The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1912-08-09
PROSPECTS OF GEN
DISTRICT VERY
BRIGHT
Pumping Plant is Completed
and Power Plant Well
Under Way.
WATER FOR NEXT SEASON

pOrtaCON CSSAA1tSSo " AsAASo VI
Main Canal all Ready for Water
Will Petition Legislature for . new
Bridge Across Snake River.
A long, weary wait have the settlers !
across the Snake had for water. Filled
with that quiet indomnitable spirit of
the pioneer, they have carried on a
grim fight with the desert-and won
out. The mere statement sounds
bald--it does not tell Of the hopes and
fears, the plans and dissapointments.
the long, grim fight with the sand
the inexorable sand.
Slowly the sage has diappeared from
the face of the desert. Across the
Snake cabins made their appearance,
and here and there the soil which has
lain dormant for untold ages has re-
sponded with dumb cry Of gladness
with a crop which seems to become
discouraged and despair when the
relentless sun beats down upon it day
after day.
But all this has changed. By the
next irrigating season broad canals
filled with plenteous supply Of water
traverse the lands of the Gem Irriga-
ton district, supplied by great
modern power plant and pumping
stations, built by the initiative and de-
termined spirit of the settlers. They
will own the plant and hereafter con-
troll their own destinies. the pumping
plants being their own property and
being assured of all the power they
need, so long as the old Snake shall
continue to send its immense volume
of water down to the great Pacific.
Supervising Engineer Edward He'd
den when seen by Tribune reporter
this week said that the work was pro-
crossing without single hitch. There
have been completed, 81 miles Of main
canal, which only leaves 2 more te
dig; 20 miles of laterals form net
work spreading out from the mair
canal, and more are being dug eacl
week.
Pumping Plant Completed.
The big pumping plant. locate,
above the Nampa Ferry, is at Las
completed. The power will come from
the great power plant about Il mile
southwest of Mountain Home. At tn
pumping plant the water will b
raised so feet to the main canal. Othe
lifts will be made to level of 90 an
100 feet. Settlers that have Ian
above this last level may NATAL lift
of their own. The power plant j
about half completed and the work
steadily progressing, so not the leas
fear is felt but that 1t will be CON
pleted in ample time to meet the need
of the district.
Water will be turned into all ditchs
tor the try-out early in the sprinl
and when the season opens, ever,
body may have all they want for ii
land-and the Gem district will CON
into its own.
Trasportadon Facilities.
The district will have ample tran
portation facilities. Already the Cal,
well Traction il building the line tn
will tap the eastern end Of the projee
the grading is oil completed and Il
rails nearly all laid. On the other e.
of the project. the Idaho Tracti,
company's line to Roswell from Cal
well will drain this portion Of Il
district. Add to this the Oregon She
Line. which will soon be pushed fro
Wilder to the river. and the distri
will enjoy transportation facilities .
solutely unequalled by any new ir'
cation project in the entire northwe
To Bridge The snaks.
The settlers. we are informed. y
petition the next legislature for
bridge across the Snake. allowi
teams to cross with greater dispatch
The news OF the nearness Of wal
has given an added impetus TO the !
provements being made by the settle
and when the first water comes do
the main canal. il win ia everythl
IN readiness. A few. years will traI
form the desert to . veritable Gard
OF the Coda,