Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-06-02


do an the work and let the city and
canal companies pay II for the benefits
they derive. In order 10 keep all the
canals full during the irrigation sea-
son of each year, II would probably re-
quro the raising Of the lake to an elc-
walton about is inches above COM
promise level.
II would seem that, lnasmuch as
the irrigation law expressly protects
and recognizes vested rights which have
accrued under the laws ,of the
state, with Il broad and liberal
Interpretation OF thdt statute the ca
RAJ aud irrigation companies might
perfect their additional water rights
in the manner suggested This would
simplify the matter In every particu-
lar, as all the water would then 90
to the companies for distribution
among their stockholders and the pay
ments would be made by the compan-
les directly to the government,
THE CrrY's POSITION.
The position OF SAT- Lake City Is a
little different from that OF the canal
and irrigation companies Il requires,
in addition to the quantity OF water
necessary to IN It's present canal,
about $50 cubic feet per second, which
would represent depth OF about
seven inches ON the surface Of the lake.
one Of the principal uses which the
city has for this water is to exchange
II with the owners Of the water Of
mountain streams flowing into the
Jordan river south OF TIE city, so that
the water from those streams might
be taken to the city and used In It's
water works system for municipal
purposes. while the water from the
lake would be used for irrigation Of
the lands heretofore irrigated by the
mountain streams. It Is exceedingly
desirable that the city should have an
opportunity to perfect It's rights to this
additional water by having the gov
trnment perform the work and let the
city pay its charges for the same.
ADDITIONAL RIGHTS.
or course. II It should be determined
that the city and lhe canal and irriga-
tor companies may perfect their addi-
tlonal water rights In the manner sug-
gested, by having the government do
the work and letting the companies
pay its charges for the water, it should
be known what security would be re-
CURED for the payment Of the charges.
The companies being all solvent ami
their properties unincumbered, there
can be no question as 10 their ability
to give any reasonable security that
may be required
II is also desirable TO know whether
II would be necessary for the canal
and Irrigation companies desiring to
perfect their additional water rights
as aforesaid TO effect consolidation
or merger Of their interests into one
company, or whether the government
would deal directly with each company
for the water taken by IL. OF course,
the city, being a public corporation,
could not affect merger with the
canal ami irrigation companies. as
they are private corporations.
REMAINING WATERS.
When these vested rights are dis
Iosei Of there would still remain
vast quantity Of water I'm the reser-
yoir, depending Of course upon its
size and capacity, to be used In the
reclamation Of large areas OF land
which have never yet been irrigated
and which are dependent upon the wa
tiers Of Utah lake for irrigation II
would then be a simple matter to or
gBni7e a water users association bring
ing In all the land owners ana maxi
ing the water apDurtenant to the land
Under the laws OF Utah the water
which is owned by the canal and irri-
cation companies and by the city is
rot appurtenant to any particular
land.
With such an Interpretation OF the
law as Is here suggested, the water in
the reservoir would consist OF three
classes:
1.-The water representing the quantities
that have heretofore been used 10y the
city and the canal and irrigation COM
panies, ana for which the government
would not be entitled to receive pay;
2-The additional water acquired by the
city and the canal AMI irrigation COM
panies under their several appropriations,
for which the government would receive
pay; and
3-The remainder Of the water In the
reservoir which would go to the members
Of the water users association and be-
come appurtenant 10 the lands upOn
which they are used and for which the
government would be paid
SUMMARY.
In conclusion, 1 respectfully request. ON
behalf OF the commission, that the hon
Orable secretary Of the interior consider
the matters contained In the foregoing
statement and determine the following;
THAT this commission receive official
recognition and such arrangements be
made that the officers Of the department.
in immediate charge " the work. viii
consult the commission. whenever pracu-
cable, concerning details OF interest TO
Utah
THAT the recommendation OF the COM
mission regarding the primary Importance
Of water storage In Utah lake be given
due weight and that work upon this i'm
portant matter be taken up at the earliest
practicable date.
3-That a. In the judgment Of those In
charge of the matter. The work connected
with Utah lake is OF such magnitude. or
involves such complications. that rapid
progress cannot be made, then attention
be also given 90 some other or more SIM
pie project. hut without prejudice or delay
TO the work on Utah lake,
4-That physical facts as regards the
amount of water now available and util
lied ami as 10 the amount OF water
which might be available under the best
possible conditions be ascertalned
5-That the extent be estimated 20
WHICH lNlllN tlNM NA IN NAlNA MAAiNMA wafer
may In future be- irrigated.
G-That the claims ana rights OF the
city OF Salt Lake 90 waters not now avail.
able. In years OF drouth and 20 Increase
It's water supply as hereinbefore stated,
be recognized and plans made by which
lake water may be exchanged for the
water ~ mountain streams, 10 be used for
municipal purposes and the domestic use
OF the Inhabitants Of the city. while the
lake water is utilized to the largest pos
siblc degree IN the extension OF irrigation
THAT Il may he determined. under the
law OF June Il. 1872 that existing canal
and irrigation companies can be dealt
with as representatives of individual irri-
gators and resident lapdowners. and
whether IN so doing. q merger Of the
companies is not necessary.
s-'rhat the waters now claimed By these
canal and Irrigation companies, but not
available IN years Of drouth, may be Sc
cured 20 the companies through the pay-
ment Of the cost Of the works necessary
for this purpose.
9-That n this can be done 4 be deter
mined what kind Of security will be re.
qulred 10y the government 10 insure such
payments.
l6-That the amount Of water which /
may be utilized for the reclamation Of
lands now without such water supply,
and the conditions under which an assooi-