179 



It is a well-establislied lact that the Aalne ot a power site is largely 

 determined by the minimum rate of discharge. This means that the value 

 of the water power along the Tippecanoe would lie increased more than 

 40 per cent, by treating tiAe lakes as I have suggested. Not only would 

 this value be enhanced ; but it would afford a better avenue of transporta- 

 tion, a more delightful place for recreation, and its yield of fish would be 

 increased. By properly controlling all of the lakes in this basin, it is prob- 

 able that the minimum rate of flow could be more tli;in doubled. (The 

 exact data for the remaining lakes in this system we hope to collect dur- 

 ing the present year.) 



The effect upon flood conditions is evident. The increase of the mini- 

 niuiu discharge decreases the niaxiinuiii discharge. Since it is the top 

 of the flood that does the damage, it will be possible to practically eliminate 

 excessive destruction along this stream. This will improve conditions in 

 some degree along the streams to which the Tippecanoe is tributary. 



It is very evident that handling lakes as I have indicated will make 

 the streams that drain them luore valuable and less destructive. It re- 

 mains to determine, as accurately as the available data will permit, the 

 effect upon the lakes themselves and their envirdus. Raising the level of 

 any lake will of course inundate some land. The value of this land must 

 be considered in determining the advisability of manipulating lake levels. 

 These lakes are all intramorainal and are surrounded l)y moraines, rising 

 rather abruptly from the water; or by marshes, which in most cases have 

 been formerly a ]inrt of the lalie. 



Where tlie shore rises abruptly a narrow strip would he submerged 

 by raising the level of the water. In many cases these slopes are used for 

 the sites of summer homes, and it is only a question of time until- all of 

 them will be so utilized. The raising of the water along these sites would 

 inake liorit landing less difficult and would not injure the facilities for 

 I lathing. 



It is on tlie wave-cut terraces, which are formed along these moraines 

 that most of the fish of the lake breed. This breeding ground would be 

 narrowed at first, on account of the increased deptli of the outer margin; 

 but in a short time it would be more extensive than ever because of the 

 increased width of the terrace. 



The marsh laud on the margin of lakes is often worthless and never 

 valuable. It is sometimes used for pasture and occasionally it is mowed 



