Morris tribune., 1884-03-05


sense! Your etc,
F. WATRY.
EDITOR TRIBUNE:
Alta meeting of the citizens Of this
place held OH the 9Th inst, to take in.
to consideration the matter of embrac-
ing Big Stone Lake and Lake Traverse
in the reservoir system initiated by
the government at the head-waters OF
the Mississippi river and it's tributa-
ries, the undersigned were appointed
a committee to confer severally with
the senators and representatives. in
congress from this state, and the dele
gate from the Territory ofDakota, and
solicit their aid in pressing the mat
ter upon the immediate attention of
congress.
In performance of the duty thus i'm
posed upon us, we earnestly call your
attention to the following:
Any ordinary map embracing Min
nesota and Dakota will show that Big
Stone Lake, which covers an area OF
about so square miles, being 80 miles
in length with an average width one
and a half miles, discharges it's water
southwark by way of the Minnesota
river while the waters of Lake Ira
verse, covering an equal or greater
area, the lake being % miles long with
an average width of more than two,
miles flow to the north through the
Bots de Sioux, and seek an outlet by
way of the Red River of the North
that these lakes, at their heads, are
only four or five miles distant from
each other; that Traverse has no inlet
at its southern endi that the upper
Minnesota, which drains the whole
region, Immediately and for thirty
miles west of these lakes, flows in Big
Stone Lake at the northern end, and
comes, in it's course, within less than
mile of Lake Traverse,
There are, however, other facts not
apparent from these maps, of which
we desire you should be advised.
These lakes are navigable their en-
tire length, Big Stone having an aver
age depth of from ten to twelve feet,
while Traverse has but little less.
The surface of Traverse is between
five and six feet above that of Big
Stonei and the interesting lands are
low not exceeding twelve or fifteen
feet. The upper Minnesota, from its
mouth upward to the point where it
approaches nearest Lake Traverse and
beyond, has the same level as the sur
face of Big Stone Lake; is already
navigable, most, and can easily be
made navigable all this distance. A
canal of less than two miles In length
and a single lock with a lift of less
than ten feet, without other expendi.
lures, would enable boats to run from
the foot of one lake to the foot Of the
other and add immensely to the COM
merce of both, which even in the pres.
ent isolated condition of these lakes
is considerable, and constantly in,
creasing.
The waters Of Lake Traverse and its
outlet, the Bois de Sioux, to it's juno
ton with the Red River at Breckin.
ridge, are sluggish and so nearly on a
dead level that no current is precep.
tible, it's direction being determined
only by the vegetable growth at the
bottom. The Bots de Sioux has more
the appearance of an unusual canal
than river, and in fac. but an arm OF
the lake and it is certain that suit.
able dam at or near its mouth would
convert she lake and river into cap
aciogs reservoir and extend navigation
throughout,
| Ii Is confidently asserted by those
familiar with the facts, that the navi
CATION on the Red River of the Nortl
can easily be extended to the moutl
of the Bots de Sioux and beyond, a
there are no rapids intervening, an,
ldhe volume of water on which TIN
navigation OH that river depends
comes from above that point, rhi
being 50, it can easily be carried t
1.-THE foot of the Big Stone Lake, b.
means above alluded to.
That Big Stone Lake, by means o
a suitable dixie or dam at or near it
southern extremity, could be made t
hold in reserve the spring floods, ad
mits of no reasonable doubt. 1t has a
area of over SO square miles, and from
the character Of its shores is admirabl
adapted to such purpose; the bank
being high and there being not over
thousand acres ofland that would
covered by raising the water therei
] ten or even fifteen feet; and this over
flowed land is of little value, being
appraised for taxable purposes at o
average Of about two anda half do
, lars per acre. -
i We would also particularly refer yo
to memorial ON the subject passe
by our legislature Feb. Sth, 1883, an,
recently brought to the attention
, congress; for which it will appe,
i that in the estimation Of that bod.
) the matter under consideration is n,
= / Il -. =. - i.
: only Of great local advantage to Mil
t nesota and Dakota, but rises to natial
4 al Importance,
: In view therefore of the sever
v matters thus crudely submitted