The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1901-01-11
WATER SYSTEM CHANGED
IN BOSE VALLEY.
The System in Use in Utah, Colo
rade and Wyoming, adopted by
the Ridenbaugh Canal
Company.

The patrons of the Ridenbaugh
Canal Co., in Boise valley, have
been notified that they will be
charged for water at the rate of Il
cents per inch for each "a hours
that they use the water during the
next season, which is equal to 37I !
cents per acre foot, or at least SO
says state engineer Ross.
tits claimed by some, that an
experienced irrigator will be able |
to get water at cost of about one
dollar per acre for all kinds of
crops, under this system, while an
inexperienced person will pay more
than the present rate of about one
and a half dollars per acre; but to
the people of this locality it is an
experiment, and it viii require time
to determine whether it is an ex-
pensive one or otherwise. But in
the Boise valley experiments that
tend toward a solution Of the IVA
ter problem" are perfectly proper
and right, as it is a question wheth
er or not sufficient water can be
secured to irrigate the land that
might have water put upon it, un-
der any system; but the cost Of
such experiments should be borne
by those who get the benefits join
tly and not entirely by the farmers.
II this system enables the ditch
company to sell water FIR one half
more acres, as it is claimed that ii
will do, then the company will be
benefited to a greater extent than
any one else, and they should he
= willing to make the experiment
z while giving the farmers a rate
that would give Them water as
o cheaply as they have been getting
a it, at least. There appears to be no
n question but this new system will
d enable the grain grower to secure
II water more cheaply than he has
a b en- getting getting it, while it
a appears that the fruit raiser will
4 pay about the same price and the
= hay crop will cost almost double
e the present rate; and, since the
d hay crop is the principal one OF
% that valley the new system, at the
e. proposed rate, will be practically
n an increase in price at the same
h time that it will enable the com,
"a pany to sell more water. To an un
sophisticated youth like ye editor
" therefore, it looks as though tn,
is ditch company's income would b'
r almost doubled under the new or
>. der; and yet the careful irrigato
rs NAV get water for less money thar
a heretofore. But the point is tina
=. the company viii get the who'll
t. benefit under this system and price
e. when it should be divided between
o. the producer and consumer. w
IN have no knowledge OF a PROPOSE
he ton to adopt this new system il
or this locality, but if there should b
a. we would suggest to intereste
Ia parties,( which comprises tn
us whole community to investigat
les it very carefully and labor TO secur
.er a rate that will be just and equif
" able. The company who has mad
- an investment has rights whic
should be regarded, but which the
ter usually look after very CAREFUL
nd themselves, and any rate adopte
res should be such as to insure ia
ere return on the investment and gly
lar to the user, the water at reason
- able advance over cost. The righ
LOT and not a scheme that will COW
I'VE up the real purpose, should pr
Id, vail. where, as in this matter I'll
hat success of either is very large
oto dependent upon the euccess OF Il
Otncr.