Evening star., 1934-09-27
BOULEVARD PONDS
PLANNED FOR FISH
U. S. Agencies Adopt Plan
to Convert Mud Flats
Into Game Haven.

Followers of Izaak Walton and ma.
ture lovers both may rejoice in the
adoption of q project by the Bureau
of Fisheries and the National Capita
Parks that will convert mud fats
along Mount Vernon Memorial Boule-
ward into fish and water fowl sanctu-
aries and provide anglers with 9
nearby series of lakes. amply stocked
Frank T. Bell, commissioner Of fish,
cries, and c. Marshall Finnan. super
tntendent of National Capital parks
Tuesday made an inspection OF the
first of the improvements at Reaches
Run. They were accompanied BY
other interested officials and sports
men, who pronounced the plan te
construct small retaining dams as botf
inexpensive and beautifying.
Judge william S. Snow, member
of the Commission of Game and In
land Fisheries of Virginia. was a mem
ber of the party as the representative
of Col c. H. Noting, sponsor OF
the establishment of public fishing
grounds. He, too, joined in praisine
the potentialities Of the project.
To Improve Three Streams.
The plan embraces the improve
ment of Reaches Run, Four-Mile Rur
and Hunting Creek, along the Mount
Vernon Boulevard, with a view te
making them not only fishing ground:
but sanctuaries for birds and breeding
places for fish.
Reaches Run, because of its prox-
unity to Washington, will be utilized
first. 1t is already considered a nat
ural breeding place for fish, and Com
missioner Bell believes that by build
ing a dam at the outlet more con-
slant water level may be maintained
Under present conditions the huctu.
alton of the tides leaves mud Hats
unsightly and unsuitable for breeding
places for fish. Commissioner Bel
believes that If the water in the lakt
can be kept at a certain level, bas:
and other fishes indigenous to the
Potomac region will find spawning
places in the pond. The high tide:
will be locked in the pond to keer
the water fresh, and when the tide
recedes the level will not drop. Nc
attempt, however. will be made to re-
move the fish, once they are Matched
but the small fish will be permitted
to follow their natural inclination te
leave the pond late in the Fall.
Second Dam Planned.
Four Mile Run is regarded as ths
second improvement, and it is believed
the mud flats there can be constantly
removed by locking in the tide By
the construction of small dam.
At Hunting Creek, just below Alex
andria, there is an area Of approx.
mately 400 to 500 acres that can bt
improved by placing dam at the
outlet. This spot always has beer
unsight1y. Commissioner Bell has
offered to stock it with suitable species
of fish, to which the public could help
itself under State laws.
At present the greatest problem Is
the dumping Of waste and sewage In
the river. Bell and Finnan plan q
conference with Col. Noting to devise
means Of stopping dumping as part OF
the plan to protect the new fisheries.
Sewage Plant Awaited.
In Washington, sportsmen and OH
cials alike await the construction o1
the projected sewage disposal plant
The Izaak Walton League, under the
| leadership of DR.. M. Darcy Magee
president, has been active in support
ing the plan. :.
Commissioner Bell believes that Il
the proper improvements are made
q suitable spot may be found below
| Alexandria for breeding shad. HI
hopes to see the return Of the annua
run that formerly took the fish up thu
river as far as Chain Bridge.
"This is the start Of fisherman!
paradise around Washington" Judg'
Snow commented, "and when the new
sewage disposal plant Is erected con
ditions will be ideal.