The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-06-19
RECLAMATION WORK.
PROPOSED [ ! J |: ! FOR /: On
\. DAKOTA
=. n. Savage, Supervising En.
gineer for the Government,
Gives His Views.
By 3, G. sn;yner,.

ny q. G. snyaer. Z,
Washington, D. c. June 19.-"Three
principal pumping projects are in
various stages of development in the
extreme western part OF North Da-
kota. " said Mr.. H. N. Savage, supervis-
Ing engineer, in an interview today.
The water supply is from the Mis-
souri, river. the low fall Of which
necessitates the diversion of water and
lifting same direct from the stream
s BY pumps. These projects are ex-
ceedingly attractive, as an abundant
supply Of Ignite fuel is found in the
vicinity, and no long and expensive
canal system will be required.
1T Is proposed to generate power at
. point located directly at the mines,
The electrical power generated there
being transmitted to the several pump
Ing stations for two of the principal
projects. The first pumps will be
placed on floating barges. These will,
OF course, accommodate themselves to
changes not only in water level but to
the. shifting of the stream, the water
being conducted from the pumps on
the barges through pipes with flexible
Joints. to the main canal. Additional
sub-station lifts will be introduced
wherever required. The water being
taken from the nearest source of sup
ply directly to the land obviates any
long conduits.
1T is proposed at first to construct
works to frrigate an area of about
10000 acres each on the Buford-Tren-
ton, Nesson and Williston projects,
provision being made in the first con-
tracts for additional machinery, SO
that the areas to be irrigated can be
Increased as rapidly as found desir-
able.
''Williston Project Advertisement
for power generating machinery and
pumps for the Williston project have
already been made. The bids will be
opened at Williston July 9th. Speci-
fcati0ns and drawings have been pre-
pared for the main canal and distribu-
ton system, and it is expected that
bids for their construction will be adj
vertised for In the near future.
'Buford Trenton Project Drawings
and specifications for the Buford Tren-
ton pumping machinery and for the
main canal and distributing system
are now being prepared, and it is ex-
pected that these will be advertised in
the near future. tits proposed to gem
crate the entire power supply. for both
the Buford- Trenton and Williston pro-
jects at the Williston main station,
which Is located three miles northeast
Of the town Of Williston.
ssNess0n Pr0ject-Stoe subscrip-
tions are now being obtained by the
water users association, and It is
expected that a contract can be handed
to the secretary within a few weeks
authorizing the construction of this
project.
Great interest is being manifested
throughout the entire west in this ex-
tensive development of irrigation by
pumping. There are many places
throughout the arid region where,
water can be conducted to land by
pumps, and 1t is believed that these
experiments will inaugurate new
era in the reclamation of arid land.
Great progress has been made in
the last two years In the design and
construction of centrifugal pumps, Sc
curing efficiency heretofore thought
impossible, and reducing the cost of
operating to a point where 1t Is ex-
pected It will make feasible the taking
up Of many projects heretofore thought
To be impossible financially.
"The results of the experiments with
pumping machinery in North Dakota
will be watched with great interest by
the people in many other sections Of
the west where the reclamation serv-
ice has located large areas above the
line Of gravity supply. If the results
are satisfactory they will doubtless
give a great impetus to the develop
ment Of pumping systems for irriga-
ton by private capital all over the
western country"