New Ulm review., 1922-06-14
LOCAL HUNTERS
MUST HELP PLAN .
DRAINAGE OF SWAN LAKE is
CONSIDERED A MOST
FOOLISH ACT.
SOME OF SWAN LAKE FARMERS
ALSO OPPOSE PROJECT ,,
VIGOROUSLY.

Ulm sports men, GugmeLted by dele
gates from Mankato, st. Peter and
other points, held last Thursday eve
ming at the Commercial Club rooms
those present went on record as unal-
terably opposed to the proposed drain
age or lowering of Swan Lake as now
contemplated by the County board of
Nicollet county, upon petition duly
filed by number Of land owners on
the North shore of the lake. Not only
was this the sentiment of the duck
shooters but also TIE opinion of a
large number Of farmers living along
the south shore of the lake who do
not favor having large canal dug
through Their farms.
Lake Not Fit For Agriculture.
George Pond Of Mankato, president
of the sportslren's club of this vicinity,
stated briefly that the object OF the
gathering was to oppose either the
lowering or drainage of Swan Lake
which he styled as the best aquatic
bird breeding place in the Northwest.
He also stated that sportsmen from all
parts of the state are up IN arms
against the drainage Of Swan Lake, or
f)r that matter any other lake the bot
tom of which, cannot be turned into
agricultural use after it's drainage.
Other Drainage Failures.
Attorney A.. w. Mueller cited the
instance of Rose Lake which had been
drained and after this was done, 1t
was found that the soil beneath 1t
proved not fit for cultivation. Timber
Lake was cited by E. E. Miller OF st.
Peter as another instance where the
lake had been drained and the lake
bed had been found unfit for agrlcul-
tural purposes and for that reason
the land was turned back to the
county after going to the expense OF
drainage. 1t was contended by these
speakers and others that the same re-
suits would be obtained ifSwan Lake were
to be drained. It would entail ex-
penses far in excess of any benefit y
that might accrue to the adjoining
property owners and would only be
instrumental in destroying a breed'ng
place for aquatic birds.
DR.. C. A. Hintz said that the lake
should be saved, not alone for this
generation, but for future posterlty.
He said that there is too great a ten
dency at the present time to turn
beautiful lakes into ponds and sour
uuagrires. He could not see the con-
sistency of spending large amounts
for the saving Of river bottom lands,
and at the same time draining land
which will never be of use for agrlcul-
tural purposes.
Letters were read from quite a
number of sportsmen's clubs from diff
ferent parts of the state in which they
all stated that they are back of the
Minnesota Lake Preservation League
in it's fight for the saving of Swan Lake
and that the necessary funds would
be raised to fight this project.
Statement from Harry La Due.
Harry La Due, assistant game and
fish commissioner of this state was
present and spoke at some length on
the desirability Of retaining Minnesota
Lakes as they are. He said:
"Drainage experts of late, have been
careful in furthering their plans to
emphasize the fact that they do not
contemplate the destruction OF lakes
of sufficient depth to furnish boating
and habitat for fishes. They only
have in mind the drainage of marshes
and shallow lakes, the natural habitat
of wild water fowl and several varieties
of fur bearing animals. They stu
diousIy avoid mentioning fact which
other states have realized to their
sorrow. The gradual and persistent
drainage of water areas has lowered
the ground water level of the United
States approximately nine feet. The
United States department OF agricul-
ture n,ade a survey Of $4,000 farm
wells in all parts of the country which
prove conclusively that the under
ground water level is being gradually
lowered. Thus has the ground water
level Of the state Of iowa been lowered
1875 feet The great corn belt OF the
central states is absolutely dependent
on the reserve supply Of soil moisturg
The recurrence Of disastrous droughts
and crop failures in this area Is
causing grave concern. Thinking OBJ.
servers have gradually come to realize
that the run-off of surface water
through the open ditch is directly re.
sponsible for this condition"
E. E.. Miller of st. Peter near tx
close Of the neeting stated that he
had looked up the expenses OF the sur,
vey of the lake, etc, to date. The
total amount expended by NicoIet
county up to noU on preliminary sur