The Delta independent., 1901-04-12
GOVERNMENT AID.
Geological Survey Notifies
State Engineer 1t VIII
. Cooperate on the
GunnisOn Canal.
Denver News

gical survey at Washington has author
lied the resident photographer, A. Lin
coin Fellows, G. E.. to cooperate with
the Colorado state engineer in the sur
vey OF the great canal to lead the waters
OF the Gunnison into the Uncompahgre
valley as provided for in the Hammond
bill. which appropriates $4,000 OF state
funds to begin the monster undertaking.
The cooperation OF the general govern
ment with the. state in engineering the
work will save much expense to Color
ado and may enable the state engineer
to push the project well on toward com
pletioa with the limited appropriation
The willingness OF this geological survey
to assist il due to the fact that the pro-
ject was originally considered by the
government in connection with the pro-
posed system OF mountain reservoirs.
1t was the intention OF the geological
department at Washington to survey
the route and select the most feasible
way Of leading the Gunnison into the
fertile valley beyond, and had the state
not taken up the improvement, would
probably have made tho survey this
summer.
Besides this joint work Washington
officials will work with State Engineer
McCune to further the irrigation iu-
teres,s OF the state and it is predicted
by the engineers OF both the general aud
state governments that more than twice
tho usual work will be accomplished by
means OF the hearty cooperation Of the
two offices. The waters OF Colorado
streams will be measured more exactly
than ever before and the system OF wa
ter distribution will be reg ulated accord
ing 10 the more definite knowledge it
will be possible to secure Of the supply
ol water for irrigation. Numerous gaug-
ing stations will be established in ad-
dition to those in operation last year
and great amount Of valuable data
concerning the water available for ir-
rigatiou. how much could be stored in
reservoirs, how much goes to waste aud
WhAG ara iha yosAihi, iiiA. 1ar, -irsiS.sian
in the state will be collected.
Irrigation is in it's infancy remarked
Engineer Fellows yesterday, "apd il is
our object to educate the people up to .
realization OF the Importance OF a scicn-
tinc conservation OF the water supply.
which involves the future Of the whole
western country. Farmers. as rule,
deen the water supply as a happy acci-
dent OF providence. When they have
plenty they waste it instead OF saving II
and when they have none they go with
out. There has bccn TO much hand TO
mouth irrigation and to little attention
Between this department and the de.
partment OF forestry We hope to educate
tho people to appreciate the necessity
OF saving the forest covering TO protect
tho watersheds and then storing the
water for future use. Tho government
has been slow 10 give as much as the
western people have asked for to aid
the work. but the statesman in Wash
ington are waking up less gradually
than the western farmers. 1t will be
only few years until great system OF
reservoirs has been established and then
the west will begin to approach its pos.
sible greatness"
Mr.. Fellows yesterday began sending
out instructions to gaughers at the sta
tions established last year. and will soon
be in tho field giving attention to tho
work. Likewise Assistant State Engi-
neer Field will be in his field duds before
long. As soon as the governor signs the
Hammond bill and funds are available
work on the Gunnison river survey will
bc commenced, possibly before then, for
Mr.. Follows wrote to Washington yes
asking Instructions as to the work. Re-
garding this undertaking both engineers
remarked that tho assistance Of the
government may save thousands to tho
state. With the limited appropriation
there would be a demand for undue
euonomy on the part Of the state in max
ing the survey, which is tho most impor-
tant part Of the undertaking.
"The great trouble in tho western
country" said Engineer Field yesterday,
''has been that people would not spend
the money for preliminary work. That
l. evitlenccd by the abandoned tracks
you 500 around the state. In this case
. difference in the survey may mean u
saving OF thousands OF dollars in cutting
canals and tunnels for tho river. With
the assistance Of government engineers
we will not feel compelled to economize
on the survey and will be sure to got the
oost and least expensive route for tho
river course. Yes. with the assistance
We have boen assured from the general
government this year wo shall be able
10 accom- nlish duuhla tha GOOD this