BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY. 371 



justed in a way Avhich, it is hoped, will prevent damage to the res- 

 ervation in the course of the development of the adjoining drainage 

 districts. Owing to the unusual depth of water during the past 

 winter, mallards and other ducks did not remain in as large num- 

 bers as usual, but with the lowering of the water the birds are likely 

 to return next year in their usual numbers. Poaching has been less 

 frequent, and the establishment of regular warden service and the 

 enforcement of the law have resulted in general acceptance of the 

 restrictions necessary for the maintenance of the reservation. 



Klamath Lake Reservation^ Oreg. — Conditions on the Klamath 

 Lake Reservation have been very unsatisfactory, owing to a combi- 

 nation of circumstances over which this department has had no con- 

 trol. The tule fire, which was started in the spring of 1919, continued 

 to burn over the southern part of the reservation until extinguished 

 by early autumn rains, and a considerable area inside the l)oundary 

 lines was rendered unfit either for occupation by the birds or for 

 immediate agricultural use. The water table on the lake has been 

 lowered several feet by closing the gates which control the infloAv 

 from the Klamath River. This action, made under agreement with 

 the water users" association, has uncovered large areas of alkali mud 

 flats Avithout thus far benefiting the settlers adjoining the lake or 

 opening up additional lands suitable for agriculture. A soil survey 

 made during the summer of 1919 has shown that the lands thus un- 

 covered have little, if any, agricultural value. The act authorizing 

 the elimination of certain agricultural lands from the reservation, 

 recently approved, should result in determining the permanent 

 boundaries of the reservation. If an agreement can be made for 

 raising the water level slightly, Klamath Lake can still be made 

 one of the most important bird reservations in the West ; otherwise 

 its future as a refuge is seriously jeopardized. 



Malheur Lake Reservation, Oreg. — Conditions at Malheur Lake 

 hnve been as unsatisfactory as those at Klamath. The unusual 

 drought which prevailed in eastern Oregon in 1919 caused the low- 

 ering of the water level and the diminution of the breeding grounds 

 of the birds. The uncertainty of the title to some of the lands ad- 

 joining and within the boundary lines of the reservation seriously 

 impedes any effective development. Some action is imperative to 

 clear up the question of jurisdiction and enable the department to 

 fix a stable water level and develop the reservation in a way to afford 

 protection to the birds. 



The most serious menace to this great breeding place for wild fowl 

 lies in the appropriation of water, heretofore flowing into the ^Vlal- 

 heur Lake basin through the Silvies and the Blitzen Rivers, for the 

 development of agricultural lands at a distance from the lake. This 

 has already reached a point which leaves the future of the lake very 

 doubtful. ' The constant diversion of this water supply means the 

 drying up of the lake and the reduction of its basin to a bare 

 alkaline mud flat like that now marking a large part of the Harney 

 Lake bed. When this occurs it will make absolutely wortldess the 

 near-by forage-producing lands now growing natural feed with a 

 substantial income on a valuation of $1,000,000, and will leaAC the 

 residents homeless. 



