Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1911-03-11
DRAINAGE ON
MISSISSIPPI
Ocontinued Irom llrst.pagel

slppl and consequently impossible
of reclamation by drainage. Some
years ago the government engi-
neers made an accurate survey and
showed the practicability of diking
and draining the entire tract con-
tanning above 100000 acres,
which cover the greater part of ten
counties in the two states named.
The work of reclamation has pro-
ceeded so far that about one third
of the land affected is already un-
der cultivation with the most as
tonishing results in crop produc-
ton.
The reclamation is being done
under the laws of the two states
interested and these statutes are
very similar to those in our own
state of Idaho. Since the entire
area is so extensive the drainage
districts are quite large, MANY of
them embracing more than the en-
tire extent of the Kootenai valley
from Boomers Ferry to the lake
The size of the districts has the
effect of reducing the expense to
the minimum although the amount
of money being expended will run
into the millions. AS the govern
ment is interested in seeing that
the levees are properly constructed
and since all government contracts
are considered much more expen-
sive than ordinary contract work
it is reasonable to conclude that
the cost of the construction will be
we'll up to the maximum. The
levee system is a most extensive
one, as the Mississippi has first Of
all to be kept back and then the
st. Francis with its tributaries
have all to be kept within their
channels On account of the i'm
mense area protected, however, the
cost of the levees is reported as
only about 90 cents an acre. The
greatest cost is found to be in the
drains and bitches which must be
dredged out in order to get the
surplus water back to the Missis.
sippi. The St. Francis river is be-
ing worked over by being straight-
ened and cleared and will be put
to good use as the main ditch II
the system. The entire construc
ton is paid for by the issuance Of
drainage bonds, running twenty
years and the assessments are col
lected in the same way as The
taxes and by the same machinery
The bonds are selling above pal
and no case is on record of a sal,
by distraint on account of non
payment of assessments.
The most interesting result ha
been the increase in land values
1t should be remembered that thi
region has not had the reputation
of being the most healthful countr,
in the United States and ha
hitherto been Stunned by tn
settler. Land could have beer
bought few years ago for a dolla
or two per acre but since the recla
nation work has been begun, the
= lowest price for raw land does no
J fall below $500 while value
range up to SIS or 800 for i'm
proved and partly cleared land
The soil, like that of the Kootena
valley, is a rich, black, sandy loan
resting on a bed of clay about Il
feet below the surface. AS tn
land owners begin to realize tn,
great benefit resulting from thi
, work, all opposition has practically
e ceased and instead there is the ut
most enthusiasm in supporting il
The country Is being so improve,
that it will be possible for whit
people to live there and the stat
of Missouri has already gained al
. increase in taxable wealth of $3(
100000. While the Kootenai pre-
iect is SO small as to be almost in
significant by comparison, yet
will mean just as much in a locG
way to Bcnners Ferry and Bonnie
!, County in the influx of settler
and increase of wealth that wi
= follow. e. E. ELLIOTT.