The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1904-12-09
Secretary Hitchcock Sets Aside the Sum for Use in
Pumping Projects Inquiry Is Proceeding. VI

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canal. These canals will cover all the
naming land. They will also cover
the fiat east of Trenton, and if car.
ried on would cover nearly all of the
Williston fiat.
The Bismarck Project.
Commencing near the bridge of the
Northern Pacic railway, just west of
Bismarck, and extending south along
the east side Of the Missouri river to
the vicinity of Glenebe lie series of
fats covering 10000 acres of land. BY
lifting water from the Missouri river
Is fet at the railway bridge and deiiv.
erlng 1t to canal running along the
upper or eastern part of these fats,
this whole area may be covered
Above this lie another series of fats.
These are somewhat rolling and their
extent Is indefinite, depending largely
upon the lift to which it is economical
to pump. The survey now being made
indicates that lift of $50 feet above
low water in the river will cover all
the area, including the city of Bis.
marck.
An investigation will be made as t.
the feasibility of locating central
power plant close to the coal supply
from which power can be transmitted
electrically to the pumping plants. II
this is found feasible it is probable
that the irrigable area can be largely
increased. The pumping plants are
designed with a capacity equal to
pumping the total two-acre feet per
acre in eighty days, provided the
plant be operated at full capacity.
With a full plant in operation the en-
tire area could be covered three inch.
es deep in ten days.
J The cost of fuel for the Bismarck
| estimate is taken at 50 per ton, deliv-
cred. This is believed to be high.
even if it has to be purchased in open
market, since yearly contract of s.
cure a price less than the usual mar.
ket price. On the other hand, if the
coal is secured from government land,
the price would probably not exceed
$1.20 a ton for coal delivered at the
pumping plants.
In the event that a central electric
generating plant be located at the coal
mine, the cost might be reduced to the
mere expense of mining the fuel, say
60 to 70 cents ton. It probably would
require no more coal to do certain
amount of pumping on account of the
better efficiency of the large steam
electric units. The canal system has
been estimated at SIS per acre. This
covers land irrigated and other ex'
tras.
Since the secretary has set aside the
necessary amount for the construction
of these works, the next step will be
| for the land owners who arc in pos.
session of practically all of the irri.
gable lands under these projects to
form water users associations, pro.
| viding for the collection and payment
| to the government of the cost of recla'
nation.
Thus far in the progress of govern
ment work this step has been one OF
the most difficult. The government
requires that the land owners shall
pledge their land as security for the
| return, in ten annual instalments,
without interest of the sums expend-
cd in the construction Of these works.
1t is hoped that an organization will
be effected this winter in order that
| the engineers may take up the work OF
| actual construction early next sea.
son: