1 10 LANDSCAPE-GARDENING 



water from streams may bring large quantities of 

 sediment, especially during storms and thawing 

 weather, and so gradually fill up a lake and 

 cause a muddy appearance. Several remedies 

 for this difficulty may be suggested. A border of 

 perennial vegetation along the route of any stream 

 before it reaches a proposed lake may keep its water 

 clear. (See page 88.) The water of a stream 

 may be diverted during freshets into a channel ex- 

 tending around the lake. When a deposit of sedi- 

 ment cannot be prevented, it can be cleaned out 

 by various methods. It is usually rich in plant- 

 food and might be useful in improving poor land or 

 in preparation for planting trees. For this pur- 

 pose, the deposit can be obtained by using a suc- 

 tion pump, or if the water can be drained off, by 

 hauling the sediment away in carts or cars. If not 

 needed, the sediment can be washed into the stream 

 below by opening a gate in the dam. 



For good appearance and for economy in con- 

 struction, lakes should be located in ravines, val- 

 leys or depressions. One advantage in forming a 

 lake by damming a stream and filling its valley 

 with water is that the shores of such a lake, es- 

 pecially along its sides where the water is confined 



