PUBLIC PARKS OF IOWA 157 



"The water supply is not all that can be desired. The tributary area so 

 far as surface drainage is concerned is so meager as to make one wonder 

 why there is a lake at all. It seems probable that this lake, like some 

 others, must receive part of its water by a gradual infiltration from the 

 gravels of the glacial drift on which it lies. It is reported to have gone 

 dry as did many of the lakes of the state in 1894. During most years, 

 however, there is water there. 



"A low place in the bank on the southeast side of the lake is the natural 

 outlet. This leads away to the southeast and empties into the Skunk 

 river. The waiter in the lake is nearly three feet lower than the outlet. 



"In the northern part of the lake the bottom is of silt. In the southern 

 and eastern parts considerable sand and gravel are found. 



"People in the vicinity are in favor of keeping the lake and they wish 

 very much to see it improved." 



After an inspection of the map which accompanies this report and a 

 perusal of the documents, it seems that it is the part of wisdom to retain 

 this lake and make it more useful to the people of this part of the state. 

 Iowa has enough good farm land so that she can well afford to retain this 

 small area for pleasurable and aesthetic purposes. This argument is 

 strengthened by the lack of similar localities nearby. The map shows 

 that in places the shores are high enough to furnish good camping or cot- 

 tage sites and their beauty can be enhanced by judicious forestation. 

 Water sites have an attraction for all 'but the most sordid, and this natural 

 and laudable craving should be given means of gratification whenever and 

 wherever possible. 



MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 



Montgomery county, like other counties in southwestern Iowa, has 

 nothing in the way of recreation places. The streams of this county 

 contain a considerable quantity of timber. The land along theise streams 

 is of little agricultural value because subject to frequent overflows. Every 

 rain causes the water to go out of the banks of the stream, depositing 

 mud and silt over the land. Mr. Gordon Hayes states that this land, for 

 agricultural purposes, is not worth more than $25.00 or $30.00 par acre. 

 There are fine bur oak, walnut, American elms and cottonwoods on these 

 bottom lands. Perhaps there are few areas in Iowa where black walnut 

 will grow better than in the bottoms of the Nishnabotna. The state might 

 well buy a small area for experimental purposes. The black walnut tim- 

 ber is sure to be of great value in the future for the construction of 

 aeroplanes. The profitable holding of such lands to grow walnut for com- 

 mercial purposes cannot 'be done by the private individual and is a mat- 

 ter for the state and nation to undertake. Such areas have great scientific 

 value, but its use for recreational purposes is unsuited, owing to the 

 deposit of silt and mud. There are, however, areas in this and other coun- 

 ties where woods occur along the highways which are well suited for park 

 purposes. Such occur along the proposed military road that goes through 

 Red Oak and Glenwood. The state might acquire small tracts of wooded 



