Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-06-22
WATER SHORTAGE IN UTAH LAKE.

river this year than for several years
past and the reason the lake is 40 low
this season Is the lack OF seepage water
caused through last seasons drouth.
This season there has been a large
amount Of water flooding the benches In
Utah county which win flow into the
lake this fall and winter. This was
proven two years ago when the water
raised according to the commissioners
report six inches during the month OF
January Now II this be true that the
lake viii raise in the winter months,
even with the plank out OF the i'm
pounding dam, why not take the lake
down TO even lower level by artificial
means, during the irrigation season and
impound II In the winter months and
not allow any water 10 go to waste.
The water can be raised out Of the
lake FOR a nominal price, and can be
done IN time TO do an amount Of good
IN Salt Lake county this year This
plan was devised by Bishop a. Gardner
Of West Jordan, the veteran canal
builder and pioneer of Utah, This Is the
only plan, cut OF ell that has been adj
y0nced that viii Insure Salt Lake coun-
~ all the water needed for irrigation
purposes There has never been any
complaint from Utah county On account
Of the lake being too low, II Is the high
water that causes law suits, etc.
Dyklng the lake on the south and east
har been talked or also dredging he
river 10 draw of the water 10 a lower
point but both propositions are too
costly for poor farmers to
even thing Of entertaining but
the proposition have is practical one
and VIII forever solve the question OF
dronth In SAT- Lake county which |
here submit fJi the consideration ~
Salt Lake CITY and the several canal
presidents ] VIII pot IN electric den-
trlfugal pumps thet win raise 500
cubic feet ~ wafer per second out OF
the lake into the river and allow II to
flow In its regular channel ana do away
with dragging entirely This Will bs
double the water that Is In the river at
present which win guarantee TO fur
nlsh and have the machinery In opera
ton In about three weeks from time
contract is made. We have sufficient
power already here TO run the pumps
which can he had from the Utah County
Light Power company, and the cost
OF the whole plant VII not exceed si5.-
600 while the other propositions
would cost at least half million dol
lars.
Now. why allow your crops TO suffer
and your farms 10 decrease in value
and have people move out to Canada
and elsewhere, when there Is plenty OF
water for all when properly handled. I
know whereof | speak when say there
Is plenty OF water as ! have sufficient
data on the matter ana am ready 10
SIGN contract to furnish and guarantee
II and give bonds lf necessary. THE ar
gument ls made that II is too late this
year, but that is mistake as II can bs
Installed quickly and win save one crop
~ hay and an late CROPS besides evory
farmer knows that 70 let lncern suffer
for water this season II win be "A Hght
crop next year, and Il win give more
seepage for the mills etc and more
water CON b" imnoundei IN the lake
during tNc winter months.
1rdivldraly I have no axe to grind,
but an interested In che welfare ~ the
country and am satisfied that thil IL
the onlv q"ailah HE end cheapest water
rlvht Salt L7ko courtv cnn have and
viii forever ireura tho r,o"'a OF that
coun y an abundance ~ water.