Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1911-06-10

with pumped water. The acreage irri-
gated IS classified by the type of en-
terprise supplying water and by the
source of water supply.
The act of Congress of February IS,
1910, under which the census of irriga-
ton is being taken, provides for collect
ing full information concerning the To-
cation, character, and cost of irrigation
enterprises; whether such enterprises
are conducted under national, state, or
private control; the acreage of land irri-
gated, the prices at which land with |
water rights can be obtained; and the
quantity of water used for irrigation.
1t should be noted that the figures are
subject to revision, owing to the fact
that small part of the state could not
be canvassed until the present summer.
1t is not expected that the reports from
the territory not yet canvassed will
make any material modification in the
totals or percentages reported.
Acreage, Equipment and Cost.
The total number of farms irrigated
in 1909 was 16,O12, against 91ssS in
1899, an increase of 1894, or 74.3 per
cent, which is about the same as the
ratio of increase, 1853 per cent, in the
whole number of farms in the state
during the same period of time. Hence
the per cent of farms irrigated remains
practically unchanged, being 52.1 in
1909 and 52.6 in 1893.
The total acreage irrigated in 1909
was 1,42s,542 acres, as against 60s,71s
acres in 1899, an increase of S19,S24
acres, or 134.7 per cent. AS the i'm
proved acreage in farms in the state in
the same period of time increased 92.2
per cent, it is evident that farmers are
irrigating larger parts of their Guilt
waited lands. This improved acreage
irrigated increased from 43.1 per cent in
1899 to SIS per cent in 1909.
The total acreage which all enter
prises were capable of supplying with
water amounted in 1910 to 2,3s4,574
acres, as compared with 1884, 500 acres
reported under ditch in 1899, the in
crease being 1,O36,O74 acres, or 76.s per
cent in the IL years.
The acreage included in all projects
completed, or actually under construc-
ton, in 1910, was 3,547, 949 acres.
The number of independent enter
prises was 3Os1 in 1909 and 1884 in
1899, an increase of 1247 or $40 per
cent. The total length of main bitches
was 1921 miles in 1909 and 1916 in 1899,
an increase of 2775 miles, or 573 per
cent. These increases are much smaller
than the gain in the acreage irrigated,
indicating that the new enterprises and
the new bitches are much larger than
those of 1899.
The total cost of irrigation systems
to July 1, 1910, was reported as $40,-
9s3 ,6s2, as against $5,116,227 in 1899, an
increase of $95,s67, ASS, or TOLL per
cent.
The average cost per acre of irriga-
ton in 1910 was $171S, as compared
with 1870 in 1899, an increase of $3.50
or 1888 per cent. This great increase
in cost per acre irrigated is due in part
4 to more difficult construction, and il
part to better and more permanent con
= struction. The average annual cost Of
I irrigation operation and maintenance
y per acre increased from "a cents in 1879!
to Ga cents in 1909, or 1867 per cent
showing that the newer works are more
expensive in use as well as in first cost
!, distribution by Type of Enterprise ant
by Source of Water Supply.
a The acreage irrigated in 1909 hai
T been classified according to the stat
It and federal laws, under which the work.
y were built or are operated, as follows
u United States Reclamation Service (ac
= of Congress June II, 1902, 1880 acres
I or 3.3 per cent of the total acreage irri
d gated in 1909; United States Indiai
d Service various acts of Congress), 1888
1t acres, or L per cent of the total; Care.
u Act (act of Congress August 1s, 1s94)
- 162,41s acres, or ia per cent of total
h irrigation districts Estate law providing
J. for organization districts) 140, 93
acres, or 90 per cent of total; co-opera
tive enterprises, 62s, 1O2 acres, or A pc
(. cent of total; enterprises supplyin
IS water for hire, 44,S72 acres, or 81 pc
cent of total; private and partnershi
il enterprises, 402,s34 acres, or 1872 pc
cent of total.
The works built by the United State
reclamation service and those bull
under the Carey act are to be turne
~ over to the water users as soon as the
d are paid for, and $4,000 acres credite
u to enterprises supplying water for hiI
n have been organized into an irrigatio
, district since these data were collected
is These three classes of enterprises al
s. the only ones not now controlled by IL
water users. When the two first name
!, have been turned over, only about
d per cent of the irrigated land will
s served by works not controlled by IL
w water users.
Streams supply 1,4OO,O97 acres, or
per cent of the total acreage; lakes su
n ply 6157 acres, or A per cent; wells su
WI ply 1877 acres, or / per cent; sprini
81 supply 1863 acres, or IA per cent; al
81 reservoirs supply 1872 acres, or less thu
1 per cent.