Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1910-08-04

Of wood. or it's equivalent. 1t
shipped in from Portland, 200 mile
distant, or hauled from the forest /
to 25 miles distant 1t makes YER
expensive power. and corresponding
high rates for use of power.
The North Pork of the John Da!
River. in townships and 8 south, ant
ranges 81 and 28 east w. M. is in
deep, rocky canyon, the walls Of
basaltic formation, the slopes rang
ing from1O to 70 dergees. The first
benches, or table lands. on top,
are from 1000 to 1900 feet above the
bed Of the river. The stream bed is
usually narrow, not exceeding 300 feet
at any point during high water. AT
the dam site planned the river salls
at about 20 feet to the mile. Going
up stream the rise is quite regular. but
gradually increasing. until at 20
miles distance it is about 80 feet to
the mile.
There is 80 little agricultural land
lying along or adjecent the stream 1t
| is not worth mentioning. Nor is it
practicable to take out water by canals
to reach irrigable lands below. All
projects for irriagtion are miles
below the dam site, as planned.
Reservoir sites-For the entire dis
tance Of 25 miles there are no valleys.
or widening of the walls of the
stream, where storage reservoirs could
be created. The only storage possible
is that which dam for power would
create. and this could only store water
during the minimum use of water,
to be used at the peak of the load
each and every "a hours.
Water-At the junction of the
Middle and North Forks / made care
full measurements OF the water and,
on October l2, 1908, found in the
Middle Fork 76 second feet. and in
the North Fork l40 sec ond feet. On
September /, 1909, | found in the
Middle Fork IA second feet and in the
North Fork 60 second feet. On
August 81. 1909, l measured the
North Fork at proposed dam site. and
found 6S second feet; one mile below
| found ~ second feet. In November.
1908, measured the North Fork six
miles above the junction, and found
lb0 second feet. During December.
1908. at the same place. Imade severa!
approximations and found $50 to ITO
second feet. Occasionally a rise OF
a day or two would increase this, but
on subsistence of the rise it would
reach normal, as above.
My conclusions we're that at the
dam site could depend on the follow
ing amounts of water: During
January and February, 200 second
feet; March, April, May. June, food
time, 1000 to 1000 second feet; July
200 second feet: October. November
and December, 200 second feet.
HeIe5is q very poor power stream.
situated in region where demands,
or future possible demands. for powsr
are too light to nay for development.
The only population that can use it is
distant, and in a country not easy Of
higher development. Its powers
must be small. and they can be in
stalled every four or FIVE miles. not a
very good feature for combination or
trusts.
It seems to me that the object
sought for in these Withdrawals is far
from being accomplished, but rather
it imposes q restriction and burden
upon the people who are trying to
make Morrow and Gillian Counties
producing contributors to the resources
of the state. to make homes habitable,
and living easier and happier.
These powers are remote frem any
dense, or possible dense, population.
The reclamation service has investi
gated all of the valley of the John
Dav. have reserved all possible
reservoir sites for irrigation waters
They have measured the main river
and find it's flow along the same lines
as l have. All of their proposed
reservations are below the proposed
ham site. So by using this water,
now going to waste it would conserve
the natural resources we are now US
ing for power. and afford a better.
reader, cheaper force to assist the
people of these counties to conquer
the difficulties of region devoid of
fuel. water. oil the requisites of
irrigation, heat. light and power
We have a state law that imposes
a heavy tax and restriction on all of
the projects Now for the Govern
ment to duplicate it, will be to stop
all development work of this character
and deter the material progress of this
region. 1t is step backward, and
not forward. have submitted this
project to Eastern investors who have
turned it down. It can only be devel-
oped by the investment Of myself and
We are ready To 90 ahead.