The independent., 1907-01-31
CAN BE USED IN IRRIGATION
INVESTIGATIONS UNDERTAKEN AT
NORTH PLATTE.
Report of the Work Made Under
Government Auspiccs-AgitatiOn
for Good Roads Being
Pushed Forward.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27-An inves-
tigation Of the underflow of the South
Platte valley was begun in July 1905,
by the geological survey. The report Of
it's work is now published by the sur
vey as Water Supply and Irrigation
Bulletin No. 1884," The Investigation
covered that part of the valley which
extends from Sterling, Col, to North
Platte Neb. The purpose of the sur
vey was to determine what resources,
if any, existed in the underflow wa
ters Of the valley and whether it was
practicable to make use of such wa
ters, if they were found to exist in
suitable quantities for purposes of ir-
rigation. Inasmuch as irrigation must
of necessity be confined to the bottom
lands of the valley, it is especially i'm
portant to know to what extent these
lands can be irrigated by means Of
water drawn from the und erflow Of
the river. This point was kept we'll in
mind during the Investigations
The result Of the surveys work indi
cate that there is an ample supply of
ground water for large number of
small pumping plants located in al
most any part of the bottom lands.
1t is possible to count on an average
depth of forty to sixty feet of good
water bearing gravels. The most eco
nomical well to construct for the pur-
post Of producing ground water in the
large quantities needed for irrigation
purposes is one from twelve to fifteen
inches. in diameter and extending into
the water bearing gravels q distance
of thirty to sixty feet, depending on
the thickness of the graves at the
place where the we'll is drilled Wells
constructed as described in this re-
port can be relied on to furnish at
least e-fourth gallon of water per
minute for each square foot of strain
-er surface in the well when the water
in tho we'll is lowered one foot by
pumping.
Probably the most satisfactory pump
for use in irrigation is the centrifugal
pump. 1t should be remembered, how
ever that there are great many
kinds of small centrifugal pumps on
the market which are designted for q
great variety of purposes Points inn
portant 10 those who are about to in
stall pumping plants are brought out
III the IfnoIi lpEtlncf With interesting
data concerning the cost of pumping.
This report, which covers only forty
pages, contains numerous illustrative
diagrams. maps, profiles. and tables of
statistics and analyses of waters. IL is
published for gratuitous distribution.
Agitation for Good Roads.
Notwithstanding the unusually Sc
we're weather conditions which have
prevailed Of late in various sections of
the country, the plan of cooperation
In the Improvement OF roads. recently
authorized hy Postmaster General
Cortelyuu and Secretary Wilson. of the
department ~ agriculture, In progress
Ing In q satisfactory manner Reports
received by the postoffice department
from maay states Indicate forciblY i'm
mediate need for systematic working
Of their roads. The heavy rainfall IL
some localities has rendered the roads
almost impossible, while In North pa
kota rural delivery service has been
practically suspended owing 60 Inn
mems snow drifts which resulted from
the severe hllGzards recently expert.
eneca IN the northwest, Such road
..ua8flana S.a neaNaiI ln NuFth Dakota