Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1904-08-26
IRRIGATION PROJECTS FEASIBLE

the Feasibility Of Irrigation Projects
On the Mouse River.
Minot Optic: During the past few
days Minot has been favored with the
presence in this city of Hon. Guy E.
Mitchell, secretary of the National
Irrigation Association, and P. M.
Churchill, electrical engineer of the
U. S. irrigation survey. Mr.. Churchill
and Mr.. Storrs, chief of the depart
ment of the electrical engineering in
the reclamation service, are taking a
trip down the Missouri this week from
Williston to Bismarck, investigating
with view of ascertaining the FEAST
bility of pumping stations to irrigate
the benches along that river. It is
estimated by. those knowing something
about the conditions that at least
100000 acres can be economically irri-
gated by means of pumping water
from the Missouri. If pumping on a
large scale seems feasible it is prob
able that large amount of money will
be expended in the construction of a
central electrical power plant from
which power will be distributed where
desired.
Mr.. Mitchell spent several days in
the city and took trip on horse back
up the Mouse river valley to study
conditions in this vicinity. Concern.
ing what he saw and his opinion re.
garding irrigation in the valley Mr..
Mitchell said to the Optic: "Irriga-
ton in the Mouse river valley will de.
pend largely on whether the engineers
can find storage reservoirs. If they
can there is no doubt but that every
drop of water can be used by the
pumping plan economically here in
the valley. From what could gather
in ride to Burlington and from talks
with citizens am led to believe that
10000 or 10000 acres of bench lands
along the valley and probably more
land could be furnished water in suf.
ficient quantity to insure good crops
think the pumping proposition a
good one for this region. The May
floods could be distributed over the
hay lands to advantage. Later irriga
tion would probably require storage as
do not think there is sufficient water
in the river during the summer sea
son for the purpose. Now is the time
to push the matter of irrigation. Re
garding the reclamation service of
the government would say that it is
all right and impartial. Naturally
those regions which show the greatest
! interest in irrigation will receive the
most attention, and the northwestern
part of North Dakota will receive more
attention as the people of this section
show that they are interested in the
matter. have dropped a friendly
note to Mr.. Churchill regarding wha1
i saw in the Mouse valley, expressing
the hope that after he had completed
his present work on the Missouri HI
might get time to come up here ant
make a thorough investigation of tho
pumping proposition and storage b!
reservoirs"
When here Mr.. Churchill stated tina
by pumping on large scale water cal
be raised economically as high a. 20(
feet and if there is sufficient territor!
to warrant the expenditure, involved
in equipping large central plant sucl
as pumping. proposition would be per
haps q profitable investment. In 1
few weeks it is probable that I
thorough. Investigation of the Nous
/ river valley Will sc made. with viev
Of considering the feasibility of estat
| fishing stations at several POINTS aloni
the river. III
III ,;h~aA 5ln> IL Nat Ia r rolshtA ~