SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN IDAHO IN 1895. 
161 
PERKINS LAKE. 
Tliis is a small lake situated about 300 yards below Alturas Lake, the outlet of 
Alturas Lake flowing through it. The greatest length is about oiie-fourth of a mile 
and tlie greatest width about oiie-eighth of a mile. The general direction, like that 
of Alturas and Pettit lakes, is northeast and southwest, or perhaps a little more nearly 
north and south. The shore line is rpiite regular. At the head of the lake, near the 
inlet, is a small peninsula extending into the lake; near the lower x>art of the east side 
is a considerable inward curve in the shore line, while the west shore is made up of 
small curves. The iidet is at the upper left-hand corner and the outlet is on the same 
side of the lower end. 
The shores of this lake are everywhere low, rising only a few feet above the level 
of the lake’s surface and extending back from the lake in all directions without much, 
if any, increase in elevation. A heavy growth of small Murray pines surrounds the 
lake; just above the lake is a small meadow, which has evidently been covered Avith 
water at one time, and it is even yet somewhat marshy; on the left the narrow strij) 
of pines separates the lake from a large meadow, Avhich extends to the mountain more 
than a mile to the Avestward. This meadoAv supports a good growth of the native 
grasses, with here and there large patches of gentians and castellejas. 
About the upper end of the lake is consiilerable marshy ground, and the shores 
are muddy; elseAvhere the shores are either of Avhite sand or fine gravel. 
Perkins Lake is quite shalloAV. Six lines of soundings were run, and the depths 
found are all indicated on the accompanying map. The greatest depth obtained was 
2;-) feet, east of the point projecting into the lake at the upper end. Over the larger 
part of the lake the depth is pretty uniform, ranging from 19 to 25 feet. At the lower 
end it is shallow, not anywhere exceeding 9 feet, and usually not over 5 feet. At the 
ux>per end the bottom is somewhat muddy, |>articularly in the large basin toAvard the 
right; elscAvhere the bottom is of fine gravel or clean white sand. 
There is considerable aquatic Amgetation, jAatches ot Mynophyllwm, Fotamoyeton, 
Chara, and perha|)S other species, being found in various places. In the shalloAv 
water about the head of this lake and in the marshy areas connected with it the 
young of Leuciscus balteatus and Cafostomiis machrocheUns Avei'e found during August 
and Sex>tember in great abundance, and with them were many young Ptyclioclieilus 
oregonensis, Coregonus 'williamsoni^ and tSalmo mylciss, these last three sxiecies becoming 
less abundant as the water became Avarmer. There were also a few Ehinichthys 
cataractce dulcin and Agosui umatilla. 
While this lake is small, it is nevertheless an iinxiortant one in its relation to the 
lish life of the Upi)er Salmon ItiAmr Valley. Its shalloAAniess, extensive mud bottom, 
Avarmer Avater, and considerable vegetation, are aiq)arently conditions favorable to the 
hatching and growth of the young of the above sx>ecies. Avhich must form an inqAortaut 
jiart in the food supiily of the trout and the young salmon and redtish. 
Fettit Lalce. — The next imx)ortant lake of this group is generally known as Pettit 
Lake,^ and is situated about 5 or i! miles north from Alturas Lake. This lake is 
' Tlie nomeiiclatnre of the lakes iu Ibis region is still sonie-what indelinite. The names given on 
the General Land Office maj) (1891) do not conform to local usage in a single case. On that map a 
good-sized lake is placed at the head of Beaver Creek and called Atlanta Lake. Mr. Perkins and Mr. 
E. C. Parks inform ns that there is no lake there, and that there is no lake in the Savtooth Mountains 
hearing that name. Altnras Lake is located, hut no name is given it. The next lake of the seriesis 
Pettit Lake, the one called Redtish Lake on the map ; while the ones called Pettit Lake and Goat Lake 
ou the map are apparently meant for Kedfish Lake and Stanley Lake. 
F. C. U. 1896—11 
