14 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 



of the young salmon descend the streams at times of high water, when 

 usually there is ample water passing over the spillways. There is 

 need for further investigations of this problem. 



Water-power development may also conflict with fishing interests 

 by the destruction of spawning grounds through the manipulation of 

 the levels of lakes used as storage reservoirs. When lake levels are 

 raised the margin of the lake, up to the proposed flowage line, should 

 be stripped of tree growth and underbrush to facilitate the formation 

 of new beaches and maintain the healthy condition of the water. 

 Here again, the question of clearing becomes one of weighing advan- 

 tages and disadvantages, but it is doubtful if any of the supposed 

 advantages derivable from power development will offset the des- 

 truction of the source of one of our important supplies of food. Cer- 

 tainly, with intelligent regulation and forceful administration, the 

 streams of the Province should not only continue to produce vast 

 numbers of salmon, but the supply may be greatly increased. In 

 fact, our supplies must be increased. Recording their conclusions, 

 some of the members of the special committee appointed to investigate 

 the fishing industry of the State of Washington report: 



"We find that civilization, and all of the activities of civilization, 

 have a very serious effect in diminishing the natural propagation of 

 fish. We find that young fish that are hatched in rivers tributary to 

 irrigation ditches, in their journey to the sea are led, to a large extent, 

 into irrigation canals and are thus destroyed. We find also that the 

 sawdust from the mills, both in salt and fresh waters, is destructive 

 of the young salmon and to the salmon eggs, and that various other 

 agencies of modern civilization tend to the destruction of the young 

 fish before they reach their maturity."* 



In view of the facts above presented, it is evident that no de- 

 velopment for power or irrigation should be permitted on any of the 

 salmon streams without fully safeguarding the fishing industry. 



* Annual Reports of the State Fish Commissioner, State of Washington, De- 

 partment of Fisheries and Game, 1911-1912, pp. 36. 



