179 



It is a well-establisliiHl lac-t that the \alue of a iiowcr site is largely 

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

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

 40 per cent, by treating li\e lal-u>s as I li:tve suggested. Not only would 

 this value be enhanced: bnt it wonld afford a better avenue of transporta- 

 tion, a more delightful place for recreation, and its yield of lisli woidd be 

 increased. Ity propei'ly controlling all of the lakes in this basin, it is prob- 

 able that the minimum rate of flow could be more than doul)le(l. (The 

 e.xact 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 incri'ase of the mini- 

 mnm discharge decreases the niaxinuini discluirge. t^ince it is the top 

 of the flood that does the damage, it will Ite possil)li> to practically eliminate 

 excessive destruction along this stream. Tliis 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 indicited will make 

 rbe streams that drain them more valual)le ;nid less destructive. It re- 

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

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

 any lake will of course inimdate 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 surroinided l)y moraines, rising 

 rather abruptly from the Mater; or by niarslios, which in most cases have 

 been formerly a jijirt of the lake. 



Where the shore rises abruptly a narrow strip would l)e 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 (luestion of time until all of 

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

 make boat landing less ditticult and would not Injun- the facilities for 

 bathing. 



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

 that most of the fl.sh of the lake l)reed. This breeding ground would be 

 narrowed at first, on accoiuit of the increased depth of the outer margin ; 

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

 increased width of th<' terrace. 



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

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



