SOME FLORIDA LAKES AND LAKE BASINS. 1 59 



smaller ones, could be drained by surface ditching. Any attempt 

 at drainage should be preceded, however, by the preparation of a 

 carefully made topographic map of the region, or at least suffi- 

 cient exact leveling should be made to determine definitely the rela- 

 tion of the lake basin to the proposed outlet, and to the intervening 

 country. 



While some of these lakes can be drained by bored wells it is 

 not to be assumed that all can be so drained. As has been shown 

 some of these lake basins, especially the larger ones, have been low- 

 ered by solution practically to the permanent underground water 

 level. Before attempting drainage by wells definite data should 

 be obtained as to the relation between the level of the lake basin and 

 the underground water level of that locality. This information 

 can often be obtained by running a line of levels from the lake to a 

 near by deep well and comparing the level of water in the lake with 

 the level at which the water stands in the well. If necessary, test 

 wells may be drilled before undertaking large wells. Such lakes 

 as have been lowered by natural drainage actually to the under- 

 ground water level can of course be lowered no further by wells. 



