Churchill standard. (Fallon, Nev) 1903-1908, 1906-02-17
THE CARSON SINK PROJECT
A Column Of Information of Interest to the Home
seeker. Facts Furnished by Reclamation
Department Officials.

= ' O""NS WN ddd, 10 oue Vi II TICS pOl lhOh Vi
the American continent. The annual precipitation is from tour
T. TX inches. Were 1t not for the mountain streams flowing
would be one vast desert. Fortunately nature has provided an
abundance OF water tor irrigation OF this desert, it being the
part OF man to carry this water to the dry and thirsty lands.
he thrifty inhabitants OF the country along Carson river,
nave for many years irrigated such portions of the adjacent lands
as could be easily and economically reached from private bitches,
and the income from lands thus irrigated has been large in pro-
portion to the investments.
The drainage from the sierras west of Churchill county, is
through the Iruckee and Carson rivers, the bulk of the water
escaping during, flood seasons usually in the spring and early
and a large portion finding its way into inland lakes
and SINKS where 1t evaporates under the influence of constant
sunshine.
To control this flood water, and save it for use in irrigating
the Glands within It's reach, and to carry 1t to those lands is the
purpose OF the Truckee-Carson project, in Nevada, under the
National Reclamation Act, and a number of large reservoirs have
been located tor the purpose of storing the water for such use
several OF the large mountain lakes within this drainage basin
afford natural reservoirs, and to connect the waters of the two
rivers, a main canal 81 miles in length has been constructed,
The waters of Truckee and Carson rivers thus united flow
easterly some four or five miles to a diversion reservoir and dam,
rom which two large main distributing canals carry them out
over the lands of Carson Sink Valley, and other lateral canals in
turn distribute these waters over a VIDE area OF territory. Al
together 1t is estimated that about 200, 900 acres of productive
lrr1gable lands can be reclaimed from the canal system of the.
government IN Carson Sink Valley. Other canal lines will bring
under irrigation perhaps as much or more land, but the purpose
sink Valley.
The elevation of this valley is about 5000 to 1000 feet above
sea level. The rule is constant sunshine, the exception a cloudy
day, and 800 days OF constant sunshine have been known. In
summer the maximum temperature is about 100, during the
hottest days, the average maximum heat being about 50 above
zero. The nights are always cool and pleasant. SuItry weather
Is unknown here. There is nc sunstroke. In winter the Their
nometer ranges from fifty to sixty degrees above zero i'll the day
time, OF the average weather. The average winter temperatures
are around from 20 to 40 degrees above zero at night, and con-
srderabIy higher in the daytime. 1t is an ideal winter climate
In this climate lung and throat troubles disappear WllIn Il lew
Within this county there are a number of excellent public
schools. and recently 1t has been decided at an election TO build
d county high school, winch Will be located at Fullon, the county
seat. winch Is IN the geographical center OF the irrigation belt III
tins valley. Fallon Is a thrifty town RAPIDLY building up. 1t has
a number of substantial brick, stone and cement business and
'thtr bnuldlnps churches. schools. electric lights, a water system.
1dI IS soon TO nave a railroad, TOR the 5. p. Company has recently
Iocated a line from Hazen to Fallon, and has acquired the right of
way between these towns and terminal facilities III FaHon.
Inc principal crop, heretofore III the valley has been alfalfa
although wheat, oats, and barley OF excellent quality has been
raised ON irrigated lands, and tins Sleld d hutateu Hat THESE
will be very prontable crops. Pears prunes' PInms, apples ana
che harder fruits yield abundant returns, and berries, melons,
pumpkins, potatoes, cabbage eaulihoWer' peets, tutnlps ana al
Garden vegetables give abundant crops under irrigation:
Under the Reclamation Act, the lands to be reclaimed will
belong to those who actually reclaim them. The intent OF the
law is that the lands reclaimed shall be held IN ownership OF
those who reclaim them. To this end the only means OF OBJ
tanning any lands under government irrigation is through the
homestead laws of the United States, which require actual con,
unuous residence thereon, and improvement and cultivation OF
The land for five years. Residence must be established on the
land within six months from date OF entry.
:" The government furnishes water for irrigation through its
canals. and this water will cost the rflsatiohlsts unuer TINS pro
iect SIG per acre OF irrigable land, payable III ten annral mSla,
ments. without interest commencing December lst' OF the yea
IN which water is first delivered to the consume III IN Aprn o, a a4s
year. Title the public lands is not gwen until all water r19htts
nave been paid in full. The lands to be irrigated have been sub
tract having been first examined by soil experts and Its surface
surveyed to determine its irrrgabiIty, The prevalhne iuea mas
been to make each farm unit capable OF sustaining IN comfort
one family. r..., o.,4a ,ond o4oa n
rarson Nevada, and at Fallon, Nevada, before the United States
Commissioner. The railroad station nearest the lands beng
6 6h under irrigation L. Hazen, Nevada, on the main line OF
tbe Central Pacific railroad, about fifty miles east OF Keno -,
The county owns and operates a tree telephone system WnNa
reaches the major portion OF the homes III the valley: i Is Co
nected by rail and telegraph with the rest ot the world ana 81
Francisco aud Salt Lake daily papers reach IN e"o Por
lions Of the valley the day alter issue. -.
~ n,,;ngt he work of construction of the canal system III ti
valley the government and its contractors nave employed lars
,,n,her of men and this work is still IN progress. Ire wage
paid are equal t. the standard oil American Was.s, IseMhea
uniformly good. The headquarters OF the government reciama
ron force is at Hazen, Nevada. This project is under the eharg
IF Mr. |. II. TAYLOR, supervising engineer, IN the uuited State
Ceoloo;cal Survey, to whom all inquiries for INFORMATION shoul'
be addressed. uaa a.a IS Cb,rob;l
- will welcome all intelligent, worthy and thrifty home
- 49, who have the courage and ambition to become independ
Sc Ger 1nnded nronnetors under the beni6cent influences of tn
reclamation Act,