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Show THAT FRESH-WATER LAKE AGAIN. On December 20th last, The Tribune printed a sketch, with map, of a plan for the creation of a fresh water lake out of, what Is now the eastern arm of Salt Lake. The proposition was that of a French engineer, formulated a num- " yeurs ago; n contemplated a uykc from tho yhore to the southern point of Antelope Island, another from the northern north-ern point of that island to Fremont ishind. and another from the latter island to the Prpmontory; theEe dykes were to be high enough to keep out any overflow of salt water from the main body of the lake Into the proposed fresh water lake. The well-known fact that all the feeders feed-ers to the lake empty into the eastern arm, which it wa proposed to convert Into the fresh-water lake, was relied on to do the work of gradually eliminating the- salt 'from the water so retained in the proposed fresh-water lake. The overflow over-flow through a lock between Antelope and Fremont Islands would keep the level of tho eastern, portion from rising loo high, and at .the same time this overdo over-do w would replenish the main lake., This wa the scheme, told in general terms; the thought was that the long and now wide alkali flats on -the eastward east-ward would be cleansed gradually from their deposits, and the whole eastern shore would be a rich meadow, while the water itself in that part of tho lake would become good and wholesome in time. The Hon. John E. Dooly of this city, who has the maps and details of the scheme in its entirety, some time ago forwarded the whole plan to Senator KeariiB at Washington, who submitted It to the Interior Department, andthe papers were transmitted to Chief Hydrographer Newell. The latter, 'on examination of them, sends the following follow-ing letter to Senator Kearns, from Yuma, Arizona: At Yuma. Arizona. May 27, 1901. Hon. Thomas Kcarns. Salt Lake, Utah. -Sir- lour letter of April Kth came in duo time, but owing to pressure of work Incident to leaving Washington. I have been unable to give the mutter due consideration. wiui your communication you send a letter dated April 22nd. from Mr. J. E. DooJy. and a map relating lo the shutting off of a portion of Great Salt Lake and converting it Into a fresh, water lako There Js also sent a clipping from, the Utah State Journal, of Tuesday. April 19th, 11 The general examination of tho plan and statement bhows that tho matter has been opparently considered with .some care, and a number of statements are given which appear to he well upported. The nubject. however, is one -of such magnitude, and there ara eo many modifying conditions to bo considered, that I think very careful Btudy Is necessary In order to reach a conclusion con-clusion which will have any weight. At llrst thought I am somewhat apprehensive of tfc effect of creating what will practically prac-tically bo a vast fresh water niarah along what Is now tho eastern shore of the lako, f and one where tho land jh so nearly levi-1 that drainugo will bo expensive and dlfll-cnlt. dlfll-cnlt. I also question somowhat tho conclusions conclu-sions drawn as to tho time required to freshen tho waters on tho east side, and think that tho brackish conditions may contiuuo for mi almost Indellulto period, because of the bIowiiphs with which the bed of tho present salty portlonn can bo washed out. However, before giving any opinion on tho raattfr It Is evidently necessary ne-cessary to have a largo amount of dellnltc Information concerning the various engineering engi-neering features which go to make up the project; and I will refer the papors to our local nnglnoers for their consideration and future report In connection with the other matters now In hand. I hope to bo In Salt Lako beforo many weeks, and will be glad to consider the subject more in detail. Very respectfully, F. TI. NEWELL. Chief Engineer. ?.Ir. Newell if undoubtedly right in saying that careful study of tho proposition propo-sition would be necessary In order lo roach a proper conclusion. But he need have no apprehension as to the fresh water marsh; nor about drainage; for the conditions to be created would bo. precisely similar to those, on the eastern shore of Utah lake at present. An to the time that would be required to effect the desired result, that Is open to speculation; specu-lation; experiment alone could determine deter-mine that. But it Is well that the subject sub-ject has been brought to the attention of the proper officials, those who have change of all the water handling; and that they will give It due consideration. |