The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1897-09-24

OI tuou5duus OF rect III uIrduAA uLuef
and on each side OF the surface channel,
and it is, or ought to be, a criminal waste
of water to permit it to how over so
broad an underground area as it has to
in the natural streams.
To conserve this water and use it most
economically, would suggest the build
ing OF a water tight dam from bed rock
to the surface OF the grouud across the
whole breadth OF the underground chan
mel Of the stream at the expense Of all
using the waters Of the stream and at
the most suitable point near where the
water in the stream becomes scarce,
thus forcing all Of the streams water to
the surface and out OF the streams chan
mel into ditch for irrigation use. But
as the bed Of the stream is usually the
natural drainage OF the valley, this pro-
cess could be repeated again 10, 10 or 20
miles below the first dam and second
supply of water raised to the surface
nearly equal in volume to the first. These
dams would not be very expensive, as
they would be built against solid bank
OF gravel on the lower side and the gra-
vel removed in excavating would be
packed in again upon the upper side.
The only thing would be 10 have them
sufficiently tight TO cut off all the under
current of water and force it to the sur
face.
Talk about tapping the Gunnison
river for water for the Uncompahgre
valley! Water in abundance TO irrigate
the whole valley can be obtained this
way for few thousand dollars as the
tapping Of the Gunnison would cost
hundreds Of thousands. Talk about
reservoirs this would be a reservoir more
extensive than We could hope to find at
the surface. There would be no danger
OF the dam giving away and flooding the
country. There would be no extra loss
by evaporation or Sc page, for water is
already there, there is no new dry reser
voir to wet up. II properly constructed
il is there for all ages to come, without
one dollars cost in repair or maintenance,
for the still water with the cement
properties it contains, would be con-
stantly adding to the thickness and
solidity Of the dam. Put one dam near
the south line Of Monirose county and
one near Olathe and all unite in extend
ing one big ditch up TO each dam, all the
small bitches to be supplied from the
large ditch. This plan will more than
double the available water during dry
seasons in most OF our streams which are
used for irrigation on the Western Slope.
The preservation OF our great forests to
protect the SHOWS and conserve water
thereby is of very small concern. compar-
ed with this OF building dams that will
hold the water back in one large natur-
al underground reservoir SO that it can
be tapped il necessary. and if not. forced
to the surface as needed.
But this paper is occupying too much
OF the time Of this Congress. In it, how
ever. there are four suggestions which /
believe Of sufficient Importance to merit
the consideration OF this convention.
which briefly stated. are as follows:
i-RecUmmending the construction Of
small ponds or reservoirs upon each farm
by the individual farmers for the pur-
pose OF aiding in storing the food waters
for use in the dry season.
1.-The construction Of dams across
the uuder ground channel OF streams to
raise the under-fiow OF water TO the sur
face and also TO conserve the water as in
reservoirs built above ground.
lll-To consider and endeavor to
bring about the united consent Of irriga-
tors and law that during the dry sea.
sons the waters Of stream shall be
rotated in accordance with priorities
and the extravagant waste of water
under our present system stopped.
IV.-To bring about the establishment
Of scientific experimental stations by
the state for the purpose OF obtaining
and disseminating general information
as to the best methods Of irrigating the
different crops having reference to local
ity. time and frequency OF irrigation.
comparative amount OF water needed FOR
different crops TO produce best results
etc, to be published and circulated for
the benefit and instruction Of the far.
mcr and fruit grower. This phamphlet
is TO be brief. say not to exceed 100 pages
aud somewhat general in character. but
TO be an irrigation school, a general
foundation from which all farmers can
start and build up by experience OF their
own. clear and defined knowledge OF
the best methods Of watering the vsried
crops which are produced on the West
crn Slope.
In the carrying out Of these sugyes
tions great advancement will be made
in our irrigation system and on r farp,ipo