The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-07-01

Continued From Page One.
large natural reservoir by means of
a dam II feet high and $50 feet long.
This reservoir yer $500 acres and
has a capacity of nearly 100000 acre
feet, or sufficient to cover that many
acres a foot deep.
At he other end of the reservoir
are the gates which when opened will
direct the flow of a river now dis
charging it's waters into the Gulf Of
California into Utah valley, which
has no drainage to the sea. Literally
a transformation in the physical geo.
graphy of the state has been accom-
The progress of this work has been
full of dramatic and thrilling in
cidents. The excavation Of the tun-
mel has required the constant vigil
lance and the utmost ~precaution to
prevent disasters. Suhterranean lakes
and springs were opened up by the
dynamite blasts, and the thrush OF
water frequently drove the miners
precipitately from their work. For
months they worked knee deep in icy
water. Cave-ins threatened injury or
death, SO that the lining had to fol-
low closely the drills. Swelling
ground crushed the timber shoreings
and delayed the work. For FIVE months
each year the camps were practically
cut from the rest OF the world by
the heavy SHOWS.
Notwithstanding all these and other
difficulties, a remarkable record OF
| economical as we'll as rapid construc-
ton has been made on this tunnel. In
a single year more than 5000 feet
! were driven and lined. A monthly
record of AIS feet at each portal was
| shown during the present year. Not
a single fatality occurred, which is
noteworthy, since tunnel work always
is regarded as peculiarly hazardous.
The fullest measure of credit for this
work belongs to Engineer Lytel and
| his loyal foremen, Davis. Whitney and
Hardy, who from the beginning have
had responsible charge.
The Mormons came into Utah val
ley in the early SOS and laid out their
farms along the streams that flowed
down the mountains into Utah lake,
For a time their small bitches sufficed
for their agricultural needs and they
prospered. AS population grew the
bitches were enlarged and extended
until every available drop of water
was required to meet the demands Of
the irrigators. In years of scanty
precipitation there was shortage in
the canals, crop yields were diminish
ed, and the late corners frequently
lost all. Under these conditions nc
further development Of the valley
was possible, yet here were thousands
of acres of land just as fertile as any
in the valley, which without water
was useless. With water 1T would
support hundreds Of families. In 1870;
the reclamation law was passed ant
then the valley woke up The farm
ers petitioned the government t.
come and investigate and, IL feasible
to augment the water supply. All thu
irrigable lands were signed UP t.
guarantee the return of the govern
ment's investment, and In 1906 tn
actual work of construction was be
gun.
The government has nearly com
pIeted its part OF the contract. 1t re
mains for the land owners in the val
ley to carry out their obligations. On
of the first steps in the subdivision
and sale OF all individual holdings u
excess Of 100 acres.
The attractions of this part of Utal
cannot be summed up in n shor
statement. 1t is one of the most beau
tiful valleys in the world, rivallin
the best in Switzerland. 1t has a fin
climate, a soil of known fertility an
adapted to the growing of a larg
variety OF profitable crops. IT is tn
J land Of the Alberta peach and the bi
red apple. 1t will always be a val
/. ley Of small farms intensively cult
q. waited, thus insuring a progressive an
prosperous community where condi
! lions will be more suburban tina
: rural.