Related Records

1. Article from the Elizabethville Echo in PA discusses the effective use of the fish lock at the Rest Lake Dam. 8/2/1934 - The article also discusses how the fish lock operates.

   8/2/1934

   Record Type: Archive

   
2. Brief description of the Barr Fish Lock operation and what eventually happened to the structure per Michael Dunn III 2017 - Included is a diagram of the patented lock mechanism. Note: correction to Dunn's narrative- Harry Barr's daughter was Lowrene Sell, not Trutt.

   May 2017

   Record Type: Archive

   
3. "Elevators For Fish" by Duane H. Kipp- an article in Field & Stream magazine 4/1932 - The article discusses the negative impact dams have on fish migration and resulting sports fishing. Several types of fish ladders had been tried unsuccessfully in the state. However, a new invention, the Barr Fish Elevator is being tried at the Rest Lake dam.

   Conservation Collection

   Record Type: Library

   
4. Fyke net being used to record the number and type of fish moving upstream beyond the Rest Lake dam via the Barr fishlock or fishway. 1931-1940 - The Barr fishlock or fishway was featured by the Wisconsin Conservation Commission as an exemplary design and used in other locations in the state. Data revealed that the lock mostly moved suckers and not game fish (see 1931 report included in this record) and was later considered to be ineffective. The lock was demolished during dam repairs in the 1980's.

   Record Type: Photo

   
5. Harry Barr invents a lamprey trap attachment to his Barr Fishway. 1951 - The article states Barr's Fishway is being used at 16 sites in the US and 17 in Canada.

   1951

   Record Type: Archive

   
6. Looking downstream through the Rest Lake dam. 1948 - The Fish Hatchery and concrete tank of the fish lock can be seen. The Win-Mar buildings ("new" tavern and cabins) were to the left in this photo.

   Record Type: Photo

   
7. Newspaper clippings discussing the conservation success and accomplishments of the Town owned fish hatchery. 1933-1944 - Resort guests were able to tour the facility. Also mentioned is the Barr Fish Lock, the first successful installation of its kind in North America.

   Record Type: Archive

   
8. Obituaries for Harry Barr, inventor of the Barr Fish Lock installed at the Rest Lake Dam in 1931 2/25/1955 - Included in one obituary is a detailed description of the fish lock operation. Harry was a life long personal friend of Charles Nash.

   February 26, 1955

   Record Type: Archive

   
9. Obituaries for William "Bill" F. Sell Sr. 1962 - Also included is a news clipping referencing the resort being in existence in 1925, although the obituary list 1927 and 1937. Sell was the first appointed forest ranger in WI.

   8/1/1962

   Record Type: Archive

   
10. Postcard of Rest Lake dam, fish hatchery and Barr fish lock ca mid 1950s - Card postmarked 1959

    Record Type: Photo

    
11. postcard - Rest Lake Dam 1941 - Postcard of aerial view of Rest Lake Dam and fish hatchery. Reverse of postcard is postmarked Ashland in 1941.

    Record Type: Photo

    
12. Rest Lake Dam during fall water draw down of the Manitowish Chain of Lakes. ca 1960s-1980s - The concrete box structure of the Barr fish lock can be seen on the right of the dam so this picture was taken after 1931. There is nothing showing of the fish hatchery, which was constructed in 1932, on the far right, however all pilings may simply be covered by the high water level. The fish lock was removed as part of a dam rebuild in the 1980s.

    Record Type: Photo

    
13. Rest Lake Dam: From the Beginning by Jim Bokern 1878-2023 - History of the dam detailing construction, purpose and ownership.

    2024

    Record Type: Archive

    
14. Rest Lake Dam, Town fish hatchery and Barr Fish Lock ca 1950's - Caption reads "Rest Lake Dam - Manitowish Wis" and the identification number is "B969" Looking up stream across Vance (Dam) Lake towards the dam structure. The Town of Manitowish Waters fish hatchery is the building on the right. The fish hatchery was one of the few municipal owned hatcheries in the state.

    Record Type: Photo

    
15. Rest Lake dam with great picture of the Barr Fish lock structure ca 1930s - The fish lock was installed in spring of 1931.

    Record Type: Photo

    
16. Schematic of the Barr fish lock at the Rest Lake dam. ca 1930s - This fish lock was a prototype for other such structures in Wisconsin.

    Record Type: Photo

    
17. "The Barr Fishway- A Brief Description of the Only Successful Fishway Known Today" 1931 - This booklet discusses and illustrates the fishway invented by Harry Barr, from Ironwood Michigan, which was installed at the Rest Lake Dam. Also attached is a schematic diagram of the patented lock.

    Rest Lake Dam Collection

    Record Type: Library

    
18. "The Barr Fishway- The Only Successful Fishway in the World; The invention of Harry Barr of Ironwood, MI" 1938 - This booklet describes the objectives of the invention, its operation including detailed drawings plus recordings of the results.

    Rest Lake Dam Collection

    Record Type: Library

    
19. The fish lock or fishway at the Rest Lake dam. Ca. 1930s - The Barr fishlock or fishway was featured by the Wisconsin Conservation Commission as an exemplary design and used in other locations in the state. Data revealed that the lock mostly moved suckers and not game fish. The fishlock had a fence around the downstream section to stop folks from taking fish or damaging the operation of the lock. The lock was demolished during dam repairs in the 1980's.

    Record Type: Photo

    
20. The Rest Lake Dam and the Manitowish Waters Chain of Lakes- 1978 Thesis by Jim Bauer 1888-1978 - Submitted at UW-Stevens Point. History of the dam and the lakes affected by it. Discusses the dams constructed on Rest Lake, phase I, II and III logging, water level issues over the years, tourism, vacation homes, the fish hatchery and the fish lock.

    7/25/1978

    Record Type: Archive