The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-10
From the philadelphia American Sentinel
FOX RIVER-KAKALAW RAPIDS.-WlN-
NEBAGO LAKE

NEBAGO LAKE
AT the late session of the Wisconsin Legislature q
law was passed Incorporating company to improve
the navigation of the Fox River from Depere TO La
fontaine, at the Kakalaw rapids From thence, 'ne
COMPANY is authorized TO make rail road, or Macad-
amixed road to the north end of the beautiful lake OF
Winnebago This is one of the most lovely sheets
of water in the western territory. The hakaiaw "a
pids at LafontaIne, present most magnhcent water
power said to be equal To Rochester We are glad to
see the people of that section of Wisconsin devotng
their attention this interesting improvement The
town of Astor, or Green Bay, with refined popu-
laon as can be found in any of our eastern cities
will its energies to advance this work But the
general government is deeply interested in this
Improvement of Fox river and the execution of rail
road, or Macadamized road, from the Kaalaw rapids,
than the whole Territory Of Wisconsin. Fort bow
ard is the Fox river, directly opposite to GIeen
Bay; and it is with much difficulty that the War
Department can carry its arms, provisions AMI mum
tons Of war, from this Fort to Fort Winnebago-
By removing the distractions out Of the Fox, and
making a road to the north end OF Winneoago Lake
the government will have easy route between rorts
Howard and Wnnebago The water power at the
Kakalaw rapids will produce large town. particunf
Nv as the lands neigh very fertile ana
can vet be purchased at very low rate AT the north
end of Winnebago Lake, where the road is to term-
nate there be also beautiful town, like Ithaca
in the State OF New York. at the north end Of Cayn
ga lake. Persons DESTROYS Of inspecting this lovely
region can enter a steamboat at Mackinac, and take
a trip to Green Bay. A 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 the report on the subject of building a pier
on the northern extremity Of Lake Winnebago in
Wisconsin Territory, Lieut.. Webster says: "fhe
due north and south diameter Of Lake Wlnnebago Is
27 mes-the longest diameter, however, is rs miles,
and bears north eight degrees east. The mean Of "a
measurements made in directions due north and SOUTH
at distances of half mile apart gives fifteen miles
for what might be denominated the average length OF
the lake. Its width which bears due east and west Is
10 miles and mean Of SO 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
II 64 square miles Of surface. From the best data
that could be obi aimed short of actual soundngs is
inferred that with 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 pu-
poses of navigation. On the east side of the lake the
shore presents remarkable feature, for ertent Of
fifteen miles in having what may technically be called
a ssrevetment wall" composed of mixture of reddish
brown oval silicous, and of flat gray lime rocks, as
perfectly laid together asif placed by the hand of art
for the special design of protecting the bank from the
effects Of the surf. similar "revetment pertains
to portions Of the Shore but with less
tinuity than is observable on the east side"
The wall generally rises about five feet above, and
dreds of feet Above the wall, on the eastern side
there Immediately succeeds table of excellent land
covered with a heavy growth of timber; and still
further back the ground rises into high ridge, In
which limestone and sand rocks are found in great
abundance. The principal part of the land all around
the lake is of superior quality, 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
ssIt would be difficult to convey an adequate idea
of the matchless beauty and sublmy of the natural
scenery of Lake Winnebago. 1t must be seen before
its fuefect can be appreciated The position which
this lake occupies with reference to general system
of Improvement of Wisconsin, is of very great lmpor
lance 1t connects with Fox river, which comes iron
the south west with Wolf river, coming from thu
north, which is navgabe, and with Green Bay ant
may be connected, by short canal, with Rock Rive
and lastly may be connected by canal Of five
miles, with the Mantouwac river, running into lax
Michigan.
How this wall, fifteen miles long, placed with 81
much regularity along the shore of the lake, appa
reptly to defend it from the violence of the waves
was located where we find it, will long be subjec
of curious investigation friend, who once visite
that country informs us, that there appeared to b
enough stones on the side of the shore, that ha
been thrown down by the waves and winds OF tn
lake, to aid largely in constructing town.