The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1911-11-08
WENAS VALLEY
IS ON ITS WAY
Is Destined to Be the Next Por.
ton of the Yakima to Attract
General Attention
FLOOD WATERS WILL BE
STORED FOR IRRIGATION
Already a Great Deal Has Been
Done and a Solution of the
Serious Problem of Irrigation
Is Being Arrived at

The Wenas valley is coming into its
own. Though in many respects it mas
been hitherto less developed than the
other valleys of the Yakima, there
exist today aboundant indications tha'
it is destined to stand with the others
in fertility and production, The one
his drawback to the Wenas has been
that for this country, it has lacked
water. That problem is being solved
and the irrigation essential is to be
supplied from several different
sources. prominent among these being
the stored water of the Wenas creek.
Hitherto the fall and spring run-oft
of water in the Wenas water shed has
been wasted but an immense dam is
under construction some twenty miles
from the city where great many
thousands of acre feet will be held
back for use during the long, hot dry
days of the summer.
Work of Yakima People
number of Yakima people are
interested in the reservoir work on the
Wenas. Already they have accomp-
x
ing their work with great deal OF
vigor. They are employing large
number of men and teams and are us
ing considerable concrete at this time
i'm their operations in the construc-
ton of the dam core. The site of the
dam is one where nature has done
great deal The sides of the creek
canyon draw close together below
broad meadow. providing not only an
excellent site for a dam but also
splendid basin for the reservoir
Scores of people from this city who
have driven out by wagon or automo-
bile have been surprised at the extent
of the work undertaken and at the
progress that has been made.
Is a Very Pretty Valley
The Wenas is one of the prettiest OF
the sub-valleys from the point of view
of the husbandman, it is broad, the
bottom is wide and fertile, the hill
slopes are for the most part gradual.
it is open to the sun but protected
from the winds and has long estab-
Ished reputation for fertility.
The "old timers" who located along
the course of the Wenas creek and
devoted themselves to the production
of hay and stock, have all made their
stake. The evidences of that fact are
to be noted today in the new resi-
dences they have erected for them
selves and their families They have
been slower perhaps than those in
other sections in taking up the newer
culture of fruit yet there are a num-
Der of young orchards in the Wenas
which are growing rapidly toward the
productive period of their existence.
and that they should bear good fruit
is manifested by the fact that all the
old home orchards anywhere in this
portion of the state.
Many Acres Planted
Hundreds of acres OF young trees
have been planted and more are to
follow. The apple is destined to work
its way well up the valley and re-
place the growth not only on the lands
where sage brush has thrived but al
so on land where fine pine timber has
been produced by nature.
There is a wealth of timber on the
headwaters of the Wenas and some
day there will be Il railroad line there.
Ii may be that the electric roadways
will seek it out or it may be that the
North Yakima and Valley railway, now
that it has begun pioneering by build
ing into the CoWiche, may take in the
Wenas as its next point of operations.
May Get Strahorn Road
There are those who believe that a
portion at least of the Wenas will be
served by the western extension Of the
O.W r. & n 1t is thought by many
that the route of that company out
from North Yakima will be along the
Naches for way, then across the d.
vide into the Wenas, up that creek
TO the head waters of the Teanum,
and thence to the pass As the line
is to be an electric road, it is possible
that this route will be followed If
not it is but n matter of time until
the Northern Pacific gets branch
steam line there to haul out the tim
Der, the hay, the potatoes the fruit
and the other products which the
broad acres, now that water is being
made available, with produce.
Wenas VIII BE Next
There is no question whatever that
the Wenas is on its way and that it
will be the next of the sub-valeys to
attract attention. 1t is too large and
too good to be passed up. 1t is too
pleasing to be overlooked and it has
natural advantages destined to bring
it to the front. More water has been
its great need and the construction
work In progress at the present time
at the WcndS dam, and other indica-
tions which are apparent of a solu-
ton of the water question, speak theil
yn answer Of the difficulty and OF
ne future.