The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1899-03-24
IRRIGATION
SENTIMENT.

showed more live, practical intrest in irri-
CATION work for the West than any prev
ious Congress in history, it appears to be
fact that public men are waking up to
possibilities of developing the West
through this means. and also that the de-
velopment Of the West will benefit every
eastern intrest. Although the attempt
to secure governmental appropriation for
the building of reservoirs was finally de-
feated, yet the Senate, by its vote, has
committed itself in favor Of the policy,
and the fight for the recognition of west
ern rights will be vigorously prosecuted
in the next Congress. Moreover, some
very interesting facts have been brought
70 light upon the subject in the Senate
and House, and eastern men have learned
good deal about irrigation.
For the information Of Senators IN this
connection a resolution was passed direct
ing the Secretary of the Interior to fur
nish u general statement of the origin,
character and extent Of the surveys Of
reservoir sites made by the y. s. Gcolog-
ical Survey, with brief memoranda as to
present conditions Of water storage and
the more important facts. in each large
photographic basin with summaraof
estimates AS to probable costs of con
structing dams. etc
In response TO this DR., +. H. Newell,
the government photographer, submit
ted report upon reservoir surveys, which
was printed us Senate Document No. 1l0,
5jth Congress Ord session While Mr. Ne
well'sreport comprises only about twenty
pages it contains such comprehensive
and able account of surveys OF reservoir
sites rs to be highly valuable to interest
ed parties.
Two Hundred Reservoir Sites Surveyed.
It may not he generally known that over
two hundred reservoir sites have been sur
yeyed and described by the Geological
Survey. Years ago, when the question Of
reservoir sites for irrigation purposes was
being first generally agitated. Congress
passed law authorizing the Government
b reserve from settlement, sites suitable
for reservoir purposes.
Although comparative little has been
done in the construction Of reservoirs by
private enterprise and no Government
work Whatever has been undertaken il
this line, yet the value Of the SURVEYS
made aud the Withdrawal OF these sites
from public entry against the time when
/ they will be utilized as reservoirs is an
parent Whether dams are To be con-
structed by individuals, by States. or b.,
the national Government. the value OF
the knowledge arising from these surveys
is equally great. They enable each cit
izcn to determine for himself where res
ervoir sites exist, and in general way.
whether dam can be constructed to adj
vantage,
Although, as stated, large number Of
these sites have been accurately surveyed
in but comparatively few instances
haze dams been constructed and our res
cryors now supplying the needed water
to lands under irrigation. This is true
/ particularly Of The more valuable OF the
sites
Not Profitable as Individual Enterprises
Que fact, Mr. Newell states. has come
promratly forward during tac last ten
years sInse the inauguration o. the res
reyoir work nad That is that water stor-
age on a large scale eau rarely be mad"
profitable TO individuals ar corporations.
Wates conservation u expensive at best,
and existing conditions, avs. and GUS
toms axe such that the person who hdilds
u dam On the headwatrrs of stream is
seldom IN q position to BE benefited tnan.
Gladly by the water e imponds. The
capitalists who have put ther money in
to such enterprises have iuyocutury be-
come philanthopisls- henefactors of
their lellow-meu, bur not gamers them
selves toa notable degree. The comnun-
ity as whole has been unquestionable
enriched, directly or Indirectly, to AN eN-
teut many times The cost Of the works,
but these benefits cannot rebound wholly
70 the constructors
While reservoirs ia general cannot be
made sources Of profit % the investors.
there IS 40 gain saying the fact that they
are Indispensable TO the community.
They may be classed with lighthouses
and river ana harbor work, which, urdrr
existing laws and customs, cannot BE-
made sources Of private gain. and vet
must BE- had il a fun development of the
natural resources is 20 b. obtained.
Millions Of DOllarsLust.
Tue one great demand, Mr.. Newell
states in his repoet OF the western half
pl the United States is for more water
auriny times Of scarcity.
This ha been particularly accentuated
by the droughls of 1898, where millions
of dollarswere LOST ihrouhg lack of ordln-
AIRY supply, Could these losses have ben
put into the form of works for conserving