The San Francisco call., 1898-12-17
RESULT of GOULD'S
 VISIT TO TRUCKEE RIVER.
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In August last Fish Commissioner c. B. Gould made a personal inspection of the TrucNee river, extending from Lake Ia hoe to Pyramid Lake in Nevada. The trip occupied two weeks. Photographs were made of all the dams and artificial Instructions in the river in both States. The dams in California were found to be iii condition for the free passage or fish, save one or two near the State line. The obstructions In the river in Nevada are numerous, but Mir Gould visited Carson City and consulted with Governor Sadler and other State officials as well, also with weu-known sportsmen there and in Reno regarding necessary legislation for the better protection of the fish in the Truckee river in Nevada, and satisfactory plans were made that seemingly insure favorable action, the only hitch being the brush dam located in the river five miles above its mouth on the Pyramid Lake h. dian reservation. This dam is the worst obstruction in the river, is built of brush held in place with rock. No fish can pass ever it at any stage of the water, and be- ing located near the mouth of the river il is Of vital importance. The dam is not only an obstruction. but it is also a trap. The Indians congregate at this dam every spring and spear thousands of trout that have run into the river from the lake to spawn. They sell tons of these fish every year
 The dam is used to divert water to the irrigating system of the reservation and Was constructed and Is controlled by the Interior Department
 Upon MT. Gould's return the subject was presented to the Interior Department at Washington and the correspondence which ensued was terminated on Wednes- day last when the following letter was received at the office of the Fish Commis- sion from the Secretary of the Interior:
 OF hA Tpra-for
 WASHINGTON, Dec. :, 1888
 Hon A. T. Nogelsang. President Board Of Francisco. Csl.-Sir: I have the honor 10 ac- knowledge the receipt Of your letter Of the the Truckce River on the Pyramid Lake In dian reservation. Nevada.
 Tn my letter of the 18th ultimo, it was stated that the recommendations Of Inspector Graves who had recently investigated the subject of irrigation on that reservation, were then un- ger considerat!on and would doubtless be adopted, m which case the dam referred to would be abandoned.
 Since that letter was written. the recom- n'endations Of the inspector have been ap- proved. and the Commissioner of Indian Ar fairs directed 10 immediately carry them into
 Your latest letter Is to-day referred to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs and directions given him not to permit the work to be neglected or delayed, and to cause the dam to be removed at the earliest practicable date. and that If this cannot be done before the next spawning season. that he cause to be constructed such a fsh-way as the laws Of tHe state of Nevada require. and not to per mt nsh to be taken within the prohibited limit at the dam. Furthermore I have df- rected him to instruct the agent to see that the Indians observe strictly the laws of the State Of Nevada in the matter of obstruction of the river and taking fish therefrom
 am glad to note the interest you take in the matter, and assure you of my disposition Q cooperate with you heartily and to the full extent of my authority, to see that the State laws are observed both in letter and spirit. and shall be pleaEec at all times to be advised of any infractton of those laws by persons under the Jurisdiction of this de- psrtmeDt, whether whites or Indians, which may come to your knowledge, as well as to have any suggestions you may feel disposed 10 ofer in matters of this kind, in which the Secretary may have discretionary power Very respectfully, c. \. BLISS, Secretary.