standard methods of 

water analysis. 0

Method of determining the presence of B. coli communis. To tubes 

containing about 1 cubic centimeter of double-strength plain agar 

melted in the water bath and allowed to cool to about the point of 

solidification, there was added 1 cubic centimeter of the water by 

means of a sterile pipette. The tube was then shaken, the mass 

allowed to solidify, and the tube labeled and shipped with the plates 

to the laboratory. Immediately upon its receipt at the laboratory 

the solidified mass was broken up into fine particles with a heavy 

sterile platinum needle and a tube of plain broth added. The mixture was then placed in the incubator. The litmus lactose agar 

plates made from each sample were incubated at 37° C. for twentyfour hours after reaching the laboratory and the total number of 

colonies as well as the acid colonies counted. If there were colonlike-colonies on this plate, they were picked and streaked upon litmus 

lactose agar. If at the end of twenty-four hours this growth taken 

from individual colonies appeared to be pure, resembled B. coli communis under the microscope, and acidified the litmus lactose agar, it 

was further tested. If there were no colonies on the litmus lactose 

agar plate which resembled colon, the tube of plain agar which had 

been incubated for twenty-four hours, was sown into fermentation 

tubes, to which 0.1 per cent phenol had been added, and incubated 

for twenty-four hours longer. If gas formed in this tube, sowings were 

made from it, so that the colon-like organisms could be obtained in 

purity and tested. If no gas formed in the fermentation tube and 

no colon-like colonies appeared on the litmus lactose plate, it was 

reported that B. coli communis was not found in 1 cubic centimeter 

samples. Suspected organisms obtained in pure culture were sown in 

plain broth, Dunham's peptone solution, litmus milk, fermentation 

tubes containing 1 per cent dextrose broth, Loftier's blood serum, plain 

agar, dextrose, maltose, saccharose, and lactose litmusagars and potato. 

Indol was tested at the end of forty-eight hours and the gas reaction 

after the same length of time. In all instances where colon was 

found present its morphological appearance under the microscope 

and its motility were also determined.

a- Proc. Am. Pub. Health Assoc., vol. 30, pt. 2, 1905, p. 84.
INDEX.

A. Page.

Abattoirs, pollution of streams by......... 99

Acknowledgments.......................... 9

Ada, conditions at........................ 135,147

population of........................... 128

water of State ditcli at, analysis of .... 131

Adrian, conditions at..................... 142,147

Agassiz, Lake, evidences of................. 125

formation of............................ 67

Agate Bay, pollution of, by sewage........ 122

Agricultural experiment station. See University of Minnesota. 

Agriculture, extent and character of....... 22-23

Aitkin, conditions at...................... 59,149

fluctuations in river level at............ 14

ice period on river at................... 16

Mud River water near, analyses of-. 50,51,53 

population of........................... 47

typhoid fever at........................ 59

Aitkin County, population of, in Mississippi

River basin..................... 45

population of, in St. Croix River basin.. 90 

Akely, conditions at........................ 60

lumbering at........................... 41

Albert Lea, conditions at................. 145,147

Albert Lea Lake, location of............... 11

Alden, conditions at....................... 80,147

lake water at, analysis of............... 76

Alexander Lake, location of................ 11

Alexandria, conditions at................. 60,147

Lake Carlos water at, analysis of....... 52

Lake Latoka water at, analysis of...... 52

population of........................... 47

Algse, supposed poisonous, in Lake Tetonka. 106 

Algonkian rocks, occurrence of............. 20,38

Altitude. See Elevation.

Amelia, Lake, use of, as ice supply......... 63

Analyses, chemical, methods used in..... 153-155

chemical, of Minnesota soils..... 39,68,88,126

of waters in Minnesota.......... 43,50-53,

58,59,74-75,76-77,78, 92-93,

102, 104, 114, 118, 131, 141

mineral, of waters in Minnesota.... 55,76,133

Andrew, Lake, use of, as ice supply........ 63

Anoka, conditions at...................... 00,149

population of........................... 47

Rum River water near, analyses of. 51,52,53,55 

State asylum at, sewage effluent from,

analysis of...................... 53

sewage-purification plant at........ 34

Anoka County, population of, in Mississippi

River basin..................... 45

population of, in St. Croix River basin. 90 

Apple River, location and drainage area of. 87

Page. 

Apple ton, conditions at................... 80,147

Pomme de Terre River water at, analyses of............................ 76

population of........................... 71

Archean rocks, influence of, on quality of

water........................... f,6

occurrence of........................... 20,38

Argyle, conditions at..................... 135,150

Arthur, J. C., on algse in Lake Tetonka..... 106

Audubon, conditions at.................. 135, l.'O

Audubon Lake, use of, as ice supply........ 1C5

Austin, conditions at..................... 14t>, 147

well at, log of........................... 146

B.

Bacillus coli communis, occurrence of... 50-53,56,

58,73,74-75,79-77,78,93,104,105,114,

117,118,119,120,130,131,132,140,141

presence of, method of determining..... 157

Bacillus typhosus. See Bacteria, typhoid. 

Bacteria, typhoid, persistence of..... 20,27,44.47

Bacteriological examinations, methods used

in ............................. 155-157

Badger Lake, use of, as ice supply.......... 144

Barnesville, conditions at.................. 135

population of........................... 128

Bass Lake, location of...................... 11

use of, as ice supply..................... 110

Basswood Lake, location of................ 11

Bflthgate, N. Dak., Tongue River water at,

analysis of...................... 133

Bayfleld County, Wis., population of, in St.

Croix River basin .............. 90

Bear Creek, use of, as water supply ...... 109,148

water of, analyses of.................... 104

Becker County, population of, in Mississippi

River basin..................... 45

population of, in Red River basin...... 127

Beckman, E. H., analyses by............... 104

bacteriological examinations by..... 8, 50-53,

74,75,76,77,93,104,114,118,131,141 

work of..............-.-..-..--....-...- 153

Belle Plaine, conditions at................. 80,147

population of.......................... 72,100

Beltrami, Sand Hill River water at, analysis

of............................... 131

Beltrami County, population of, in Mississippi River basin............... 45

population of, in Rainy River basin.... 139

in Red River basin................. 127

Bemidji, conditions at..................... 00.147

lumbering at............................ 41

population of........................... 47

159
160 INDEX.

.Page, Page.

Bemidji, Lake, dimensions of .............. 36 Brooks Lake, use of, as ice supply.......... 61

location and area of.................... 11 Brown County, population of.............. 69

Mississippi River water near, analyses Browns Creek, water of, analyses of........ 92-93

of......................... 50,51,52,53 Browns Lake, use of, as ice supply......... 80

pollution of, by sewage................. 00 ' Browns Valley, Bigstone Lake water at,

use of, as ice supply..................... t>0 | analyses of..................... 74,75

Benson, conditions at..................... 80,147 conditions at.......................... 80,147

population of........................... 71 Lake Traverse water at, analyses of ... 131

Benton County, population of.............. 45 Brule Lake, location of..................... 12

Benton formation, occurrence of.......... 20,125 Budd, Lake, use of, as ice supply .......... 81

Benton, Lake, location of .................. 11 use of, as water supply................ 81,149

use of, as ice supply..................... 81-82 water of, analyses of................... 76

Big Cottonwood River, use of, as ico supply. 85 Buffalo, conditions at..................... 61,150

Big Lake, use of, as ice supply.............. (13 population of........................... 47

Bigstone County, population of. in Minne- Buffalo Lake, use of, as ice supply......... 61

sota River basin................ 69 I Buffalo River, water of, analyses of........ 133

population of, in Red River basin...... 127 Burnett County, Wis., population of....... 90

Bigstone Lake, dimensions of.............. 65 I Burntside Lake, location and area of....... 12

location and area of.................... 11 i Butler, Pa., typhoid fever at............... 27

use of, as ice supply.................... 84,136

water of, analyses of................. 74,75,76

Bird Island, conditions at................. 80,147

Birkinbine, John, on production of iron Caledonia, conditions at.................. 106,147

ores............................. 25 population of........................... 101

Bismarck, N. Dak., frost at................ 18 i Calhoun, Lake, use of, as ice supply........ 63,64

precipitation at...................... 16,17,18 Cambrian rocks, influence of, on quality of

temperature at......................... 15,18 water........................... 56

Biwabik, conditions at............... 120-121,147 occurrence of................... 19,20,38,67,97

Embarrass Lake water at, analyses of . 118 Cambridge, conditions at.................. 61,147

population of........................... 116 Camden Park, Minneapolis, analyses of

underground water at, analyses of ..... 114 ' Mississippi River water at...... 58

Black Duck, conditions at................ 135,147 ' Camp Ramsey. See Ramsey, Camp.

