The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-06-08
MONSTER IRRIGATION PLAN
Five Millions Invested in Canals to
Reclaim Idaho's Arid Acres.

The greatest irrigation project in the
United States and the third largest in
the world has been started in Idaho.
1t is under the management of a COR
poration originating in Salt Lake City.
The plan contemplates an expenditure
of approximately 100000 and the re-
clamatiOn of 271.0 900 acres of the best
agricultural lands in the great Snake
river valley of southern Idaho
The principal shareholder in this en-
terprise is Frank II. Bull, the multi
millionaire iron operator of Sharon, Pa,
who is the president.
A tract of land as large as the state
Of Rhode Island is to be brought under
ditch and made ready for farming and
fruit raising. The lands were formerly
set aside for a national park because
of the wonderful scenery BY deal
with the state officials, who are taking
advantage CT the Carey act Of 1891,
making a donation of 100000 acres of
arid lands to each state that will con-
struct canals and have the lands re-
claimed, the great park VIII become
garden of small farms and vineyards
The enterprise includes the cOnstruc-
ton Of two irrigation canals and later
ais that viii have combined length
of over 600 mics The main canal viii
be 50 miles long and so feet wide at the
bottom 1t will carry q large river from
the original Snake channel. For this
purpose a dam 40 feet in height will be
constructed across the Snake. Sufficient
water has been appropriated from the
natural flow OF the big river to supply
the canal and leave an abundance for
use by those owning riparian nights
farther down the stream.
The Twin Falls Land and Water COM
pany is the title of the new corporation.
1t is the purpose of the company 20
harness the ShoshOne falls and develop
power for operating an electric railway.
extending for As miles from the city of
Shoshone to cover the country to be
brought under cultivation by means of
two large canals One canal will be ia
ken from the north side Of the river ana
the other from the south. The road viii
connect with the Oregon Short Line al
Shoshone.
Under the provision of the Carey act
only 100 acres of this land can be held
bv one man The company plans to
have smaller holdings than this and
many of the farms viii be of the 20
acre Utah class. The country is par
ticularly adapted to fruit raising and
general mixed farming, as practIced by
the Mormons Of that district Alfalfa
is the chief forage plant and grows to
perfection The country is also choice
spot for growing prunes, peaches and
similar fruit.
The construction of these canals ard
laterals viii probably require a period
of FIVE years hard work. When COM
pleted the system will be the most per
feet in existence in the irrigated world.
1t is planned to have electric car lines
reaching every farm and orchard, and,
when the country is settled, to secure
the rural mail system Public telephones
and all modern conveniences are to be
added to the comforts of making homes
under the canals. Many settlers are 10
Gated on their lands awaiting the COM
ing of the water ditch.
Several carloads of graders nipple
ments have been shipped from Tacoma
to the point on the Snake river where
construction will begin. Hundreds of
men are to be engaged in the work and
that portion of Idaho viii be one of the
busiest sections of the west for many
months.-Tacona News.