The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1913-12-19
DITCH PLANS READY.
LITTELL SNlvELY HAS REPORT
OF CHEYENNE RIVER PROF..
ECT SURVEY READY.
HAPP ENiNGS OVER THESTATE
What is Going on Here and There
That is Of Interest to the Read.
ers Throughout South pa.
kota and Vicinity.

Hot Sophisticated Snively, con
sultlng engineer OF the Big Cheyenne
river irrigation project in this county,
has returned from Pierre, where he
has been connected with the state en-
ginner's office in getting cut his re-
port of the survey which was com
pleted about a nlonth ago. The state
engineer is now busily engaged in
getting up a prospectus Of the entire
project, which will be nicely illus
trated, showing ranch scenes and the
character of the lands which come
ander the ditch. This report IS made
under the authority Of the state, and
will be presented to the government
through South Dakota's representation
ia congress, and it is expected that
he government will accept the prof
act and make an appropriation for it
1t once, bringing these lands under
irrigation. The state engineers,
through the work Of Mr.. Snivels.
ave become very enthusiastic over
his pro5act and pronounce it one Of
he finest HI the vest, which means a
great deal. for Mr.. Saitely las had
experience aud is familiar with many
81 the government projects. lie pro
aounces these lands superior to any
hat have vet been undertaken, which,
with a superior and attractive climate,
makes it a decidedly attractive promo
5ition, not only for the government to
place under irrigation, but for pros
oective land purchasers.
1t is the plan un}ar this project 70
rave two large bitches leading from
IN immense reservoir il the Cheyenne
iter. The h1ieht Of the dam viii be
l5G feet. and it's width at the hase
about 80 feet and at the ton go
feet. 1t VIII hold 1G4.965-acre feet Of
water. or Sufficient to irrigate the sos
300 acres that will come under the
Hitch to d deoth of two feet each sea-
sen. The estimated cost Of the project
ts $3.50 Ter acre which includes al
Ia eral To lands and everything 10
complete tie thorough irrigation Of q
title oTer 10000 acres. This estimate
Is based v7aa government cost. whica
Is said to lie much greater than where
Is Is done by pirate contract. Iet
this estimate, which the engineers
have been generous il figuring,
considerably less ner acre than a laFs
uHmher of prois6ts that the govern
aent has tlus lar undertaken. Nearly
III Of the land under this prol sct rs
already decided, but the owners Vii
be sery clad t5 Iav TIL amount XII the
estimate for irrigation. and III fact
would Willingly pay 9 greater sum +
necessary, for they easily estimate
that their land would at once 20 worth
from SIS to s100 an sore as soon as 4
In irrigated.
Al idea of tile ~earaeitv Of tho res,
eryoir may be gained when it is
known that it will be ninety miles
around ii when filed with water. It
will make one Of the most beautiful
lakes la the oclntrv, as the surround
'ng region Is mos. picturesque. lyins
lust at the foot Of the Black Hills,
with scattering pines and cedar and
rugged rock cliffs. j. G. Keith, a resi-
dent Of Cascade Springs, which will
border this reservoir, is 50 Impressed
with the attractiveness OF this reser-
yoir Gahe) that he has proposed TO
the government that he Will give al0o,-
600 for a concession of the reservoir
the use of boats and all its fishing
and hunting privileges. Mr.. Keith
knows something about catering to
the tastes of the travelling and sight
seeing public, for he had a miniature
wind cave" at the worlds fair at
Chicago and afterwards moved 1t to
the Paris exposition-attracting thou
sands of visitors every day throughout
those great expositions.
This reservoir will be about ten
miles from Hot Springs, while a large
portion of the lands are nearer by, be-
within seven miles Of this place.
Already land owners are beginning to
talk about land values, although they
seem yet to be holding their heads
steady and are generally not sneculat.
ing on future values to any extent,
ever though an occasional owner who
was most anxious a few months ago
to dispose Of his holdings. now de-
clare that their land is not for sale.
But when it is considered that 1t will
take a few years at least before this
project can be completed the poor
ranchers who have suffered the effect
Of a couple of seasons Of drought take
4 second thought and declare that
they would willingly share their hold
lngs with land SPECTATORS. Thus has
his new enterprise created a hope and
confidence that is already inspiring.