Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-07
ENGINEERS SESSIONS
Reclamation Work in Snake
River Valley.
THE PLANS OUTLINED
SENATORS DUBOIS AND HEPBURN
OF IDAHO TALK.
Addresses Show Familiarity and Con-
tidence in Irrigation Work Going
on in the West.
THE PLANS OUTLINED


engineers at the geological survey was
given over principally to the discussion OF
the work of the service in Snake River val
ley, in Idaho The entire Idaho delegation,
composed of Senators Dubois and Hepburn
and Representative French, were present
and addressed the engineers.
District Engineer Ross, who is In charge
of the governments work in that state
briefly outlined the plans for reclamation
explaining in detail the location and extent
of the irrigable lands and the 0-racter of
hydraulic works required. The Snake River
desert which begins on the southeast
ern border, extends entirely across the
state. 1t contains vast bodies of sage
brush desert, wanting only water to bios
NOm into productive fields and orchards.
The irrigation projects in process of con-
struction, or for which preliminary surveys
have been made ultimately will bring into
cultivation more than a million acres of
land now desert and worthless.
At present the government is engaged up
on three projects in this broad valley
the Dubois project, with 100000 acres of
land. the Minidoka project. 100000 acres,
and the Payette-Boise project. 100000 acres.
The reclamation of these great areas will
bring to the state many times it's present
population and augment many fold its tax
able wealth. Every drop of water in the
Snake river in flood and normal discharge
will be utilized Large and expensive inn
pounding reservoirs located in the noun
famous headwaters of the stream will be
constructed to conserve the floods. The
proposed projects will require an eXpendi-
ture of many millions of dollars.
Irrigation in Idaho.
Following Mr.. Ross discussion, Senator
Dubois spoke briefly on the subject of lrri-
cation development in Idaho. The sena-
for hpv, &c 10
tiguous to of these large irrigation
projects. He is intimately acquainted with
the character of the work and is deeply in
terested in it's promotion. He spoke briefly
of the history of the irrigation law. and the
long tight that was made by the western
senators before it became a statute. He eX-
pressed himself as opposed to any change
or serious modification of this law at the
present time. He said the reclamati ton
service should be given an opportunity to
demonstrate that this law is good law,
and be permitted to complete at least one
irrigation project before being interfered
with by new legislation. He said:
Senator Heyburn's Interest
I'm the language of the illustrous leader
of the republican party who is now gone L
believe. so far as this irrigation bill is
concerned, so far generally as our public
lands are concerned, and legislation re-
speeding them ought to stand pat for
the present"
Senator Hepburn explained that although
a resident of the Panhandle of the north
ern part of Idaho. which has an album
dant rainfall, he was none the less deeply
Interested in the material development of
the southern arid portion of his state.
The irrigation of a million acres in that
fertile though rainless section means a
Tremendous increase in the population and
wealth of Idaho. He believed that the
plans of the reclamation service as out
lined are safe, and expressed the hope that
extreme caution would be exercised to safe
guard the future construction of these vast
hydraulic works. He said he had no pa
tence with the complaints of those who
were not informed to the character of
these works who criticised the engineers
for proceeding slowly.
In his opinion it were better to go slow
and be sure. THE Snake river he said,
lis a source of wonderful possibilities in the
way of furnishing water He believed the
irrigation of the valleys would lead to an
extensive development of the higher lands
through the application of new inventions
and a greater utilization of underground
waters. His first experience with irrigation
was when boy in the fruitful southeast
ern corner of Pennsylvania, where irriga-
ton has been used since 1900 The senator
discussed inteligently the geological for
nation of the Snake valley and other areas
with which he is familiar. He called at
tention to the peculiar character of the Lost
river in Idaho. stream which flows out
upon the great Snake desert and sinks into
the porous lava in chasms of great depth.
He said: Il have great faith in the judg-
ment and confidence in the results which
Will follow the construction of these prof.
ects and am willing to leave their COM
pletion in the hands of the engineers. de-
sire to express my wish to cooperate with
them in every way to further their efforts
in retaining the desert"
Misfake Wou1d pa Fetal