Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1905-03-30
two FARMERS TELL
their EXPERIENCE
MEN WHO lRRleATE ON !
LARGE SCALE RECOMMEND 1
IT.
WHAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS
MAPPED OUT FOR NORTH
DAKOTA, '&-, p.

The following clipping taken from
Irrigation and Forestry" shows what
the government has planned for in
North Dakota for the year. AS the
people of South Dakota have appre-
ciated their opportunity in this line
and have started a $2,10O, 900 work it
behooves our people to wake up and
accept similar opportunity.
"The plans of the reclamation serv-
ice for the season 1905 in North Da-
kota contemplate very careful surveys
of the valley of the Missouri, with a
view to presenting definite plans for
a number of irrigation projects to the
settlers residing in the valley.
Last year the preliminary surveys
were made of the Buford-T Trenton and
projects, and the plans for the
former have been approved. This
season it is expected to make a COM
plete topographic survey of the Blu
ford-Trenton project, to lay out the
canal lines, to make surveys and com
plete plans for the power plant and
all other necessary works, including
dams in the various coulees and, sur
veys of any reservoirs which these
coulees may offer. A drill party will
make borings at the site of the power
house, and at sites which are selected
to supply coal for this project.
If 1t appears that the governments
plans will have the approval of the
settlers, it is possible that the work
can be pushed far enough this sea-
son to completely construct the main
canal at least, and to erect and equip
the power plant. EARLY in the spring
a careful study will be made of the
run-off of various coulees in order to
determine how much water they will
supply for the system. As the work
is now planned, at least two topo-
graphic parties will be needed contin-
uously, and at the beginning of the
season it is expected to add other
parties and later use them on the
different projects which are being de-
veloped in this section.
A reconnaissance and preliminary
survey Of the Williston project will
be made this year, and if the data
developed are favorable it may be
possible to do some of the permanent
work.
On the Nesson project the work
will be similar to that on the Buford-
Trenton. The coulees must be stu
died and a topographic map of the
district made. Plans and borings
will be required for the power plant
location, and plans for any reservoir
and dam sites which the coulees may
offer. The local coal conditions must
also be investigated, and the canal
line run. It is doubtful II construc-
ton can be begun on this project this
season. >.,.4..-
On the Cherry Creek project work
will probably be confined to recon
naissance and preliminary surveys, a
portion of the work being done by the
engineers in charge of the Nesson
project. !.
The North Dakota work, as plan
ned, will require the permanent as
Segment OF three assistant engineers
and three aids, and later an additional
assistant engineer and an additional
aid, a craftsman and computer. The
future work of the government, of
course, depends very largely upon
the sentiment Of the land owners in
the several districts wherein irriga-
ton works are likely to be developed.
The preliminary investigations will
be made as rapidly as possible, in
order that the service may present
to the people for their approval a
definite plan Of reclamation for North
Dakota arid lands.
! n. A. Nelson, Hofflund, N. D.. In
The North Dakota Farmer: A great
deal Is being said and written, at the
present time, regarding the value Of
irrigation for the west and especially
for the western part OF North Dako-
"a. Being resident of this part Of
the state and deeply interested in It's
future welfare and q tiller Of the soil
! desire to give my experience with
irrigation In he Nessen valley VII
liams county. North Dakota This ex-
perience has extended over period
Of sixteen years. &.
III am satisfied that II q proper sysr
tenn Of irrigation is adopted 81 time,
this part Of North Dakota viii become
one OF the most productive portions
Of our country, and at the same time
there will not only be no decrease but
very large increase III the cattle.
horses and sheep produced " the
farmers Of this section. I am farm.
ing sesyeral hundred acres 81 land