Blooming Prairie, conditions at.......... 146,147 Canals. See Ditches.

Blue Earth, conditions at................. 80,147 Canby, conditions at....................... 80

population of.........--..--..-...---... 71 population of........................... 71

Blue Earth County, population of.......... 69 Canby Creek, use of, as ice supply.......... 80

Blue Earth River, description of........... 67 Cannon Falls, conditions at.............. 107,147

pollution of, by sewage................. 80 population of......................... 100,101

use of, as ice supply.................. 80,81,86 ! Cannon River, description of............... 97

water of, analyses of................. 74,75,77 pollution of, by sewage............... 107,108

Boilers, ground and surface waters in, com- use of, as ice supply.................. 107,108

parison of..................... 152-153 Cappelen, . See Rinker, Cappelen, and

Bois de Sioux River, description of......... 124 Hazen.

water of, analyses of.................... 131 Carel, H. C., analyses by................... 43,

quality of........................... 132 50-53,74,76,77,104,114,118,131,141

Bois Fort Indian Reservation, population work of................................. 8,153

of............................... 139 Carlos, Lake, water in, analysis of ......... 52

Boyer Lake, use of, as ice supply........... 137 ' Carlton, conditions at.................... 121,150

Bow String Lake, location and area of..... 12 | Carlton County, population of, in MissisBracken, II. M., acknowledgments to...... 9 sippi River basin............... 45

Brainerd, conditions at.................... 60,149 population of, in St. Croix River basin. 90

lumbering at............................ 41 in St. Louis River basin............ 116

Mississippi River water near, analyses Carow Lake, use of, as ice supply.......... 136

of...................... 50, 51,52,53,55 Carver County, population of, in Minnesota

paper mill near......................... 42 River basin..................... 69

population of........................... 47 population of, in Mississippi River

Breckenridge, Bois de Sioux River water at, j basin........................... 45

analyses of...................... 131 Cass County, population of................. 45

conditions at......................... 135,149 Cass Lake, conditions at.................. 61,147

Ottertail River water at, analyses of... 131 lumbering at........................... 41

Red River water at, analysis of ........ 131 Mississippi River water near, analyses

typhoid fever at........................ 29 of............................... 50

Breweries, pollution of streams by......... 34, Cass Lake, location and area of............ 12

40,43,68,69,78,89,98,113,126,139 length of................. .............. 36

Brookings County, S. Dak., population of, use of, as ice supply..... .............. 61

in Minnesota River basin....... 69 Cedar Lake, use of, as ice supply........... 63
INDEX. 161

Page. 

Cedar River, basin of, area of............. 11,145

basin of, description of............... 145-146

lakes in............................. 11

population of....................... 145

description of........................... 145

pollution of, by sewage............... 145,146

use of, as ice supply.................... 146

as water supply.................... 146

Census. See Population.

Charlotte, Lake, use of, as ice supply....... 62

Chaska, conditions at..................... 81,147

population of.......................... 72,100

Chatfleld, conditions at................... 107,147

population of........................... 101

Chemical analyses. See Analyses, chemical. 

Chicago. Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway,

analyses by................. 55,76,133

Chippewa County, population of........... 69

Chippewa Reservation, population of...... 45

Chippewa River, pollution of, by sewage... 80,83

use of, as ice supply.................... 80.83

as water supply.................... 148

water of, analyses of................... 74,76

Chisago County, population of............. 90

Chisholm, conditions at.................... 121

Longyear Lake water at, anafyses of.. 118 

Chub Lake, use of, as ice supply............ 121

Claremont, conditions at................. 107,150

Clam Rivor, location and drainage area of.. 87 

Clay County, population of................. 127

Clear Lake, use of, as ice supply............ 85

Clearwater County, population of, in Mississippi River basin............... 45

population of, in Red River basin...... 127

Clearwater Lake, use of, as ice supply...... 63,85

Climate, discussion of...................... 15-18

Cloquet, conditions at.................... 121,150

paper mill at........................... 113

population of........................... 116

St. Louis River water near, analyses of. 118 

Cloquet River, description of............... 112

Codington County, S. Dak., population of,

in Minnesota River basin....... 69

Cohasset, lumbering at..................... 41

Cokato, conditions at..................... 61,150

Colon bacillus. See Bacillus coli communis. 

Commerce, amount and character of....... 24

Cook County, population of, in Lake Superior basin....................... 115

Corbett, J. F., bacteriological examination

by.............................. 53

on typhoid fever at Minneapolis........ 30

Cormorant Lake, location of............... 12

Corn, amount of, produced in Minnesota... 23 

Coteau des Prairies, elevation of............ 9-10

Cottonwood County, population of, in Des

Moines River basin............. 143

population of, in Minnesota River basin. 69 

Cottonwood River, use of, as ice supply.... 85 

Creameries, pollution of streams by..... 34,43,68 

Cretaceous rocks, influence of, on quality of

water................... 56,73,125,126

occurrence of................. 20 38,67,98,125

soils formed by......................... 21

Crooked Creek, use of, as ice supply........ 106

Crooked Lake, location of.................. 12

Crookston, commerce of.................... 24

conditions at......................... 135,149

fluctuations in river level at............ 14

Red Lake River water near, analyses

of............................. 131,133

Crops, principal............................ 23

Crow River, drainage area of............... 38

pollution of, by sewage................. 62

use of, as ice supply.................... 62

Crow River, Middle Fork of, use of, as ice

supply.......................... 63

Crow River, South Branch of, use of, as

water supply.................. 61,149

Crow Wing County, population of......... 45

Crow Wing Lake, use of, as ice supply...... 60

Crow Wing River, drainage area of........ 38

Crystal Lake, use of, as ice supply.......... 63,82

D.

Dakota City, conditions at............... 107,150

Dakota County, population of, in Minnesota

River basin..................... 69

population of, in Mississippi River

basin........................... 99

Dakota sandstone, occurrence of.......... 20,125

Dams. See Reservoirs, storage.

Dead Lake, location of..................... 12

Deer Creek, use of, as ice supply............ 110

Deer River, conditions at................. 61,147

Dolano, conditions at...................... 61,149

Des Moines River, basin of, area of........ 11,143

basin of, description of............... 143-144

lake in.............................. 12

population of..................... 143,144

description of........................... 143

pollution of, by sewage................. 144

use of, as ice supply.................... 144

as water supply.................. 144,147

Detroit, conditions at.................... 135,147

population of........................... 128

Detroit Lake, use of, as ice supply........ 135,137

Deuel County, S. Dak., population of, in

Minnesota River basin ......... 69

Devils Lake, North Dakota, ice period on.. 16 

Devonian rocks, occurrence of.............. 98

Disease, transmission of, by milk.......... 27

transmission of, by mosquitoes......... 26

by water............................ 26,27

Diseases, water-borne, discussion of........ 26-33

Ditches, drainage, in swamp areas......... 13,14

Dodge, J. A., analyses by................... 55

Dodge Center, conditions at.............. 107,150

Dodge County, population of, in Cedar

River basin..................... 145

population of, in Mississippi River basin. 99 

Dole, R. B., analyses by................... 50-53,

74,75,76, 77,92-93,104,114,118,131,141 

work of................................ 7,8,153

Douglas County, population of, in Minnesota River basin................ 69

population of, in Mississippi River basin. 45 

Douglas County, Wis., population of, in

St. Croix River basin........... 90
162 INDEX.

Page. 

Dower Lake, use of, as ice supply.......... 64

Drainage commission, Minnesota, organization oi:......................... 13

work of................................. 13

Drayton, N. Dak., Red River water at,

analysis of ..................... 133

Drift, occurrence of ........................ 19,

20,21,38-39,87, 88, f 8,124, 12,3

"Driftless Area," extent of, in Minnesota.. 20 

Duluth, commerce of....................... 24

conditions at......................... 121,149

frost at................................. 18

ice period at............................ Hi

precipitation at......................... 17,18

temperature at......................... 15,18

typhoid fever at........................ 29-30

Dye works, pollution of streams by........ 34, 40

Eagle Lake, use of, as ice supply........... 85

East Grand Forks, conditions at..... 135-136,150

Red Lake River water at, analysis of... 133 

East St. Cloud, conditions at............... 64

East Swan River, description of............ 112

East Two Rivers, use of, as ice supply..... 140

Eastedge, N. Dak., Sheyenne River water

at, analysis of.................. 133

Elevation, general, of Minnesota........... 9

Elk River, conditions at................... 61,150

Elk River, use of, as ice supply............. 61

Ellsworth, Wis., population of............. 100

Elmore, conditions at..................... 81,147

Ely, conditions at........................ 140,149

Long Lake water at, analyses of ....... 141

Ely Lake, use of, as ice supply ........... 121,122

use of, as water supply............... 122,149

water of, analyses of................... 118

quality of......................... 119,120

Elysian, Lake, use of, as ice supply........ 81

Embarrass Lake, water of, analyses of..... 118

water of, quality of................... 119,120

Embarrass River, description of........... 112

Epidemics, typhoid. See Typhoid fever,

occurrence of. 

