PARK SITES ALONG DES MOINES VALLEY 



571 



While Iowa lake is not strictly tributary to the Des Moines 

 it is so near by that mention may be made of it here. It also 

 lies on the state line, five miles east of Tuttle lake, and its 

 outlet is to the east toward Blue Earth river. Iowa lake is of 

 interest geologically because it is at the southern end of a series, 

 known as the Chain Lakes, which occupy jiart of a former 

 river valley of considerable size which seem.-' to have drained 

 southward during pre-glacial or inter-glacial times. Silver 

 lake, the next one to th-e north, is more popular as a resort, 



Fig-. 183. — The valley of the East Fork at Algona, looking west. 



as it is deeper and the banks are higher. However, Iowa lake 

 has a charming shore line and offers a very desirable site for a 

 state park, which should by all means be established at an early 

 date. Iowa has all too few lakes and any which have such natu- 

 ral beauty as Iowa lake should be made available to all. The 

 State Highway Commission in its report on Iowa lakes recom- 

 mends the buying of park sites at both Tuttle and Iowa lakes. 



For a number of miles below Tuttle lake the Des Moines 

 valley is for the most part shallow and its walls are gentle and 



