The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-02-04

voirs, though temporary dams will be
ou1lt at the outlet of Lakes Keechelus
and Clealum in order to guard against
any shortage of water during the late
summer months
Tieton Sub-Proiect.
The secretary Of the interior allotted
$1,25O.O00 for the construction of the
T1eton sub-project. In March, 1906
the Tieton Water Users associa-
ton was formed and four months
later $4,000 acres had been
subscribed. Much of the land
however. is nom irrigable, and
only $4,000 acres can be brought under
water.
The soil on the Tieton project is in
a great part sandy loan of basaltic ORR
GIN and ranges in depth FRONT few
inches to many feet. The climate is
particularly adapted to fruit growing.
The lands are generally rolling and es-
pecially qualified for orchards and for
growing hops, vines. grain. alfalfa, tim
othy, root and tuber crops. Even
though the district be adapted to fruit
growing. there will always be diver
slty of crops. The peculiar climate and
soil conditions make the raising of po-
tatoes for the manufacture of alcohol
an industry that would far eclipse the
growing of fruit.
Good Old Project.
! The Sunnyside project contemplates
the irrigation of about 10000 acres of
land included in the old project, which
the government has purchased, and an
additional $4,000 acres through its ex-
tension. The total allotment for the
project is $11OO.OOO. The Sunnysde
Water Users association, which was
formed in March, worked steadily to
bring in sufficient acreage to warrant
proceeding with the work, but up to
the close of the fiscal year, July 1, only
about IS per cent of the lands that
would come under the first develop
ment had been subscribed. The re-
port says that the conditions at Sun
nyside are unusual, in that consid-
cradle acreage in small individual
holdings is owned by nonresidents out
side of the state. but unquestionably
these lands will eventually be sub
scribed. Another unusual condition is
that with complete development about
one-half the lands will own water
rights obtained from the Washington
Irrigation company, which by the
terms of their contract would need
be operated in manner somewhat
different from the new lands. Effort
has been made to induce the old water
right lands to join the water users
association so as to effect a uniform
property. Tentative designs have
been prepared for the rebuilding of the
diversion dam on Yakima river, the
new design contemplating a low con-
crete overflow weir instead of the
movable dam now in place.
Drainage Factor.
Drainage will be an important factor
in connection with the Sunnyside pro
| of the situation. In the vicinity o.
Sunnyside drainage is an absolute ne
: cessity The community there fOun(
it necessary for the protection of lands
to organize drainage districts under
the state law, and more than $4,000
} has been expended for the develop
ment OF drainage systems. The peo-
: pie have suggested that these system:
be taken over by the reclamation ser
vice and made a part of the genera
scheme of drainage to be worked ou
and maintained by the government. blu
the report does not show whether tina
suggestion has been approved.
The Wapato sub-project contem
plates the irrigation of about 10000
acres on the Yakima Indian reserva'
ton south of the. Atanum Ridge ane
along the right bank of the Yakima
river. This is an excellent project
according to the engineers, as the land:
lie we'll for easy control, the soil /:
fertile transportation facilities are
good, and the unit cost per acre fol
development will be low.
At the present time there are sew
eral canals in operation, embracing
| 1900 acres. The old and the new
, reservation canals were constructed
with tribal funds, and are maintained
by the government. and it is proposed
} RI utilize the new canal by enlargine
and extending it. The lower lands
/ particularly those along the lower
stretches of Toppenish creek, will II
all probability require drainage. ANY
scheme worked out would attempt tt
absorb all the old canals, would install
i drainage of some character and would
: utilize Toppenish and Status creeks as
far AS possible to augment the summer
water supply for the bitches.
The water supply for the reservatiof
) at the present time is ample during
, tho flood flow of the Yakima river. bu
during the low water period it is linn
: tied TO about $50 square feet, which IL
;nsufticient for lands even now under
irr;eation. This low water period is OF
e.or, oight to ten weeks duration, anC