The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-05-16
EAAK WALTON
no. LEAGUE NOTES
SAVE THE LAKES
(By Russell Reid)

1t is hard for most of US to realize
that North Dakota was, and probably
still is, the summer home of far more
waterfowl than any other state in
the Union. Whether or not it shall
continue to have this distinction
depends very largely on the attitude
the people take toward the conser-
vation of the water resources OF the
state.
When the glacier retreated to the
roth from the region north and east
of the Missouri river it left a series
Of rolling hills and moraines thickly
intcrspersed with thousands Of
lakes and sloughs. The lakes vary
from ponds, only q few yards IN
diameter, to Devils Lake which is, or
These lakes were the summer home
of countless numbers Of ducks, geese,
swans, cranes and other waterfowl
Many of the ducks still spend their
summers with us. Geese, swans ard
cranes are now here only during
migration.
Since North Dakota has been set
tied, much of the prairie LAND has
been turned into grain fields. Water
which before ran off into the lakes
now sinks into the mellow earth.
This was, of course, inevitable but to
make matters worse some Of the
lakes were mechanically drained.
Doubtless some of the old lake bot
toms have proven to be good land,
but in many cases they Were not
worth the cost of draining, and the
lakes were lost to the people.
; Lakes arc great benefit to the
people in three ways, namely:
/. They serve as storage reser-
voirs, preventing floods. The drain
age bitches in Minnesota are one
Of the main causes for the floods in
the Red river valley.
2. They conserve moisture and
keep up the ground water level.
3. They serve as recreation
grounds for sportsmen and others.
In times past Iowa drained many
Of her lakes. Since this has been
done the ground water level has
have now decided that their remain
ing lakes are more valuable than any
land that could be- used after drain
ling them.
I. Conservation of lake and marsh
areas has been major part Of the
Ixaak Walton Leagues program for
the past few years. 1t has been
suggested that the Bismarck chapter
of the League should actively sup
port project to dam Apple Greek.
few miles southeast of Bismarck.
This is commendable and should be
done, but in our haste to create some
thing new we must not overlook OPP
portunities we already have. Thirty
miles southeast Of Bismarck lies
Long Lake. shallow clay pan Of
water, only q, few feet deep. It is.
however, . paradise for waterfowl.
This lake is fed principally by Long
J Lake Creek and In years Of normal
3rain and snowfall drain into Apple
yCrcek by coplee south Of Mckenzie.
A small dam could be easily and
chcaply constructed at the head Of
the outlet which would raise the
water level several feet. This would
ENSURE an abundarce Of water in dry
years and would probably eliminate
slent there 9 few years ago due to
aikaii poisoning. The slopghs south
Of Mckenzie could also BE- used as
smaller reservoirs.
Twelve miles north Of Sterling lies
Rice Lake, splendid duck and goose
marsh before it was drained . few
years ago. / understand that the re-
claimed land is not being used. II
this 10 true the drain could be filled
at the shore line with very little
work and the lake would fill up again.
In most cases the conservation Of
lakes u not SO simple as the two:
cases given above. Some Of them
cannot BE- saved ct, all. This en-.
phasises the great need for saving
al Of those possible, and in the
meantime e. entSr strong protest
agaipst drAinine any others.
Sir hnn6re1 thAnsand dhllars IN