The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1908-07-11

from d. w. Ross, who is leaving the
reclamation service, which is an ex-
cellent presentation of the present
status and future prospects of the big
proiect which will, when completed,
transform hundreds of thousands of
acres of sagebrush into fertile farm
lands. The letter is as follows:
Boise, Idaho, June rs, 190S.-Mr.
]. H. Lowell, president Payette-Boise
Water Users association, Caldwell,
Idaho: Dear Sir-In response to
many requests which have lately re-
ceived that l prepare before leaving
the service resume Of the reciama-
ton work done by the government on
the Payette-Boise project since its in
ception, and of the irrigation posi-
bilities of these valleys, together with
a summary of recommendations which
| have made to the service from time
to time for the contamination of this
undertaking, l submit the following
statement, the major portion of which
has been compiled directly from re-
ports and letters written from time to
time during the past six years.
History.
A study of the conditions in rela-
ton to the extension of irrigation in
the Payette and Boise valleys was be-
gun in May, 1902, by the state of Ida
no in cooperation with the United
States geological survey, the work be-
ing under the immediate supervision
of the state engineer. This work was
continued later, under the provisions
of the reclamation act, the first work
consisting of an investigation of the
storage facilities ON the headwaters OF
Boise river. A thorough investigation
was made of every important tribu-
tary and branch of this stream, sur
vey being made Of every basin that
looked as If 1t might be converted into
a reservoir. Investigation was next
made of the storage possibilities along
the line of the upper canals diverting
water on the south side of Boise river.
The most promising site was found on
Deer Flat, about four miles southwest
of Nampa under the line of the Riden-
baugh canal. These Investigations
were continued during the field sea-
son of 1903 and pointed to the FEAST
bility of reclaiming practically all the
irrigable lands of the Payette and
Boise valleys. AS the greater portion
of the land under this project was
held in private ownership 1t was de-
cided that no further steps should be
taken by the reclamation service until
after it was ascertained whether the
land owners, generally, desired the
government to take up the work and
would provide the necessary organi-
cation. During the month of Decem-
Der, 1903, steps were taken by few
leaders in the Payette and Boise val
leys with view to arousing general
public interest in the project. Meet
ings were held at many places and the
possibilities and benefits Of the pro-
ject discussed. A great deal Of inter
est was taken in the matter by the
land owners. A representative organ
ization committee was the result o
this movement, which took charge o
the work and the interests Of the liant
owners and irrigators, circulating pc
titions, and doing all things necessar,
to place the claims of the people be
fore the department Of the interior
The favorable action taken by the de
partment on the report Of the organ
ization committee encouraged the Ian
owners to take the next step neces
sary, namely, the organization Of
water users association. Articles G
incorporation were prepared. and al
ter having been submitted to the legs
advisers of the reclamation servic,
were formally accepted and filed an
a permanent organization. known q
the Payette-Bois Water Users asst
citation was thus formed. This assl
citation was formally organized on Al
gust 10, 1904.
The general Investigations OF II
Payette- Boise project made by Il
reclamation service. which were col
cluded Turing the field season OF 100
seemed to point to its entire feasibi
ity and to define clearly Its limit
1t was found that no serious enginee
ing difficulties would have to be owe
come and that the estimated CO
would fall within reasonable limit
The project contains four natural su
divisions: "a the Payette diyisio
comprising the lands Of the Payet
valley and the area In the Boise va
ley that can be irrigated by the waite
OF the Payette river; 't2) the nor
side of Boise division, comprising t
lands lying on the north side OF I
Boise river that will be irrigated
means OF a canal diverting from th
stream; CD the south side Boise
vision, comprising the lands on t
aouth side of the Boise valley that Q