DEVILS LAKE, NORTH DAKOTA. 9 



that of Devils Lake, and its fresh water seeps cloAvn throiTgh tlie 

 rushes into the southern end of Little Mission Bay. 



Many forms of insect life were noted here, aquatic beetles, larva), 

 and crustaceans being numerous. Minnows with nuptial tubercles 

 have been identified as the same species inhabiting Devils Lakev 

 Sticklebacks {Eucalia inconstans) were also taken, and many tad- 

 poles were observed swimming about. 



In general the lake appeared favorable as a breeding pond for black 

 bass, perch, and allied species. With the elevation, the proximity to 

 Mission Bay, the character of the water, and the source of supply, it 

 would not be a difficult task to construct a runway connecting the two 

 bodies of water. 



Sweetwater Lake. — This lake, situated 5 miles north of Devils 

 Lake city, in Freshwater and Morris townships, is of irregular shape 

 and its area approximates 11.5 square miles. Sweetwater Inlet, a 

 coulee of considerable size, with branches rising in the northern 

 regions of Ramsey County, enters the lake at its eastern end in Morris 

 Township. From the northeastern end, in Freshwater Township, con- 

 nection is maintained with Dry Lake by a creek 4 miles in length. 

 The average depth is 7 feet ; the maximum, IT feet. The bottom con- 

 sists almost w^holly of soft mud, sustaining an abundant growth of 

 water milfoil {Myi'iojyhyllam verticillatum) and pondweed {Potamo- 

 geton pectinatus) , the latter predominating. In many spots the mud 

 is from one-half to 1 foot deep. The shores consist of stretches of 

 rushes, gravel, and a few bowlders, 80 per cent of the littoral being 

 lined with rushes. 



As in the case of Devils Lake, this lake is gradually diminishing 

 and breaking up into detached bodies, changes shown by the white 

 alkaline deposit on the lands surrounding the lake, and more strongly 

 by the natural levees and terraces that skirt the shore. The water 

 level is constantly fluctuating, and according to good authority the 

 banks were overflowed during the spring of 190G. In 1889, the " dry 

 year," the lake level dropped until the several passes were frozen dry, 

 but, according to the same authority, not dry enough to kill fish. 



Though Sweetwater Lake has thus been shown to possess a number 

 of characters similar to Devils Lake, it is important to emphasize the 

 conditions more favorable to fish life and unlike those obtaining in 

 Devils Lake. From this lake the town of Devils Lake obtains its 

 water supply, the water being soft and good for drinking purposes 

 and steam making. Salinometer tests show it to be perfectly fresh. 



Minnows and sticklebacks and aquatic insects, the same species as 

 in Devils Lake, were taken in abundance with seines. Young bass, 

 introduced by the Bureau of Fisheries one month prior to this exam- 

 ination, were captured and found to be in excellent condition. 