Eveleth, conditions at.................... 121,149

population of........................... 110

St. Marys Lake water at, analyses of.. 118 

Silver Lake water at, analyses of....... 118

typhoid fever at....................... 30,116

underground water at, analyses of..... 114

Excelsior, conditions at................... 61,150

F.

Fairmont, Budd Lake water at, analyses of. 76 

conditions at.......................... 81,149

George Lake water at, analyses of...... 76

population of........................... 71

Fanny Lake, use of, as ice supply .......... 61

Fargo, N. Dak., conditions at.............. 136

population of........................... 128

Red River water at, analyses of........ 133

Faribault, conditions at.................. 107,147

population of......................... 100,101

Faribault County, population of........... 69

Farmington, conditions at ............... 107,150

Page. 

Fergus Falls, conditions at............... 136,149

Ottertail River water near, analyses

of............................. 131,133

population of........................... 128

Fertile, conditions at..................... 136,147

Filariasis, virus of, transmission of......... 26

Fillmore County, population of, in Mississippi River basin ............... 99

Filtration, plants for.............. 60,122,136,140

First Lake, use of, as ice supply............ 63

Fish Lake, location of...................... 12

Fishhook River, use of, as ice supply....... 63

use of, as water supply................ 63,149

Floods, effect of, on sanitary cond'tion of

streams......................... 13

occurrence of........................... 13-15

Floodwood River, description of........... 112

Florence, analyses of Redwood River water

at............................... 76

Fond du Lac Indian Reservation, population of.......................... 116

Forest Lake, use of, as ice supply.......... 62

Forest River, water of, analysis of......... 133

Forest River, N. Dak., Forest River water

at, analysis of.................. 133

Forests, influence of, on qual.ty of water... 134 

Formations, geologic, description of........ 18-20

Fort Snelling. See Snelling, Fort.

Fosston, conditions at.................... 136,147

Fountain Lake, use of, as ice supply........ 145

Fox Lake, use of, as ice supply............. 85

Frankforter, G. B., analyses by............ 51

work of................................. 153

Frazee, conditions at..................... 136.150

population of........................... 128

Freeborn County, population of, in Cedar

River basin..................... 145

population of, in Minnesota River basin. 69 

Frost, duration of.......................... 16,18

Fulda, conditions at...................... 144,147

Fulda Lake. See Sevenmile Lake.

G.

Gas works, pollution of streams by......... 34

40,68,89,98,113

Geolog-ic formations. See Formations, geologic. 

Geology. See Formations, geologic; names

of drainage basins. 

George, Lake, use of, as ice supply......... 81

water of, analysis of.................... 76

Germs, pathogenic. See Bacteria.

Glencoe, conditions at..................... 02,147

population of........................... 47

Glenville, conditions at................... 146,150

Glenwood, conditions at................... 81,147

population of........................... 71

Goodhue County, population of............ 99

Goose Creek, pollution of, by industrial

wastes.......................... 89-90

Graceville, conditions at.................. 136,147

lake water at, analysis of............... 133

Grain, shipments of, from Duluth.......... 24

Grand Forks, N. Dak., conditions at....... 136

fluctuations in river level at............ 14
INDEX. 163

Page. 

Grand Rapids, conditions above........... 46

conditions at.......................... 62,149

Hale Lake water at, analyses of..... 50,51,52

Mississippi basin above, population of.. 45 

Mississippi River water near, analyses

of......................... 50,51.52,53

paper mill at............................ 42

population of........................... 47

Granite Falls, conditions at............... 81,149

Minnesota River water near, analyses

of............................ 74,75,76

population of........................... 71

Grant County, population of, in Minnesota

River basin..................... 69

population of. in Red River basin....... 127

Grant County, S. Dak., population of, in

Minnesota River basin.......... 70

Green, Lake, location of.................... 12

use of, as ice supply..................... 63

Greenwood Lake, location of............... 12

Ground water, use of, as public supply 147-149,150 

value of, as compared with surface

water......................... 151-153

Grove City, conditions at.................. 62,147

Gull Lake, location and area of............. 12

Gun Flint Lake, location of................ 12

H.

Hale Lake, use of, as water supply........ 62,149

water in, analyses of................. 50,51,52

Hall, C. W., on geologic provinces of Minnesota ............................. 19

Hall, P. M., on typhoid fever at Minneapolis............................... 48

Hallock, conditions at.................... 136,149

Hannaford, N. Dak., Hill Creek water at,

analysis of...................... 133

Hastings, conditions at................... 107,150

fluctuations in river level at............ 14

Mississippi River water at, analyses of. 104 

quality of........................... 103

lumbering at............................ 41

population of......................... 100,101

Hazen, . See Rinker, Cappelen, and

Hazen.

Health, board of, Minnesota, cooperation of. 7,8,9 

regulations of, in regard to typhoid

fever ........................... 30-33

typhoid statistics by................... 27-29

Health, department of, Minneapolis, acknowledgments to.............. 58

Hector, conditions at...................... 62,147

Henderson, conditions at................... 81

Hennepin County, population of, in Minnesota River basin................ 09

population of, in Mississippi River

basin ........................... 45

Hennepin Paper Company, mill of.......... 42

Henry, Lake, use of, as ice supply........... GO

Herman, conditions at............... 136-137,147

well at, log of........................... 137

Heron Lake, conditions at............... 144,150

Heron Lake, location of.................... 12

use of, as ice supply.................. 142,144

Page.

Hibbing, conditions at................... 121,147

population of........................... 116

typhoid fever at........................ 30

underground water at, analyses of..... 114

well at, log of........................... 121

Hill. II. \V., typhoid-fever notice suggested

by.............................. 32-33

Hill Creek, water of, analysis of............ 133

Hopkins. See West Minneapolis.

Houston County, population of............ 99

Hubbard County, population of............ 45

Hudson, Wis., conditions at................ 94

population of.......................... 91,100

Hudson Bay, area tributary to............ 10

Hutchinson, conditions at................. 62,147

population of........................... 47

Hydrography, discussion of................ 10-15

See also names of drainage basins.

I.

Ice, source of. See names of lakes and

streams. 

Ice period, duration of, on principal rivers

and lakes....................... 16

Ida Lake, location of....................... 12

Incubation, period of, in typhoid fever...... 33

Industrial pollution. See Wastes, industrial.

Industrial wastes. See Wastes, industrial. 

Insects, transmission of typhoid infection

by.............................. 33

Iron ore, deposits of........................ 24,25

shipments of, from Duluth............. 24

Iron-ore districts, typhoid fever in... 25,28-29,30 

Irvine, Lake, description of................ 36

Isanti County, population of, in Mississippi

River bas'n..................... 45

population of, in St. Croix River basin.. 90 

Itasca County, population of, in Mississippi

River basin..................... 45

population of, in Rainy River basin..... 139

in Red River basin................. 127

Itasca, Lake, description of................. 36

location and area of.................... 12

Itasca Paper Company, mill of.............. 42

Itasca State Park, location of............... 35

Ithaca, N. Y., typhoid fever at.............. 27

J.

Jackson, conditions at.................... 144,147

population of........................... 144

Jackson County, population of, in Des

Moines River basin............. 143

population of, in Minnesota River basin. 69 

in Missouri River basin............ 142

Janesville, conditions at................... 81,147

population of........................... 71

Jessie, N. Dak., pond water at, analysis of.. 133 

Jordan, E. O., Russell, H. L., and Zeit, F. R., 

on persistence of typhoid bacteria...................... ..... 27

Jordan, conditions at....................... 81

population of.......................... 72,100

 'Jordan" sandstone, occurrence of......... 20
164 INDEX.

K.

Kabetogama Lake, location and area of..... 12

Kanabec County, population of............ 90

Kanaranzi Creek, use of, asice supply....... 142

Kandiyohi County, population of, in Minnesota River basin............... 69

population of, in Mississippi River

basin........................... 45

Kasson, conditions at.................... 108,147

population of........................... 101

Kennicott Water Softener Company, analyses by..................... 55,76,133

Kenyon, conditions at.................... 108,147

population of........................... 101

Kettle River, description of................. 87

Kingsbury Creek, use of, asice supply....... 122

Kinnickinnic River, use of, as ice supply.... 95

Kittson County, population of............. 127

Knife Falls, water power at................ 112

Koronis, Lake, use of, as ice supply ........ 63

Kossuth County, Iowa, population of, in

Minnesota River basin......... 70

L.

