The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1899-07-18
A GREAT PRAIRIE LAKE.
ON A NEW PLAN TO
Be TRIED m KANSAS.


The wish Of the people of the prai-
ries, who live in the district tributary
to Great Bend, Kan. for a great lake
Is ready for realization when the Az
kansas River furnishes the supply of
water at its next rise. The largest ir-
rigation aud improvement uudertak-
ing IN the Mississippi Valley has been
completed, and if it proves successful
there are hopes for climate changes
that will he of even more value than
the land watering TO be accomplished.
\ great basin has been made ready
for the waters that come down from
the mountains in the cratic Arkansas.
and when filed the lake will support
sail vessels where the prairie schooner
has been travelling, aud will afford a
great gathering place for the water
fowls in their semi .annual migrations.
For years the farmers along the
course of the upper Arkansas have
been using the water OF the stream for
irrigation. Indeed, they have used
1t again and again, for the water
seeped back to the underhow and was
never kept from the river long at a
time. SO many were the users of the
water that the stream is drained be.
fore 1t reaches the farms in central
and southern Kansas. The people of
Kansas threaten to bring suit again st
those of Colorado TO secure a share Of
the water, but the outcome Of such a
plan is problematical At seasons of
the year when the sun has melted the
l,fr ,ta1r I !
Of the river across which a woman
might walk at other times without
wetting the soles Of her feet becomes
the course of torrent Studying the
confguration of the land along the
river IN its lower courses, the engi-
neers found that there might be built
ditch to carry Of the surplus water
and utilize it in beneiting the people
OF the eastern part of the State.
They found back of the foothills to
the north OF this place a peculiar for
nation that made possible a vast lake
"a tract Of land fourteen miles long.
from four to six miles wide, with
every foot of it from three to sixty feet
below the rim OF hills that completely
surround it, It is the bed of an an
cient lake, and on its surface have
grown for hundreds of years the rank
grasses of the prairies sloughs. 1t is
almost worthless for farming. the soil
being too heavy, and it has remained
famous spot in the wide plains.
broken everywhere else for miles
around with handsome farms.
Cheyenne Bottoms it is called, and
4
gathering place of the Cheyennes Of
the territory. Here they lighted their
council fires and pracuced their incau-
tations, Marks of their occupation
were common when the first settlers
came. Later it was the famous rabbit
chasing ground Of the American Cours-
ing Association, which included prom
inent citizens and lovers of the chase
in the Eastern cities. They came to
the fall meetings in special cars and
brought Wallets to the prairies. causing
much wondermeut among the dwe..ers
on the plain. Once 1t real prince was
among those who watched the sleek
hounds chase the feet iackrabbits
through the waving grass. lie was
one of the cattle kings of Wvomjnz
and brought "A small retinue OF friends
and servants with him. But c1uvsius
meets became too common and the an
nual meetings were given up. Since
then it has been a grazing ground.
One day several years ago a darl,
cloud came up in the northwest and
met another from the south directly
over the bottoms. There was tire
mendous rainfall, a cloudburst. and
the bottoms were covered to a depth
OF six feet For two years the water
was visible, showing that the bed was
nearly waterproof Then the plan of
making it into lake took form. and
at last work was begun. Now it is
completed
From the river has been dug ditch
with capacity Of 500 feet, to be en-.
larged to 1900 feet later. which leads
from the river bed TO an opening made
through the hills, aud is 20 pour its
contents into the vast depression. The
ditch has been running considerable
stream much of the spring, and when
the high water comes 1t is expected
that it will easily fill the old lake bot
tom and make au artificial body of
water the largest Of the kind i'm the
nation, and the largest of any kind be
tween Chicago and Salt Lake. Around
the shore is Co be % gravel road. If tho
gravel can hs secured, trees are 10 be
planted, and with the boats ON the
river it is believed that q delightful
resort for summer days on the plains
when hot winds hold sway. will be es
tabiisbed.
Along with the artistic ADVANTAGE.
there are to- Dee reaped other profits
The waters of ditch and lake are To- %,
utilized by the farmers for irrigation
and miles OF Iaterais have already beer
constructed, SO that nearly half of the
county viii be waterej from this trib
utary Of the Arkansas
The problem of water supply is the
most perpleying before the Western
people, and there have been many
plans proposed that were intended ts
give relief. The rivers that flow from.
the hills aud then, laggnrJ and aim.
less, sa1nter across the prairies. can.
not furnish water to all who wish &,
secure their help. Too much water +.
wasted. At times the stream is bank
full, or is flooding AN tine surrounding
country theu there is drought md
flies from the bed OF the stream.