, 1889-07-20
%IRRIGATING WYOMING.
The Plans of Engineer Mead for a
Saving of Water.
Ascertaining the Amount Required
to lrrigate a Given Area.
Suggestions From a Country Lead
ing in the Economic Science.

Since it is evident that in many sec.
tions of Wyoming cultivation of the sol
a only be successful when the tillable
tracts are placed under irrigating bitches
it is high time that those engaged In this
branch of territorial industry iamiliarize
themselves with the best methods of Sc
curing the desired results. A cardinal
principle in the artificial distribution OF
moisture is to avoid its waste. This es
pecial branch OF the science is yet IN its
infancy, but at the head of this depart
ment in Wyoming cabinet is a man who
is a recognized authority on the subject.
Territorial Engineer Mead is now CON
Quoting a series of experiments which will
result in the gain of knowledge OF inesti
mable value to Wyoming. He has placed
a nilometer, u delicate machine which au
tomatically registers he flow OF water
through canal or stream. in a ditch at the
big farm of the Wyoming Development
company. This clever c%ontrivance is
measuring the water used in irrigating 100
acres of oats. When the cropis harvested,
or even before, Mr.. Mead, who is aided
In his researches by HON.. A. Johnston,
will be able to instruct Wyoming farmers
as to the use of water in irriga-
ton. He can then tell the ditch
capacity required in moistening a given
area. This knowledge will be of vast SER
vice to water companies as well. There
are absolutely no statistics on the subject
and Mr.. Mead will be the first man to
give the figures to tie world. The intor-
nation will come from the youngest terri
tory and a section supposed to be little in
terested in the vital subject.
An Australian commission on irriga-
ton visited the Rocky mountain region in
1885 to collect data for the use of those
desiring to irrigate lands on the smallest
continent. Their mission was highly sue
cessful. Australia now has better irri-
eating systems and wiser laws on the
subject than any other country in the
world, while the area under ditch is g.
900, 900 acres, five times as much as in
the United States. The investigating
committee made an elaborate report,
which was printed and distributed among
the farmers. Much space was devoted to
Colorado. then and perhaps still the lead
er of states in irrigating. In closing the
volume the commission made a short Sc
ries of recommendations based upon
American experiences" These will inter
est all citizens n should command at
tention of members-elect of the legisla-
ture and constitutional convention. Here
are the suggestions:
Il is essential that the state should ex-
ercise the supreme control OF ownership
over all rivers, lakes, streams and sources
OF water supply, except springs rising up
on private lands.
That it should dispose of the water to
those desiring to irrigate on such terms
and conditions and to such an extent as
may be determined by professional or
qualified officers of Its own, its object be-
ing to encourage the greatest possible
utilization OF the water on the largest pos
sible area.
To insure this it should establish a
scale of water measurement, and insist
upon its employment in all transactions
relating to water.
The state should appoint local water
masters to supervise the distribution of
water, settle disputes and exercise such a
jurisdiction under a central office as shall
guarantee the preservation Of water
courses and other sources of supply.
Power should be given to holders of
water rights to hold easements over pri-
vate lands on payment Of compensation
and proof that the route asked for by
them has been selected for sufficient
reasons.
The state should furnish the fullest In
formation as to the natural capacities of
"a. e.