The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-05-28
A Great Kansas Lake.

The wish of the people of the prairies
for a great lake is ready for realization
when the Arkansas river furnishes the
supply Of water at its late spring rise
The largest irrigation and Improvement
undertaking in the Mississippi valley has
been completed, and if it proves success
full there are hopes for climatic changes
that will be even Of more value than the
land watering to be accomplished. A
great basin has been made ready for the
waters that come down from the noun
tains in the cratic Arkansas, and when
filled the lake vii support sail vessels
where the prairie schooner has been trav-
cling, and will lafford a great gathering
place for the waterfowls 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 it again and again
for the water seeped back TO the under
flow and was never kept from the river
long at a time. So many were the users
Of the water that the stream is drained
before it reaches the farms in central and
southern Kansas. The people of this
state threaten TO bring suit against 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 SHOWS on
the mountains the broad bed Of the river,
across which a woman might walk at
other times without wetting the soles Of
her feet becomes the course of a tor
rent Studying the CONFORMATION Of the
land along the river in fits lower course,
the engineers found that there might be
built a ditch to carry off the surplus
water and utilize it in benefting the peo-
pie of the eastern part Of the state.
They found back of the foothills to the
north of this place a peculiar formation
that made possible a vast lake-a tract
of land fourteen miles long. from four 10
six miles wide, with every foot Of 1t from
three 10 sixty feet below the rim OF hills
that completely surrounds 1t. 1t is the
bed of an ancient lake, and on its surface
rank grasses Of the prairie sloughs Il Is
almost worthless for farming, the sol! be-
ing too heavy. and it has remained fam
GUS spot in the wide plains. broken every
where else for miles around with hand
some farms.
Cheyenne Bottoms It IA called. and
there is a story that once it was the gath
ering place OF the Cheyennes OF the ter
rltory. Here they lighted their council
fires and pracJiced their iucantatiors-
Marks Of their occupation were common
when the first settlers came. Later i was
the famous rabbit chasing ground OF the
American Coursing association. which IL
Guided prominent citizens and lovers q
the chase in eastern cities. They came
to the fan meetings in special cars and
brought Wallets 10 me Vrairles. causing
much wonderment among che jewellers On
the plain. Once a real prince was among
those who watched the sleek hounds chase
the fee jackrabblts throIel the waving
grass. he was one Of The cattle kings u
| Wyoming and brought q small retnus q
friends ard servants with him. BDt
| coursing meets became too Common and
| the annual meetings were gwen 90. Since
/ then i mas been a grazing ground
! one day several years ago A lark cloud
| came uD IN the northwest and met an
other from tae south directly over the
| bottoms There was Tremendous rssr-
fall. c.oudburst. and the bottoms we're
| covered 70 q depth q SIX feet. FOR ;xo
years tas water was visible. showing
| that the bed was nearly wz-es erooL Then
I the pan q making & into a lake t31s
1 form. and al last wa-k vas begun sssw
I u is eomp.ets1-
/ From he river has beer dug 2 6firh.
v!th 4 capacity q 80 feet. 70 - g.
larged 70 l5ae fset .a.er. wa-a .ezss
from tie Tfver bed 70 AZ ops1any alads
through the hE.ls, ard IS 20 9os- is es1-
teucs lnto TIE vast depression. TIE csi1h
has been running a coazi5sra5ls stream
| much & the spring. ard w1sa tas E-Ea
/ water cones = Il expected iAai = 49,
easily r. lie Cd lake bottom az4 maze
al artificial BODY q xzisr ne la-zss; q
/ rs kind 4 IRE nation. aid me Lzzzss; =
any kid between ca.czgo ard szl; Lake
/ Arguad ire sao1e Is % &c = grave y941.
/ & re grave can BE- secured. z-ess are 70
/ d psaE-e1. ard win TIE bats CO re
rfvsE ): = believed iazi selEatsel reSa-t
&c. sGrzze- Gzgs CT tae 2.4.zs. VISA