Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1905-02-14

the most prominent feature in the re-
ports of the engineers of some other
states, and is ordinarily the branch Of
the work demanding the first attention
and most continuous consideration, for
the reason that without definite
knowledge Of the quantity of water or
dinarily to be expected in the various
streams any plans for the utilization
of that water cannot be properly
made. This is explained at some
length in the report, but few such
measurements are included this year,
for the reason that Professor Chand-
Ter, as one of the engineering force
of the United States Reclamation SER
vice, is in charge of the regular series
of such measurements made (under
federal appropriation on the princi-
pal streams of North Dakota and Min
nesota, most of which have been main
tanned continuously for about two
years now; the results are therefore
reported to Washington for publica-
ton.
One chapter explains the different
methods for measuring the flow of
streams,-by floats, by weir, my cur
rent-meter, etc.,-with the advantages
and difficulties of each, and should be
of assistance to the non-technical resi-
dent who desires some method by
which he can without unreasonable eff
fort or trouble measure stream in
which he is interested or make a
rough estimate of the quantity of it's
flow.
A brief summary of the different
surveys made in North Dakota by the
United States Geological Survey or
Reclamation Service with irrigation in
view is included; and some other
topics of interest appear.
In an appendix the articles of incor-
water users association are printed.
The organization of associations
somewhat similar to this has been in
sisted on by the reclamation service
as prerequisite to the beginning of
construction work on any extensive
project in regions where the land is
already largely in private ownership:
this, as we all know, Is the case in
most sections of North Dakota.
topic forming a considerable part
of many other reports of state engi-
neers is lacking here, namely, lengthy
lists of claims to water adjudicated or
approved and permits granted; for
North Dakota has no law yet to facil-
itate the definite establishment of
water-rights. But if thus early in the
irrigation development of the state
there shall be enacted affective legis-
lation for that purpose, it may be as
sumed that the numberless claims that
will soon be ready for filing can be
approved and recorded satisfactorily
and an escape thus afforded from the
endless. litigation in which the early
lack of effective irrigation laws in
some of the western states has re.
suited.
1t has been assumed by many that
any consideration of irrigation i'm
piled the region desert, and there
fore should be rejected with scorn.
But it is fact that even in a humid
climate, where the natural rainfall
will always produce a crop large or
small, that irrigation is sometimes
very profitable, not merely because of
the more certain returns thereby as
sured but on account of the larger or
more valuable crops that it may assist
in securing. The recognition of this
fact is spreading over the country and
irrigation becoming popular accord
ingly. For this reason irrigation is
one of the questions of the day in
North Dakota, and the report men,
toned is one of the early attempts to
contribute to our stock of definite
local information on the subject.
Copies win be ready for distribution
in few days, and can be obtained on
request to the state engineer, e. F.
Chandler. either at Bismarck or at
University postofice.
An Unfortunate Cared For.