Ootsa Lake Region

The region between Francois Lake and Ootsa Lake, viewed from
the forestry lookout on the summit, altitude 3, 960 feet and eight
miles north of Ootsa Lake, appears as a series of low hills and
intervening basins, many of the latter containing small lakes. It
LS forested with conifers, chiefly lodgepole pine, Engelmann spruce
and alpine fir, much of it destroyed by fire towards the Ootsa Lake
side fo the north are extensive sections of prairie, some under
cultivation. The small lakes on the summit are all much of the
same type, viz.; bordered by alders and willow with some sedge
marsh, pond lilies and small amounts of submerged vegetation. They
contain molluscs and aquatic insect larvae. None appears to be at-
tractive to waterfowl.

Along Ootsa Lake near-Ootsa Lake settlement are open slopes
and flats, some under cultivation. Westward, to Wistaria and be-
yond, the country is rolling with some of the lowlands covered by
dwarf birch and willow and elsewhere a forest type predominantly
aspen. In August the small streams and sloughs were low, some
completely dry. One slough, approximately 350 yards long and 50
yards wide, situated about three miles northwest of Wistaria is
typical of many others. The forest surrounding it is chiefly aspen
on the north side and lodgepole pine and Engelmann spruce on the
south side. The shore is surrounded by sedges and the chief growth
in the water is yellow pond lily, the leaves upright and standing
several inches above the surface. A flock of eight mallards was
flushed from this lake.

Farther to the northwest on Shelford's farm two artificial
beaver ponds contained the following waterfowl, viz.: pied-
billed grebe, 1; mallard, 1 female with brood of 5; pintail, 1 fe-
male; green-winged teal, brood of 8; buffle-head, brood of 6. The
excreta of ducks deposited on the shore showed that blueberries had
been eaten. These berries Vaccinium caespitosum were plentiful
close to the shores of the beaver ponds.

At the west end of the lake and along the Tahtsa River are
wide hay meadows that are reported to be under water in early sum-
mer. Canada geese are said to nest there but because of the unstable
water level it seems unlikely that many ducks do so. Reports indi-
cate, however, that it is a gathering place for both geese and ducks
on migration, and it is known to be a resort of goose hunters.

Rast of Ootsa Lake post-office a settlers! road, after climb-
ing about 500 feet through open country, continues through heavily-
forested bottoms and along open side hills. The region is all hilly
and rough and some has been burned. There are occupied bush farms
in this section and others that have been abandoned.

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