The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1911-01-05

from year to year in order that it NAV
determine with greater accuracy what
ought to be done to preserve the game
in the future.
Minnesota has larger number and
also a larger area of inland lakes than
any other state in the Union and fish,
ing both as sport and an industry is
constantly increasing. The fame of
our summer resorts and beautiful
lakes attracts thousands of visitors
from distant states annually
One of the best investments made
by the state is the improvement of our.
fish. hatcheries so as to increase the
supply of fish. The total distribution
of fish fry for the years 1909 and 1910
amounts to 199,S86,967, which is an in.
crease of 1OO,5O5,667 over the years
1907 and 1908.
STATE DEPARTMENT ,
OF WATERWAYS.
One-fifteenth of Minnesota's surface
consists of lakes and streams. Our
water area approximates 100000
acres. The elevation of this water
area ranges from 700 to 1900 feet
above the sea, the average altitude o.
our lake, and stream reservoirs being
about 1900 feet above sea level. We
nave about $500 meandered lakes,
most of them future sources of power
and transportation facilities. The
source o. the Mississippi lines 900
feet above the point where it leaves
the southern boundary of the state.
The Red River of the North has fall
OF 700 feet within the state, the Rainy
river 600 feet, and tie Minnesota and
St. Croix, about 800 feet each. In ad-
d1tlon to these we'll known streams
great water powers exist on the St.
Louis and a score of rivers which
flow from our northern watered pla.
teau into the Great Lakes and Hudson
bay system. 1t is estimated that the
aggregate power of known available
falls and rapids in Minnesota is about
100000 horsepower, of which consid-
erably less than one-half is now
utilized for industrial purposes. In
other words, the available waterpower
OF the state, as at present surveyed, is
equivalent to over 100000 tons of
coal per, annum, developed into indus
trial power. Minnesota has no coal
mines, but its waterpower, which is
never consumed, and should be as
great one hundred years from now as
today, if properly conserved and de.
Veloped, is approximately equal, in
amount of available horsepower, to
the average coal product per state of
the twentyeight coal producing states.
RESOURCES WORTHY
OF DEVELOPMENT.
The water resources of Minnesota
therefore, comprise a big chapter in
our scheme of conservation and de-
velopment. Waterpowers, waterways,
drainage and artesian supply are
source of wealth, income, life and de-
velopment worthy of high recognition
on the part of the state and give am
pie field for the organization and ac-
tivity Of the best scientific and bust
ness talent. 1t goes without saying
that department in charge of at least
one commissioner, devoted to the con-
servation and development of our wa
ter resources, will earn it's cost mani
fold. The revenue resulting from
single waterpower or the commercial
advantage of a single waterway may
warrant the support of such a depart
ment for decade. Among the lines
of work which this department should
at once undertake are the following:
A complete survey of the navigable
streams of the state, including the
gauging of the currents; a census of
the developed waterpowers; a survey
and estimate of undeveloped water
powers; a survey of the entire drain
age area of the state and of the sec
tions which need drainage; complete
map of Minnesota lakes and streams
showing elevations and topography
and indicating the location of water
powers and navigable channels;