Abstract
The small artificial lake has become an important and increasingly popular project for conservation groups, sporting clubs, municipalities, farmers, and landowners. Its purpose is often defined as being for the propagation of fish, the prevention of soil erosion, the restoration of wildlife, and recreation. To this might be added: water conservation, flood control, and food production by fish-pond farming. The Conservation Department of the State of Iowa reports nearly 2000 artificial lakes having been constructed in that state since World War II. When one considers the many thousands of acres of fertile farm land save from flooding streams, the hours of leisure time spent by the factory or office worker on the banks of these ponds, and the havens provided for the wildlife, the worthiness of these projects can easily be realized.
