32 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
The mean temperature at Columbia City for a period of six years was 49*5°.* The 
highest temperature at this place iu the summer of 1892 was 94°; and the lowest tem- 
perature the past winter was on January 15, when the thermometer stood at —17°. 
During' the winter of 1892-93, all the streams and lakes were frozen over, and on quiet 
waters the ice reached a thickness of about 2 feet. The ice left Blue River during the 
second week of March. The mean annual rainfall at Columbia City for a period of six 
years was 35-67 inches. The amount of snowfall during the past winter Avas 4 feet 
8 inches. This was greater than for any winter during the eight preceding years. 
The bottom lands along the streams are mostly covered with forests of oak, elm, 
maple, beech, hickory, and sycamore. Occasionally, along their upper courses, the 
streams are skirted with willows and a thick growth of underbrush. 
The water in the lakes and streams is rather clear, and where there is sufficient 
depth an abnndance of fish is found. These waters need not be stocked with new kinds 
of fish. They already contain some of the finest game and food fishes found any- 
where. It is only necessary that the waters be properly protected, and in a few years 
they Avill produce fish beyond all expectation. Large numbers of crawfish, mussels, 
and various kinds of water weeds are found here. 
Investigations in the Eel River system were made on the following streams and 
lakes : 
1. Eel River . — The summit north of Wallen, in Allen County, is probably the 
highest j)oiut from which water flows into Eel River. This point has an elevation 
above sea level of 887 feet. Eel River at Logausport, where it emiities into the 
Wabash River, has an altitude of 583 feet. The river has, therefore, a fall of 304 feet 
in its total length of 72 miles, or about 4 feet 2 inches to the mile.t The channel of 
Eel River at North Manchester has an altitude of 721 feet, and the stream from this 
point to its month, a distance of 36 miles, has a fall of 138 feet, or 3 feet 10 inches to 
the mile. In the upper 36 miles of its course. Eel River has a fall of about 4 feet 7 
inches to the mile. 
At its mouth. Eel River has a width of 447 feet; the Wabash River just before 
receiAung Eel River is 507 feet wide; and the width of the Wabash immediately below 
the junction of the two rivers is 527 feet. 
The upper 8 or 10 miles of Eel River was formerly very crooked and floAved through 
low, swampy lauds, but within the past three years the channel has been dredged and 
straightened, iu this way redeeming much valuable laud. The stream is now shallow, 
with but few deep holes for fish. The river throughout the remainder of its course is 
crooked, and the bottom of the channel is of sand and gravel, rarely coA^ered with 
rocks. There are many deep holes and many gravelly shoals with jiatches of water 
weeds. From Adamsboro to Logansiiort, a distance of 6 miles, the stream has cut its 
bed into solid limestone (Devonian of the Upper Helderberg Group), and has formed 
many broad shoals with numerous potholes, and many broad stretches filled with algae 
ami Avater weeds. 
There are 14 dams on Eel River, about which good game and food fishes are 
abundant. 
*A11 temperatures are given in Fahrenheit degrees. 
t All the distances are taken in a straight line, not folloAving the bends of the streams. 
