The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1906-06-13

recognized that its immensely pre-
cluded any hope of early construc-
ton. After brief investigation they
stated that private rights, large and
conflicting claims to water, etc.,
would prevent doing anything in va
kima valley if anything favorable
could be found elsewhere.
1.-THE preliminary examination of
the Palouse country indicated that
this project was feasible, and that
about 100000 acres of land could be
reclaimed at an average cost of from
$50 to SIS per acre. A further and
more extended examination seemed
to confirm this estimate, and at the
meeting of the reclamation engineers,
held in Washington, D. c., in the
winter of 1904-05, the engineer in
charge stated that the project could
be put through at a cost of $35 per
acre. Things looked very favorable
and we were congratulating ourselves
that something soon would be done,
and we are advising our friends TO
| Keep their eye on Pasco.' Then the
board of consulting engineers was
sent out to make their examination.
and like a thunderbolt out of a clear
sky came their report that the cost of
the project would be at least $4,000
900, and that it should be postponed.
We could secure no modification of
this estimate or recommendation.
"They had also been investigating
the Okanogan project. This was a
small project involving the reclama-
ton of about 10000 acres. The en-
gineers at first decided that the cost
would be too high, but we finally Sc
cured reconsideration which result
ed in favorable report. the approval
of the project and the setting aside
of $4,000 for its construction.
The engineers, upon the fling of
the unfavorable report of the Pa
louise project, turned their attention
to the Yakima valley as the most
favorable field left. A preliminary
examination showed that sufficient
water could be stored at the source
of the Yakima and Nachez rivers to
reclaim ultimately about 100000
- !. -
be required for about two months in
the year, there being plenty of water
during the remainder of the year for
all purposes. These lands could be
reclaimed in sections or sub-pro-
jects, as money would become avail
able, thus avoiding one difficulty Of
the Palouse project, which required
the expenditure of the entire $6,s
100000 before any Of the lands
could be reclaimed. By September
of 1905 the engineers had gone far
enough to determine that irrigation
was feasible provided certain diff
culties were overcome. and the Sec
rotary of the interior conditionally
approved the Tieton and Sunnyside
sub-projects. Among the conditions
imposed he required that the rights
of all the preset water users from
the Yakima river should be deter
mined and fixed. This was a stupen-
dous task 1t required the mutual
adjustment of large and conflicting
water rights from the source of the
river to it's mouth. This adjustment
could not be made by the courts, be-
cause that would have taken too
much time. 1t must be done by the
people themselves, and they rose to
the occasion. Meetings were held,
committees We're appointed, and a
systematic campaign was made to
brings about the desired result. Con-
cession after concession was made,
and, after six months campaign,
a settlement of the water rights was
made satisfactory to the secretary OF
the interior. This was the climax
of the whole matter, and to the peo-
pie. of the valley is due the credit
for the victory for national irriga-
tion on a large scale in our state.
The other conditions were easily met
and the projects formally approved.
"These difficulties have been over
come and the secretary of the inte-
rior has Internationally approved
the Tieton project and set aside ST.
900, 900 for it's construction. He has
also approved the Sunnyside project,
and exercised the option secured on
the Sunnyside canal, and will pur-
chase it for $250.000. The inaugu-
ration of these two projects is but
small beginning of what the gov
eminent expects to do in the Yakima
valley. At the present time private
irrigators have appropriated and &C
tually diverted all of the water low
ing in the Yakima river during the