The completion of the bridge carrying the main park driveway 

 across the valley of the lakes just northeast of the museum 

 building, has made it possible to establish the water levels of the 

 three ponds by means of suitable dams, each provided with a 

 drainage pipe and valve to permit emptying when required. The 

 lake nearest the railway is the largest of the three and the one 

 nearest the river the smallest. The difference in level between 

 the large lake and the middle one is about sixteen inches and 

 that between the middle and lower one about twenty-four inches, 

 the level of the lower lake standing about two feet and a half 

 above that of the Bronx River at average flow. The establish- 

 ment of these water levels will make it possible to suitably grade 

 and plant the banks of all three lakes. The levels give an aver- 

 age depth of over three feet of water, except at small areas which 

 require a foot or two excavation. The upper lake is fed in part 

 by natural springs, but mainly by the surface drainage of the 

 watershed reaching from that lake southward to the herbaceous 

 garden, conveyed to it by a large drain ; it also receives some 

 water from the surface drainage of the western end of the 

 Mosholu Parkway which reaches it through a culvert under the 

 railway ; the overflow water from the fountain in front of the 

 museum building will be diverted into this lake by a pipe con- 

 necting with the drainage of the watershed mentioned, south of 

 the museum building ; it is therefore expected that this whole 

 aquatic system will be kept up to the established levels without 

 use of additional water, which, however, can readily be supplied 

 if required for short intervals from pipes already laid. 



Construction work has also included most of the filling needed 

 against the railway and between it and the driveway west of the 

 upper lake preparatory to topsoiling the swale at that point and 

 completing the border screen of trees and shrubs along the rail- 

 way, all of which it is planned to accomplish in the spring. 

 N. L. Britton, 

 Director-in-Chief. 



