Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-13
RECLAIMTNG SEMI.ARID SOIL
What Systematic Irrigation Has Done and
Will Yet Do.
PROBLEMS TO Be SOLVED BY LEGISLATION
Review and Explanation of Important
Points Before Congress written
by EIvOcd Mead, the Wen
known Irrigation Expert,

Although one-third Of the United States
Is arid, writes Elwood Mead, the irrigation
expert in the current number Of the Out
look, the Importance OF its reclamation and
settlement to the nations has thus far been
dlsregarded. The bringing Of water to the
land and the securing OF settlers to make
use Of 1t have thus far been left to private
enterprise. In favored localities this has
answered. L great hazard, and oftentimes
ct loss to the original investors, lands
which we're unproductive and worthless
have been transformed into the highest
priced and most profitable farms Of this
country. The people who have done this
have evolved local laws and customs for
the division Of the water supply and have
settled questions Of water ownership
through the enactment OF state law or by
litigation in the local courts.
1t seems now as II this policy were to be
abandoned. The message Of President
Roosevelt, urging federal aid in the con-
struction Of irrigation works, and calling
attention to the national Importance Of the
water and forest problems Of this country,
seems likely to be followed by legislation
which will ineugurate a new governmental
policy that will not only provide for a
more comprehensive utilization Of western
resources, but a larger measure OF public
control over the water supply than has
hitherto been thought necessary or desir-
able.
Sentiment of the West.
Notwithstanding the problems which It
will create, the sentiment in the west in
favor Of such aid and control is almost uni
versal. 1t exists in irrigated sections In
which streams are fully appropriated and
is shared in by the owners of canals and
the irrigators OF land already provided with
q water supply. The desire is not selfish
or sectional, but is based on a belief that
private enterprise must be supplemented by
public aid to secure the largest and best
use Of the available water supply and that
growing out Of this aid will come needed
changes In the methods and policies which
will bring order out OF the chaos that now
reigns in some sections and add to the
value of works already built, as we'll as
those to be constructed hereafter. 1t is the
purpose Of this article to give the reasons
for these opinions, and to outline the legis-
lation needed to secure not only a larger
development, but better social and indus
trial conditions.
At the outset the appropriation Of money
by congress to build canals and reservoirs
seemed to be q simple proposition. But
- NAS91A ~ Va ~ 49," 100 -
clear that the management Of these works
involves the settlement Of very important
questions relative to the respective spheres
Of state and national laws in the control
and distribution OF water. The building Of
works to supply water must be accom-
panied by regulations fixing conditions on
which settlers are to obtain 1t, and these
will not simply affect present growth, but
will largely shape the social and economic
life Of this region for generations to come.
Nor can the legislation deal solely with
the future. It must take into account what
has already been done by the several state
governments and by individuals residing In
tho arid states.
Millions of Acres Already Irrigated.
Irrigation" is not a new issue in the west.
The United States Is one OF the great irri-
gated countries of the world. More than
1850, 900 acres or a larger area than the
state Of Maryland, is watered each year.
This IL more land than is irrigated in all
Europe or all OF Africa. and second only to
India. Two hundred million dollars of
private capital has been invested In bitches,
canals and reservoirs. There is scarcely
q stream OF any importance from which
water is not being taken, while on hun
dreds of watercourses the bitches already
built will serve to utilize the entire supply.
The $500. 900 acres Of irrigated land does
not, however, measure the full extent OF
what has been accomplished. The bitches
already built are capable OF irrigating as
much larger area. The 2.92S miles OF
canals in Idaho now irrigate $4,000 acres
Of land. They can be made to irrigate
1900, 900 acres. The 1900 miles of bitches
and canals in Colorado now irrigate about
1000, 900 acres. Three million acres can be
watered from them; that is, 1000. 900 acres
can be added to the cultivated area with
out the construction of an additional canal.
The 1000 miles Of bitches In Wyoming
now irrigate $40, 900 acres. There is three
times this area below them susceptible OF
irrigation. Less than so per cent Of the