Stream Pollution 67 



company with Game Protector Teal. In Big Bay itself the stream 

 is in splendid condition. The profuse growth of aquatic vegetation 

 gives hiding places for the fish, nourishes an abundant population 

 of small aquatic organisms, and affords them every opportunity 

 for reproduction, so that it is natural to find an aquatic fauna varied 

 in character of species and rich in number of individuals. As is 

 well known, this region is one of the very best fishing grounds that 

 the Hudson affords and, as long as natural conditions are preserved 

 and the amount of fishing is not permitted to surpass reasonable 

 limits, may be relied upon to furnish enjoyment for a large number 

 of citizens. 



The shores of Big Bay are clean and the stones entirely free 

 from the slimy deposit which even in some fairly good portions of 

 the river farther down stream can still be detected on careful 

 examination. The plants show that bright, fresh, green color 

 which indicates their perfect condition, and careful search failed 

 to disclose any of the organisms of polluted water. Just above 

 Big Bay are some conspicuous riffs where the stream ripples down 

 over stony and rocky stretches. For several miles up stream areas 

 of still water and of ripples alternate, until one reaches the foot of 

 the Spier Falls dam. Even in the still water stretches the stream is 

 broad and shallow, the water well exposed to the light and air and 

 well mixed by the conflicting currents which are produced by the 

 curves of the stream and the presence in its course of bars, shallow 

 stretches and series of larger stones and boulders. The stream was 

 studied with a boat as long as it was feasible to make progress in 

 that fashion. Thereafter it was examined from the shore and at 

 frequent intervals up to and above the Spier Falls dam. Just at 

 the foot of the last stretch of rapids, before the stream entered a 

 short sweep of still water that opened out into Big Bay, I found 

 the first evidences of pollution in the form of some small pieces 

 of floating scum and scanty growths of the pollution organisms, 

 as well as an insignificant trace of slime on the stones in a few 

 places. Furthermore the plants that were present here showed 

 sometimes a paler coloring and less robust and vigorous growth 

 than those in the Big Bay region. It would be unjustifiable to 

 maintain that these were positive evidences of pollution, and if 

 the facts just mentioned had been the only evidences secured, one 

 would have passed them by with the suggestion that the richness 

 of the aquatic vegetation is subject to fluctuations and that this 

 was merely a less favorable point for the development of such 



