The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-11-11
REPORT OF ENGINEERS.
Government Survey of Big Irrigation
Project Is Finished.

Belle Fourche. S. D., Nov. S.-The
government engineers who have been
in charge of the Belle Fourche irriga-
tion project, looking towards a recla-
nation of $4,000 acres of land. have
finished their labors. Engineer Wal
ter. in charge of the work for over a.
year, says that everything is now ready
for the beginning Of construction work
on the big ditch save for a lack of land
to complete the 10000 acres demanded
by the government before the appro-
priation of 81. 100000 would be put into
use. This is certain to be secured with
in the next three months, and bids will
then be submitted for digging the
ditch.
The first report of the government
consulting engineers demanded that all
land owners agree to take water and
bear share of the expense of building
the ditch. November l was the date
set, and 1t was understood that if at
that time the property holders did not
get in line, the project would be
dropped. 1t soon became evident, how
ever. that all would not agree to the
proposition. Thereupon an extension Of
time to February l was granted and
the first demand was altered. so that
If the owners of 10000 acres would find
themselves to pay certain amount,
$500 per acre for ten years, In order
that the government would be reim-
bursed tor advance money, the project
would be carried out. Otherwise it
would be dropped Indefinitely.
Closely following the final report of
the examining board, some of the land
holders got together and decided to do
their utmost to fill up the deficiency,
with the result that only $500 acres are
now needed to make certain the recla-
nation of $4,000 acres of the best land
in the state The consulting board has
been very fair in its dealings with the
land owners. and ROW ii is up to them
to do business
The proposed ditch is a mammoth
one extending a distance OF over six
miles, running from the Belle F'ourche
river to Owl creek. 1t will be any
where from ten TO thirty feet. accord
ing to the lay of the land, and is to be
forty feet wide at the bottom Owl
creek will serve as a reservoir for the
vast amount of water that will he car
ried TIN ough the inlet canal. This creek
bed is quite deep and the water can
be backed up into it for six or seven
miles once this is filled there will be
no probability of its ever going dry.
large dam is to be built below
Belle Fourche so that the water in suf-
ficient quantity can be turned into the
ditch
The project would not be a paying
one we've it not for the fact that about
open for homestead entry in this To-
cality. Every homesteader will be re-
quired from this time on to take the
water. If he refuses no homestead
comes his way. Although the ditch
will not be finished for months. new
settlers are Obliged to become members
of the Water Users association with
out any ifs or ands
In the past there has been little de-
mand for this land by homesteaGers.
The ~ nfall has never been good for
farming purposes. But now that the
water problem has been solved an1
no ore need fear for plenty of moisture.
there will be a general rush for homes
just as soon as the neople learn of the
possibilities of the Belle Fourche wall
ley and surrounding territory. If taken
now, 100 acres can be homesteaded.
brt there is Come talk that when the
ditch is completed the number of
acres allotted to one man is likely to
he cs,t down TO 100 acres or even less:
One township has been withdrawh
from- settlen,ent. 1vtn~ midway between
Pe''e Fonrche and WhitewooI. which
will! be made the headnuarters for the
work and will build no very RAPIDLY, in
case construction work begins.