The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-03-24
REPORT is ISSUED
Valuable Data on Kansas
Oklahoma Irrigation.
Benefits Must Come From In.
dividual Supplies.

Washington, March 4.-That the
greatest benefit likely to be realized
from irrigation in western Kansas and
Oklahoma will come from the utiliza-
ton of the small supplies on individu-
al farms, either of storm run-off or by
pumping, is the opinion of the govern
ment irrigation engineers who re-
Gently made a thorough investigation
of irrigation possibilities in western
Kansas and Oklahoma. The inveSti-
CATION was ordered by act of congress,
which also provided an appropriation
to carry on the work. The secretary
of agriculture was directed to cause a
thorough investigation to be made and
report to congress upon the feasibility
and economy of irrigation by the res
ervoir system in western Kansas and
Oklahoma. Owing to limited funds,
the investigation covered only the
two counties of Oklahoma lying west
of the line of twenty inches mean an
nual rainfall. Even with this limita-
ton in area, but little more than a re-
connaisence was made and five sites,
two of them large and three small,
were surveyed in Kansas. Other
available reports were relied upon
mainly for information regarding
Oklahoma. The needs and advantages
of irrigation were investigated and
data were collected regarding the pres
ent development, mainly by pumping,
in the portion of the Arkansas river
valley near Garden City. The results
of the investigation are fully set forth
in a pamphlet of fifty-four pages, pro-
fusely illustrated with photographs,
maps, diagrams, ETC., and printed as
senate document.
Is Valuable Work.
AS a complete discussion of all that
pertains to irrigation in Kansas the
report will be a valuable work of ref
erence for all Kansans. The char
acter and scope of the report are fnd1-
Gated by the chapter headings: which
are: General Description; Climate,
Including Rainfall, Droughts, Temper
ature and Winds; Conservation of
Soil MOISTURE; Comparison of Yields
of Irrigated and Non-irrfgated Crops;
water Supply; Republican River
Arkansas River; "Cimarron River;
Reservoir Sites Surveyed; ''Utiliza-
ton of Underground Waters by
Pumping; use of Windmills in Irrf-
CATION, and Conclusions
In summarizing the results of the in
vestigation the report says:
"While neither time nor funds were
available for a thorough investigation
of the storage possibilities of western
Kansas and Oklahoma. even by limit
ing the area covered to two or three
western tiers of counties, such oppor-
tunities as were found for irrigation
development by storage and are not
promising, and considered in relation
to the total agricultural area the total
acreage which can be supplied with
water will never be more than small
percentage of the available land AS
in other semi-arid regions where it is
possible to maintain a home by an
extensive system of dry farming, water
for irrigation must be obtainab1e at |
low cost or it's use will be long de.
layed, even though the advantages OIL
irrigation over dry farming can be |
clearly demonstrated. When the water
supply for irrigation is also generally
both difficult to obtain and expen-
sive, as in Western Kansas. Its use VIII
be still further delayed