The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-01-09

three years to get additional canals built,
but the great fire which destroyed
Eliensburg on July 4, 1889. inn
poverished them 80 that they had not
within themselves the ability to secure the
irrigation system necessary to water the
valley, and they we're compelled to stand
helplessly by and see the good time de-
ferred. Now, however, the day of promise
is near at hand, and within few months
one of the grandest systems of irrigation
on the Pacific coast will be in operation
here.
Within few weeks a company has been
organized in Tacoma. with a capital of
$i,00o,00O for the purpose of building a
canal around the east side of the Klttitas
valley, which will bringifrom 100000 to
l25,000 additional acres of land into culti-
walton when il is completed. 1t is called
the Klttitas Valley irrigation Canal Com
pany. of which ". H. Fife, of Tacoma, is
president and l. II. Wells is manager.
The sources of the water supply will he
lakes kachees and ktchelar, and the
Yakima river. A large force of men is
now at work clearing the right-of-way.
putting IN a dam and preparing the
foundations for the bridge across
INC AA'eI. DS4o" tuo uaI!l, NHlCn
is located near Easton, the canal
will run through the Yakima canyon. 1t
will have a width on the bottom of TWEEN
ty-four feet; it will be forty-eight feet
wide on top and have a depth OF eight
feet. The grade in earthwork is two feet
in 5000, and its capacity will be nearly
1000 cubic feet per second. 1t is expected
TO cost $4,000.
The right-of-way through this canyon
forest is now being cleared eighty feet
wide. The timber thus cut will be utli ed
for iiuming and bridge material and the
balance viii be converted into cordwood.
A mill costing about $50 600 will be built
by the company. and as about 1900 ,01o
feet of timber for the fumes and bridges
will be- required it viii be kept busy tor
some time.
The most difficult part of the undertak-
ing, OF course. is on the mountain divis-
ion. The crossing OF the Yakima river
alone will cost about SIPS 900 4 substan-
tial bridge will he built, and monster
conduit 1850 feet long and seven feet in
diameter Will carry the water across
it. This iiume vii! be made of immense
II slaves, which Will be first dipped in
asphaltnm and held together by heavy
steel bands. which are frightened by ma
chiuery. shortly after the river IS crossed
the canal pierces high ridge WIKI a tun-
mel :, 400 feet, and then enters the kittlta,
valley thIrtyfour miles from the head
works.
The canal, after entering the valley.
keeps close to the foothills " Aich surround
the basin aud swings entirely around It
and finds an exit through the gorge at the
extreme south end of the valley. It's waters
again mIngling with those Of the Yakima
and hurryIng on Ia make other lands
below smile and yield boun.iIui harveSts
for before il has gone many miles If il
again divided for the same purpose by the
people Of the \ All ma valley. Within this
valley proper number OF iaterals viii re-
lIeve the pressure on the main canal and
distribute the water on the lands below.
Severa, creeks OF good carrying capacity
are crossed. AMI they are utilized as later
ais. thus greatly facilitating the work OF
distribution. ia fact the numherot small
streams thus radiAting from the canal
along It's course form an almost pertec,
system OF latevals and greatly reduce the
work o; construction. and consequently
the expense.
The most expensive lateral taps the
cans! before the Yakima Is crossed ana
follows the foothills on the west side Of the
valley distance If about fifteen miles, IL
riraung about l5.010 acres Of fne and
The main canal and this lateral together
VIII leave no land IN the valley unwatered,
and where the traveller on entering the
valley now sees miles Of sagebrush ne
vii. when this system j. completed, be-
hod, as far As The high hills will permit
his VISION 10 90, nothing b9t Aelds. gar
0eus and groves, for ihis land is far too
valuable 10 be used Tor grazing purposes,
and ii must necessarily be a producing
son. ior This valley - tie nearest OF all