Wadsworth semi-weekly dispatch. [volume] (Wadsworth, Nev.) 1899-1904, 1900-05-25

Inc 0 OF the Work OF the united
States Geological Survey was enlarged
the present year by the adoption Of an
amendment to the appropriation bill
providing for the gaging Of the water
supply Of the United States, and for
the investigation Of the artesian water
areas. The demands made upon the
Survey from time to time concerning
the water resources Of the country are
far greater than it is able to meet.
The demand is especially from the
West; but numerous calls also come in
from the East relative to the available
water supply for power, and in some
areas for irrigation. Response to the
inquiries made requires not only a
broad knowledge Of the typography.
geological and meteorological condi-
tons Of the regions involved, but also
more or less familiarity with the local
conditions governing the distribution
and character Of the available water.
These inquiries are made by all class
ess. They come from farmers seek
Ing 10 provide water for domestic use
and for irrigation; from individuals
seeking artesian water supply and water
power; from municipal organizations.
and from members Of Congress having
in view legislation concerning the util-
ization of streams flowing across state
boundaries.
The general government has abso-
lutte title to nearly one-thlrd OF the ares
of the United States. excluding Alaska.
With the exception Of certain Of areas
within the Indian Reservations, the
public lands Of the West are mainly
within the semi-arid region. There is
only enough water for the irrigation Of
a small portion Of the rich soil.
Whether 1t be received from artesian
sources or from precipitation direct.
the government is still far from know
ing the total amount available or the
best method Of its utilization.
In order to throw light upon one Of
many phases Of the inquiries concern
ing the water resources a thorough in
Investigation was made, under the d.
rection of Major Powell, as to the pop
%ulation of the lands of the national do
main. The result shows that settle
ment has followed the streams Of the
great West to q remarkable degree,
and that 1t is clustered about the foot
hills Of the higher mountain ranges,
which. from the abruptness Of their
typography, insure a perennial supply
of water for irrigation. There is hard
ly a spring. creek or small river whose
waters are not utilized by the farmer.
AS a consequence the great desert OF
arid land is everywhere dotted with
GASES. The water which is thus util-
lied IS that which is most readily
available There Is much that Is still
unemployed. Both the great supply Of
storm waters and the underground sup
ply are scarcely touched. The utiliza-
ton Of this u~nappropriated water Is the
first step for the further development
Of the arid and semi-arid lands. In
order that 1t may be utilized a careful
Investigation should be made in order
to furnish information which is needful
before new enterprises can be safely
entered upon.
In the past the photographic work
Of the Survey has been limited, be-
cause OF the small sum available for
gaging the streams, and for study
ing the various problems involved.
Such results as have been secured
were rather an incidental result Of the
brief irrigation survey which was prac-
tically suspended In 1891. The scopa
Of the requests for the Information
shows the popular appreciation Of the
work In this direction Er,m this