The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1889-04-04
WATER For The PLAINS.
The Tremendous and Costly Work of Irrl-
eating the Colorado Desert.

gazing the EOiOrauo Desert
Major Powell, of the commission to
inquire into the project of irrigating
large bodies of land in Colorado and
elsewhere, has returned to Washington.
His errand in Denver was tn confer
with experienced and practical men in
terested ia the vast irrigation schemes
proposed by the United States Govern
rnent and get the benefit of such sug-
gestions as they might make at the
same time that he explained the pur-
pose of the scheme to those who
needed enlightenment. The immense
Importance of the project, particularly
TO Colorado people, makes a review Of
the conference most interesting at this
time.
Before coming here. SAYS the Denver
Republican. Major Powell sent letters
to the engineers of the states interested,
or TO other officials where engineers
were lacking, asking that capable men
be appointed to meet him and take part
in the conference that was to be begun
on the 11th inst. In response to this
invitation a number ofDenver citizens.
together with representatives from
Arizona, Nebraska, and Wyoming.
assembled in this city TO discuss ways
and means These gentlemen were all
qualified by education aud experience
to give intelligent opinions upon the
irrigation project and to make valua-
BILE suggestions as TO the manner of
carrying it out. Major Powell said ON
coming here that he feared his views
would be thought too radical He was
met with the answer that no other
views were radical enough to suit the
Western people.
Mai Pow ell maintains that To- carry
this tremendous plan to successful
completion the most thorough pre-
paratory work must be done: The
ground must be carefully surveyed
and mapped. and all investigation Of
water supply and demand, with many
other matters of Importance, must re-
ceive careful attention. He estimates
that these preparatory labors will oc-
cupy ten years, at n cost of S500.0OO
per year, or $1,000. 900 in all. After
ward the reservoirs. canals. etc, are to
be built. AT present the work IS
carried on by two parties known re-
spectiyely as the Topographic and
photographic divisions. Later on there
will he i construction division put in
the field. ANY land deemed suitable
for reservoirs or other purposes will
be Withdrawn from entry; nor will it
be again open to entry until so declared
by proclamation of the President IF
the United States. Every precaution
will be taken To guard against unfair
appropriation by speculatOrS of land
near the reservoirs. so that bona tide
settlers shall have first choice
As Major Powell says, it is possible to
find suitable reservoir sites only by care
full study of the territory to be bene-
fited. Natural basins must be used
when elevated sufficiently above that
region it is proposed to cultivate, as
it is manifest that to build storage
reservoirs in every instance would
much increase the cost of the UNDER
taking. In any event it will be neces-
sary in some places to construct tanks
without the aid of natural banks OF
dykes, and these must of necessity be
costly. In most cases it is hoped,
however, that the engineers can avail
themselves of depressions in the land,
gulches and other bits of natures
handiwork. and by the addition of O
little human labor turn them into very
good storehouses for irrigating pur-
poses
1t must be remembered that while
the primary object of this grand under
taking is the irrigation of millions Of
acres OF lands that now lie idle and
worthless, its successful accomplish
ment will also do much toward pre-
venting floods such as often deyasIate
the valleys of the Mississippi, the Rio
Grande, and other fitful streams. In
stead of pouring itself in uncont. ola
BILE masses upon growing crops, to
their destruction, the great surplus
water supply of the north would be
sent in quantities to suit over the great
parehed plains, and fruitfulness would
supersede sterility.
So vast is this irrigation scheme that
private capital cannot undertake it
But one point to be considered in
Major Powell's report, and the subse-
quent discussion in Congress. Is
whether the Federal Government or
the states most interested shall foot the
bills. The former will doubtless be
allowed that privilege. The great
plains that now yield so little to either
man or beast will soon be needed be
our constantly increasing population
Without water they cannot be in
habited, and where is the water 10
come from. save from the mountains
and streams? Rainfall is not to by
depended on in some parts. and
artesiau wells could irrigate but an
insignificant portion of the entire
arena.
Major Powell will present his report
to Congress this winter. and Congress
men will find in it abundant food for
rp pfiacfion