In the following paragraphs is given a summary of the water 
and duck food conditions found at some of the lakes studied during 
1938 and 1939. 
Starved Rock Pool, Ottawa.--This lake, formed by a dam built 
several years ago at Starved Rock, has a fairly constant water level 
throughout the year. Consequently, the vegetation is more luxuriant 
and better stabilized than in other Illinois bottom-land lakes in 
which water levels fluctuate greatly. Beds of sago (Potamogeton 
pectinatus) and long-leaved pondweed (Potamogeton americanus) occur 
up to depths of 4 feet. There are two areas covered With a a scattering 
growth of wild celery (Vallisneria), one of the few places in the 
Tllinois Valley where it occurs. Coontail (Ceratophyllum), duck 
potato (Sagittaria) and duckweeds are other Abundant species. 
Depue and Spring Lake, Depue.--A paucity of duck food plants 
prevailed in both I93C and 1939. No change in status of duck food 
plants and water levels occurred in 1939, because these lakes are too 
ar north of the new Whitehouse Dam to benefit from its effects. 
Large beds of river bulrush occurred about both lakes. Small patches 
of marsh smartweed (Polygonum Muhlenbergii) were present but these 
produced little seed in 1939. te t 
Goose Pond, Putnam.--This lake contained in 1959 very exten- 
sive beds of the unimportant duck food plant, river bulrush. Next in 
abundance was the Amcrican lotus, which is reported to have increased 
in area during 1939. Large beds ‘of duck potato (Sagittaria latifolia) 
maintained their size ee encroachment by river bulrush. Scat- 
tered plants of sago pondwesd were found in the open water of the lake 
and in a number of wooded potholes. Stands of giant bur reed (Spar- 
genium evrycarpum) also occurred. = 
Sawmill Lake, Henry.--The duck food plants, scarce in 1938, 
showed some improvement in 1939 with the appearance of sago pondweed. 
A higher water level, duc to the new Whitehouse Dam, seems to be the 
cause. Extensive beds of river bulrush and American lotus occurred in 
both 1938 and 1939. A slight decrease in lotus was noted in 1939. 
Goose Lake, Sparland.--This state public shooting ground had 
a higher water level, due to the Whitehouse Dam, and better duck food 
conditions in 1939 than in 1938. Scattered beds of marsh smartweed, 
an important duck food plant, occurred about the lake in 1959. Pa rts 
of the river ridge were covered with luxuriant growths of nodding 
smartweed (Polygonum lapathifolium), duck millet, saw grass and 
pigweed. 
Douglass Lake Drainage District, Chillicothe.--About two- 
thirds of this area was covered in 1938 and 1939 by river bulrush. 
Marsh smartweed, quite abundant in 1938, was reduced in area in 1939. 
Numerous patches of white water lily (Castal astalia) and extensive beds of 
