CanÌƒon City record. [volume] (CanÌƒon City, Colo.) 1883-192?, 1904-11-03

to become familiar. with the workings
of the reclamation service under the
National Irrigation law, which passed
Congress, June 11th. 1902. through the
direct personal influence of President
Roosevelt.
AS previously stated in these columns,
this is one of the most important meas
ures that has ever been enacted by
Congress. Perhaps no one now living
can fully appreciate its far-reachng
benefcent effect upon the domestic, so
cial and political lives of future genera
tions of American citizens. Active opera
tions began as soon as the measure be-
came a law: an organized body of gov
ernmeut engineers was already in the
Western field connected with the geo.
logical and typographical surveys. 1t
will be of interest to voters to know.
before election day. something of the
nrodus operandi of this National lrriga-
zion Act for which President Roosevelt
= personally and directly responsible.
- National Irrigation Explained.
As previously stated, the funds for
this great work are derived from, the
sale or disposal of public lands located
IN the thirteen States and three terri
tories affected, and the work is con-
consequently confined to this area. There
Is now in the reclamation fund, some
thing over $27.0OO.OOO. This fund is in
creasing rapidly every month. When
1t is stated that the proportion of gov
ernment land in many of these arid
States is from 20 to 90 per cent. of the
entire area, some vague idea may be had
OF the enormous amount that is destined
tn accumulate in this irrigation fund as
the result of the sale of these govern
ment lands during the next fifty years.
All of this money goes into the reclaim
alton fund. Whenever any portion of
It is expended for the construction of
reservoirs, dams or bitches. it is return
ed to the government within a period of
ten years. in the form of ten equal an
0ual installments, from the actual oc-
cupants of the land, SO reclaimed by
Irrigation.
Over 800 Engineers at Work.
To carry out the purpose of this law,
an efficient engineering corps has been
organized, under civil service rules, and
from the men already in tine field. Over
three hundred such engineers. together
with large number of helpers, are al
ready in the field. From time to time,
other men are being added, especially
from. the graduates of professional
eShoois luTpuSuOul tne country. III Is
the policy of the government to retain
men for this work who are known to
possess high principles and undoubted in
tegrity, for it is believed that the great
hydraulic work can be planned and Built
properly only by men of the highest
type.
Selection of Reservoir Sites.
In each of the States and territories n
general study is being made of natural
situations which offer opportunities for
reclaiming large bodies of land. After
due preliminary work. few of such
projects, say two or three, which are
the most promising. are selected for
more careful survey and investigation.
From a comparison of results so OBJ
tained, one of these is chosen by the
district engineer. When he is ready to
report upon the work. with recommend
ations, the facts and figures are sub
mitted to the board of engineers. who
pass upon them. Sometimes additional
information is sought or the conclusions
are modified.
When agreement is reached, the re-
suits are transmitted to the Secretary
of the Interior with definite recommend
ations for immediate action and with full
facts as to cost and benefits. Final
action is thus taken only after the most
critical examination of existing condi-
tions and comparison of these with other
projects. In some of these arid States
a general reconnaissance is still being
carried on. in others plans and estimates
have been completed. and in number
OF instances work has actually begun on
a large scale. along the line of construct
ing dams and reservoirs. Contracts are
likely to be let within the next few
months for several more mammoth en-.
terprises which will reclaim few mil
lion acres of land.
ticu.
Under the terms of iii, law, the works
when built, are to be paid for in ter
annual iDstallments and are ultimately
to be owned and operated by the peo
pie using the water. The problems be
fore the reclamation service, therefore
are not merely engineering in character
but are largely legal and pertain to tht
organization OF the irrigators into asso
Citations. so that the mana cement ant
future control of the works may be plac
ed in their hands. This is the mos
difficult part of the work. 1t is hard t.
bring together the discordant element,
OF a community, torn by conflicts owe
water. and weld them into a compac
organization. sufficiently strong to main
tnin the works built by the government
and distribute the water equitably.
How Water IL Conserved for Use.
Beyond all question, most OF the waite
TO be conserved for irrigation purpose
will come from the storage of foo,
waters by means of dams and reservoirs
Wherever suitable basins along thes
streams can be found, they will be uti
lized by closing the outlets and catchin,
che waters which otherwise would fov
down the steep slopes, devastating tn
Sowlands.
Many Of these artificial reservoirs cal
be supplied by gravity canals 80 as Il
eoxas In rye htSdiea os bench land Ada