The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1917-06-01
Swan Lake Lowering Before
Nicollet County Board
PRESENT REASONS
Many Farmers Object to the
Plan As Set Forth BY
Petitioners
49, 49,
From . Mondays Daily.

y
Arrangements were made by quite
a number of Mankato citizens to go to
st. Peter by automobile today to at
tend the meeting of the Nicollet
county board and oppose the proposed
lowering or draining of Swan lake
DR.. f. Z. Heidel, president Of the local
game protective league; County Sur
yeyor Roy H. Allison, who in behalf
of the Minnesota State Game Pro-
tective league and certain Nicollet
county residents who opposed the
change in the lake, had prepared quite
an array of information showing why
the lake should be left at its present
height; County Attorney J. W.
Schmitt, who has taken keen in
terest in the game league activities,
and quite number of others signified
their intention of attending this hear
ing
,,, Today was the day set for the first
hearing before. the Nieollet county
board on the lowering or drainage OF
Swan lake.
County Surveyor Allison of Blue
Earth county commented this morning
on the subject as follows:
This lake has an area of approxi-
mately 1900 acres, the water reach
ing in depth from four to fifteen feet,
The proposed plan of lowering the
lake four feet would leave approx
mately 5000 acres of the lake with
only about eighteen inches of water.
Job of Great Magnitude.
IF the drainage of the lake should
be attempted it would be job of such
magnitude that in our judgment it
would not be feasible. A ditch OF 400
feet in depth would be required at
the outlet of the lake. This depth is
necessary in order to afford an outlet
to the northwest part of the lake.
I'm this lake are a number oil
islands, made up entirely of gravel
and stone Surrounding these islands
and running out from them are gravel
and sand bars towering large part oil
the bed of the lake. This land would
be of very little value, even though
thoroughly drained.
81 made a complete survey OF the
lake this week, in company with some
farmers who own land adjoining the
lake. A great many of the farmers
surrounding the lake, and all OF the
farmers adjoining the outlet are OPP
posed to the drainage.
.Some federal officials have also
taken action in opposition to the
drainage of the lake. The Nicollet
county auditor, has received a letter
i from. washington, advising Nicolle1
county to go slowly in this matter
The Minnesota attorney generals Of
fee is, much opposed to the drainage
! expect to see State Game Comms-
sioner Avery at the meeting at st
peter. He has been quite active in op-
position to the proposed drainage.
Proposed Plan Of Lowering.
,"If the proposed plan OF lowering
tho lake four feet is carried out, II
TIN so decrease the depth of the oper
uIaees in the lake that they will be-
come filed with rushes. The entire
area of the lake viii BILE left a big mut
Z; hole.
aThe petitioners, for lowering OF
draining the lake are number O
men owning land on the north SIDE o
ifle lake. -
"a Gin making our survey. we used
motor boat, and the lake was OF suci
q depth and so free from grass AM
weeds that it was possible to go any
where, in the lake with such a boat.
/. /, zone reason why federal official
.are.staking an interest in preyentln!
the drainage of Swan lake is that TN
federal government has spent a grea
J, deal OF time and money in bringing IN
8 to force laws protecting the game
This money and time are lost unles
breeding grounds are left for tn
game. t.l.6
"The lake is also used for furnish
ing ice to the village of Nicollet an
the surrounding country in the wlnte
time.
81 don't think any of the people Q
Mankato who are going down to at
TEND the hearing are in favor OF TN
proposed drainage. Hundreds nav
signed a remonstrance against It, IN
neople throughout Nicoflet count
seem generally very much opposed I
lowering or draining the lake ! pc
lieve no one fayors the idea, except
few property owners adjoining Tn
lake"
DEATH DUE, TO OLD AGE