The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-05-15
SEASON WILL
BE A DRY ONE
ParIey's Canyon Water CommIs-
sion Has PessimiStic Views.
PREDICTS SEVERE SHORTAGE
MANY STREAMS NOW EMPTY
PUMPS ARE BEING USED.
4 sCARcITY OF wafer this summer

A SCARCITY Of water this summer
II which VIII be greater than the de-
ficiency which existed last year,
is predicted by John G. Labrum. who
acted as chairman yesterday morning
of the meeting Of the Parley's canyon
water commission which met in thu
Office of Land and Water Commission
er Joseph MacKnight IN the city and
county building. The sentiments of tbs
chairman were conceded in by every
member of the commission, including
Commissioner MacKnight, who Offici-
Sted as secretary
The meeting was called for the pur-
pose of discussing the matter of an ez-
change Of waters between themselves
and the city of Salt Lake. No specific
action was taken on the contract. The
matter was discussed informally for an
hour or more. Another meeting viii be
held in the immediate future. No decis-
i've action may be taken. however. until
after a decision is handed down by the
courts in the suit pending on the valid
ity of a contract entered into between
the same parties IN the past. which
finally found its way into the courts for
the settlement Of certain legal points.
Say Season Will Be Very Dry.
During the discussion on the water
outlook for the coming season, almost
every member present expressed the be
lief that this year VIII be an exception
ally dry one. They could not see where -
the big supply every one is counting
upon viii come from. Chairman La
Drum stated that the two Cottonwoods
are not swollen in the least at present,
IS they should be # there is to be an
extra flow of water in the streams this
summer. He added further that there
are no indications of any flood waters
al this time. which there should be ie
there IS to be a surplus of water. He
said there is some snow back in Straw
berry valley which viii increase the
supply Of Utah lake 10 a certain eX-
tent, but not as much as has been an
tiCipated- The chairman added that
the water expected from that particU-
lar valley IS the only relief which the
irrigatOrs can look forward to this sum
mer.
The mention Of Utah lake brought
forth the remark from Water Commits
siOner MacKnight that the lake this
spring has not yet reached the cOmprO-
mise point That was taken az a bad
omen by the members of she commits
sion, who argue that IL there IS to be
the vast amount of water this summer
that people are counting upon, the lake
should have reached a higher point at
this time than it has
Don't Expect the Usual Floods.
All present united upon the statement
that there will be no food waters this
year, but the determination Of the nor
mai flow will be later than usual this
season because of the early fail of snow.
and the melting viii be more gradual
than 1t usually is.
The discussion brought out the fact
that the melting snow, as it ran down
the mountain sides or flowed off the
sides of the valleys, did not reach the
streams because the ground absorbed
all of it. That was due TO the exceed
,inglv dry condition of the soil result
ant from the dry season last year The
water from the melting snow would
have reached the streams had there
been the usual number of spring rains
this year, which would have soaked the
top soil But as there were not such
rains. the snow water, which usually
reaches The streams, was taken up by
the ground
The Mountain Dale wreck was cited
as an example. This spring IS the first
in ten years that it has not flowed al
this time Of the year. 1t was stated
that it is now absolutely dry, whereas
it usually flows during the months Of
April and May.
Look For Very Little Water.
I'VE look for less water than LAST
year. and this viii be harder to get
than usual" was the pessimistic view
taken of the situation by Commissioner
MacNulSul. ana 50 expressed Dy MN az
the meeting He went on TO state that
it has been found necessary at this
early date to use the four big pumps
at the Utah lake pumping station. They
are now pumping more than $50 feet OF
water every day from the lake into the
FIVE canals which they feed
That is taken by him as a very bad
sign of the water outlook for the com
ing season, and his fears were coincided
in by the other members Of the COM
mission.