BIOLOGICAL RECONNOISSANCE AT FLATHEAD LAKE. 143 
by machinery into the river bed eight feet apart. The row of piling ex- 
tended across the river from side to side. Two inch plank were nailed 
together side by side in threes, fastened by strips. Each set of three 
planks was then pushed down into the water, held by the current against 
two posts or piles. The ends were therefore between the piling, and 
could not be fastened. The idea was to hold back the lake water, pre- 
vent the surface from getting low in winter, and thus have depth of water 
sufficient to float logs at the new mill at the north end of the lake. In 
low water it is difficult to get logs to the tramway. What the result 
may be is in the future. The farmers at the upper end of the lake want 
the water to run out faster, so as not to flood the land. If the scheme 
of holding back the water succeeds in winter it is likely to succeed in 
spring when the waters are high. In that event the flooding of land 
above will be worse than ever. It is probable, however, that the dam will 
be taken out in the spring by ice. 
