Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1903-10-22
PRACTICAL IRRIGATION PLANS
Plans Suggested by Prof. F. A. Wilder, in a
Paper Presented Before the State Irriga-
tion Congress.

The purpose of this paper is to state
briefly some OF the conclusions in re-
gard to irrigation possibilities, which
I have followed from two summers OF
work i'll the western part of North
Dakota, undertaken jointly for the
State Geological Survey located at the
State University at Grand Forks, and
the Photographic branch of the United
States Geological Survey, whose able
director is Mr. f. H. Newell.
During the summer of 1902, with the
assistance of Mr.. l.. ii. Wood, of the
University of Chicago, work was begun,
and during the past summer was con
tinued by two parties that worked along
the Missouri and its tributaries i'll this
state. A detailed report will be made
to the United States Government i'll
November, and to the state in time for
publication in the next biennial report
of the State Geological Survey.
The average rainfall i'll the westerns
half of the state is about eighteen
inches. and is very often distributed
through the growing months so as 10
Weld. in connection with the naturally
fertile soil, magnificent harvests. Farm
ing conditions, however, are rendered
; somewhat uncertain by tluctuation in
rainfall
. Ability to govern at will the water
which is needed for agricultural pur
poses is desirable in all localities, no
matter how abundant the rainfall, for
nowhere is the rainfall distributed ex-
actly to the taste of the farmer, giving
him an abundant supply at all times for
the growth of crops, without interfer
ing with farm work. Aside from the
item of expense, therefore, lands Sub
. iect to irrigation furnish the most in
vitng and profitable region for agricu'
ture. Where there is danger of an un-
der supply of moisture, though failure
: may occur only occasionally, or i'll
: cycles of years, supply of water sub
iect to control, is vital necessity foi
-. agricultural purposes.
;, The great plains of North America
' and at least porti iohs c: tic Missi9sipp
. valley. sem to pa tfr >ugn cycles. oi
. periods OF years, # abrni,rt rainfall
- which alternate wuh pcrlNis when M,
~ fall is more restricted. At present, AM
for three years past, taking the area a
j. whole. there has been an abnndancc
III moisture, and for some ,tl..; ar ovel
le supply. The sloughs o: Iowa. whic
at many predicted would never be file
ne again. are overhowing, and floods hay
n occurred during spring, summer al
ne fall. During this excess farther SOU
h. and east, western North Dakota h;
xe enioyed rainfall sufficient to bring
e. harvest abundant crops. When Il
,e sloughs of Iowa dry out again, as th'
IN surely will, those who farm in westel
n North Dakota, must irrigate, or
'e content with limited returns.
l. Which even small fraction OF I'll
r western part of the state under irrigs
r ton the productiveness of the whol
le region will be immensely increased
d Every river valley contains land tina
ID can be artifcially watered, and with
@ few acres under his perfect control, an
4 abundant range for cattle i'll the rollin
IS or broken land back OF the valley, te
le men. combining farming with the rais
!. ing of cattle, will prosper where OH
at finds living now. These condition
q will Law sure foundation for II,
st dairying industry, which should be on
ot of the foremost of the state
During the past two summers owe
POO, 900 acres, lying along the Missou
and its tributaries, the Little Missouri
the Heart, Knife, Cannon Ball, tt
=, Yellowstone. and the smaller stream
flowing in from the north and east, All
~, living 20. 40. 60 and 80 feet above wat'
- level, have been studied by the Sta
- Geological Survey, under the directic
-, of the State University, with view
." their irrigation. Five or SIX iar9
% tracts. where from 5000 to $4,000 acr'
:" can be controlled by single enterpris
n" have been reported to the United Stat
"o authorit es for minute study. to dete
o' mine whether government aid shou
"s be extended under the conditions OF L
!" reclamation act 1t will BE- to the hig
ne est advantage of the state if the co
're ditions of this act can be carried out
connection with one or more of the
tracts, and it is hoped that mechanic
obstacles will not stand in the w
ID Most of the land. However, is in ira
q! Of from 100 to 1000 acres, and