The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-05-09
From the Philadelphia American Sentinel
FOX RIVER KAKALAW RAPIDS.-WlN-
NEBACfO LAKE

NEDhnO LAhE.
Al the lite session of the Wisconsin Legislature
law was passed Incorporating company 10 impips'
the navigation of the Fox River from Depere 10 La
tontaine, at the Kakadw rapids From thence the
company is authorized to make rail- road, OF maeou
AIMED road TO the north end OF the oeauuiu iake "
Winnebago This is one of the most lovely sheetS
of water in the western territory. The hakalaw IA
pids at Iafontaine, present most magnificent water
power said TO be equal 10 Rochester We are glad 10
es The neope of that section of Wisconsin devoting
their attention TO this Interesting improvement The
town of Astor, or Green Bay, with as refined popu-
ation as can be found in any of eastern cities,
will use its energies to advance this work. But the
general government is more deeply interested in this
Improvement Of Fox river, and the execution OF rail
road or Macadamized road, from the Kalalaw rapids,
than the whole Territory Of Wisconsin. Fort How
ard is the Fox river directly opposite TO Green
Bay; and it is with much difficulty that the War
Department carry its arms, provisions AMI NUM-
tons OF war, from this Fort 10 Fort Winnebago-.
BY removing the distractions out of the Fox, ana
making road 10 the north end of Winnebago Lake,
the government will have an easy route between foi's
Howard and Winnebago. The water power at the
Kakalaw rapids will produce large town, particular
y the lands in its neghborhood are very iere anu
yet be purchased at very low rate. Al the hor.h
end of Wnnebago Lake, where the road Is to terml-
nate there must be also beautiful town. ike Ilhacs'
in the State OF New York, at the north end OF Cayu-
ga lake. Persons DESTROYS of inspecting this lovely
region can enter steamboat al Mackinac, anu take
a trip to Green Bay journey from Green Bay TO
the Kakalaw rapids and Winnebago Lake, and the
enchanting country around them, can be executed IN
two or three days.
From tue report on the subject of building pier
on the northern extremity of Lake Winnebago in
Wisconsin Territory Lieut.. Webster says: The
due north and south diameter of Lake Winnebago Is
81 mies-he longest diameter, however, is 70 miles,
and bears north eight degrees east. The mean 81 ~
measurements made in directions due north and sou,h
at distances Of half mile apart gives fifteen miles
for what might be denominated the average length OF
the lake It's width, which bears due east and west is
10 miles, and mean of 50 measurements, In direc-
tons due and west at distances half mile apart
gives seven miles for the average breadth OF the lake
This lake has circumference of IA miles, and covers
IL l64 square miles of surface. From the best data
that could be obtained short of actual soundings 1t IS
Inferred that with some exceptions, the water gene
rally attains DEPTH all around Lake Winnebago, OF
from to 10 feet at distance of shore of about
GOO feet-and no doubt the water is of ample depth
throughout the greater portion of the lake for all pur
poses Of navigation. On the east side Of the lake the
shore presents remarkable feature, for an erten Of
fifteen miles in having what may technically be called
"revetment wall composed OF mixture OF reddish
brown oval silicous, and of flat gray lime rocks as
perfectly laid together if placed by the hand of art
for the special design of protecting the bank from the
effects Of the surf similar "revetment" pertains
10 portions of the shore but with less COM
tinuity than is observable on the east side"
The wall generally rises about five feet above, and
extends into the lake under the water for some hun
dreds Of feet. Above the wall, on the eastern side
there Immediately succeeds table of excellent land,
covered with heavy growth of timber and still
further back the ground rises into high ridge, in
which limestone and sand rocks found in great
abundance. The principal part Of the land all around
the lake is of superior duality and well adapted to
farming purposes, of almost every kind. Several
farms have already been commenced on the west
side several about its southern extremity and some
on the east and north border. Lieut.. Webster,
who surveyed this lake, in continuation says
at would be difficult to convey adequate idea
Of the matchless beauty and sublmity of the natural
scenery Of Lake Winnebago 1t must be seen before
its full effect can be appreciated The position which
this lake occupies, with reference to general system
of improvement Of Wisconsin, is of very great impor
lance 1t connects with Fox river, which comes from
the south west with Wolf river, coming from the
north, which is navigable, and with Green Bay and
may be connected, by short canal, with Rock River
and lastly, may be connected by canal Of five
miles, with the Manitouwac river, running into lake
Michigan.
How this wall, fifteen miles long, placed with so
much regularity along the shore of the lake, appa-
rently to defend it from the violence of the waves,
was located where we find it, will long be subject
of curious investigation friend who once visited
that country, informs us, that there appeared to be
enough stones the east side of the Shore that had
been thrown down by the waves and winds of the
lake, to aid largely in constructing town