The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1906-02-07
IRRIGATION BRINGS PROSPERITY.

OCOukut 0OOut W OVSsuin0u ASGs&o'
ton enterprises in the west, are indi-
Gated by a sketch of the great Idaho
project which it is estimated will cost
about sS, 900, 000. Guy E. Mitchell,
secretary of the National Irrigation
association, gives this picture of the
prospective transformation:
The state of Idaho il larger than
all New England. but it has less than
two persons to the square mile. What
1t needs Is water; the storage of the
melting SHOWS from its vast mountain
ranges which run riot to the Gulf of
California every spring. Its climate
Is delightful and invigorating. with a
latitude of the south Of France and
Northern Italy. The Boise valley, in
the southern part of the stats, lies at
an elev alton Of about $500 feet and
the lowest temperature during the year
is but slightly under freezing.
In Boise valley, as in California in
the early days, the demand for food
and the exhorbitant prices for vege.
tables and meat induced some of the
hardy Argonauts to break the rules
Of caste and engage in what was then
considered the humblest OF occupa-
tions, the growing Of potatoes, cab.
bage and small fruits. With splendid
markets this industry prospered and
grew, and when the placers were ex-
hausted a thriving farming community
remained to develop these permanent
of the valley.
But little of the "klondike" of 1864
remains. Its disappointments and
lavish rewards, its restitution and
reckless prodigality are things of the
past. Today it is difficult to realize
that this valley is one Of the most
famous theatres where reckless and
daring spirits we're the principal ac.
tors and where only the tittest sur.
vived. Unlike many of the Klon-
bikes which have had their day dur
ing the past 60 years, this valley pro-
vided for the overflow, and the spirit
Of enterprise which prompted thous.
ands to brave all dangers in the
search for gold found a field here for
the exercise of surplus energy in the
construction of canals and the recla.
nation of the lands in adjacent val.
leys.
Like the Mormon farmers, the early
tillers of the Boise valley found irri.
CATION necessary, and since the first
crude efforts nearly 1000, 600 has
been expended in the construction of
irrig alton works, and more than 1OO,.
600 acres of land have been reclaimed.
Substantial cities and towns have
grown up, railroads cross the valley
In every direction, and from $50, OOO,-
600 to $40, OO0, 600 has been added to
the productive capital Of the west.
But the limit for private enterprise
has been reached. The natural flow
of the river has been fully utilized,
and it is only by the construction of
engineering works enormously expen.
sive that the complete agricultural de.
velopment of the country can take
place. The only agency which can
safely undertake this great work is
the United States. With commend
able enterprise the owners of land in
the valley have harmonized all que
tions of conflicting water rights
and are now preparing to cooperate
heartily with the government in carry.
ing forward what is termed the Pay.
ette- Boise project, the largest of the
national reclamation works which has
yet been approved by the secretary of
the interior.
The construction of the great system
will require several years and entails
the expenditure OF nearly IS, 600, 900.
The area to be reclaimed in 80, 600
acres. or more than twice the cult
waited acreage Of Rhode Island. The
work consists of storage reservoirs on
the headwaters of the Payette and
Boise rivers, and in the Boise valley
the building of gigantic dams on these
two rivers and about 200 miles of main
canals. The secretary has authorized
the initial construction of q dam in
the Boise river, about 33 miles of
main canal and a reservoir which will
be capable of storing water enough
for the late irrigation of abou: l2O, 600
acres OF land in Boise valley.
The bids were opened at Boise, Ida
no, on Feb. l, and the contracts pro.
vide for the expenditure by the United
States of about 81, OOO, 900. The Boise
valley now has Il population OF about
$4,000. 1t contains 80 per cent. more
irrigable land and has a more favor.
able climate than the great Salt Lake
valley of Utah, which today sustaius
a population of about $50, 900.
Peculiar and pcrtinent.