The San Francisco call., 1897-09-07
Work Progressing on a
Monster Irrigation
Project.
Supply to Be Derived From
the HeadWaterS of the
Fresno.
Series of Reservoirs VIII Be Built
Along the Mountain
Stream

FRESNO. CAL, Sept. 6.-Madera
County is to have a new irrigation ystem
which, it is believed, will remedy the
very unsatisfactory maner in which the
farmers have been supplied with water
heretofore. An extensive project is on
foot TO control the waters in the moun-
tains and gather plentiful supply to
moissen Madera's fields during the dry
summer months. The MADEIRA Canal and
Irrigation Company is prom oting the
scheme, which means so much to the
county across the river. For the past few
weeks the company's engineer, l. Tell
man. of this city, as been working on the
project, and he feels satisfied that it can
be made a success.
"Yes. it is true that l have been work
ing Oh project to give MADEIRA County a
good system of irrigation, and l am now
in a position to give you some news which
means so much to that county," said
Teilman to-day. 81 have been employed
by the MADEIRA Canal and Irri 3ation Co nl-
pany to ascertain if the water supply
could be so improved that the farmers
could be furnished with q good system of
irrigation. Return Roberts is the principal
shareholder in the MADEIRA com pany, and
he is determined 10 have an improved
water service where he is so largely inter
ested.
Il ain happy to say that after surveying
the ground, | feel satisfied that the better
ment of the supply can be accom- pliahed
at reasonable cost. Improvements are
already under way near Flsn Camp, on
the Yosemite road A force of men is at
work enlarging ditch running from Big
Greek to the head of Fresno River. During
June and July, when the snow is melting,
this canal will hereafter be able to convey
three or four times the amount OF water
it has done. This will add materially to
the stream in the river, which will be the
source of our water supply, an during
the two months named, the Fresno will
have plenty of water TO irrigate the county.
II have looked up reservoir sites along
the stream, IN which 10 mpound water in
the summer when the river runs dry. 1t
seems that nature has done its work for
our benefit, for there are several suitable
sites along the stream where we can con-
struct reservoirs and retain large guam
tity of water at comparatively small cost.
We have not, as yet, decided upon what
site to AXE. 1t is our object to build one
or more reservoirs that will mold water
enough to supply stream OF 100 cubic
feet second during period of sixty davs.
This will give MADEIRA County all the
water that is needed for successful irriga-
tion.
Heretofore l have been of the opinion
that MADEIRA ought to obtain its water
supply from the San Joaquin River, but
now believe, after a thorough inves-
tigation, that, with the extensive i'm
provement of the present system from
Fresno r yer, the farmers will obtain
better service than if the wafer were de-
rived from the San Joaquin. On this river
Miller & Lux have prior right to all low
water, and during this period the Made
rams would not be able to obtain any
water. sati factory service would by
no means be given, and the cost OF this
system would be much more than TO use
the water from Fresno River.
Il am sure that the project now under
way TO divert water from the Fresno River
will give the county all the water that is
needed for judicous Irrigation.