The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1904-06-04

WESTERLY QAENGbAuu 0ANANGAy AGEu18 INC
southern portion of the state. For
long distances the river has cut deep
into the lava, and here its waters are
not available for irrigation, except
in few small valleys in the curves
and bends of the stream. Favorable
places for diversion occur at many
points ON the stream, principally in
the vicinity of the numerous rapids,
waterfalls and preeipices for which
the stream is famous. In the central
part Of southern Idaho the Snake
receives no surface drainage from
the north, but its iow is consider
ably augmented along this portion
of its course by many large springs
some Of which are the most remark
able in the country. The principal
tributaries of the Snake river in
Idaho are Boise, Payette, North or
Henry's fork. South Fork, Weiser
and Salmon rivers.
In 1909 Snake river and tributaries
and springs and wells within the
drainage basin furnished water to
500, $50 acres, belonging to 7772
farms. The 1888 systems cost So,
529, 005, an average of s9.7l per
irrigated acre. The aggregate length
of main canals and bitches was 450S
miles. Thirty four systems, cost
ing 1868, 796, headed directly in the
main strem. There were 81, $50
acres, belonging to 972 farms, irri-
gated therefrom at an average first
cost of sS.o4 per acre. The total
length OF main canals and bitches
was 226 miles.
OF the several continents, Boise
river and its tributaries furnished
water through 81 systems TO l+72
farms. and 81, ABS acres were Irri-
gated. The total construction outlay
for the 554 miles OF mains. canal
and bitches and the irrigation works
was 81, Ga, 5S3, an average OF $40. So
per irrigated acre. Payette river
and its tributaries furnished water 20
l4l systems, and 80. 1913 acres, be-
longing to 967 farms, we're irrigated
The systems cost, Mutually, $6s5,
232, an average of sl3.46 per irri-
gated acre. The total length Of
main canals and bitches was 3s9
miles.
Water from North, or Heury's fork
of the Snake river and its tributaries
was utilized through I76 systems,
costing s42s. 43O. There we're So, 1893
acres representing "a farms, irrigated
at an average first cost Of 81 so.
In the vicinity Of st. Anthony,
Fremont county, on North, or Henry
fork, of the Snake river, is one Of
the largest areas Of subirria gted land
in the United States. This section
is underlaid at a depth Of from 20
to 80 feet with an impervious stratum
which holds the water as in a bowl.
Irrigation is not performed by
spreading the water over the surface
as elsewhere. The water Is diverted
across the fields in bitches and sinks
beneath the soil When the water
plane rises to the roots Of the plants,
the head gates are closed until sec
ond supply is needed.
There are 90 farms receiving water,
through 80 systems, from springs.
The total construction cost for the
81 miles Of mains bitches and other
irrigation works was s4l,772, an
average cost Of s73. rs for the $50
acres irrigated. Eleven farms, with
an irrigated area Of 2s1 acres, were
supplied by wells. The Il systems
were constructed at a total cost of
s7f20, 40 average OF s2G IL per irri.
gated acre
This river enters the state from
Wyoming near the southeastern
corner. flows northwesterly for :
miles. then turning abruptly to the
south passes into Utah 30 miles west
Of the eastern boundary.
In 1902 water from all sourees in
this drainage basin was utilized to
irriRate 90, 59l acres belonging to
l742 farms The total construction
cost Of the 225 systems. including
$50 miles Of main canals and bitches
and other irrigation works, was
s5Oi.5il, an average cost Of 80. 06
per irrigated acre.
Twenty one systems receiving water
from the main streams direct irrigated
Il, Oh acres on 1875 farms. There
we're Il miles Of main canals and
bitches, which, with the other irri
cation appliances. cost 800, $50, an
average Of a66 per irrigated acre.
The small tributaries Of Bear river
together furnished water 10 more than
one half the irrigated area Of this
A. a.