Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-07-14
WATER SHORTAGE
RAISES FEARSFOR CROPS
If Carefully Handled There VIII be
Plenty to Mature Growing
Crops.

OGDEN, July 1.-THE continued dry
season has caused much speculation as
20 crop conditions in this locality, es-
pecially in regard TO the tomato and
other fall crops which affect the nu-
merous canning factories throughout
this and adjoining counties. II was ru-
mored that the storage reservoir Of the
Davis and Weber Counties Canal COM
pany was ~ feet lower at present
than last season at this time and
many reports pointing to decidedly un-
favorable results have been freely cir
culated. When approached on this sub
tect, j, g. Nye, secretary OF the canal
company stated that "A comparison be-
tween this and last season could hard
~ be made I'm reference TO the height
Of the reservoir water, owing TO the
fact that last year was unusually wet
while this has been the dryest season
ever known in this section. Mr.. Nye
stated that in 1909 the storage water
was not released till Aug. Z. while this
season water was taken from IL begin
ming with june %. Last year COM
paratively small stream was taken
while thus far this season IL has been
necessary 20 take l25 second feet from
the start. The reservoir was entirely
fun at the start this season and N the
present stream is continued the water
will last until about the middle OF
August. However. the flow viii un-
doubtedly be considerably reduced so
as to make the reserve water last un-
al sept l. at which time the work OF
comenting the canal will begin. MIR
Nye states that water was taken this
year earlier than I'm any season since
the dam was built In Weber canyo
Hc thinks, however. that sufficient wa
ter stil remains In the reservoir TO
last until all crops have fully matured,
although. Of course, there Is no water
10 waste. Mr. Nye feels that after
the canal Of the company has been
cemented, much improved condition
over the present season Will prevail
owing to the immense loss by seep-
age Tho capacity OF the canal VIII
also be nearly double It's present size
Martin =. Brown, one Of the prom
lnent fruit growers and agT1culturists
of Roy who uses a large quantity or
water from the Davies and Weber
Counties canal was seen by The News
in reference to the report OF the APP
preaching drouth in his locality and
made substantially the same statement
as Mr. Nye. MI. Brown thinks that
the supply Of water will be sufficient
To take care OF n large majority OF
the crops throughout his section OF
the country and states that thus far,
with the 125 second feet being received
from the reservoir water has been
plentiful and two good crops OF alfalfa
viii be cut and the indications are that
a third cutting viii be possible as In
other seasons. Naturally II the supply
Is cut down to so or rs second feet.
there VIII be a scarcity OF water but
IL is hardly likely that the crop loss
will be very heavy or total loss.
as reported by some people. will be
absolutely impossible Mr.. Brown Is
81 the opinion that some parties arc
too anxious TO cross the bridge" IT
this year I'm any way resembles other
seasons. there Is every likelihood that
faU rains win greatly relieve the pres
ent day conditions. Those farmers who
arc 50 unfortunate as 10 control very
limited amount Of water stock VIII I'M
doubtcdly be affected. though the us
ual fall rains would save good per-
erntagc Of all crops.