The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1909-02-27

lance and marking the partial con-
summation OF plan to transform to
agricultural uses the largest body
of sage brush land embraced in one
project in the United State occurred
at Boise Monday
In the presence OF large num-
Der of settlers and residents of the
valley the big headgates OF the
newly constructed Government dam
in the Boise River were opened and
the pent up waters gushed into the
broad canal.
For months the settlers on the
south side of the project have been
watching with deep interest the
progress of work on this structure,
for upon its completion rested their
hopes of an early and abundant
supply of water. The dam is locat-
ed eight miles southeast OF Boise
where the river energies from its
CANYON. 1t is of cyClopean con-
crete founded on compact gravel.
The spillway, or dam proper is
2I6 feet long. so feet wide at the
base and ST feet high. Along the
down stream toe of the dam and
securely fastened to it is a timber
apron. This apron is so feet wide
and 10 #. deep on the lower side.
1t is built mp of I2xI2 timbers bolt
ed together and the spaces between
the timbers filled with rock and
gravel. At the west end of the
spillway is logway foIr feet, low
er than the spillway crest, and just
west of the logway and forming the
west abutment of the dam is the
fisher-ladder. This is Of concrete,
as are the tunnels, which we e
built for the purpose of diverting
the river during the construction
of the dam proper. These tunnels
are closed by two by 8 foot cast
iron gates, and will be used when
need arises for sluicing the silt
from the reservoir. The main can
al with capa city of 1900 second
feet, head at the extreme west end
of the dam, and the water is taken
through eight S by 9 foot cast iron
controlling gates supported by con-
crete piers and abutments.
AS the big headgates were open.
ed and the life-giving waters gush-
ed into the canal, the scene was
viewed with varying emotion by
the throngs gathered there. The
engineers gazed with satisfaction
! at the beautifully finished structure
the farmers saw an abundance o
water in their canals, orchards
laden with fruit, and enormou
Yields of grain and alfalfa. But t
the statesmen came visions OF
new Idaho, an Idaho with possibili
ties unsurpassed by any state in al
the golden west. They saw
home on every 40 acres OF tn
project, a rural population OF no
less than 5000 people, and 5000
more people living in the cities ant
towns which have been growing b,
leaps and bounds since the initla
ton of the Government system CAV
assurance of an ample water supply
From conservative estimates OF
decade ago on the value of irriga
ed land and crops it took no comp
Heated calculation to figure OH
that more than eighteen mllllo
dollars worth of taxable propert
in land values alone will be adde
to the wealth of the state upon tn
completion of the project, aud tha
crops worth not less than six mi
lions of dollars will be grown anr
ually. Already new rail road line
are being built through the ayr
cultural area, new mines are bein
opened, and the stock raising il
dustry increased.
But let us follow the progress
the water taken from the Bols
dam. The canal extends for 2
miles 10 a point on Indian Cree
above Kuna. This creek then ca
ries the water for eight miles, whe
another canal II miles long carrie
it to the Deer Flat Reservoir. o.
casioually along this route smal
er ditch diverts water to suppl
ment the supply from other source
but the principal function OF tn
canal is to feed the Deer Flat Re
ervoir.
This reservoir was formed by bull
ing two long earthen dams in de
ressions between surrounding hill
The lower embankment, know
as The Hubbard and Carlson dar
is 1920 feet long and 90 feet big
1t is 400 feet wide on the botlor
and a driveway 20 feet wide e
tends along the top. The upp
emhankment is only 43 feet hii
o.d 400 feat yuida on the hOttOl