The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1912-07-26
TALKING IRRIGATION
WIDELY ATTENDED MEETING DE.
ViSES WAYS AND MEANS TO
IRRiGATE LARGE TRACT.
OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST
From the Capitol City, the Various
State institutions and From
Many Different Parts Of
the Sunshine State.

Presho.-That the Great Plains IT.
rigation association has become a
most important factor in the develop
ment of South Dakota, was evidenced
by the proceedings OF the meeting for
organization at Fort Pierre.
Moneyed men, engineering experts
and public men from all over the state
enthusiastically endorsed the move
ment and honored the meeting with
their presence.
H. c. Barlow of Presho, father of
the movement, was unanimously elect
ed president. The vice president is
DR.. c. J.. Lavery Of Fort Pierre; secre-
tary, c. w. Chamberlain, of Presho;
G. L. Millett Of Fort Dodge, treasurer.
State Engineer Lee, in discussing
the subject at the meeting, made
these statements: "The Missouri riv-
er has a supply of 10, 1000, 000-acre feet
at the mouth of the Yellowstone. OF
this amount 1000, 000-acre feet is
food water. This will be sufficient to
give 1000, 900 acres one foot of water,
allowing for evaporation. The advan-
tages for the construction Of a res
ervoir of the necessary magnitude at
Buford, S. D., are admirable. The
area of the reservoir would be 200,-
900 square feet. The dam would be
200 feet wide at the bottom and q
feet wide at the top. When this pro-
ject is completed it will cause a revo-
luton of conditions west of the river
From an engineering and physical
point the scheme is feasible"
Mr.. Lee said that this project would
be a factor in diminishing the effects
Of the lower Mississippi floods, as 1t
is the crest Of the flood that does the
damage. He estimated the probable
cost of the project at $4,000, 900, or
$40 per acre for the lands watered.
Mr.. Lee heartily endorsed the move
ment and said that the meeting was a
step in the right direction. as the ir-
rigation of this country was inevita-
Bile.
Resolutions were adopted to be
sent to the congressional delegations
of Montana, North and South Dakota
and to the secretary Of the reclama-
ton service and of the war and inte-
rior departments. These provided in
substance:
"The flood waters of the Missouri
Yellowstone system, instead Of vast
ing themselves and destroying mill
ions Of dollars worth of property in
the lower Mississippi valley, should be
conserved and scientifically distrib-
Lted over the great plains. To this
end the United States reclamation
service is urged to make an immediate
preliminary survey to ascertain feast
bility, cost and relative benefits of the
proposed route from the Missouri riv-
er near Fort Buford, thence in a
southerly direction through Shafer,
Dickinson and Hettinger counties,
North Dakota, crossing into Corson
county, South Dakota, nea Morris
town, following southwest to a point
near White Owl, Meade county;
thence southeast, crossing the Chey-
enne at Pedro; across Stanley
ty, crossing the Bad in the vicinity OF
Midland, and finally emptying into the
White river. CA high elevation to the
south of White river would prevent
it's further ~continuance.) Further,
that if the United States reclamation
service does no have sufficient funds
at it's disposal. that congress be i'm
TnnAintnl,v tntiftnnn cd m nnrrnnrinfn
sufficient federal money to carry out
the same"
Judge Barlow was given authority
to appoint committees on ~permGlent
organization. finance, publicity, etc,
and the enterprise was commended to
the press of the state for favorable
consideration.