Rocky Ford enterprise. (Rocky Ford, Colo.) 1887-1950, 1911-12-08
ROCKY FORD, COLORADO FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8. l9ll.
coLoRADo's IRRIGA-
TION STATISTICS
Preliminary Statement for 1909, Is
sued by the Census Bureau.

Washington, D. c., Dec. 5.-Di-
rector Durand, of the Bureau of the
Census, Department of Commerce
and Labor, issued today the first Of
fetal statement from the Census Bu-
reau relative to the statistics on irri-
CATION in Colorado. 1t is based on
preliminary comparative summary
submitted by DIR. lie Grand Powers,
chief statistician for the division of
agriculture in the Bureau of the Cen
sus. under whose supervision it was
prepared by X. p. Teele, special
agent in charge of irrigation.
1t should be noted that the figures
are subject to revision after more
complete tabulation, but it is not ex-
pected that there will be any material
modification of the totals or percent
ages reported.
The total number of farms irrigated
III 1909 was 25,o26, against 1903 in
1899. an increase of 1913, or A7.2 per
cent. Within the same period the
number OF all farms in the state in
creased 800 per cent. The per cent
of the whole number OF farms irri-
gated in 1909 was 500. In 1899 the
per cent was 7I.3, showing a decrease
in per cent during the 10 years of
I5.I.
The total acreage irrigated in 1909
was 2,7o2,o32 acres, against I,6II,27I
acres in 1900, an increase of I,I8o,76I
acres, or 1873 per cent. The improved
area extended more rapidly than did
the irrigated area. the rate of increase
durin~ the 10 years being 8o.2 per
cent. The total acreage which all en-
terprises were capable of irrigating
in 1910 was 1890, 100 acres. an excess
of I,Io8,I34 acres over the area irri-
gated in 1909. The area included in
projects either completed or under
construction in 1910 was 5,oI7,457
acres. an excess of 3.I25.42s acres.
This indicates in general way the
area which will be available within
the next few years for the extension
of irrigation, and shows that the area
irrigated in 1909 can be. more than
new enterprises.
The number of independent enter
prises reported in 1910 was ,o,o65.
The total length of all bitches was
22.72i miles. of which I7,5IS miles
were in main canals and 5,2o3 miles
in laterals. The length of main ca
mails reported in 1907 was 1874 miles,
showing an increase in the 10 years of
sIo.i+t miles. or 1875 per cent. The
number OF reservoirs reported was
I,o84, having n combined capacity of
2,6I6.soI acre-fect. The number of
wells pumped for irrigation was IeI.
and the number OF all pumping plants
was zoo. The engine capacity of
pumping plants was 1869 horsepow-
er. The acreage irrigated with
Flowing wells supplied water to s.
III acres.
The total cost OF irrigation systems
reported in 1910 was S5s,477.35o,
against SII,758.7o3 in 1899. an in
crease OF S+37IS,6+7. or 37I.8 per
cent. The average cost per acre in
1910 was $500, against 81. 80 in
1899, an increase of SO. 60, or oo.4 per
cent. The average cost of operation
and maintenance per acre in 1909 was
Is cents, against 81 cents in 1900, an
increase OF ~ cents, or 1901 per
cent.
The acreage irrigated in 1909 has
been classified, according to the state
and Federal laws under which the
works were built or are operated. as
follows; United States Reclamation
Service (act of Congress June II.
Ioo2). I6.6oo acres. or 90 per cent OF
the total. United States Indian Ser
vice (various acts of Congress), 1920
acres, or less than one-tenth of 1 per
cent of the total; Carey Act (act OF
Congress Aug. ISoD. ABS acres, or
less than one-tenth of per cent of
the total; irrigation districts, IIs.3o4
acres, or Al per cent; cooperative
enterprises, I,a73,I4I acres. or 45.6
per cent; commercial enterprises,
Iso.I57 acres. or 81 per cent; and in
dividual and partnership enterprises.
I.22o,o25 acres, or 43.o per cent.
United States Reclamation Service
and Carey Act works are to be turn
ed over to the water users for opera
ton and maintenance as soon as they
are paid for. Including these, "a per
cent of the acreage irrigated in 1909
was supplied by works controlled by
the water users.
Streams supplied 7,7ss.e8a acres or
o8.8 per cent of the total acreage ir-
ripated in 1900: lakes supplied 1886
acres, or less than one-tenth of 1 per
cent: wells supplied S.282 acres, or o. 3
per cent; springs supplied $3.50 acres,
or o. per cent; and reservoirs sup
piled I6,ooI acres, or o.6 per cent.