by the water level together with an allowance of three feet above such level for times of high water. A traverse was run approximating this contour. When the dam was raised, subsequent appropriations were made in the same way. The present boundary of the State land appropriated follows a contour about ten and one-half feet above the present water level. The width of the State property not flooded depends upon the slope of the shore. In some places, it is very narrow, but where the shores are less abrupt this strip widens out; and along the main inlet of the reservoir the State property extends back one and one-quarter miles from the present shore line. The first work in connection with the administration of this property was to locate the boundaries. A set of thirteen maps, which showed three original traverse lines, was found in the Barge canal office, western division, at Rochester; descriptions of the lands appropriated were found in the county clerk's office of the respective counties; a book of field notes in the Division Engineer's Office at Rochester furnished notes of the appropriation line of two parcels on the northerly side of the lake. This data furnished two starting points for survey. The boundary of the State's property is made up of 186 lines, varying in length from less than one chain to thirteen chains. Aside from the appropriation for the lake property, other appropriations were made for the feeder channel from the dam to the canal, and along the outlet. The best use of this property has been under discussion for some time. The question of the safety of the dam is of first importance. Our experts have reported that the dam is in a safe condition, but in need of slight repair. There is a possibility of water storage and generation of power. The use of this reservation for recreation purposes has already become established. There are already erected upon State land 150 cottages, while there is room for at least 125 more. Cuba lake is the only large body of water in that section of the State. There are, within easy distance, several cities and towns, a portion of the population of which is using these premises for the summer season. The law authorizes the Commission to plot the lands, and make leases for a period of not exceeding five years. The leases are now being 126 THIRD ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION prepared by the legal bureau and plans to put this work into effect are under way. The small appropriation which was made was not sufficient to complete the required survey. The land adjacent to the lake has been located and monumented. The land along the feeder canal has not yet been surveyed, and a small appropriation should be made for this purpose. There are areas of land best suited for farming and not desirable for camping sites, which should be sold. In some places, the cottages are very near together. This condition is bad, both from the sanitary standpoint and from that of fire protection. If approximately ten cottages were removed, it would result in greatly relieving the situation. The matter of sanitation must be carefully considered, and a method provided for the disposal of garbage and refuse. Classification of the area is as follows: |