Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1911-01-02
DEyELOPM MENT
OF OUR WATER
RESOURCES

CBy John n. Lewis, State Engineer
The State Of Oregon has during the
past two years witnessed a most re-
markable activity in the develop
ment Of her water resources. ms
unusual showing is believed to be
due almost entirely to recent !aYor-
able legislation which tends to make
secure. capital invested in works for
the development OF this resource.
The protection granted reservoir
owners, in conveying stored water in
natural stream channels. 10 the place
of use, has opened up a wide field Of
investment heretofore closed through
lack OF State supervision Of its public
streams.
Under the old law, no foundation
existed for titles TO water. Utter
confusion prevailed as to the legal
status Of a water right Litigation
among water users grew 10 such an
extent as to prove serious burden
upon irrigated agriculture. Dams
and fumes were annually destroyed
and lives threatened in community
quarrels to secure a proper division
of streams. Under such conditions,
capital declined to invest, and home
seekers went 10 other States where
the purchase of water right did not
mean the purchase Of a lawsuit. To
remedy these conditions a complete
code of law was enacted, which be-
came effective February "a, 1909.
The ultimate object of this law is
to secure a proper division Of streams
among those entitled to its use. 1t
is not supported by any constitutional
provisions relating to water, but
rests entirely upon the police power
of the State to preserve the public
peace, health and safety.
Its enactment is Of as great i'm
portance to Oregon as was the max
ing of the "Doomsday Book, in
1885. by William the Conqueror,
which was the first attempt in Eng
land TO systematic land titles.
The new law is an attempt to
systematic water titles in Oregon.
Its enforcement devolyes upon the
State Engineer and the Division
Superintendent of each of the two
divisions into which the State has
been divided County water right
records have been abandoned in
favor of the central office with large
powers. Besides a few miscellaneous
this law is divided into
three main divisions, which will be
taken up in order (1) The determi-
nation of early rights e the grant
ing of new rights; and (3) the pro-
lection of all rights when determined.
Record Of Development.
Before discussing the law in detail,
a summary of its benefits will be
During the twenty-one months in
which the water code has been in eff
feet, 1110 applications have been
filed with the State Engineer for per-
mits to appropriate public waters,
where the estimated cost of the pro-
posed works will exceed fifty mil
lions of dollars. This appears to in
dicate confidence of capital in these
new laws. 1t is in striking contrast
with development under the old
chaotic conditions of water titles.
The total cost of all irrigation works
built prior to 1902 within the State
as shown by the U. S. census,
amounted to $2,1O0,00O and six mil
lion dollars will probably cover all
expenditures between 1902 and the
enactment of the water code.
1t is proposed under these applica-
uons to use water for almost every
conceivable purpose, ranging from
irrigation, power and domestic. 10
cranberry growing, trout hatchery
purposes, and for the generation of
steam.
Six hundred and two or a little
more han half of these applications
have been put in proper form and
permits Issued; the applicants paying
$l1160.67 to the state for these
privileges. The payment by the
average water user in securing a
permit is approximately $500, while
the fees paid by few large irrlga.
ton and power projects brings the
average payment for each permit up
to $2S.56. W
These permits authorize the con-
Struction of 1929 miles of main
canals for the irrigation Of 336,762
acres of arid land and the deyelon-
ment of 72,59S horse power also
the construction of 81 reservoirs for
the storage of 690,27o acre feet of
water, submerging when full. 3O.1S0
acres OF land, all at an estimated cost
Of S15,714,215.50.
OF these COZ permits, 467 are for
original or new diversions and
authorize the construction of S77
miles Of main canal for the Irrigation
OF 254,5l6 acres of land, and the
development Of 6O,551 horsepower
az an estimated cost as summarized
from the permits Of $S,74S,695.25.
For the enlargement of existing
WORKS, II permits have been issned
a summary of these show the ulti.
mate construction Of 25I.4 miles N
nam canal for the irrigation of 80
1fe'sf acres acres and the deyelop-
nent Of l2.047 horse power. al an
estimated cost of $1,259.S4o 90,
Under the 81 reSery oir permits is.
sued, sufficient water will be stored
10 irrigate 100000 acres Of land at = =
cost Of $5,106,175.25 or about sS 30
per acre foot stored.
Out CT the ITO applications frel
up 20 December l, 1910. a total NJ
LOU have lapsed or been canceued
lhe water reverting to the public and
Deins subject again TO appropriation
eitty-six Of these call for the deyelon-
hent OF water power. Because these
apsed and cancelled applications arc
~ more or less incomplete, II is dif-
neu't TO summarize the information
ne power projects abandoned are In
seheraI large, and are thought n
lH.e oeen more or less speculative In
nature, where the promoter did nnt
iaVe in sight the necessary monsv
o complete them. II is opite nroS
Iole that the heavy annual cbarge
'er horse power, payable to tho Sto1e