The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1897-09-24
IRRIGATION.
Address Delivered Before the Western Slope
Congress by Hon. S. 5. Siarmia.


But outside OF this field. the use OF
water for irrigation is still broad field,
and the first great problem is. its most
economical use. In some Of our counties
and particularly along the Uncompah-
gre river in portions OF Delta and Mont
rose counties, there have been fears
that water was not sufficiently plentiful
10 properly irrigate all Of the agriculture
al land. wish to openly assert that
this fear is without foundation and do
this IN the experience OF 1896 when the
water in the stream fell to less than zoo
cubic feet per second about the 10Th OF
June and about the middle OF July at
the Ouray and Montrose county line was
a little less than 100 cubic feet per
second.
But nature needs some help TO con-
serve this water. and this help need not
neessasrily he upon . larse ecale. upon
. scale such that only companies with
hundreds OF thousands OF dollars Of
capital can take hold Of it. Every farm
er has depression on his land which
be could enlarge and deepen and fill
with water during the flood season. and
which will greatly aid in conserving
water for the valley. This farmer may
not be able TO get this water out OF his
pond TO irriga;c his own land. but with
many OF such ponds scattered all over the
valley the seepage therefrom will great.
ly aid in keeping up the supply in the
streams. aud il carried TO the proper
extent no valley will lack for water at
any season OF the year. 1t must not be
overlooked that these ponds are almost
necessities upon an improved farm to
supply water for stock and domestic
purposes. They can be stoned up. stock
ed with fish. shade trees planted around
them and boats put upon them and a
valuable and ornamental place made OF
what otherwise would be low insight
ly spot.
The farmers OF the Western Slope are.
as rule, too greedy in their demands
for water. They make claim TO much
more than they need. Ten years ago
when making proof for decree OF water
priorities in Delta and Montrosc coun.
ties an inch OF water to the acre was
thought to be scarcely enough. At the
present time those best competent to
judge claim that cubic foot per second
is sufficient for so acres, which is equiyo-
cal to about 3S.l inches Tor so acres OF
crops. In California in places an inch
OF water is calculated to irrigate D or 6
acres OF land and is valued as high as
81 goo an inch. and is rented at an an-
nual rental Of from $3.50 to 500 per
acre. This means from $40 TO $40 an
inch per annum. We can be assured
that water for which this price is paid as
not run in open bitches. flooded over
roads. run into dog holes and used TO ir-
rigate brush and chico. as is our
water in Colorado. Such water is cor
Quoted to the trees desired to be water
cd in small pipes and only The soil
around that particular tree is irrigated.
There is the least possible loss by
evaporation and sccpagc. We have not
arrived at that stage Of water retinemeat
when such economy is practicc,l. nor do
wc practice scarcely any economy. We
must begin to do this. ~ our present
extravagant system Of using water is
not only washing the richness out Of our
soil, but causing much valuable land to
be ruined from secpagc. Whole sections
have bcca rendered uutillable for years
by trying to use too much water. II my
neighbos uses an excsss Of water caus-
ing ssepsge TO ruin my land which lies
below hin he ought 10 BE- responsible to
me fcs the injury, and think the law
would make him rciaburse ne tor the
daware be causce.