Labella, Lake, use of, as ice supply......... 137

Lac qui Parle County, population of....... 69

Lac qui Parle River, use of, as ice supply... 82 

La Croix, Lake, location of................. 12

La Crosse, \Vis., frost at................... 18

precipitation at...................... 16,17,18

temperature at......................... 15,18

Lake Benton, conditions at............ 81-82,147

Lake City, conditions at.................. 108,147

population of......................... 100,101

Lake County, population of, in Lake Superior basin....................... 115

Lake Crystal, conditions at............... 82,147

population of........................... 71

Lakefleld, conditions at.................. 142,147

Lake Park, conditions at................. 137,147

well at, log of........................... 137

Lake Superior. See Superior, Lake.

Lakes, area covered by..................... 11-12

origin of................................ 13

summary of............................ 11-13

Lanesboro, conditions at................. 108,147

population of........................... 101

Latoka, Lake, use of, as ice supply......... 60

water in, analysis of.................... 52

Leaf Hills, elevation of..................... 9

Leaf River, use of, as ice supply............ 64

Leech Lake, drainage area of............... 38

location and area of.................... 12

use of, as ice supply.................... 64

as water supply................... 64,149

water in, analyses of................... 52,53

Leech Lake reservoir, statistics of.......... 38

Leeds, N. Dak., pond water at, analysis of. 133 

Leighton, M. O., acknowledgments to...... 9

Le Sueur, conditions at.................... 82,148

population of........................... 72

Lesueur County, population of, in Minnesota River basin............ 69

population of, in Mississippi River basin. 99 

Lida Lake, location of...................... 12

Lily Lake, use of, as ice supply............. 95

Page.

Lincoln County, population of, in Minnesota

River basin....................... 69

population of, in Missouri River basin... 142 

Lisbon, N. Dak., Sheyenne River, water at,

analysis of...................... 133

Litchfleld, conditions at................... 62,148

population of........................... 47

Little Cobb River, pollution of, by sewage . 82 

Little Falls, conditions at................. 62,149

lumbering at........................... 41

Mississippi River water at, analysis of.. 55 

' paper mill at........................... 42

population of........................... 47

water power at......................... 36

Little Pine Lake, use of, as ice supply...... 137

Little Sioux River, description of.......... 140

Long Lake, location of..................... 12

pollution of, by sewage................. 139

use of, as ice supply................... 110,140

as water supply.................. 140,149

water of, analyses of................... 141

quality of........................... 140

Long Prairie, conditions at................ 62,148

population of........................... 47

Longyear Lake, water of, analyses of...... 118

water of, quality of......'............. 119,120

Loone Lake, location of................... 12

"Lower Oneota." See Oneota.

Lumber, shipments of, from Duluth....... 24

Lumbering, amount of, in Mississippi basin. 40-41,

98 

amount of, on St. Croix River........... 89

extent of................................ 23

pollution of streams by................. 23,

34,40-41,68,89,98,113,119,120,126,127,139 

Luverne, conditions at................... 142,148

Lyon County, population of, in Minnesota

River basin.................... 69

M.

McCarrons Lake, use of, as ice supply...... 110

McKinley, conditions at.................. 122,148

McKusick, Lake, use of, as water supply. 91,95,149 

water of, analyses of................... 92-93

McLeod County, population cf, in Minnesota River basin................ 70

population of, in Mississippi River basin 45 

Madelia, conditions at...................... 82

population of........................... 71

Madison, conditions at.................... 82,148

population of........................... 71

Magnolia, N. Dak., pond water nt, analysis

of............................... 133

Malaria, virus of, transmission of.......... 26

Mankato, Blue Earth River water at, analyses of........................ 77

commerce of............................ 24

conditions above....................... 70,71

conditions at.......................... 82,148

fluctuations in river level at............ 14

ice period on river at................... 16

Minnesota River water at, quality of. -. 71 

Minnesota River water near, analyses

of............................ 74,75,77

population of........................... 72

relation of turbidity to gage height at,

diagram showing............... 79

typhoid fever at........................ 72
INDEX. 165

Page. 

Maple Lake, use, of, as ice supply,..--...... 136

Maple River, water of, analysis of.......... 133

Maplcton, conditions at................... 82,148

population of........................... 71

Mapleton, N. Dak., Maple River water at,

analysis of...................... 133

Marsh River, pollution of, by sewage....... 135

Marshall, conditions at.................... 82,148

population of........................... 71

Redwood River water near, analyses ol. 74,76 

Marshall County, population of............ 127

Martin County, population of, in DPS Moines

River basin..................... 143

population of, in Minnesota River basin. 70 

Mashkenoda Lake. See Threemile Lake. 

Meckinock, N. Dak., Turtle River water at,

analysis of...................... 133

Meeds, A. D., analyses by.................. 53,58

Meeker County, population of.............. 45

Melrose, conditions at..................... 62,149

population of........................... 47

Sauk River water near, analyses of..... 52

Mesabi district, mining in.......... 24,25,116-117

ores of, composition of................. 115

Mesabi Range, quality of underground waters in........................... 114

Methods, analytical...................... 153-157

Micro-organisms. See Bacteria.

Middle River, use of, as ice supply......... 135

Milaca, conditions at...................... 63,149

lumbering at........................... 41

population of........................... 47

Milbank, S. Dak., conditions at............ 83

population of........................... 71

Milk, transmission of typhoid infection by. 27 

Millelacs County, population of, in St. Croix

River basin..................... 90

population of, in Mississippi River basin 45 

Millelacs, Lake, location and area of....... 12

water in, analyses of................... 52,55

Miller Lake, use of, as ice supply........... 95

Miltona I ake, location of................... 12

Mining, effect of, on streams............... 25

water problem in....................... 19,25

See also Mesabi district; Vermilion district. 

Mine water, analyses of.................... 114

quality of.......................... 25,116,117

Minneapolis, commerce of.................. 24

conditions above....................... 47

conditions at.......................... 63,149

frost at................................. 18

health department of. See Health, department of, Minneapolis, 

lumbering at........................... 41

Mississippi basin above, population of.. 45 

Mississippi River water at, quality of,

diagram showing............... 57

Mississippi River water near, analyses

of................... 47,49,51,53,55,58

paper mill at........................... 42

population of........................... 100

precipitation at......................... 17,18

quality of Mississippi River water at,

diagram showing............... 57

temperature at......................... 15,18

typhoid fever at..................... 30,48-49

 w ater power at......................... 37

Page.

Minnehaha Creek, pollution of, by sugarfactory waste................... 42-43

use of, as ice supply.................... 64

water from, analyses of................ 43

Minnesota, conditions at.................. 83,148

Minnesota, Lake, formation and area of.... 67-68

Minnesota River, annual fluctuations in

level of.......................... 14

basin of, area of..................... 10.70,99

description of....................... 65-86

geology of.......................... 67-68

lakes in............................. 11,12

map of.............................. GO

population of....................... 69-70

precipitation in..................... 18

quality of water in................. 72-79

soils in.............................. 68

temperature in..................... 18

topography of...................... 67

typhoid fever in.................... 72

water in, analyses of............. 74-77,78

conditions on........................... 70-72

description of........................... 6.5-66

floods on................................ 14

ice period on............................ 16

navigation on.......................... 66

pollution of, by industrial wastes... 68-69,78 

by sewage....................... 78.82,84

profile of................................ 66

relation of turbidity to gage height on,

at Mankato, diagram showing.. 79 

slope of................................. 66

source of, elevation of................... 65

tributaries of........................... 66-67

use of, as ice supply..... 61,81,82,83.84,85,110

as water supply................... 81,149

water of, analyses of... 74,75.76,77,78,102,134 

water power on......................... 81

Minnesota Sugar Company, plant of........ 42-43

Minnesota University. See University of

Minnesota. 

Minnetonka, Lake,location and area of..... 12

use of, as ice supply..................... 61,110

water in, analysis of ................... 55

Minnewaska, Lake, location and area of.... 12

pollution of, by sewage................. 81

use of, as ice supply.................... 81

Misquah Hills, elevation of................. 9

Mississippi River, annual fluctuations in

level of.......................... 14

area tributary to....................... 10

basin of. area of..................... 10,45,99

description of................ 35-65,96-111

nitration in...................... 44,47,60

geology of.................... 38-39,97-98

lakes in............................. 11,12

maps of............................. 36,86

pollution of, by sewage...... 44-49,99-102

population of................... 45,99,100

precipitation in..................... 18

quality of water in.......... 49-59,102-106

soils in.............................. 39,98

temperature in..................... 18

typhoid fever in.................. 101-102

elevation of, at Minnesota boundary.... 10

floods on................................ 14-15

fluctuations in level of, at Minneapolis,

diagram showing............... 57
166 HSTDEX.

