The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1904-05-14
MILLIONS ron rEEIGArIoN.
WIN Build Big Governments works ON the
snsks River.

win Bald Big Governments works ON the
snaks River.
By recent order Of the secretary
Of the interior Idaho's vast and for
bidding desert region IN the drainage
basin Of the Snake river, nov being
developed on 9 large scale By private
enterprises, will soon be the scene Of
greater activity. when the rsclama.
ton engineers begin the construction
Of an immense government work.
Secretary Hitchcock has finally APP
proved the plans Of the engineers,
and has set aside, out Of the recIarna-
tion fund, the sum of 81, 600, 600 for
the work Of constructing an immense
iTrigating system. Water is to be
taken from the Snake river al the
bead Of the Minidoka rapids, about
six miles south Of Minidoka, station
on the Oregon Short Line railroad.
and spread over the great Snake
plains.
At the point of diversion the
formation In the bed Of the river il
solid lava rock, and the conditions
are very favorable for the construc-
tion Of dam SO feet high and the
diversion Of water on both sides Of
the river into canals for the irriga-
ton Of lands under them. Above
the dam cite for many miles the
stream is in canyon or q very mar
row valley from 40 TO $50 feet be-
low the bench lands, and the dam
when constructed will back the water
up for o distance Of about SO miles.
Surveys show that il is possible to
lrrigate by gravity about 6s, 600
acres OF good land; in addition 10
this IL 10 possible TO divert about
5000 cubic feet Of water per second,
which 10 appropriated by vested In
teresis below, and by turning this
back into the river generate over
10, 900 horse power, which can be
used TO pump an ample supply Of
water 10 about $4,000 acres Of land
lying above the gravity canals, max
Ing total area irrigsble from this
project Of about l2O, 600 acres.
The engineers estimate that the
cost Of irrigation will be about a25
per acre. Similar lands when re.
claimed are selling at from e4o TO
800 per acre. The project has
already been considered in its broad
features by the leading citizens Of
Idaho, and in = recent letter the
governor Of the state transmitted a
statement signed by a great number
Of prominent people heartily epdors.
ing and recommending the approval
Of the MinidokA project, and tending
In the largest measure 20 promote the
development Of the upper Snake
river valley.
II Is proposed 10 construct a rock
allied dam across the Snake river at
the point Of diversion. The material
for this dam will be excavnted from
the upper end Of the main north side
canal. II will consist Of an embank.
ment Of loose rock SIS feet 10 length,
With masonry toe wall. The rock
embsnkmeu, will be l2A feet wide
At the top, aud will be carried six
feet above extreme food level. There
will be a spilIWsy on the south side
Of the river about 1000 feet long.
This spillUay will be over a flst ridge
Of rock. which will be leveled up in
place by q low masonry wall.
The north side canal for about
1900 feet at its upper end will be y
rock. II will be CT feet wide and
carry water 10 depth Of 10 feet.
At the lower end on this section will
be located the power station. where
5000 second feet Of this water will
be discharged through wheels under a
bead Of so feet. The power developed
will be transmitted Ab'c- II miles to
the pumping station on the south
side Of the canal, where IL will be
applied in lifting water 20 lands lying
above the gravity level. The present
] 1aAthAhA supply AhA AAAS AfAEEAEt ~
>, 600 second feet, enough to develop
about ll,Aoo horse power. This
amount can be increased by storage
TO 5000 second feet, or enough for
more than 1900 horse power.
II is recommended by the engineers
that the homestead entry under this
project be limited to so acres, except
within two miles Of TOWNSHIP, where
the amount il limited 60 40 acres,
and Il Is believed that all these lands
will be entered as soon as II is known
that the works will be constructed.
Al the present time all but about
:, 600 acres are vacant public lands.
( On the basis Of an so.acre homestead
entry. this tract will provide homes
for more than l.4oo families. or
about 1000 people.
Cured his Mother OF Rheumstism.
''Mv mother has been a sufferer