The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-12-24

more But they are there and always
ready at moments notice to pump water
into the river for the use of the various
irrigation prOJectss The lake has apecuiiar
habit of rising and falling in cycles. About
every five years it reaches its lowest
point and then Increases until at the end
OF another five years period IT reaches
the nigh water mark. Then it subsidies
again.
Litigation Plentiful.
During the high water years the pumps
are not used, but they become most need
ful during the other years The establish
ment of this plant has resulted In much
litigation with the farmers living on the
shore of the lake. When the lake rose
ard flooded their fields they blamed the
CITY and irrigation companies for not taxi
ing enough water to reduce the level.
When the lake was low they complained
because the pumps were making 1t still
lower. Finally il was agreed to establish
a low water mark and a compromise point.
When the Rake is below the former the
pumps can take only small portion or
the water and when it is above they can
take all il desired. The compromise point
is set about six feet above this and when
the water reaches this height il Will FLOOD
the fields and cause damage. This surplus
water is to be taken care of by the pumps,
if possible
The Jordan river has only an eighteen
inch fall in ten miles and was formerly
Obstructed by a number of sand bars
ing the water back into the lake and
making it higher. The city removed
these distractions and afterwards when
the water was coming down too fast put
in dams of their own. The farmers again
complained. but the city contended that
as il had removed the natural obstruc-
tons II could replace them by artificial
ones at any time 1t desired. This case
was sustained. The wrangle over the Ii
ability of the city for damages whenever
the water goes above the compromise
point is still in the courts. having been
tried last summer before Judge Booth of
Provo, bst no decision has yet been
The city is now able. however, to guar
antee a liberal exchange at all times. thus
insuring the stability Of the system.
Looking to the Future.
The next step will be TO secure more
water rights in Big Cottonwood, the city
now owning half of that stream, and
eventually rights III Little Cottonwood,
further south, will have to be secured.
Thea city is looking out for the future
however, and plan is now on foot to
secure controlling interest in the East
Jordan or Draper canal. which, begin
ming at the point of the mountain, runs
along the foothills to Little Cottonwood
and about two miles further east than
the Salt Lake and Jordan canal. This
canal is to be extended by the city to be-
yOnd Mill creek and will enable the sup
plying of water to all those who live
between the foothills and the old canal,
several miles further west
Because of the location of the old canal
the city can only furnish water to those
west of it, unless the water should be
pumped back to the mountains and al
lowed TO return again through the inter-
Venlng farms. This would not be prac-
teal, however, and the scheme now is to
extend the Draper canal and abandon the
old canal. This will allow the city TO
exchange Big Cottonwood rights for Utah
mountains and Murray. and will prac-
tically give the city entire control of the
creek. When it becomes necessary to
secure water from Little Cottonwood this
scheme can be followed and the conduit
extended to that point, bringing the en-
tire volume from both streams into the
PaTley'S canyon reservoir.
Other Rights involved.
In addition to the city's ownership. the
following irrigation companies own rights
in the Jordan river: The South Jordan
Irrigation company; the Utah-Salt Lake
Canal company; the North Jordan Irri-
cation company and the East Jordan r.
concern the city already owns a one
fifth interest for the purposes above
specified. The companies are ruled by
boards of directors and the presidents
engineer for the board of canal presf-
dents, which have entire control of the
river water
The party which inspected the pumping
plant left at $50 o'clock yesterday morn
ing on a special train over the Denver &
Rio Grande railroad The train was in
charge of Assistant superintendent Ap-
person and l. c. Kelsey, city engineer.
as engineer for the board Of canal presi-
dents, was in direct charge of the expedi-
ton.
Plant is Visited.
Arriving at Lehi at 1880 o'clock. rigs
were in waiting and the trip to the pump
ing station was made. After thorough
Inspection of the great pumps and an eN-
hibitfon of how they work, the party left
for Lehi. where a banquet was served i'm
the rooms of the Commercial club. About
100 were present and the way in which
the good things were disposed of was
a magnificent tribute to the housewives
Of the flOurishing little city.
Eating and Taking.
After an hour of solid eating or a solid
hour of eating. A. J. Evans. Of Lehi for
ner state senator. assumed the position
# postmaster and impromptu speeches
were made by Mayor John s. BranSford
IF Salt Lake, Franklin S. Richards, spe-
rial counsel for the city in water rights