Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-05-29
Storage Of Surplus Water.

State of South Dakota, Executive
Chamber, Pierre, May 20tb, 1897.
To the People of South Dakota: Greet
ing:
Believing that the conservation Of the
surface waters Of our state is one Of the
most important matters in our domestic
economy l desire in this public manner
to call particular attention to the follow
ing act pertaining thereto passed at the
late session of the legislature:
An act to provide for building dams for
the storage Of surplus water in lakes,
rivers, or other waterways for public
use within the State of South Dakota.
Be it enacted, etc.
Section l.. That all surplus water
above the normal amount in lakes, riv-
ers, creeks or other bodies of water, is
hereby appropriated to the use and
benefit of the people Of this state.
Sec. 2. That the Board of County
Commissioners in any county in the
State Of South Dakota shan upon petit
tion signed by majority Of the legal
votersof such cou nty. to be determi ned
by the poll books in the Office of the
auditor OF said county, proceed to buiid
dams across streams, TO cut bitches and
otherwise prepare to. and TO store all
surplus water as described in Section
Of this act
Sec. 3. Any damage arising 10 ad-
jacent property shall be settled in the
manner prescribed by law for settling
similar damages.
Sec. 4. All acts and parts Of acts in
conflict with the provisions Of this act
are hereby repealed.
/ 1regard the foregoing law as one Of
great importance to our State. We
shall not. however, reap the benefit to
be derived from il unless the people are
aware of its contents and alive to the
necessity of vigorous application Of
the policy laid down. A lively public
sentiment will have much to do with
enforcing this law and all who are in
terested should make it their especial
duty to see that the Boards of County
Commissioners are properly petitioned
TO begin the work and that local road
oyerseers proceed to act upon the law
in their road work. If dams are built
by county aud township officers in all
cases where practicable, along creeks,
sloughs and draws on the public high
ways. it will be found possible to save a
great deal of the water which will other
wise escape if open bridges are built
and when the heavy rains of June and
July have gone the surface Of the state
will bear witness to the benefit derived
from their work by the Increased num-
Der Of ponds and sloughs which contain
water. 1t ought not to be expected that
a revolution in the character Of our
climate can be at once accomplished but
q start can be made which will soon
begin to be observed in a modification
Of climatic conditions, the result Of
which will eventually be witnessed in
more frequent and heavy rainfalls.
This is the present practical method Of
irrigation. Its effects will be immedi
ately seen in more abundant dews, a
greater supply of water for stock, and
better pasturage, as lakes and ponds at
close intervals are certain to cause the
ground generally to become more moist
and thereby aid vegetation.
| would therefore suggest that those
charged with the duty of carrying ont
this act give it their immediate and
most thoughtful attention. deem this
law of sufficient importance to the peo-
pie of our State to haye it published in
order that the people may have due
notice Of its passage so that they may
take immediate advantage Of the same
which cannot help but result in great
benefit to our State if the letter of the
law is carried out.
Very respectfully submitted,
ANDREW +. LEE,
Governor of South Dakota