36 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
below that place the stream is muddied by milling' operations carried on along its 
banks. The current is very swift, the bed of the stream is strewn with rocks of various 
sizes, and the banks are well lined with willows, cottonwoods, and various other 
small bushes. The temperature of the water at 4 p. m. was 55°; air, 71°. In this 
river we found an abundance of blobs and young whitefish, and a few small trout. 
In a small creek flowing into the river, suckers and minnows ( Gatostomus catostomus 
and Rhinichthys dulcis) were abundant. The high temperature of the water and the 
danger of contamination from heavy rains are serious objections. 
Cottonwood Creeli . — We examined this stream from its mouth at Deer Lodge up- 
stream for about 3 J miles. At a point about 2 miles above the town of Deer Lodge 
and on the land of Mr. Albee, we found the most suitable location. The stream 
here measured as follows : Average width, 20 feet. Average depth, 1J feet. Current, 
3 feet per second. Volume, 40,394 gallons per minute. Temperature, 54° at 3 p. m., 
July 22; air, 77°. 
This is a clear stream flowing through gorges farther up, while here it flows 
through rather rough meadow land. The bed of the stream is very rocky; the banks 
are lined with cottonwoods, alders, and other bushes. The stream seems to be well 
tilled with insect larva; and other fish food, and is regarded as being an excellent trout 
stream. During less than two hours’ fishing with seine and fly, we took a greatmany 
blobs and about thirty trout, the largest weighing about 7 ounces. The fall is suffi- 
cient for getting the water properly and easily into the hatchery, and very desirable 
ground can be had either near the residence of Mr. Albee or on the ranch of Mr. 1ST. J. 
Bielenberg, a few rods farther up the stream. The cost of getting the water under 
control and of constructing the ponds would be very moderate. At the time of our 
visit a little mining was going on above Mr. Albee’s; this contaminated the water 
somewhat, but Mr. R". J. Bielenberg assures us that this can be easily controlled. The 
town of Deer Lodge gets its wa ter from this stream, and of course would interest itself 
in seeing that the stream is never seriously contaminated. 
Mr. Bielenberg offers to donate as much land as would be needed and to make all 
necessary guarantees as to the water supply. The location with reference to the region 
to be stocked is a central one and the railroad facilities are good. The city of Deer 
Lodge is one of the prettiest, most thriving cities in the State, and would afford 
excellent school, church, and social advantages to all connected with the station, 
matters of no little importance. 
Rattlesnake Creeli. — This is a good-sized stream flowing into the Missoula River, 
at Missoula. We examined it throughout the last 8 miles of its course; average width, 
30 feet; average depth, If feet; current, 2J feet per secoird; volume, 56,250 gallons per 
minute; temperature, 54° at 3 p. in., July 28. This stream rises in two small lakes in 
the mountains north of Missoula, is about 20 miles long, and flows through Government 
land, except for the last 2 miles of its course. The rock of the region seems to be 
chiefly a metamorphic sandstone; the bed of the stream is full of bowlders of various 
sizes, and there is but little water vegetation. The water is pure, clear, and cold. 
The city of Missoula gets its water from this stream, the ditch being taken out less 
than 2 miles above the city. 
There are many places within a distance of 2 to 6 miles of the city where very 
suitable land can be found. The fall is sufficient and the land lies so as to make it a 
comparatively easy matter to get the necessary amount of water under control. 
