Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1890-08-07
NUMBER rs.
Lewistc1's Water Supply.

1t is extremely gratifying to know
that in this epoch of fearful fires and
this land OF irrigation that city is and
can be well protected and equipped
with an abundant water supply. A
plentiful supply of pure water is one of
the primary adjuncts to clty's growth
and development and a most necessary
one to the health and we'll being Of ia
people. Lewiston has In the first place
what much Of the SURROUNDING country
cannot boast of-any number of wells
yielding neyer-failing supply of pure
water, free from any taint of ulkuli.
The ordinary surface wells furnish "a
full supply for domestic purposes.
For irrigation, fire and flushing purs
poses and for the supply of water
power, several different corporations
can furnish an abundant supply. The
irrigation ditch, which at present sup
plies the city, draws it's supply from the
Clearwater. Commencing at a point
above the city four miles, good head
of water Is attained, sufficient to drive
hundreds of current wheels and to sup
ply power for n large tlourishing thifl.
'Thi ditch alone, with but a slight ex-
pense of widening and deepening,
could supply power for several mills
and factories. The current wheels ele-
vate the water which Is used in irri-
eating the various yards and gardens
of the city. The handsome appear
nnce of the city is due to the influence
of the irrigation procured from this
source. The shade trees, the fine or
chards and we'll kept lawns of Lewiston
| always calls forth a comment from the
visitors who come among us from the
surrounding barren country.
Another source of water supply ii
the Sweetwater Irrigation Co., u co
poration organized to drain the water
from Sweetwater into the city. The
capital stock IL all taken and the plans
and specifications arranged. The sur
vey has been approved and the actual
work begun by the corporation. The
ditch Will be seventeen miles in length
and the water will be received into fHss
ervoirs on the flats above the city from
whence 1t will be drawn for irrigating
purposes or conducted by means Of
fumes for Use as a water power. The
first section of this ditch has been
already completed and stream of
water two and One-half feet wide and
ten inches deep ia flowing through 1t.
This too at n season of the year pre-
sumably the dryest, shows that the sup-
ply to be obtained from this source wifi
fully equal the estimates made by the
projectors of the scheme. The Sweet,
water is pure, cold, mountain stream
which In the spring and carly summer
is subject to high freshets, carrying
then an immense supply Of water.
The reservoirs proposed can easily he
stocked to supply the deficiency of the
seasons of low water. This supply,
stored In the reservoirs ut point fully
800 feet above the town, will
furnish force capable Of driving u
dozen mills and factories.
Last but not least comes the supply
to be furnished by the Lewiston Light
and Water Co., large corporation
having capital stock of 500, 900; Il
company having some Of the wealthicst
capitalists Of Portland and the richest
citizens of Lewiston among Its inccfs
porators. A complete pumping system,
with the capacity Of 2,OOO,OOO gallons
and conveying pressure of 81 pounds
J to the square inch, has been adopted.
More than eight miles of mains and
} distributing pipes have been bought
and will be laid to convey the water
over the city. This alone will make
} the most complete system of water
J works in Idaho. From these varlOtta
sources the supply is ample and sifff.
} cient for any demand. The fertile soil
of the land about us can be made ia
, yield fruits and vegetables to supply
the northwest. Lovely homes will
: dot the flats about the city and wealth,
and prosperity abound. vineyards
and orchards will spring up every:
where. The soil is rich and prolific,
\ A 4 hat to - fc - N~..A
make development out out of s the mi. matspis1 s'1
furnished here, and enterprise ans
! capital be attracted to our advantage
With q plentiful supply of pure watel
! and a rich fertile soil, Lewiston offer
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