The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1904-02-13
IRRIGATION IN NORTH DAKOTA.
Suitable Land and Sufficient Water
and Fuel in Western Part of State.

1922 .. Sc. ---" '' --T
Suitable Land and Sufficient Water
and Fuel in Western Part Of State.
F. E. Weymouth, who has had charge
If the geological survey of the investi-
cation Of the irrigation outlook in
North Dakota has made his report,
rom which it appears that opportunity
TO reclaim arid land exists in the
larger fats on the Missouri river.
Much OF it is, however, in private own
iership, the flats within the Fort Ber-
:hold reservation forming the only
exception.
The flats at Buford and Trenton lie
directly on the railroad. Ignite is
about 81 per ton. The Nesson-Hoff-
land fats are abou' fourteen miles
from the railroad, wholly in private
ownership: Ignite is abundant and
could be laid down at 81 a ton. It
may be possible to locate a pumping
plant within a few hundred miles of
an extensive outcrop. From an, en-.
glneering point Of view. the Buford-
Trenton tract is simpler.
The Yellowstone flats form the most
attractive single area for irrigation in
North Dakota. The fall of the Vel
towstone is creator than that of the
Missouri, and it may be practicable to
divert the water we'll in Montana, or,
If this should prove too expensive, by
pumping at Sydney, Mont, where
hnoyx hh6c of 1;rrif1 oro rcrnrfn1
Land in North Dakota level enough
for irrigation lies along the streams
in small tracts of so to 1000 acres,
Any plan to cover a large area by a
single canal Is futile. The Little Mis-.
souri, river through the Bad Lands and
d portion of the Heart river through a
country almost as difficult.
Most Of the tributaries of the Mis-
sOuri In North Dakota are practically
dry in the summer season, aad fed by
melting snow in the spring. The Knife
river has between 1000 and 5000
acres of good bottom land which could
be covered by gravity canals, but the
average discharge of the stream is not
sufficient. If anything is done here
it must be by storing the water, which
would cost more than the land would
be worth. There is not a suitable dam
Site, but an abundance of Ignite along
the Knife, and several small tracts can
be irrigated by pumping.
Along the Heart river there are
small benches of land of 2,0G0 or 5000
acres each, several hundred feet above
the bed, but many miles apart in small
fragments, SO that it cannot be COW
cred by a canal. Much {: it can, be
irrigated by pumping, Ignite being
abundant. At Glen Ullin an earth dam
1900 feet long would store all the
flood waters.
The Cannon Ball and Cedar rivers
flow through broken country not adapt
ed to irrigation. Detached areas of
200 or 300 acres are found, but no
reservoir sites and little Ignite.
Some of the small bottc mfiats along
the Little Missouri can be irrigated
by pumping only, and would grow
food for stock. General agriculture
there is impossible owing to remote
ness from railways and markets.
Between Giendive and Fallon, on the
north side of the Yellowstone river,
there is a large bench of fertile land.
From Glendive to Burns creek, on the
| west side, there is considerable bot
tom land. From Burns creek to the
Missouri is a valley. two to five miles
wide, of excellent soil, we'll situated
for irrigation. A canal has been pro-
jected to feed about $4,000 acres, 49,
900 in North Dakota.