The Owyhee nugget. ([Silver City], Idaho) 1905-1984, 1909-03-12
Extensive Irrigation Project in
Owvhee County.

The organization of the Succor creek
and Henderson fiat water district means
much to Caldwell in the reclamation of 32,~
$40 acres of fertile Snake valley lands.
This body of land lies from 8 to l6 miles
from Caldwell, and is especially adapted
to horticulture, being surrounded on the
west and south sides by high hills and the
Snake river on the north. From its es-
pecia1ly protected location the more ten
der varities offruits such as apricots, cher
ries, ETC., can be grown to perfection.
Henderson fiat is situated in the north
west corner of Owyhee county, and is a
portion Of the Snake river valley. The
tract lying on the south side of the river,
extending from the Oregon state line, a
distance of 12 miles to the east. The
fat is about IL miles in length, and has
an average width of over three miles. 1t
is all first-class agricultural land and will
produce fine crops if the lands are sup
piled with water.
One of the canals for this project,
4
is already constructed and gets its water
supply from Succor creek. The supply,
however, is rather uncertain at all sea-
sons of the year.
The plans proposed at present are to
make pumping system Of the entire
project through out and by means of
electrical power throw water into the
several systems of canals. There will be
the three main canals, 30, 80 and 100 feet
respectively above the surface OF the Snake
river at low water time.
Most of the land under this project is
held under the homestead and desert
laws, large amount Of it being decided.
There is also some unsold state land em-
braced in the proposition. 1t is expected
to have all plans perfected and to COM
plete the permanent organization about
the 18th OF this month.
There will also be taken in by petit
ton from Il, 900 to 5000 acre Of land
extending from Squaw creek to Guffey.
This is fine body of land which can
easily and at small cost be prepared for
irrigating.
On Succor and Wilson creeks farming
is now being extensively carried on where
water is to be obtained for irrigation,
fruit Of all kinds doing remarkably well,
The length of the proposed canals viii
be approximately as follow: On the 3D.
foot level, is miles; the 90-foot level, 1S
miles, and the 160-foot level, "a miles.
About Is, 900 acres of land formerly un-
der the Boise -Payette project has recently
been released to be included in this
water district.
Two plans have been discussed for sup
plying power for the project. The first
was by working in connection with the
reclamation service and securing power
from the power site at Black Rock can
yon, the estimated cost of which would
be 81, ,070, 1920.
The second plan and the one receiving
the most support, is to put in system
entirely free of government aid. 1t is
conceded the cost will be somewhat greater
because the dam across Snake river win
be much longer than at Black Rock can
yon.
The major part of the land on the fiat
is of character which will require less
water for irrigating than the average land
in the state.
The lands under this project are fortu-
nately situated as regards future transpor-
tation facilities. The survey for the ex-
tension of the Oregon Short Line, from
Buhl to connection with the main line
traversing the trail. Also the Golden
Gate route will pass directly through here
giving good outlet.
The townsite of Homedale, comprising
500 acres, has been laid out and many
lots sold and buildings erected. Business
is represented by the following lines:
One general store, one hardware, butcher
shop, harness shop and lumber yard, the
entire development being made in the
last Is months.
Homedale is surrounded by as fine
body of agricultural and fruit land as is
to be found in the state. All that is nee
essary to make it thriving town and
good business point is the completion of
the Henderson fiat and Succor creek irri-
cation project, which win undoubtedly
be built within the next two years.
While no definite estimate has yet been
made as to the cost of water to be fur
nished, it has been Conservatory estimated
| that the cost will be in the neighborhood