Los Angeles daily herald. [volume] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1873-1876, 1874-03-12
A Grand irrigation Scheme.

A late dispatch from Washington
says that the report of the Federal
Commissioners on system of irriga-
ton for the Sacramento, San Joaquin
and Tulare valleys will be transmitted
to Congress soon. 1t is very volumin-
Gus and extensive.
The Commissioners say that the ir-
rigation system ON the Eastern side of
the great California valley should be
by many short canals, to avoid cross
ing rivers by aqueducts Each river
may have one or more dams; in most,
the higher the better. These will
raise the waters so as to enable it to be
carried out over or through the banks
of the rivers and by the canals into
the plains needing irrigation, at the
lowest possible expense. Each main
river on the Eastern side may thus
have two canals--one on the right and
the other on the left bank. These main
canals may be carried along at the
proper grade so as to intersect similar
canals of ajacent rivers, and supply
water also where wanted to smaller
canals on the owerlevels, which drain
their supply.
On the western side of the valley
there should be, first, the canal al
ready constructed from the great bend
of the San Joaquin River to Los Banos
Creek. Secondly, a continual line OF
this canal, on Il grade OF six inches
per mile, to the Lower San joaquin
River, near Moore's Landing. Thirdly,
the proposed canal from Summit
Lake, but actually to draw its water
from Tulare Lake, extending to the
lower San Joaquin River at Antioch,
OH a grade of six inches to the mile.
FOurthly, the proposed canal, on
grade of three inches per mile, from
the left bank of Kern River, above
Bakersfield, around southwark of Kern
Lake to Buena Vista Lake. This ca
nal would irrigate the country be-
tween it and Kern River and the
lakes. The plain TO the east and south
of the latter canal, between 1t and the
surrounding foothills, seems incapable
of continued irrigation, because it is
higher than the canal. Some portions
of this may be irrigated by storing
water in the rainy season, and, where
ever the expense can be sustained, it
may be possible to irrigate them by
taking water out of Kern River, high
enough to make it flow Overthe entire
plain; but the expense would be very
great. The same remarks apply to the
extensive plain southwest and north
west Of Tulare Lake, between the line
of canal leading to Antioch and the
foothills of the Coast Range.
The fifth feature Of the system pro-
posed for the western side of the great
valley is the construction of canal,
both for irrigation and navigation,
west of the Sacramento river, just be-
low Red Bluff, keeping close to the
foot hills, so as to irrigate all the land
below and terminate at the head of
navigation in Cache Greek. The area
irrigated by this canal would be 1920
acres. The quantity of water neces-
sary for both irrigation and naviga-
ton is estimated at 6, ISL cubic feet per
second. If designed for irrigation
only, changes could be made in loca-
ton and size, whereby its cost could
be greatly reduced. A saving would
also be effected by feeding from Stony,
Cache and Putah Creeks. A branch
canal is recommended, to leave the
main canal on the right branch of
Stony Creek, and go thence to the
Sacramento river and down the right
bank to Knights Landing This
would irrigate the trough of the valley.
The Commissioners favor the Clear
Lake Water Works Company's pro-
ject to take the waters of Cache Creek
for the irrigation of the Solano and
Yolo county plains. They discuss the
influence OF canals on the navigation
of the rivers, showing that it would be
very slight in the Sacramento and
San joaquin.
After infinitely describing how wa
ter can be taken from the rivers and
distributed over the land, and pointing
out errors in the existing and projected
canals in California, the Commission
ers express decided opinion that the
farmers alone will renew the project
and execute comprehensive system.
They believe, however, that if the peo-
pie could be made to appreciate the
immense advantages to agricultural
interests that would result from irri-
CATION, and if comprehensive system
could be laid out for them, and proper
laws and regulations enforced in regard
to the use of water, and unity ofaction
be thus insured, they will take hold of
the subject. They might carry it out,
except in particular instances, with
out much aid from the General Gov
ernment.
The cost of a proper system for the
Sacramento, Tulare and San joaquin
valleys is estimated at $40 per acre,
and in the foothills at not much more.
The Commissioners say there would
be no conflict between mining water
rights and irrigation of the plains,
because the same water could be used
first by the miners, and then for
irrigation.
Among the conclusions Of the report
are the following: By irrigation, the
productiveness of the San joaquin
and Tulare Valleys would be increased
many fold, and the value of the lands
increased proportionally. The work
need not be done all ut once. The
first essential step is a complete recon-
noisance of the country to be irrigated
and the sources of supply. The next
Typographical surveys OF the particu-
lar districts. When the general COM
prehensive system is laid out, any ir-
rigating enterprises not inconsistent
Herewith, which from ten to fifty
farmers may desire to execute, should
be permitted and encouraged. Neither
land nor water should be sold sepa-
rately. The irrigated lands should
pay for the work, as far us possible;
but it would be good policy for the
State to give the various counties aid
in such enterprises, especially as some
cost of irrigation. The aid of private
enterprises should also be invited.
Private companies, however, should