The project was initiated under the provisions of the National Industrial Recovery Act of 1933. The feeder canals were constructed by Civilian Conservation Corps forces during 1934-1935. All construction work in connection with the tunnels and feeder canals was completed by September 1939. The project has benefited the livestock industry and has considerably stabilized irrigation for 188 farms comprising 14,746 acres. A substantial part of the yield would not have been possible without the supplemental water supply furnished by the project.
Principal crops are alfalfa, wheat, barley, oats, and pasture.
This transmountain diversion not only alleviated the threat of drought, which periodically hampered livestock and agricultural pursuits, but also increased the production of forage crops.