The St. Johns herald., 1891-02-26
Irrigation from ArteSIan Wells.

presence ot water underneath the Western plains. It is unique field of inquiry, and its results from both a scientific and a practical stand point are likely to be of considera- ble importance. It was prompted by the query whether it Were not possible to reclaim large sections of arid land by means of water from artesian wells, and, while other in- teresting facts have been developed, that is the one most emphasized in the lengthy Government report now ready for distribution. The volume contains 400 pages, and has returns from the Dakotas, Nebraska, Kan sas, Texas, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Colorado and Wyoming. In Dakotaa large basin has been found to exist about 400 miles long by 40 or 50 miles in width along the James River, and has been given its name. It's eastern boundary is marked by the watershed between the Rcd river of the North and the James, and it extends thence 50 miles or more west. It is pronounced the largest and strongest artesian basin yet dis covered in this country. The water is found in a great bed of white sand, which is thrown out in large quantities by the wells where they
 are allowed to flow freely. In Kan sas there are large areas where the water does not rise to the surface, although an abundant supply is ob- tainable by pumping. The same is true of many sections in Texas, Colorado, and other States. In all such areas it is suggested that the wind shall be utilized to raise the water, and the use of the windmill is recommended. This is doubtless in measure practical. As Engi- ncer Won Deist, of Colorado, re- marks: "The plains of eastern Col orado and New Mexico could be dotted over with wiLdmills to keep the water on the land just as the fpolders' in Holland are dotted with windmills to keep the water from the land" Itis manifest, however, that sections where the water for ir
 rigation must be raised in this way will only be taken up when the pressure of population is vastly greater than at the present time. One of the most remarkable devel- opments noted in the report Is that of the San Luis Valley, in Colorado. Within inc past year 2,000 flowing wells have been sunk within an area of 16,000 square miles-two-fifths that of Ohio-water being reached at depths of from 60 to LOCO feet, depending on whether the well is near the edge of the basin or its cen ter. About 12,000 acres have been irrigated during the past season from these wells, and no diminution in the flow has been perceived. This Is in some respects an ideal basin, surrounded, as it is, by lofty noun tains, whose sides next the basin are precipitous and where the pitch of the strata is such that vast quan- titles of water are carried down into the valley underground In Utah 2,000 wells have been sunk in the Salt and Utah lakes region. About 10000 acres of arid land has been reclaimed by the water from these wells, and no diminution in pres sure has yet occurred. Nevada has 67 flowing wells, and they have proven so valuable that the board of reclamation commissioners of that State claim that not less than 6.O00000 acres of now arid land can be rendered fertile by artesian wells-in other words, an area one fourth that of Ohio. This is doubt less exaggerated somewhat, but it seems likely that in both Utah and Nevada considerable areas can be