File No. 711.4216L/96
The Secretary of State to the British Ambassador
Washington, May 16, 1916.
Excellency: I have the honor to inform you that the following telegram regarding the waters of the Lake of the Woods has just been received from the Mayor of Warroad, Minnesota:
Water in harbor has been constantly rising until now it is the highest it has ever been, one foot and three inches above your Government gauge. Parts of our city are suffering great damage; also fine farms all under water. We wish that something could be done to give us relief.
I should greatly appreciate it if you would have the kindness to bring this matter to the attention of the appropriate Canadian authorities for their careful consideration. Perhaps such a temporary alteration of the dam at Kenora could be made as would relieve the conditions complained of which the Department presumes are due to the usual spring rains.
I have [etc.]