Page. 

Mississippi River Continued.

ice period on............................ 16

navigation on.......................... 36

pollution of, by garbage................ 110

by industrial wastes.......... 40-44.98-E9

by sewage.... 62,63,64,103.107,109,110. Ill

profile of................................ 37

slope of........................... 36-37,90, 97

source of................................ 35

tributaries of........................... 38,97

use of, as ice supply.. 61,62, 64,107,109.110, 111

as water supply... CO, 62,63, 04.109, 111, 149

water of, analyses of............. 104,106.134

quality of, at Minneapolis, diagram

showing........................ 57

Mississippi River Commission, on fluctuations in Mississippi River....... 14

Missouri River, basin oi, area of........... 11,142

basin of, description of............... 140-143

population of....................... 142

Montevideo, Chippewa River water near,

analyses of..................... 74,76

conditions at.......................... 83.148

population of........................... 71

typhoid fever at........................ 72

Montgomery, conditions at................ 83,148

Monticello, conditions at.................. 63,148

Moorhead, conditions at.................. 137.149

fluctuations in river level at............ 14

frost at................................. 18

ice period on river at................... 16

population of........................... 128

precipitation at......................... 17,18

Red River water near, analyses of...... 131

temperature at......................... 15,18

Mora, conditions at....................... 94,148

Mora, Lake, use of, a,s ice supply........... 94

Morris, conditions at...................... 83.148

population of........................... 71

Morrison County, population of............ 45

Morton, conditions at..................... 83,148

Mosquitoes, transmission of disease by..... 26

Mountain Lake, conditions at............. 83,148

Mower County, population of, in Cedar

River basin.................... 145

population of, in Mississippi River

basin........................... 99

Mud River, use ot, as ice supply............ 59

use of, as water supply................ 59,149

water of, analyses of................ 50.51,53

Municipal pollution. See Sewage.

Municipal water supplies, discussion of.. 146-153

Murray County, population of, in Des

Moines River basin............. . 143

population of, in Minnesota River basin. 70 

in Missouri River basin............. 142

Mustinka River, pollution of, by sewage.... 138

water of, analysis of.................... 133

N.

Namekagon River, description of.. 

Namekan Lake, location of.........

Navigation. See names of streams. 

Nelson Paper Company, mill of....

Nequownon Lake, location of......

Net Lake, location and area of......

Page. 

New London, conditions at................. 63

New Prague, conditions at................ 83,148

population of........................... 72

New Richmond, Wis., conditions at........ 94

population of.......................... 91,100

New Richmond sandstone, occurrence of... 20 

New Ulm, conditions at................ 83-84,148

Minnesota River water near, analyses

of............................... 74,75

population of........................... 71

typhoid fever at........................ 72

Nicollet County, population of............. 70

Niobrara formation, occurrence of........ 20,125

Nobles County, population of, in Des Moines

River basin..................... 143

population of, in Missouri River basin.. 142 

Norman County, population of............. 127

North Branch, conditions at.............. 95,150

population of........................... 91

North Dakota, waters in, analyses of....... 133

Northfleld, conditions at................. 108,148

deep well at, log of..................... 108

population of......................... 100,101

North St. Paul, conditions at ............ 108,148

population of......................... 100,101

Northwest Paper Company, mill of........ 113

Northwestern Paper Company, mill of..... 42

Noyes, W. A., analyses by................ 55,133

O.

Oats, amount of, produced in Minnesota... 23 

Odor, symbols used in defining............. 155

Okabena, Lake, use of, as ice supply....... 144

use of, as water supply................. 144

Olivia, conditions at....................... 84

Olmsted County, population of............ 99

Oneota limestone, occurrence of............ 20

Ordovician rocks, occurrence of... 19,20,38,67,97

Ore. See Iron ore.

Ortonville, conditions above............... 70-71

conditions at.......................... 84,148

Minnesota River water near, analyses

of............................... 74,76 t

population of........................... 71

Sulphur Creek water at, analysis of..... 76

typhoid fever at........................ 72

Osakis, conditions at...................... 63,149

Lake Osakis water at, analysis of...... 52

Osakis, Lake, location of................... 12

use of, as ice supply..................... 63

as water supply.................... 63,149

water in, analysis of.................... 52

Ottawa, conditions at..................... 84,150

Ot ter Creek, use of, as ice supply........... 121

Ottertail County, population of, in Minnesota River basin................ 70

population of, in Mississippi River

basin............................ 45

in Red River basin................. 127

Ottertail Lake, location and area of........ 12

Ottertail River, basin of, area of........... 127

description of......................... 123-124

pollution of, by sewage........... 129,135,136

use of, as ice supply........... 135,136,137,138

as water supply----------- 135,136,138,149

water of, analyses of.................. 131,133

quality of........................... 132
INDEX. 167

Page 

Owatonna, conditions at............. 108-109,148

population of......................... 100,101

Straight River water near, analyses of . 104

P.

Packing houses, pollution of streams by.... 43,99 

Paper mills, pollution of streams by. 34, 40, 42,113 

Park Rapids, conditions at................ 63,149

lumbering at............................ 41

population of........................... 47

Paynesville, conditions at................. tJ3,148

Pelican Lake, location and area of.......... 12

Pelican Rapids, conditions at............ 137,150

population of........................... 128

Pelican River, use of, as ice supply......... 137

Pembina, N. Dak., Pembina River water at,

analj-sis of...................... 133

Pembina River, water of, analysis of....... 133

Penobscot Creek, pollution of, by sewage... 121 

Pepin, Lake, dimensions of................. 96

location and area of.................... 11,12

pollution of, by sewage........... 100-101,108

use of, as ice supply.................... 83,108

as water supply................... 108,147

Perham, conditions at.................... 137,148

population of........................... 128

Phalen, Lake, use of, as ice supply......... 110

use of, as water supply................. 110

Pierce County, Wis., population of, in St.

Croix River basin .............. 90

Pierre formation, occurrence of............ 20,125

Pigeon River Indian Reservation, population of....... .................. 115

Pike Bay, description of.................... 36

pollution of, by sewage................. 01

Pine City, conditions at................... 95,150

Pine County, population of, in St. Croix

River basin..................... 90

Pine Lake, location of...................... 12

Pine River, drainage area of................ 38

Pine River reservoir, statistics of.......... 38

Pipestone, conditions at.............. 142-143,148

Pipestone County, population of, in Minnesota River basin................ 70

population of, in Missouri River basin.. 142 

Pipestone Creek, use of, as ice supply....... 143

Plain view, conditions at.................. 109,148

population of........................... 101

Platte River, use of, as ice supply.......... 64

water of, analysis of.................... 55

Pleasant Lake, use of, as water supply. 110 

Pleistocene deposits, occurrence of..... 20,67,125

Plymouth, Pa., typhoid fever at........... 27

Pokegama Lake, location and area of...... 12

Pokegama reservoir, statistics of........... 38

Polk County, population of................. 127

Polk County, Wis., population of, in St.

Croix River basin............... 90

Pollution, industrial. See Wastes, industrial.

municipal. See Sewage. 

Pomme de Terre River, pollution of, by sewage. ............................. 83

use of, as ice supply..................... 80,83

as water supply.................... 80,147

water of, analyses of.................... 76

Page. 

Pope County, population of, in Minnesota

River basin..................... 70

population of, in Mississippi River

basin............................ 45

Population, density of...................... 22,

45-46, 70, 90, 91, 99, 100, 101, 116, 117,

127, 128, 129, 139, 142, 143, 144, 145

increase of, 1850-1905.................... 22

1890-1905............................ 25,

45,47,69-70,90,91,99,100, 101, 115,

116, 127, 128, 139, 142, 143, 144,145

statistics of............................. 22,

25, 45-46, 47, 69-70, 90, 91, 99,100, 

115,116,127, 128,139,142,143,144,145 

See also names of counties and principal

towns.

Potatoes, amount of, produced in Minnesota 23 

"Potsdam" sandstone, occurrence of....... 19

Precipitation, statistics of, at Weather

Bureau stations................ 16-17

Prescott, Wis., conditions at............... 95

population of.......................... 91,100

St. Croix River water near, analyses of.. 92-93 

Preston, conditions at.................... 109,148

population of........................... 101

Princeton, conditions at................... 64,148

population of........................... 47

Prior Lake, Prior Lake water at, analysis of 76

Proctor. See Proctorknott.

