The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1910-12-02

The power resources of Idaho are
a factor which can hardly be over
estimated in the effect their deyel-
opment will have on the future OF
the state. Any one of number OF
places can generate enough current
to turn the wheels of every indus
try at present in the state, and FUR
nish light for every home. Inc
Snake river is the mother of pow
err as she is of irrigation. In trav-
ersing the state, distance OF 5OO
miles or so, the river drops more
than 5000 feet, in falls and rapids.
There are miles upon miles OF con-
tinuous whitecaps, such as at ldaho
Falls and in the canyon below MIL
ner. and several falls of from flfty
to 200 feet, notable among which
are the American falls. Twin fails,
Salmon falls. and the majestic and
matchless Shoshone falls. The COM
plete Harvesting Of the rapids and
falls that abound along the entire
length of the river which IS only a
matter of time and the development
Of the other resources OF the state
win afford an abundance of cheap
power that viii secure the location
Of manufacturing Industries OF many
kinds and make more valuable all
other kinds OF property and intro
duce as well. conveuiences fer the
farm and home that VIII make hle
in ftiifil0 worth white
Power IS already being generated
at many places in s9ntneln laano'sI
namely St. Anthony Idaho rams /
Preston Malad Poafeilo Amef-
Jean Falls, Mipidoka dan, Miilner I
Shoshone Haley Shoshone falls +
Salmon fails swan fats. Boise afia f
Horseshoe Bend. utilizing, however +
but small part Of the power that
will in time be developed. no
state in the Union has greater pow Z
er resources thah Idaho. and none
in time will have population and /
production that win justify a larger F
1sa Of power. Every mountain
stream has its wasted energy only (
waiting TO be harnessed to become a (
factor in the states Development
The three large streams of the
state. the Snake. the Salmon and
Pend d'Oreille, fairly abound with F
natural power sites and hundred .
smaller streams swell the possible
total power to a gigantic total So
abundant are the power resources
that the lighting of the main roads
on some of the large irrigated tracts
is predicted as a development OF
the future. The irrigation systems
even contribute to this great re-
source. The government dam at
Minidoka supplies light and power
for the several towns of that tract,
and as the system viii pass to the
ownership of the settlers in few
years. the homes of farmers will
eventually be lighted and possibly
heated by current generated by wa
ter that wastes over their dam. In
the American Fails canal system is
a drop of thirty feet, capable OF gem
Grating a current sufficient TO light
every home on the tract and have
surplus to spare, and although un- j
developed its ultimate use is certain
When the millions Of acres in the
Snake river valley are irrigated and
the eighty and 100 acre farms are
cut into tens twenties and forties,
as they will be- the vast population ]
we will then have viii find use
for this great resource. and it will ;
be developed 10 its fullest capacity !
use is already being made S
Of power in a few localities, and dur
Inc the past half decade q number Z
Of large power stations have been (
erected. One of the earlier deyel- Z
opments was at American Falls, and E
the capacity of the plants there hay t
ing been reached. an expenditure Of v
half a million dollars VIII be made &
there during 1911 in the erection
Of a third station having capacity 2
= 10000 horsepower. for the use c
4 NJ anufacturing enterprises and e
electric railways g
Idaho's power resources consti- n
ute an asset which can hardly be g
,ver estimated as a factor IN the de- 2
-elopment of the state, one which 81
VIII tighten the burdens of the far
ner as well as Of the artisan and e
,,,sint.ss man. ami aid Il, tine pleas
Tres of life And that time may
lot he so far away If the future I.
lolds as much in the way OF prog q
ess as has the last ten years, mid
lie aged men of today will share IN
ONE of these blessings before their
ace is run. The most optlmlstlc D
ave been surprised at the progress z
has been mdue III me paee ="
i've years, when the Snake river val n
az from Blackfoot TO Payette had
n1y few scattered homes, and re
hose were isolated and unin- n
ting. Today there is an irrigated Ia
mnire for half the distance ana ~
le next five years promises 70 con,
ect these tracts and make soma p
1ain across the state mere Is II
uch more development In sight at Oh
lis time than there was then, many