Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-03-03
Salt Laker Tells Story Of the Clos d.
ing Of the Huge Dam
AT Miner
FISH AND NUGGETS IN BED.
Big Rush After the Waters Had Re.
ceded How Canal Was Christ
encd Yesterday

W
morning from Miner Ida, tells a very
interesting story OF the incidents at
tending the closing Of the dam gates
on Wednesday and the preliminary
steps taken towards turning the water
OF the Snake river into the big canal
in the Twin Fails district The argo-
nauts in the river bed hunting for gold
the wild scramble after fish that had
been left high and dry the breaking OF
a bottle Of champagne over one Of the
gates, the christening Of the biz canal
that is to feed system OF canals 1000
miles IN total length. and other Incl
dents made the day one that will be-
come noted In the history OF the recla-
nation and development of Idaho.
TOOK TWELVE HOURS,
Mr.. Brother said in part THE Salt
Lake party arrived at Miner about
noon Tuesday after a very enjoyable
trip As we approached Miner teams
could be seen coming In from all dlrec-
tions. owing to the limited accommo-
dations most Of the people camped out
and made night OF H. The next morn
ing all schools were closed and all ad-
journed to the damsite when the gates
were closed. The estimate was orig-
nally that IL would take three days be-
fore the river commenced 10 flow over
the top of the dam, In reality II took
n few minutes over u hours. As II was
the water was backed up for 10 miles,
while for three or four miles up the riv-
er the water was over 1000 feet in
width, making a splendid sheet Of sill
yer that would AFFORD IDEAL yachting for
anyone who had sailboat, At the
same time the water that was going
over Shoshone Falls miles below was
lowered % inches, or 10 inches lower
than was estimated when the project
was first canvassed,
CHAsM EXPOSED.
"The scene following the shutting on
of the water was very interesting
one. As the water below the dam
drained off the bed Of the river was
laid bare with the exception of some
pools and a deep gully In the center.
This cleft In the rocks was about 30 or
40 feet deep, as far as ! could see, but
there is no telling how deep II really Is,
as there was water remaining In the
bottom. Strange 10 say the rocks Of
this chasm were Jagged, not rounded as
one would expect 10 see at the bottom
Of a huge stream Of running water
ARGONAUTs AFTER NUGGETS.
"As soon as the water receded men
rushed down and commenced to pan
the sands for gold. They We're di7ap.
pointed, however ana while colors were
shown, did not hear Of a single case
where a man struck u rich. The sands
panned out about the same as those
that have been washed out Of the
Snake river in the past. High and dry
on the sands and In the small pool,
left by the receding waters there were
countless FISH and people had all kinds
Of fun getting them They got gunny.
sacks full. most OF them large suck,
ers, however There were few trout
but sturgeon and other large fish were
absent,
CHRISTENING THE CANAL
Yesterday the ceremony of christen.
Ing the canal was performed. At the
various headgates stood respectively
Messrs. Bull Kimberly, Schuyler
Filler Murtaugh and Bichel who
opened the gates and let the water rur
into the big ditch Mrs. NJ. NJ Muir,
laugh then christened the canal by
breaking a bottle Of champagne oyeI
the top of headgate, The watel
| stood at 5S inches at the headgat,
when Il was turned in While tn,
canal has a carrying capacity OF Il
feet OF water II is not the intention
this year to have more than three fee
f,, Ia A., 4.
| TO supply the needs OF the settlers. Al
It is the company proposes to take tw,
| months I'm getting this three feet o
water into the canal All soft an,
| porous places are to be puddled and
| patrol established until the work be
| comes seasoned. When II has becom,
| thoroughly tested more water may b,
| turned in II is not deemed safe I,
/ turn IN the full capacity for month
| yet,
! "Followlng the closing OF the gate
there was big ball held at Miner an,
the town proceeded to celebrate tn
auspicius event,
B BIG RECLAMATION SCHEMES.
"The Twin Falls Irrigation schem
contemplates the reclamation Of n,
less than 100000 acres OF some Of tn
] most IeIllle lullu III hnt west, Inue
! the big canal 2I0000 acres will be fl
rlgated, while when the canal at IN
north side OF the river Is complete,
100000 additional acres win be added
The hoadgates for this big ditch ar
| In place but work on the big ditch ha
not yet been undertaken.
1.-THE government dam at Mlndokt
! IS miles above Miner Is to be com
pleted In 1907 and when this irrigation
scheme is completed there will be an
other 5000 acres under cultivation
In the district TO drive through thi
section IS very instructive and inter
esting Perhaps | may be overstatin
somewhat but It appeared to me n
though there were 1000 cabins scat
tered over the country. every one o
which had been erected by parties VIII
were taking advantage OF the home
stead act and had got in on the groun
| floor
1.-THE future before this new sectlo
is very bright aud / look to see tina
vast expanse of sage brush dcvelo
within the next few years into one q
the garden spots Of the country"
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