Proctorknott, conditions at.............. 122,150

R.

Rainfall. See Precipitation.

Rainy Lake, location of.................... 12

Rainy River, basin of, area of......... 11,138,139

basin of, description of............... 138-140

lakes in............................. 11,12

population of....................... 139

quality of water in................ 140,141

tributaries of........................... 138

Ralph, brook water at, analysis of.......... 133

Ramsey, Camp, typhoid fever at........... 30

Ramsey County, population of, in Mississippi River basin............... 45,99

Rebecca, Lake, use of, as ice supply....... 61,107

Red Lake, description of.................... 124

Red Lake County, population of............ 127

Red Lake Falls, conditions at............ 137,150

Red Lake Indian Reservation, population of 127 

Red Lake River, annual fluctuations in level

Of............................... 14

basin of, area of........................ 127

description of........................... 124

navigation on......................... 123,124

pollution of, by sewage............... 129,135

use of, as ice supply............... 135-136,137

as water supply............... 135,136,149

water of, analyses of.................. 131,133

quality of......................... 132,134

Red Lakes, location and area of............. 12

Red River, annual fluctuations in level of... 14 

basin of, area of....................... 11,127

character of......................... 14

description of..................... 122-138

geology of......................... 124-125

lakes in............................. 12
168 IISTDEX.

Pag-e.

Red River Continued.

basin of, map of........................ 122

population of..................... 127,128,129

precipitation in......................... 17,18

quality of water in.................... 130-134

soils in............................... 125-126

stream pollution in................... 126-130

temperature in.......................... 10,18

topography of.......................... 124

description of........................... 123

elevation of, at Minnesota boundary.... 10

floods on................................ 14

ice period on............................ 16

navigation on........................... 123

pollution of, by sewage........... 129,136.137

slope of................................. 123

tributaries of......................... 123-124

use of, as ice supply............... 135-136,137

as water supply.... .......... 136,137,149

water of, analyses of.............. 131,133,134

quality of........................... 132

Red River Valley Drainage Commission,

creation of...................... 13

Red Wing, conditions at.................. 109,149

fluctuations in river level at............. 14

ice period on river at................... 16

lumbering at............................ 41

Mississippi River water at, quality of ... 103 

Mississippi River water near, analyses of 104 

population of......................... 100,101

Redwood County, population of............ 70

Redwood Falls, conditions at............. 84,148

population of........................... 71

Redwood River water near, analyses of . 74,75

Redwood River, pollution of, by sewage.... 82,84

use of, as ice supply..................... 82,84

as water supply................. 82,84,148

water of, analyses of................. 74,75,76

Reeds Landing, fluctuations in river level at. 14

Reformatory, State, conditions at.......... 64

Rendering works, pollution of streams by.. 34,99

Renville, conditions at..................... 84,148

population of........................... 71

Renville County, population of, in Minnesota River basin................ 70

population of, in Mississippi River basin.............................. 45

Reservoirs, storage, construction of........ 14

in Mississippi Valley.................... 37-38

Rice County, population of, in Minnesota

River basin..................... 70

population of, in Mississippi River basin.............................. 99

Rice Lake, use of, as ice supply............ 60,107

Rinker, Cappelen, and Ilazen, on Minneapolis water supply.......... 30,41, 47,48

Ripley, Lake, use of, as ice supply.......... 62

River Falls, Wis., conditions at............ 95

population of.......................... 91,100

Roberts County, S. Dak., population of, in

Minnesota River basin ......... 70

Rochester, Bear Creek water at, analyses of. 104 

conditions at......................... 109,148

population of..................... ...... 101

State hospital at, sewage-purification

plant at........................ 34

Zumbro River water near, analyses of .. 104

ilock Coun ty, population of............... 142

Page.

Rock River, description of.................. 140

pollution of, by sewage................. 142

use of, as ice supply............... ...... 142

Root River, description of.................. 97

pollution of, by garbage................ 109

south branch of, use of, as ice supply ... 108 

use of, as ice supply............... 107,109,110

Roseau County, population of, in Rainy

River basin..................... 139

population of, in Red River basin...... 127

Royal ton, conditions at.................... 64

Platte River water at, analysis of...... 55

Rum River, drainage area of............... 38

pollution of, by sewage................. 63

use of, as ice supply.................. 60,63,64

as water supply................. 60,63,149

water of, analyses of.............. 51,52,53,55

Rush City, conditions at................... 95,148

Rush Creek, pollution of, by sewage........ 109

Rush Lake, use of, as ice supply............ 95

Rushford, conditions at.................. 109,148

population of...................... .,... 101

Russell, H. L. See Jordan, E. O., Russell, 

H. L., and Zeit, F. R.

S.

Saganaga Lake, location of................. 12

St. Charles, conditions at................. 110,148

population of........................... 101

St. Cloud, conditions above ................. 46-47

conditions at.......................... 64,149

crystalline rocks at..................... 19

Mississippi River basin above, population of.......................... 45

Mississippi River water near, analyses

of......................... 50,51,52,55

population of........................... 47

typhoid fever at........................ 49

water power at......................... 36

St. Croix County, Wis., population of, in St.

Croix basin..................... 90

St. Croix, Lake, location of................. 12

pollution of, by sewage................. 92

use of, as ice supply ................. 94,95,107

St. Croix River, basin of, area of . ...... 10,90,99

basin of, description of................. 86-96

geology of........................... 87-88

lake in.............................. 12

map of.............................. 86

population of....................... 90,91

precipitation jn..................... 18

quality of water in.................. 92-94

soils in.............................. 88

stream pollution in................. 89-92

temperature in...................... 18

description of........................... 86-87

lumbering on........................... 89

navigation on........................... 86

pollution of, by industrial wastes....... 89

by sewage........................ 94,95-96

profile of................................ 88

slope of................................. 86-87

tributaries of........................... 87

use of, as ice supply..................... 95

water of, analyses of.............. 92-93,94,102

quality of........................... 88

See also St. Croix, Lake.
INDEX. 169

Page. 

" St. Croix " sandstone, occurrence of....... 97

St. Hilaire, conditions at................. 137-150

St. James, conditions at................... 84,148

population of........................... 71

St. James Creek, pollution of, by sewage... 84 

St. James Lake, use of, as ice supply....... 84

"St. Lawrence formation," occurrence of... 19 

St. Lawrence River, area tributary to...... 10

St. Louis County, population of, in Rainy

River basin..................... 139

population of, in St. Louis River basin. 116 

St. Louis Park, conditions at.............. 64,150

sugar factory at........................ 42-43

St. Louis River, basin of, area of.......... 11,116

basin of, description of............... 111-122

geology of......................... 112-113

iron mining in...................... 24

map of.............................. 112

population of..................... 115,116

quality of water in................ 117-120

stream pollution in....... 113-117,121,122

description of......................... 111-112

elevation of, at mouth.................. 10

pollution of, by industrial wastes........ 113

by sewage......................... 117,121

slope of............................... 111-112

tributaries of........................... 112

water of, analyses of.................... 118

quality of......................... 119-120

St. Marys Lake, use of, as ice supply..... 121,122

use of, as water supply............... 121,149

water of, analyses of.................... 118

quality of......................... 119,120

St. Paul, commerce of...................... 24

conditions at......................... 110,149

fluctuations in river level at............ 14

frost at................................. 18

ice period on river at................... 16

population of......................... 100,101

precipitation at......................... 17,18

temperature at......................... 15,18

St. Peter, conditions at.................... 84,148

population of........................... 72

St. Peter sandstone, occurrence of....... 20,97-98

St. Vincent, Red River water at, analysis of. 133 

Sakata, Lake, use of, as ice s pply ......... 110

Samples, method of collecting.......... 8,155-156

Sampling stations, location of.............. 7

location of, map showing............... 7

Sand Creek, use of, as ice supply............ 81

Sand Lake, use of, as ice supply............ 86

Sand Hill River, use of, as ice supply....... 136

water of, analysis of.................... 131

Sandstone, conditions at.................. 95,148

population of........................... 91

Sandy Lake, location and area of........... 12

Sandy Lake reservoir, statistics of......... 38

Sauk Center, conditions at................ 64,149

population of........................... 47

Sauk River water near, analyses of..... 52,55

Sauk Rapids, conditions at................ 64,150

fluctuations in river level near.......... 14, 49

lumbering at............................ 41

Mississippi River water near, analyses

of............... ............ 50,51,52

paper mill above........................ 42

population of........................... 47

Page. 

Sauk River, drainage area of............... 38

pollution of, by sewage................. 64

use of, as ice supply .................... 62,64

as water supply................. 62,64,149

water of, analyses of.................... 52,55

Sawmills. See Lumbering.

