18 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 



an old stone retaining wall and constructing new walls along their 

 banks. A 50-foot span iron bridge was also designed in place of a 

 wooden one that had been carried away by a flood. The work was 

 done by contract and satisfactorily completed by May 27, in accord- 

 ance with the plans, although some consequent grading, etc., is now 

 in progress. 



At Northville, Mich., the course of a creek flowing through the 

 station grounds has been widened, and a cement wall 1,310 feet long 

 has been built to prevent damage from overflows. The creek has been 

 straightened also, and the space thus gained has permitted the build- 

 ing of an additional pond of an area equal to the others. The basin of 

 the main supply spring has been excavated and enlarged and its banks 

 strengthened. 



At Beaufort, N. C, an iron landing pier was constructed in place of 

 the temporary wooden one, and the east shore of the island on which 

 the laboratory is built was protected from the encroachments of the 

 sea by rock work and two stone jetties. A new coal shed was built, 

 walks laid, and a number of minor improvements made. At the request 

 of the Bureau of Equipment, Navy Department, permission was given 

 for the establishment of a wireless-telegraph station for the Navy, and 

 space on the island has been set aside for the erection of the mast and 

 quarters for the attendants. 



At Wytheville, Va., and Leadville, Colo., buildings and ponds were 

 put in good repair, and desirable alterations were made. 



ALASKA SALMON HATCHERIES. 



The special commission appointed in November, 1902, by direction 

 of the President, to inquire into the needs of the salmon fisheries of 

 Alaska, pointed out (H. Doc. 177, 58th Cong., 2d sess.) the necessity 

 for artificial propagation as a factor in maintaining this important 

 industry. The matter received favorable congressional consideration, 

 and in an act approved March 3, 1905, provision was made for the 

 establishment of one or more salmon hatcheries in Alaska. As the 

 appropriation became available immediately, preparations to carry 

 the law into effect were begun at once. 



After a careful consideration of various localities and all interests 

 involved, the special commission recommended that if possible the 

 first hatchery be in readiness for operation during the season of 1905, 

 and that it be built on the lake, now known as McDonald Lake, near 

 the head of Yes Ba} ? , a narrow inlet opening into the west shore of 

 Behm Canal, Cleveland Peninsula, about 20 miles northward from 

 Loring. This site was the best available in southeast Alaska; the 

 location was reported as comparatively easy of access, not far from 

 the main line of travel of regular steamers, and with building mate- 



