The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-08-07
IRRIGATION IN ASOTIN COUNTY.
The Streams Run Deep in the Earth
Raising Water by Wheels.
From Census Bulletin.

From Census Bulletin.
Asotin county is in the southea tern corner Of
Washington, adjoining Wallowa county, Ore
gon, and separated from Neg Perces county,
Idaho, by the Snake river. 1t comprises a por-
ton of the high plateau country between the
Blue mountains and the deep gorges of that
stream. The Grande Ronde river enters the
southern part and flows easterly into the Snake,
and to the north of this are number of smaller
streams flowing from the mountains in the
same general direction. All these streams, as
well as the Snake river itself, are bordered by
precipitous walls rising in places to height OF
several hundred aud even thousand feet The
surface of the high divides between the streams
is usually nearly level, and is covered by a rich
soil. which, with an abundant rain fall. produces
heavy crops. In 1855 there is reported to have
been an unusual amount of precipitation; large
crops were raised and settlers f1ocaed in After
that time there was a succession OF years during
which the rain apparently diminished in guam
tity; the crops were scanty, so much
SO that many of the settlers were
compelled to seek homes elsewhere. In
many localities the population in the census
year is alleged 10 have been one third less than
il was four years before, and the production of
wheat fell in one instance from 50 bushels per
acre TO about - The principal industry at
present is stock-rasing, the cattle depending al
most entirely upon the native bunch-Sra
which is about the only forage plant adapted to
the dry cilllate little irrigation Is prdctlced
on the bottom lands bordering the Snake river
and Asotin creek, water being brought to the
small level areas by utches from side streams
wherever practicable Great difficulty is expe-
rienced in taking water from the river itself, as
the topography is such that bitches can not
readily lie built In a few cases pumps have
been tried, and three pulsometers have been in
use. The cost OF a pumping plant capable OF de-
livering 800 gallons Ter minute, or 0.G6 OF
second foot to height of 90 feet. is reported to
lie 1000 The expense OF operating this is So
day OF ten hours, this representing the cost of
wood Tor fuel and the wages of one man. At
the rate given, a pump would deliver nearly
one half acre-foot of water per day,
and thus an acre-foot would cost over si2.
The wafer must evidently be used with very
great care, and high duty obtained in order TO
ing water 10 the top of the steep banks along
the Snake is by means of waterwhees driven
By the current These are usually notifications
OF the ancient Egyptian noria, an undershot
waterwheel carrying buckets upon its rim. A
new device lately introduced consists of a wheel
mounted upon boat or raft securely fastened
10 the bank. This carries a tower sixty feet In
height, - the top Of which extends an endless
bel. carrying elevator scoops. The current
drives the wateTwheei, and this in turn causes
the scoops TO water to the top OF the tower,
where IL is discharged into a pipe leading down
the tower, out IL the shore aud up the bank
nearly to the level Of the top or the tower.
where the pipe emp;ies into a ditch.