Sawyer County, Wis., population of, in St.

Croix River basin............... 90

Scanlon, conditions at.................... 122,150

St. Louis River water at, analyses of... 118 

Schoolcraft River, Mississippi River water

near, analyses of.......... 50,51,52,53

Scott County, population of, in Minnesota

River basin..................... 70

Seasons, influence of, on quality of water... 56,

58-59,78,93,120

Sedimentation, effect of, on quality of water 93,94 

Sevenmile Lake, use of, as ice supply........ 144

Sewage, disposal of, law restricting......... 33

purification of, plants for..... 34,CO -61,81,109

See also Stream pollution; names of

lakes and streams. 

Shady Oak Lake, use of, as ice supply........ 65

Shakopee, conditions at.................... 85,150

population of.......................... 72,100

Shakopee limestone, occurrence of.......... 20

Shell Rock River, use of, as ice supply....... 146

Sherburne, conditions at.................. 85,148

Temperance Lake water at, analysis of.. 76 

Sherburne County, population of........... 45

Sheyenne River, water of, analyses of...... 133

Sibley County, population of, in Minnesota

River basin............................ 70

Sidener, f. F., analyses by.................. 55,76

Sigel, Lake, use of, as ice supply............ 85

Silver Lake, use of, as ice supply........... 122

use of, as water supply............... 122,149

water of, analyses of.................... 118

quality of......................... 119,120

Slaughterhouses, pollution of streams by 34,43,99 

Slayton, conditions at.................... 144,148

Sleepy Eye, conditions at.................. 85,148

population of........................... 71

Sleepy Eye Lake, use of, as ice supply........ 85

Snake River, location and drainage area of.. 87

use of, as ice supply.................... 95,138

Snelling, Fort, conditions at............... 61,147

establishment of........................ 21-22

Minnesota River water at, analyses of... 77

typhoid fever at........................ 30

Snowbank Lake, location of................ 12

Snowfall. See Precipitation.

Snyder, H., analyses by............. 39,68,88,126

Soap works, pollution of streams by......... 34

Soils, analyses of..................... 39,68,88,12C

discussion of...................... 18,19,21,39

See also names of drainaQe basins. 

Soudan, conditions at.................... 140,150

South St. Paul, conditions at............. 110,148

population of......................... 100,101

South Stillwater, conditions at............ 95,148

population of.......................... 91,100

Sparta, conditions at..................... 122,149

Ely Lake waterat, analyses of.......... 118

Spirit Lake, use of, as ice supply............. 121

Springfield, conditions at.................. 85,149

population of............................ 71
170 INDEX.

Spring Valley, conditions at.............. 110,149

population of........................... 101

Spring Valley Creek, pollution of, by sewage 110 

Staples, conditions at..................... 64,150

population of........................... 47

Starch, method of making.................. 89-90

Starch factories, pollution of streams by 34,

40,43,89 

State ditch, Ada, use of, as water supply.... 147

water of, analysis of.................... 131

Stearns County, population of.............. 45

Steele County, population of, in Minnesota

River basin..................... 70

population of, in Mississippi River

basin............................ 99

Stevens County, population of, in Minnesota

River basin..................... 70

population of, in Red River basin...... 127

Stewartville, conditions at................ 110,149

Stillwater, Browns Creek water at, analyses

of............................... 92-93

conditions at....................... 95-96,149

density of population in St. Croix

basin above..................... 90,91

Lake McKusick water at, analyses of.... 92-93

lumbering at........................... 90

population of.......................... 91,100

St. Croix River water near, analyses of. 92-93 

typhoid fever at........................ 91

Stockwood, Buffalo River water at, analysis

of............................... 133

Stockyards, pollution of streams by....... 99

Straight River, pollution of, by sewage.... 109

use of, as ice supply.............. 107,108-109

water of, analyses of ................... 104

quality of-.......................... 105

Stream pollution, discussion of............. 13,

21,22,23,25,33-35 

See also names of drainage basins and

streams. 

Streams, summary of...................... 10-11

Subsoils. See Soils.

Sugar factory, pollution of streams by.. 40, 42-43

Sulphur Creek, water of, analysis of........ 76

Sunfish Lake, use of, as ice supply.......... Ill

Superior, Lake, basin of, area of........... 11,116

basin of, iron mining in................. 24-25

lakes in............................. 12

pollution in............... 113-117,121,122

population of..................... 115,116

precipitation in..................... 17,18

temperature of..................... 16,18

pollution of, by sewage ................. 121

use of, as ice supply.................. 121,122

as water supply.............. 121,122,149

See also St. Louis River, basin of. 

Swamp areas, drainage of.................. 13,14

Swan Lake, location and area of........... 12

Swift County, population of................ 70

T.

Tanneries, pollution of streams by ......... 34,

40,43,98,113,126 

Taylors Falls, conditions at............... 96,150

St. Croix River water near, analyses of. 92-93 

Temperance Lake, water of, analysis of..... 76

Pag-e.

Temperature, statistics of, at Weather Bureau stations................... 15-16

Ten Strike, lumbering at................... 41

Tetonka, Lake, supposed poisonous algse in. 106 

Thaxter Lake, Wisconsin, use of, as ice

supply.......................... 96

Thief Lake, location of..................... 12

Thief River Falls, conditions at.......... 137,150

Thomas, R. D., acknowledgments to....... 58

Thompson Lake, use of, as ice supply...... Ill

Thorp, F. H., on method of making starch. 89-90 

Threemile Lake, pollution of, by sewage.... 122

Todd County, population of................ 45

Tongue River, water of, analysis of........ 133

Topography, discussion of................. 9-10

See also names of drainage basins. 

Tower, conditions at..................... 140,149

Tower Bay water at, analyses of....... 141

Vermilion Lake water at, analyses of... 141 

Tower Bay, water of, analyses of........... 141

Tracy, conditions at....................... 85,149

population of........................... 71

Traverse County, population of, in Minnesota River basin................ 70

population of, in Red River basin...... 127

Traverse, Lake, description of.............. 124

location and area of.................... 12

use of, as ice supply.................... 80

water of, analyses of................... 131

quality of........................... 132

"Trenton-Galena" limestone, occurrence of 20 

Trout Lake, location and area of........... 12

Turbidity, relation of, to gage height of

Minnesota River at Mankato... 78-79 

Turtle River, lumbering at................. 41

Turtle River, water of, analysis of.......... 133

Twin Lakes, use of, as ice supply........... (J 3

Two Harbors, conditions at.............. 122,149

Two Rivers, use of, as ice supply............ 136

use of, as water supply............... 136,149

Typhoid fever, death rate from....... 28,29,48, 49

incubation period of.................... 33

occurrence of......................... 25,26,

27-33,44,48-49,59,72,91,101-102,116

regulations of Minnesota board of health

concerning...................... 30-33

transmission of, by insects ............. 33

by milk............................... 27

by water.............................. 26-27

U.

Union Creek, use of, as ice supply........... 64

University of Minnesota, agricultural experiment station of, analyses by.. 39, 

68,88,126 

cooperation of.......................... 7

" Upper Oneota." See Shakopee.

V.

Vadnais, Lake, use of, as water supply...... 110

Valley City, N. Dak., Sheyenne River water

at, analysis of.................. 133

Vermilion Creek, use of, as ice supply....... 107

Vermilion district, iron mining in.......... 25

Vermilion Lake, location and area of ....... 12

water of, analyses of................... 141
INDEX. 171

i'age.

Vermilion Rive r, description of............ 138

Virgin Lake. See St. Marys Lake.

Virginia, conditions at................... 122,149

population of........................... 116

Silver Lake water at, analyses of....... 118

typhoid fever at........................ 30

Virginia Lake water at, analyses of..... 118

Virginia Lake, water of, analyses of........ 118

water of, quality of................... 119,120

Volunteers, U. S. Fifteenth Minnesota,

typhoid fever among........... 3^

Wabasha, conditions at.................. 110,150

Mississippi River water at, quality of... 103

Mississippi River water near, analyses

of........................---...- 104

population of........................... 101

Wabasha County, population of........... 99

Waconia, conditions at.................... 85,150

Waconia Lake, use of, as ice supply......... 63

Sec also Clearwater Lake. 

