Semi-weekly herald., 1911-07-27
ANNUAL REPORT OF sUPT.
ROBINSON IS COMPLETED

l
irrigation for the Southwestern In
dians, with headquarters in Albuquer-
que, has just completed his annual
report of the past fiscal year for pres
entation to the federal government.
The report shows that big amount
of useful work has been done to i'm
prove the agricultural resources of the
western tribes in New Mexico, Ari-
zona and Utah, the territory COM
prised in Mr.. Robinson's jurisdiction.
OF practically $4,000 paid QUITO
be exact S69, .70-for irrigation i'm
provements in the fiscal year, large
/ proportion has been paid to the In
dians themselves for labor. 1t is the
policy of the department to employ
the Indians wherever possible, and
nearly all the unskilled labor and
teaming is done by Indians. Occa-
sionally they are employed for ex-
pert drilling.
One of the important projects for
warded during the year is the twelve
and a half mile canal tapping the San
Juan near Shiprock, N. M. This is
called the Hogback canal. When com
pleted it will furnish water sufficient
to irrigate 1000 acres. 1t will be in
use within two years. AT present the
Indians have 600 acres under culti-
walton.
The extra rains this season will ac-
celerate to small extent the irrigated
crops of the Indians.
at will mean great deal to the
Navajos, who plant in draws and
slopes where they expect little water
10 come before the season is over"
said Superintendent Robinson today.
The Taos reservoir, completed two
years ago has been leaking due to the
fact that rains caused the Taos mesa,
adjoining the project, to settle, and
repairs upon the reservoir are being
made. There are 300 acres under
cultivation at present, and 300 acres
are under ditch and available for cul-
tivation. An area of 1000 acres will
eventually be reclaimed by the Taos
storage system.
The tribes living in the territory
covered by the Albuquerque offices
are distributed roughly as follows:
Navajos, 10000; Pueblos, 1900;
Hopis, 1000; Walapai, 525; Supai,
It's; Zuni, LOO; Jicarilla Apaches,
776; Southern Utes, 900; Mescalero
Apaches, 375.
Work has been done or investiga-
tions made during the past year at
the following places: Navajo and
Moqui, Hogback canal (San Juan);
Ganado; Tuba; near Aneth, Utah; un-
derground water investigations, cover
ing much of the reservation; we'll drill
ing, Moqui reservation; spring dev0l-
opment, Moqui reservation; miscel-
laneous; Zunis, Pueblos, San Felipe,
investigations covering all remaining
pueblos; Southern Utes, Pine river
valley, Mancos valley, diminished
Southern Ute reservation, Jicarilla
Apache, Supai.
An important work is being car
ried on in the painted desert" coun-
try inhabited by the Navajos, in pros
pecting for water" DR.. Herbert C.
Gregory, who occupies the Yale chair
of geology, has for several summers
directed this useful work while at
work for the United States geological
survey. Frequent shortages in the
water supply have worked hard
ship to Indian sheep growers and
their flocks, but water is being de-
veloped from wells that will put an
end to the uncertainty of this branch
of industry andthat will further agri-
culture throughout the Navajo coun-
try.
Pipes three and a half and four
inches in diameter are put down and
when the presence of water is assured
the wells are made larger. Two well
drilling outfits that were in use have
been augmented by two more recently
purchased and the force of workers
has been increased this summer.
Mr.. Robinson states that the re-
suits accomplished by the service could
not have been possible without the
heartiest cooperation of his assist
ants whose earnest work has facili-
tated the activities of the irrigation
service at every point. The super
intendent and Assistant Engineer
Sears will leave tomorrow for Taos
and other New Mexico points and
thence to various Colorado and Utah
places. R. G. Wanner of the service
leaves tomorrow night for Taos to
make extensive irrigation surveys
Al II1.... L