Biological Survey — Genesee River 9 



fish cultural possibilities. Aud the sculpin is a known trout- 

 spawn eater. 



It is hoped that the work of illustrating the minnows will be 

 carried over from year to year as the survey progresses, and that 

 they may serve not only as a delight but a guide indicating th-e 

 importance of wdse conservation methods for the species that con- 

 tribute to the food supply of other fishes or that compete with them 

 through excessive re])roduction. 



Silver Lake and Conesus Lake. — Time availed onlj^ for a 

 brief study of a few outstanding factors influencing productivity 

 in these waters. The two lakes afford interesting contrasts in 

 environmental conditions and adjustments of the game fish of the 

 region. 



Silver lake is a typical, shallow, brown water lake character- 

 ized by a fair amount of muddy shore line, an abundance of vege- 

 tation and a rich bottom of mud. From the standpoint of food 

 resources, both ])lant and animal, the lake is capable of a high yield 

 of fish. The dominant species of game fish are the bullhead, great 

 northern pike, and the pike-perch. The small-mouthed bass, 

 although dominant in the main stream of the Genesee and having 

 free access to the lake, is inconspicuous in the fish output, sug- 

 gesting inadaptability here. The lake ai)parently falls in the class 

 of typical, brown water, non-bass (small-mouthed) lakes. 



Conesus lake is deej), characterized by a high transparency^ 

 an abundant but less luxuriant vegetation, a rocky and sandy shore 

 line and a rich, muddy bottom. The basic food supply in this 

 lake also is very rich. The dominant species of game fish are the 

 small-mouthed bass and the pike-perch. In this instance the white 

 water favors the dominance of the small-mouthed bass, the pike- 

 perch representing a species showing considerable adaptability. 



New Lakes. — The power and regulatory projects proposed by 

 damming the Genesee at Mt. Morris and the tributary at Caneadea 

 introduce new problems in the stocking of lakes due primarily to 

 conditions of instability in water level. 



The larger project located in the region of tlie High Banks 

 will possess the physiographic features of a narrow, deep lake 

 confined within the boundaries of the Genesee gorge. The lake to 

 be created will be about 121/4 miles long, or, as the river flows, about 

 16 miles long, 192 feet deep at the head and from a quarter to 

 about a mile wide. The crest of the dam at Mt. Morris will coin- 

 cide with the 760 contour line and its height will be 180 feet above 

 the present water level. Fluctuations in lake level will vary from 

 a high of about 192 feet to a low of 80 feet w4th the possibility 

 of a low of 40-50 feet one year in ten. The periods of low water 

 level will occur in the months of November to March. The flood 

 area will comprise about 2,500 acres. There will be two tribu- 

 taries only of importance. Silver lake outlet and Wolf creek, the 

 latter badly polluted by salt. At present the dominant species 

 in this stretch of the river is the small-mouthed black bass. 



