The Delta independent., 1889-10-15
THE IRRIGATION PROBLEM.
Some Important Suggestions by Sena.
tor Stewart of the Senate
Committee.


Committee.
Special to the Denver Republican.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 9. = The tour
! of inquiry of the special Senate Committee
| on irrigation and arid lands has extended
through eighteen States and Territories
| and has lasted fft,>two days. 1t has been
matter of extreme interest throughout
the West Senator Stewart Of Nevada,
chairman Of the committee, who has re-
turned to the Capitol, said to-day:
1.-THE committee has closed the field
branch of its labors. Our last session was
held on tho 2lst of September at North
Platte, Nebraska, the point furthest east at
which irrigation, on account Of aridity, is
ROW carried on.
at has been great journey, beginning
August l at St. Paul, Minnesota. Our in
vestigations in Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas,
Indian Territory and western Texas con-
vince me that the eastern line Of the sub
humid area is of irregular character and
may properly be extended to 81 degrees 50
minutes. East and west there is q breadth
of l5O miles within the great stretch Of fer
tile prairies, which in the Dakotas has pro-
duced 5o,ooo,cC0 bushels annually Of the
famous hard wheat, the grain of the arid
soils. The ground is alike in western
Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming
New Mexico, Utah, Montana, Idaho, Wash
ington and California. Tho annual pre-
cipitation, though approaching the normal
cquirements of agricultural industry, is
yet and everywhere too uncertain to be re-
lied upon.
''The central belt Of the Dakotas and
also the Red River section of North Da
kota are endowed with the most remarka-
BILE bodies of artesian water yet found on
the continent. Artesian waters have also
been found in Nebraska, Kansas, Montana,
Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico and
Texas. The problem on the plains is
one of supplementing the rainfall. A
permanent adjustment will not be ef.
fectcd by the wells, however num-
erous. They must however be source
OF most Of the small storage with which
the farmers on the plains will meet the
present deficiency of yearly rainfall. Well
water is not always applicable TO irriga-
uoa purposes and should be allowed to
stand in small ponds, gathering the enrich
ing qualities (for land use) in which the
microbe and other microscopic life always
breed.
'Eyerywherc, too, on the plains the
farmers can construct small ponds and
basins. One acre of water ten feet deep
will supply the deficiency in rainfall for
most years on leo acres. Peroolntion or
seepase may largely be prevented when
necessary by aitering gypsum spar or
some clays broken into powder through
the waters until they settle and cover the
bottoms.
Again, the ordinary ditch, according to
the nature OF the soil, will sub-irrigate, by
seepage, from 800 to 1000 feet on either
side ofits banks, what then will An acre
reservoir do.
'lf the farmers, where flowing waters
are obtGinnble or even where waters in
sufficient quantity rise nearly to the sur
face, would unite together, say those on
one section, aud would make n suitable
choice of location for well and basin, they
could by thus combining their means, sink
well large enough in capacity and by its
overflow I'LL a reservoir in size amply suf-
fieient for their own needs.
at seems TO be well that Congress should
consider the propriety of appropriating .
reasonable sum for the examination Of
water supplies in the plains region above
and below the surface of the grounA, and
perhaps also IL should bore a limited mum.
Der of experimental wells on public lands
for the purpose OF definitely determining
the cost of said wells and the extent, il
possible, OF the artcsian ebb and flow.
"The only permanent system to supply
the great plains will be a great scheme of
photographic engineering which will seek
TO store tho waters of the upper Missouri
and sources OF the Mississippi SO as to
regulate and thereby prevent the disastrous
floods OF the lower basin region and yet
will ut the same time afford an abundant
supply for the feeding OF one or more great
canals with their appropriate reservoir
systems, by which not only irrigation will
be Effected for the great plains over an
area Of $50 miles east and west by COO
north and south, but manufacturing power
and navigable capacity will also be SO
cured.
Northwest Texas belongs largely to tho
plains region. Colorado and Wyoming on
the east side OF the Rockies are, with south
west central Kansas and Nebraska, parts
of one great drainage system, dominated
by the Arkansas and tho Platte Rivers.
There is more activity in Colorado even
than in California, and certainly moro
liberal understanding of tho legal princi-
pies that must govern the control and bon.
eficial uses of water within tho arid sec
tion."