30 BEPORT OF THE 



Our lake covers an area of nearly 60 acres. The supply 

 from the rainfall is sufficient through most of the year to main- 

 tain it at a normal level. The exposure to which the surface 

 of the lake is subjected at all seasons is of itself a means of 

 extensive aeration. The daily evaporation also, a natural 

 cleansing process, is, during the warm months of summer, nearly 

 500,000 gallons in 24 hours. The lake is not the receptacle of 

 any impurities except such as may be carried into it by the 

 rainfall from the surrounding turfed area, and it contains, 

 among other varieties, a very respectable number of bass, that 

 ]ive, move and have their being and undoubtedly thrive there. 

 In fact, as to the condition of this water generally, I know 

 more than one community of considerable numbers not a hun- 

 dred miles from Brooklyn whose potable water supply is 

 inferior to that which constitutes the park lake. 



While having embodied in a completed design of the park, 

 such essential features as the lake and watercourses, the sub- 

 stantial effect upon the eye and mind of the visitor, naturally 

 pertaining to associated ideas of bodies and streams of water, 

 simulative of lakes and streams supplied from perennial 

 sources, has not been entirely attained on the park, owing to 

 the occasional scarcity of water during the dry weather of 

 summer. A full lake and constantly running streams are very 

 desirable, and would undoubtedly prove a great additional 

 attraction, but the occasional deficient flow of water, when 

 observed, tends to detract from the harmonizing appearance of 

 special localities, where one looks for a more vigorous display 

 of water to complete the picture. 



With clear water from any source at our disposal, with which 

 to maintain a supply to feed the courses through the ravines 

 and over the falls, through the various levels towards the lake, 

 the comforting influence of the imagination due to the pres- 

 ence of a vigorous flow of water through that section of the 

 park, would work marvels upon the mind of the casual be- 

 holder. 



To offset these disadvantages, which to some extent were 

 foreseen during the early years of construction, it is proposed 



