The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1895-04-05

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most nearly adapted to our conditions
and modify them to suit our require
ments.
The question with us, though import
ant, is not a difficult n Our situa'
ton is very favorable for it's practical
application. The great geologic lake
bed, extending from the 9th meridian
to the western limits OF the state. and
forming the great arteslan basin. FUR
nishes a supply Of water only limited
by the number OF wells the inhabitants
see TT to bore. It seems to be fed by
the head waters Of the Missouri and it's
tributaries, which, in flowing Owe the
cretaceous outcrop OF porous strata
that underlie the drift material, perco-
lates through and follows the trend of
the dip into the great arteslan basin.
The fact that the Missouri is smaller
| after crossing these outcropping strata
is considered good evidence in support
OF this theory.
East of the 9th meridian. in the
glacial deposits or morains forming the
ranges of coteaus which seem to limit
the artesian basin on the east, are num-
erous lake beds covering an area OF
about 76S,OOO acres. which are natural
reservoirs for the reception OF the perlo-
die rainfall and a be easily arranged
30 as to conserve it until needed by the
crops.
Mai. ]. w. Powell. OF the United
States Geologic Survey says-and the
reports OF the Secretary of Agriculture
confirm the statment-"an annual pre-
cipitation OF twenty inches is sufficient
to mature all ordinary crops" Our
annual rainfall varies from twenty
three inches in the eastern part, to
twelve inches in the western portion,
which shows that if we can conserve the
ram that now falls, verv little addi-
tional water is needed, especially in the
earstern part OF the state.
In the Black Hills, the problem is al
ready solved. as irrigation 10 nov fol-
lowed to a great extent. Speartish and
Redwater creeks are furnishing supplies
of water that now ,rrigate upwards of
100 900 acres besides being used largly
for mining purpose. The entire western
portion OF the state ls traversed by
bv streams having their head waters in
the Rocky Mountains, which will sup.
ply all the water needed in that section.
The Grand, Moreau, CHEYENNE and Lit.
tie Missouri rivers, with their MANY
tributaries are a source of supply which
may be easily distributed over the now
semi-arld plain OF western Dakota.
There are. Then, three distinct lrrlga-
ton divisions in South Dakota each re-
quirine a different method Of operation.
Flrst-The eastern division to be
watered by means of the actual rainfall
in the lake beds and doIed out
to the land as needed through a system
OF canals from these natural reservoirs.
Second-The central division or artes-
sian basin where the water is supplied
by flowing wells and easily distributed
over the land.
Third-The western division where
the water is supplied by streams whose
are in the mountains fur
%nisling an abundant and constant sup
plv.
Regarding the last two divisions we
need only say the system mentioned
are already practiced in them and are
successful. The first division is
the only n which seems to present any
difficulty. But, after answering the OBJ
OF lack OF precipitation with the
statement that, though but twenty
inches per year is required, the average
fall is about twenty-three inches, the
greatest disadvantage that remains is
tins: Situated 80 near the great CONT
mental divide, the land is SO nearly level
that it will be difficult to obtain a head
OF water sufficient to force Its way
through irrigation canals. This IS part
~ true; but whlle the highest points may
not be reached by means Of the natural
flow, the distance which it must be car
ried by mechanical means is greatly
lessone l, though such means will need
to be Used to some extent.
But the covering Of this vast area ct
lake surface will in itself have very bene-
fetal results. It will make the atmos
phere more humid; lesson the Inability of
early and late frosts, temper the hot
south winds, dimish the frequency Of
10 lie 20, rms ond -snnnlu c0niolas dowa