The sun., 1899-05-07
A GREAT PRAIRIE LAKE.
IRRIGATION on A NEW PLAN TO
he TRIED IN KlNBAS

The Largest Artificial Lake Ready TO BE
Filled ny the Late Spring Rise of tho
Arkansas Fourteen Miles Long and
Six Wide Importance of the Test
GREAT BEND. Kan, May 3.-The wish OF the
| people OF the prairies for great lake Is ready
for realization when the Arkansas River fur
nishes the supply OF water at its late spring
rise The largest irrigation and improvement
undertaking in the Mississippi Valley has been
completed. and II it proves successful there are
hopes for climatic changes that will be OF even
more value than the land watering to bo ac-
complished. A great basin has been made
ready for the waters that come down from the
mountains in the erratic Arkansas. and when
filled the lake will support sail vessels whore
the prairie schooner has been travelling. and
will afford q 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 1t again and again. for the water seeped
back to the underfow 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 1t 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 out
come Of such a plan Is problematical. At
seasons OF the year when tho 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 tho soles
OF her feet becomes the course OF a torrent
Studying the confguration OF the land along
the river in its lower courae, the engineers
found that there might be built ditch to carry
off the surplus water and utilize 1t in benefit
ing the people 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 vast lake--a tract Of land fourteen
miles long. from four to six miles wide. with
every foot OF IL from three to sixty feet below
the rim OF hills that completely surrounds It.
1t Is the bed Of an ancient lake. and on its sur
face have grown for hundreds OF years the
rank grasses OF the prairie sloughs It is al
most worthless for farming. the soil being too
heavy and 1t has remained a famous spot In
the wide plains. broken everywhere else for
miles around with handsome farms.
Cheyenne Bottoms 1t Is called. and there 10
story that once II was the gathering place Of
the Cheyennes Of the territory. Here they
lighted their council fires and practced their
incantations. Marks Of their occupation were
common when the first settlers came. Later
1t was the famous rabbit-chasng ground OF
the American Coursing Association. which in
cluded prominent 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 wonder
ment among the dweers on the plain. Once
a real prince was among those who watched
the sleek hounds chase tho fleet jackrabbits
through the waving grass. He was one OF the
cattle kings OF Wyoming and brought small
retinue OF friends and servants with him. But
coursing meets became too common and the
annual meetings hero were given up Since
then 1t has been grazing ground.
One day several years ago dark cloud came
up in the northwest and met another from the
south directly over the bottoms. There was a
tremendous rainfall. cloudburst and the bot
toms were covered to 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 a ditch with
capacity OF 300 feet. to be enlarged to 1000
feet later. which leads from the river bed to an
opening made through the hills. and is to pour
its contents into the vast depression. The
ditch has been running considerable stream
much of the spring. and when tho high water
| comes it is expected that 1t will easily fll the
old lake bottom and make an artificial body OF
water the largest OF the kind in the nation. and
the largest Of any kind between Chicago and
| Salt Lake. Around the shore is to be gravel
road, II the gravel can be secured, trees are TO
| be planted and with the boats on the river It
| is believed that delightful resort for summer
days tho plains. when hot winds hold sway.
| will be established.
Along with the artistic advantages there are
| to be reaped other profits. The waters OF
| ditch and lake are to be utilized by the farm
ers for irrigation. and miles Of laterals have
already been constructed. so that nearly half
OF the county will be watered from this trib-
utary OF the Arkansas.
The problem OF water supply is the most per-
| picking before the Western people, and there
have been many plans proposed that were in
| tended to give relief. The rivers that flow from
the hills and then. laggard and aimless. saun-
| ter across the prairies, cannot furnish water to
| all who wish to secure their help. Too much
| water is wasted. At times the stream Is bank
full. or Is flooding all the surrounding country:
then there is drought. and dust flies from tho
bed Of the stream. In the opinion Of many the
true solution OF the question Is by means OF
reservoirs which shall hold the surplus and
give it out slowly when it is needed. To do this
is the object OF the Cheyenne Bottoms Lake.
and the experiment is on such a large scale
that it promises to be an authoritative test OF
the plan. 1t will at least result in forming the
| largest artificial lake in the nation.