East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1912-02-27

are plain concrete structures The
maximum height of the dam is to be
81 feet and the foundation is solid
basaltic rock. The water supply for
this canal is partly furnished from
the storage reservoir and chiefly
from the return flow in the river.
The main canal serves the entire
area of $4,000 acres, has capac-
ity of sos second feet at the upper
end, and is 31.6 miles long The
north branch canal will be the prin-
cipal tributary of the main canal, ana
will serve S4S0 acres of high land
south and west of the town of 1rri-
gon.
Two Units Provided.
Scheme No. is possible of devel-
opment in two units, the second or
larger unit depending upon the con-
struction of a large storage reservoir
on the Umatilla. 1t is proposed, now
ever. to start with the first unit,
which involves the construction of a
diversion dam at Three Mile falls Tor
collecting seepage and return wa
ters at that point, estimated TO De
sufficient for the irrigation of from
5000 to 10000 acres.
The board points out that data re-
garding the water supply on Umatll'a
river are not as complete as might
be desired. and leaves this question
somewhat in doubt, The accurate
determination of a future water sup
ply in any large basin is an lmpossl-
bility and only an approximation can
be made and because of this uncer-
tainty and only an approximation can
be made, and because of this uncer-
tainty as to the supply of water tnat
will be available on the Umatilla, the
board has set aside schemes l, ana
8. which contemplate the deVelop-
ment of the maximum area, as pelhs
not altogether wise While the boaru
believes the irrigation of $4,000 acres
would prove practicable, there Is an
element of doubt, and the poaro
deemed it advisable to run no risks
"In our opinion" says the board
"it would be unsafe to embark upon
anv scheme for the complete utiliza-
ton of the waters by storage until
water rights on the Umatilla are
thoroughly and finally established
The adjudication now in progress is
likely to be completed and made Ell
fective within a year or two, and
the recommendation of this board
NAV be revised to include larger de-
yelopment at that time without pre-
iudice to the public interest.
Ample water Supply Assured.
''Scheme No. provides for
smaller reservoir on the UmatHla
river and the utilization of waters
there stored in conjunction with
seepage waters, for the irrigation of
$4,000 acres of land. This will leave
so wide a margin that there is no
possibility of shortage of water sup
ply to fill the reservoir, and will at
the same time leave this margin wide
enough to permit, if found advisable,
some further development of flood ir-
rigation by private interests upon the
tributaries of the Umatilla river"
The lands to be irrigated Is in
general classified as ranging from
sandy to sandy loan. Those lying
nearest the Columbia river are sandy
being interspersed here and there with
groups of drifting sand hills too rough
for irrigation which have been ex-
cluded fom the irrigable area Next
come the fossil sand dunes which are
rolling and contain a small percent
age of silt or loan, are covered with
vegetation and are irrigable. These
lands are similar to some lands now
being irrigated on the present
approved project. which have already
shown their fertility when properly
subdued. but which require care in
handling during the first two or
three years.
IrrigabIc Lands Classified.
The plan recommended irrigates
lands, which are classified as fol-
lows:
Acres
Vacant public lands ..... S,O1S
Homestead and desert land en-
tries .................. 1888
Northern Pacific lands ann. 1861
Oregon Land & Water Co.lands 1851
All other patented lands 80. 4.S37
Total .................. 30,5 500
Concerning the objections offered
to the plans the board says:
Some of the residents upon the
| lands to be submerged by the pro-
posed reservoir have filed objections
to the west extension based upon
their unwillingness to sell their pres
ent homes. which in turn seems to be
largey caused by doubt that they will
be properly compensated for their
/ property. In view of the safeguards
| thrown around the exercises of the
| right Of eminent domain. the right
OF trial by jury and the absolute alb
sense of any disposition to do inius-
| tice r. these settlers. we believe their
! objections to be without any other
! fopnda ton than that always inseper-
ahlo from the exercise Of the right of
eminent domain. There Is consider
able evidence. collected by a commit
tee from Hermiston to show that
most II these land owners are entire
" vi ling to sell IL they can be as
sured a good price. They laid great
est etress upon the urgency Of early
action to remove the uncertainty now
surrounding their future prospects,