The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1904-08-25

The farmers around Trout Lake, near
Mount Adams, Washington, have for
the present solved the problem of irri-
CATION, and hundreds of acres Of other
wise nonproductive lands are being
made to blossom with abundant crops
by moisture from the snow waters of
Mount Adams. The direct sources of
the many fumes that carry water to
the farmers are the White Salmon riv-
er and Trout creek, both of which carry
great volume of water which may still
further be drawn upon without dimin-
ishing the flow to any perceptable de-
gree. White Salmon river derives its
name from the color of the salmon
which were formerly caught in its wa
ters, but might be more properly
named from its white, fOaming waters
that rush from under the brows of
Mount Adams. Trout creek is the out
let OF Trout lake and has its watershed
on the west side of Mount Adams. So
far these two streams have been the
only ones tapped, out side of few
springs, for irrigating purposes, and
while in Hood River and other places
the farmer gets water by inches the far
mers Of Trout Lake and White Salmon
dstrists get water by the foot without
cost, except for the construction OF
fumes and canals, which are minor con-
siderations. Of course it is matter of
conjecture how long this mutual ar
rangement will last, but it is i'll success
full and harmonious operation at present
and is Transforming the dry lands there
into productive fields, making it possible
for the homesteader to occupy his land
with some profit.
The pres mt method Of irrigation here
is on the system of mutual assistance.
Water taken from the White Salmon is
passed through the farms in box fumes
mainly, each farmer contributing his
portion of the expenses of building the
flame and taking his portion of the water.
Rights of way for the fumes are guaran-
teed and decided, while the work OF con-
struction of fumes and canals is done
by the farmers interested. Under this
system many miles of fumes carry
water for household and irrigating pur-
poses all through these districts.
On the road from White Salmon one
strikes the first fiume about 10 miles out
which carries water from the White
Salmon river, tapped many miles away.
The land here is very dry but sandy and
rich, and with the abundance of water
secured can be brought under a high
state of cultivation. Irrigation is max
ing this portion of Washington very
rich district The cheapness of the plan
commends it and makes it possible for
the farmers to extend the system. When
farmer at the end of a fiume, who
was not in on the first deal, wants wa
ter, he goes up to the head and in
creases the size of the fume and gets
his water. There is yet no corporation
tax to pay. The water is free as the
as the air and only has to be fumed to
the farms. The farm OF John Arne, a
pioneer OF that district, about three
miles from the euler hotel at Trout
Lake is in a high state of cultivation as
the result Of irrigation. He says before
he got water he could not raise enough
potatoes to supply his own family, but
now he raises two large crops OF clover
each year.
A corporation is being formed to bring
in water to iFrigate the farms west oi
Trout Lake, A big canal will be made
something over Is miles in length, and