be as low as had ever been known for the season, and the same conditions applied in the Columbia’s tributaries. Mascot could not operate on the Lewis River above the forks. In some places on the east fork of the Lewis River the water depth was no more than four inches. In 1899, Congress had appropriated $10,000 for dredging and improving the east fork of the Lewis River, but by 1900, only a mile had been deepened. A breakwater had been installed near La Center, but this would not improve navigation until the high water season began. 1904 low water On July 30, 1904, Mascot made its last trip to La Center, about three miles upriver from the forks of the Lewis river, owing to low water above the forks. From the forks to La Center the freight would have to be carried by scows. Low water blocked navigation for about three months of the year, and the only other way of accessing the river towns was over rough mountain roads using wagons pulled by teams. Skiffs and other small craft were used for carrying freight during shallow water times on the river. 1905 low water On July 22, 1905, when Mascot could not navigate above the forks due to low water, its owners, the Kamm line, leased the gasoline launch Dix to provide service to points above the forks, including La Center. Dix was owned by Thomas Byers, who had been operating the launch in Portland harbor since the opening of the Lewis and Clark Exposition on June 1, 1905. Dix could carry 12 passengers, and drew less than a foot of water when loaded. The plan was for Mascot to discharge its freight at the forks into light-draft scows, which would be towed upriver to La Center and other points. Before chartering Dix, the Kamm line had been moving passenger and freight up from the forks using rowboats, but this turned out to be too slow. The owners of Mascot’s 1905 competitor, Leona, running on the same route, had a gasoline launch built at the Supple yard in Portland, to run upstream from the Lewis river forks. This launch was reported to draw only 3 inches of water when light, and only 5 inches when loaded with 10 tons of freight. 1909 low water The 1909 low water season lasted until near the end of October, when heavy