The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1911-02-17
dollars. 1t will mean an ultimate

increase in population of from TO-
coo TO $4,000 people. This is re-
gion that has until recent years
been quite sparsely populated.
Other irrigation projects. to be
constructed in the near future, by
private or corporate means, will re-
suit in the reclamation Of an addi-
tional area of about the same size,
and corresponding increase in land
values and population.
There are now under consldera-
ton in Western South Dakota two
irrigation projects of considerable
magnitude. These may be designat-
ed respectively as the Box Elder and
Rapid Valley projects.
The first named project contem-
plates the impounding of the flood
waters of Box Elder Creek in
large acreage reservoir to be made
by constructing a dam across the
stream valley near Black Hawk, in
Pennington county. Such reser-
voir would hold sufficient water to
irrigate about 10000 acres of land
in the Valley of Box Elder Creek.
! The reservoir site has been surveyed
| by the Assistant state engineer and
an estimated cost of the proposed
works has been made. The PROPOSE
ton is feasible from an engineering
standpoint and the total cost per
acre will be moderate.
The Rapid Valley project comprls-
es the reclamation of about 10000
acres of land in Rapid Valley be-
tween Rapid Valley and the Chey-
enne River. Examinations and sur
veys have been made and sufficient
data has been accumulated concern
ing the project to determine the fol-
lowing points:
/ 1. The surplus or flood flow OF
the stream is sufficient to irrigate
4 from forty to fifty thousand acres
of land in addition to what is now
under irrigation, provided storage
facilities can be obtained.
2. A large natural basin or res
ervoir exists at point about mid
way of the project. The reservoir
is on a ridge at sufficient eleva-
ton to command the entire adjacent
, valley.
3. Auxiliary reservoir sites are
conveniently situated; the combined
reservoir capacity is about $4,000
5 acre wet.
4. The land under this projec
! is of fine quality; it is capable o
5 producing alfalfa and other valuable
crops. A portion of the area is suit
] able for orchards and fruit growing
] This project is being favorabl.
: considered by eastern capitalists ant
= it is probable that it will be consum
i mated in due time.
e Many other irrigation projects 0
similar merit will doubtless mater
4 are many fine opportunities for irri
cation development along the Chey
: enne river and other streams i
J. Western South Dakota.
= An irrigation possibility Of grea
e potential value is the reclamation {
g portion of the valley of the Mis-
# souri, river in this state. There ar
3 at least 100000 acres in the vale
G susceptible Of irrigation and W
It may reasonably expect that in tim
e this large area will be brought unde
n irrigation. This will mean a pol
n ulous, highly cultivated valley, wit
If thousands of prosperous farmers. II
l. cidentally the river will again b.
f come a highway of commerce for
Is will be the natural vehicle for cor
is mercial intercourse between tt
ii densly populated communities alo1
the valley.
ID Looking forward into the futur
e let us endeavor to determine VIII
i'd may be reasonably expected to +
of suit from the development of irrig
IN ton in our state.
re In the first place, the extension
It. irrigation will result in the conse
ed Walton Of our water supply, also
In the more effective and economic
"a use Of water. Reservoirs will
IL constructed to store water that nc
ty runs to waste and devastates vale
sc and low lands during flood periot
81 Water thus stored viii be used
y irrigation lands that would otherw1
be be beyond the reach of irrigation.
an AS land values increase improv
ng methods of irrigation will be ado
is ed, and water will be made to p
by form a much greater duty than
al present. In many projects late
IL bitches will be run in cement p1
rs, under ground, thus preventing
lm loss of water through seepage a
ng evaporation.
he Another step will be the measu