334 EEPOKT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



feet wide, but the water, simply running in a few shallow channels, did 

 not fill it. At no x>lace was the water more than 2J feet deep. It was 

 milky in color and strongly alkaline. The current was about 2 feet 

 per second. We took five species of minnows, two species of suckers, 

 and one catfish (Noturns flavus). The channel cat was reported by 

 fishermen. The temperature of the water was 75°, air 90°. The country 

 is very poor, there being but little vegetation except buffalo grass and 

 sage brush. A few cottonwood trees grow on the river banks. 



Clear Creek, a tributary of the Powder Biver, rises in the Bighorn 

 Mountains and flows northeast until it joins the river about 15 miles 

 south of the northern boundary line of the State. Mr. Butter, of our 

 party, examined this at the small station of Clermont. The depth of 

 the water varied from 4 inches to 6 feet, and the width from 15 to 40 

 feet, with a very sluggish current. Temperature of water, 67.5°; air, 

 72°. A spring near by registered 54.5°. The bottom was covered with 

 sand, pebbles, and large rocks, and the water was clear. There was 

 very little woody vegetation along the banks. The following fishes 

 were taken: Bedhorse sucker (Moxostoma aureolum), 5^ inches long; 

 Pantostcus jordani, 12£ inches long; wall eyed pike (Stizostedion 

 vitreum) ; catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) ; also a number of minnows. 



Belle Fourclie River was examined at the little town of Belle Fourche, 

 where it is a stream of some size, except during dry weather. The 

 water is fairly pure, and a good many fishes, chiefly suckers, minnows, 

 and catfishes, are found here. We also examined the Bedwater Creek 

 and a small creek called Middle Creek at this place. 



Bedwater Creel' was examined 14 miles northwest of Spearfish, where 

 it is a stream 30 feet wide, 2 feet deep, and discharged, when we were 

 there, about 27,000 gallons of water per minute. The water was clear 

 at this time, but ordinarily it contains red clay in suspension, and this 

 gives the name to the stream. We fished it carefully, and took Notropis 

 blennius, Bhinichthys cataractce dulcis, Pantostcus jordani, Catostomus 

 commersonii, Platygobio gracilis, and Semotilus atromacnlatus. Near 

 this stream is Cox Lake, which contains 4 acres or more, and whose 

 depth we could not measure on account of not having a boat. The 

 shores were grown up with Chara, which had become so incrusted with 

 calcareous deposits that it would hold a person's weight, but when you 

 ventured too far you would break through and sink to your waist. The 

 outlet to the lake was in the same condition, and this hindered us very 

 much in seining. We secured from the lake, however, two species of 

 fish, Bhinichthys cataractce dulcis and Leuciscus neogwus, the latter 

 being very abundant. The outlet of this lake, measured just below 

 the lake, October 8, was 14 feet wide, 16 inches deep, and flowed 2 feet 

 per second. The temperature of the water was 58°. 



About 3 miles west of Cox Lake is Montana Lake, which contains 5 

 acres or more, with shores filled with Chara similar to Cox Lake, but, 

 in addition, other vegetation. We found it impossible to seine, but by 