Wadena, conditions at.................... 64,149

population of........................... 47

Wadena County, population of............. 45

Wahpeton, N. Dak., conditions at.......... 13§

Ottertail River water at, analyses of... 133

population of........................... 128

typhoid fever at........................ 29

Walker, conditions at..................... 64,149

Leech Lake water at, analyses of........ 52,53

War Department, construction of storage

reservoirs by................... 37

Warren, conditions at.................... 138,149

Warren River, location of.................. 67

Waseca, conditions at..................... 85,149

population of........................... 71

Waseca County, population of, in Minnesota

River basin..................... 70

population of, in Mississippi River basin 99 

Washburn County, Wis., population of, in

St. Croix River basin........... 90

Washington County, population of, in Mississippi River basin.............. 99

population of, in St. Croix River basin.. 90 

Wastes, human. See Sewage.

industrial, pollution of streams by.... 23,34- 

35, 40-44, 68-69,78,89-90, 

98-99,113-115,126-127,139

Watab Pulp and Paper Company, mill of.. 42 

Waterville, conditions at................. 110,149

population of......................... 100,101

Waterworks, development' of............. 150-151

Watonwaii County, population of.......... 70

Watonwan River, pollution of, by sewage... 82 

Wealth wood, Lake Millelacs water at, analysis of............................ 52

Weather Bureau, U. S., on fluctuations in

river levels..................... 14

stations of.............................. 15

statistics by, on climate................ 15-18

Wells, conditions at....................... 85,149

population of........................... 71

Wells, summary of....................... 147-149

Wesbrook, F. F., work of................... 8

West Battle Lake, location of.... ......... 12

Westbrook, conditions at................... 85

West Concord, conditions at............... 110

IBB 193 07 12

Page.

West. Minneapolis, conditions at........... 64,149

West St. Paul, conditions at............. 111,150

population of......................... 100,101

Wheat, amount of, produced in Minnesota.. 23 

Wheaton, conditions at.................. 138,149

Mustinka, River water at, analysis of.... 133

population of........................... 128

Whetstone River, use of, as ice supply..... 83

White Bear Lake, conditions at........... 65,149

population of........................... 47

White Bear Lake, location of............... 12

use of, as ice supply..................... 110

White Earth Indian Reservation, population of.......................... 127

, Whiteface River, description of............. 112

White Fish Lake, location and area of...... 12

Widal test, use of, in diagnosis............. 28

Wild Rice, N. Dak., Wild Rice River water

at, analysis of.................. 133

Wild Rice River, water of, analysis of...... 133

Willmar, conditions at.................... 85,149

population of........................... 71

j Willow River, pollution of, by sewage...... 94

1 use of, as ice supply..................... 94

Winchell, N. II., on Minnesota soils........ 21

Windom, conditions at................... 144,149

population of........................... 144

Winnebago, conditions at.............. 85-86,149

population of........................... 71

Winnebago County, Iowa, population of, in

Minnesota River basin.......... 70

Winnibigoshish, Lake, dimensions of....... 36

location and area of.................... 12

Winnibigoshish reservoir, statistics of..... 38

'\yinnipeg, Buffalo River water at, analysis __ *"^ 

of............................... ~ 133

Winona, commerce of...................... 24

conditions at ......................... Ill, 149

fluctuations in river level at............ 14,15

population of........................... 101

Winona County, population of............. 99

Winona, Lake, use of. as ice supply........ Ill

Winthrop, conditions at................... 86,149

Wisconsin, industrial wastes from, in St. *^ 

Croix River basin............... 89

Wolf Lake, use of, as ice supply............. 95

Woolen mills, pollution of streams by...... 34,

40,68,98,113,126 

Worthington, conditions at.............. 144,149

population of........................... '144

Wright County, population of.............. 45

Yellow Medicine County, population of.... 70

Yellow Medicine River, use of, as ice supply. 83

Yellow fever, virus of, transmission of..... 26

Yellow River, location and drainage area of. 87

Zeit, F. R. See Jordan, K. ()., Russell,

II. L..andZeit, F. R. 

Zumbro River, description of............... <*7

pollution of, by sewage.................. 109

use of, as ice supply............... 107,108,111.

water of, analyses of.................... 104

quality of........................... 105

Zumbrota, conditions at.................. 111,149

population of........................... 101
CLASSIFICATION OF THE PUBLICATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL

SURVEY.

[Water-Supply Paper No. 193.]

The publications of the United States Geological Survey consist of (1) Annual 

Reports, (2) Monographs, (3) Professional Papers, (4) Bulletins, (5) Mineral 

Resources, (6) Water-Supply and Irrigation Papers, (7) Topographic Atlas of United 

States folios and separate sheets thereof, (8) Geologic Atlas of United States 

folios thereof. The classes numbered 2, 7, and 8 are sold at cost of publication; the 

others are distributed free. A circular giving complete lists can be had on application.

Most of the above publications can be obtained or consulted in the following ways:

1. A limited number are delivered to the Director of the Survey, from whom they 

can be obtained, free of charge (except classes 2, 7, and 8), on application.

2. A certain number are delivered to Senators and Representatives in Congress, 

for distribution.

3. Other copies are deposited with the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, 

D. C., from whom they can be had at prices slightly above cost.

4. Copies of all Government publications are furnished to the principal public 

libraries in the large cities throughout the United States, where they can be consulted 

by those interested.

The Professional Papers, Bulletins, and Water-Supply Papers treat of a variety of 

subjects, and the total number issued is large. They have therefore been classified 

into the following series: A, Economic geology; B, Descriptive geology; C, Systematic geology and paleontology; D, Petrography and mineralogy; E, Chemistry and 

physics; F, Geography; G, Miscellaneous; H, Forestry; I, Irrigation; J, Water storage; K, Pumping water; L, Quality of water; M, General hydrographic investigations; N, Water power; O, Underground waters; P, Hydrographic progress reports. 

This paper is the nineteenth in Series L, the complete list of which follows. (WS= 

Water-Supply Paper.)

SERIES L, QUALITY OF WATER.

WS 3. Sewage irrigation, by G. W. Rafter. 1897. 100 pp., 4 pis. (Out of stock.)

WS 22. Sewage irrigation, Pt. II, by G. W. Rafter. 1899. 100 pp., 7 pis. (Out of stock.)

WS 72. Sewage pollution near New York City, by M. O. Leighton. 1902. 75 pp., 8 pis.

WS 76. Flow of rivers near New York City, by H. A. Pressey. 1903. 108 pp., 13 pis.

WS 79. Normal and polluted waters in northeastern United States, by M. O. Leighton. 1903. 192 pp.,

15 pis. 

WS 103. Review of the laws forbidding pollution of inland waters in the United States, by E. B.

Goodell. 1904. 120pp. 

WS 108. Quality of water in the Susquehanna River drainage basin, by M. O. Leighton, with an

introductory chapter on physiographic features, by G. B. Hollister. 1904. 76 pp., 4 pla. 

WS 113. The disposal of strawboard and oil-well wastes, by R. L. Sackett and Isaiah Bowman. 1905.

52pp., 4 pla. 

WS 121. Preliminary report on the pollution of Lake Champlain, by M. O. Leighton. 1905. 119 pp.,

13 pis. 

WS 144. The normal distribution of chlorine in the natural waters of New York and New England,

by D. D. Jackson. 1905. 31 pp., 5 pis.

WS 151. Field assay of water, by M. O. Leighton. 1905. 77 pp., 4 pis. (Out of stock.) 

WS 152. A review of the laws forbidding pollution of inland waters in the United States, second

edition, by E. B. Goodell. 1905. 149 pp. 

WS 161. Quality of water in upper Ohio River basin and at Erie, Pa., by S. ,T. Lewis. 19CHJ. 114 pp.,

6 pis.

I
II SERIES LIST.

WS 179. Prevention of stream pollution by distillery refuse, based on investigations at Lynchburg,

Ohio, by Herman Stabler. 1906. 34 pp., 1 pi. 

WS 185. Investigations on the purification of Boston sewage, by C.-E. A. Winslo-,v. and Earle B.

Phelps. 1906. 163 pp. 

WS 186. Stream pollution by acid-iron wastes, a report based on investigations made at Shelby, Ohio,

by Herman Stabler. 1906. 36 pp., 1 pi. 

WS 189. The prevention of stream pollution by strawboard waste, by Earle Bernard Phelps. 1906.

29 pp., 2 pis. 

WS 192. The Potomac River basing Geographic history rainfall and stream flow pollution, typhoid

fever, and character of water relation of soils and forest cover to quality and quantity of

surface water effect of industrial wastes on fishes, by H. N. Parker, Bailey Willis, R. H.

Bolster, W. W. Ashe, and M. C. Marsh. 1907. 364 pp., 10 pis. 

WS 193. Quality of surface waters in Minnesota, by R. B. Dole and F. F. Wesbrook. 1907. 171pp.,7pls.

Correspondence should be addressed to

THE DIRECTOR,

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY,

WASHINGTON, D. C. 

APRIL, 1907.

o