The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1898-12-22

fact in Yakima.
Running almost through the center of
North Yakima in southeasterly direc-
ton, it was soon demonstrated by the
energetic farmets of Yakima that "irri-
CATION is king" indeed. And thew have
put their shoulders 20 the wheels OF pro-
gress ever since until row there have
been at least two millions oi dollars ex-
pended in irrigating canals in the Yak
ina valley, which are now paying hand
some returns for the money invested.
The second ditch Is what is known az
the Union ditch, which for time fur
nished power for the North Yakima flour.
ing mill. It's source is the Natchez river,
about two miles northwest of the city.
The canal runs in southeast erly direc-
ton and is about five miles long. Grow
ing ont OF the necessities Of this ditch, Il
larger canal was built. with it's source
further up the river-the Natchez and
CowvChe ditch, ten feet at the bottom,
with two to one slope, three feet deep,
and the grade two feet per mile. This
ditch is ten miles long and has opened up
a beautiful section of country. Most of
the lands under this canal are sell M
for 500 to $500 per sore owing to their
fine qualities for fruit and hops, and ~
ing so close to the county seat. North
Yakima. From the year 1881, when the
latter ditch was constructed, irrigating
canals have been bu 1t at an amazing
rate
Among the more important is the Sc
abont twenty-five miles northwest from
North Yakima in the Natchel river, aud
is about eighteen miles long 1t waters
beautiful section of country, and at the
feet above the river.
Next further down on the north side of
the river is the Gleel ditch, between six
and eight miles in length. Directly OPP
posite this ditch, across the river, is
where the famous Yakima Valley cana |
leaves the Natchez river. This canal is
between eighteen and twenty miles long,
and covers the most beautiful section of
country in the Yakima valley. 1t is a
source OF wonder to all new corners, with
it's continuous trestle-Work tlume for a
distance of four and half to five miles,
and a height in places of 80 feet above
the river. Crossing the Cowyche stream,
the canal goes through syphon three
and half feet in diameter. The lands
under this canal are valued at from 800
to $500 per acre. Next further down, and
directly east is the Mckee valley, princi-
pally irrigated from the Hubbard ditch.
1t is in this valley that Gardiner Hubbard
and Mr.. Bell of Washington City, of Bell
telephone fame, have expended upwards
of $3.50 600 in irrgating and retaining
lands, making what is known as the
great Mckee farm, containing about 2000
acres of very fine farming lands. The
Hubbard ditch, named for its protector,
is about 9 or 10 miles long and II feet at
the bottom. 1t is capable of carrying a
large volume of water. In that valley
there is also the Fowler ditch, not so
large as the Hubbard ditch, yet covering
fine tract of land. Further east of
these canals are the famous artesian
wells. which irrigate about 1900 acres of
beautiful land which has become the
garden spot of the valley. with its fine
hop, alfalfa and grain fields and promis-
ing young orchards. 1t is thought that
through this valley will run the high-line
Sunnyside canal. The line has already
been surveyed, and when completed the
canal will be over 100 miles in length.
The headgate will be few miles below
the headgste OF the Selah Valley canal,
thence running parallel with it and cross.
ing the Yakima river by syphon just
north of the city, will run the entire
length OF the Mckee valley; thence cross
ing the divide and emptying into the Co
um bia river.
The Yakima Indian reservation canal
leaves the south side OF the Yakima river