Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-10-31
LOWERING OF
LAKE LEVELS
EDlSCUSSED
Views For and Against
Proposition Advanced At
Bemidji Meeting

6emld1 Mimi, oct. 2S.-lntereSt-
ing data rs to what might happen if
the lake levels Of the Red Lake are
changed was introduced at a meet
ing held nder the auspices Of the
Red Lake Drainage and Conservancy
board which vas held at the court
house here Friday afternoon and at
which c. G. Selvig Of Crookston, head
OF the board presided.
The conference was called that per-
sons from all of the territory affected
by this project might be given an OPP
portunity to discuss the matter and
delegates from the entire north coun-
try gave their opinions on the pro-
ject.
Lake levels from a minimum of
ll6S.. feet to a maximum Of 1178 feet
above sea level were suggested by
those in attendance and whether the
controlling dam should be located at
h outlet of the Red Lake River or
down the river some distance was al
D debated.
Interesting date was given by S. A.
Server of St. Paul, biologist for the
state. game and fish department who
declared that the lowering Of the lake
to any great extent would result in
1t freezing to the, bottom in MANY
places and that this would DESTROY
he whitefish spawn which is de-
posted in shallow water in the fall
and which matches the following
spring. He declared that should the
lake be lowered enough for it to freeze
to the bottom in these shallow places
that the whitefish would be exter-
minated. S. A.. Selvog. superintendent
OF the state fisheries at Red Lake al
90 commended that the lowering Of the
lake would destroy the fish.
w. B. Stewart representing settlers
from the northeastern part of the
lake said he believed lake levels
should be established with a minimum
of%l168 feet and a maximum Of I'LL.
This he declared would insure the
settlers of that territory against floods.
]. j.. Opsahl of this city said that he
believed IT'S would be a good aver
age level.
Marshall Case Cited
Daniel Shay of Thief River Falls
gave an appealing talk for conser-
vancy. He cited the experience of
Marshall county citizens of hat same
territory are nov seriously consider
ing restoring the lake through conser-
anc system. He pointed out the
fact hat Minnesota's greatest assets
are to be. found in her lakes and he
painted a rosy picture Of the posi-
biltties of Red Lake as a playground
for the citizens of the western part
of Minnesota in the future.
"a. c. Goddard who is in charge
VI SoNC h1tieIL pIOJtClS aIE fcO
Lake stated that to lower the lake
to any extent would bring down the
water line a mile on the north shore
of the lake.. County Commissioners
William Lennon of Kelliher, Beltrami
county argued for a lake level low
enough to protect the citizens of the
vicinity Of his district.
Crookston's Mans View
Mr.. Mcconnell. city engineer for the
z city of Crookston urged the engineers
to make a provision for regulating the
Red Lake river at all seasons Of the
year SO that his city would be pro.
tected against floods. He stated thai
II the river IS permitted to reach the
flood level as it has in recent years
his city will be forced to construct
an entire new sewer system. He also
explained that his city had been fore.
ed to build dykes throughout the resi-
dental sections to protect the homes
OF the citizens against floods. At
torney Charles Boughton Of Red Lake
Falls urged the conservation Of the
waterpower of Red Lake river anC
said that great power ]sourc lie
within a few miles Of his village il
they are properly conserved and de-
veloped.
E. V. Willard. state commissions
of drainage and waters, A. F. Meyer
expert in flood control matters and
consulting engineer of the Red Lake
drainage board and Major f. II
Marks of st. Paul. representing the
war department were in attendance
at the meeting for the purpose Of de.
termining the attitude of the settlers
in the various districts affected by the
project toward the proposition and al.
50 to work out a. plan hich would be
mos+ beneficial to all.
Red Lake Project a Large Ono,
h Red Lake project is a combina-
ton conservancy and drainage prob.