76 TREE PLANTER'S MANUAL. 



1,600 to 1,800 feet above the sea. The Mesabi Range, north of Lake Supe- 

 rior, attains an altitude of 2,200 feet. These northern elevations are so 

 arranged with respect to each other as to give rise to the different river 

 and lake systems of the state. 



CLIMATIC EFFECTS OF THE MESABI RANGE. 



The temperamental and therefore meteorological changes produced by 

 these elevations are very marked. Note especially those of the Mesabi or 

 Iron Range, stretching diagonally over a portion of the state, continuous 

 in the Coteau des Prairies farther on toward the south. According to the 

 ratio of 350 feet elevation to equal one geographic degree, the climate on 

 the highest crest of the Mesabi is about that of southern Labrador. 



These highlands are to Minnesota what, on a vaster scale, the Rockies 

 are to the states there environed. They serve the purpose of cooling the 

 moist winds to precipitation that feed our water systems, and thence 

 developing the great forest that has blessed us so much. When the winds 

 from these rain-making batteries in the north, gaining vapor-accessions 

 from the intervening forests and lakes, meet the warmer moist winds of 

 the Gulf of Mexico, from over the western prairies, the product may be 

 rainfall. 



CLIMATIC INFLUENCES OF OUR WATER AREA. 



Water absorbs and radiates heat less rapidly than land. Water, there- 

 fore, retaining its heat longer, cools the temperature in summer and 

 heightens it in winter. The climatic beneficence arising from this source 

 alone can be better appreciated by noting the quantity and area of our 

 great northern reservoirs, as reported by Maj. W. A. Jones, of the 

 Engineer Corps, U. S., in charge of the reservoirs at the head-waters of 

 the Mississippi, five of which are now completed. 



Lake Winnibigoshish: watershed, 1,422 square miles; water surface, 

 110,206 acres: storage capacity, 344,000,000,000 gallons. 



Leech Lake: watershed, 1,225 square miles; water surface, 110,632 acres; 

 storage capacity, 225,000,000,000 gallons. 



Pokegama: watershed, 630 square miles ; storage capacity, 35,000,000,000 

 gallons. 



Pine River: watershed, 602 square miles; water surface, 15,206 acres; 

 storage capacity, 56,000,000,000 gallons. 



Sandy Lake: watershed, 384 square miles; water surface, 7,522 acres; 

 storage capacity, 15,600,000,000 gallons. 



A project is on foot to make a reservoir of Red Lake, the largest inland 

 lake of the state, the area of which is estimated at 1,930 square miles. 

 We have here a vast evaporative surface to supply our forests and 

 agricultural plants, when precipitated, the vapors of which also soften 

 down the raw winds from the highlands, thus making our climate so clean 

 and salubrious. 



PRAIRIE AND FORESTAL BREEZES. 



In this connection we must consider what a power Lake Superior is in 

 respect to our climate. It belts the northeast part of our state wherever 



