The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1913-12-18
llTTEll SNIvElY 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 Da-
kota and Vicinity.

river irrigation project in this county,
has returned from Pierre, where he
has been connected with the state en-
ginner's office in getting out his re-
port of the survey which IA com
pleted about a month 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
under the ditch. This report is made
under the authority of the state, and
will be presented to the government
through South Dakota's representation
in congress, and it is expected that
he government will accept the prof.
ect and make an appropriation for it
1T once, bringing these lands under
irrigation. The state engineers,
through the work Of Mr.. Snively.
nave become very enthusiastic over
his project and pronounce it one OF
he finest in the west, which means a
great deal, for MIR. Shiyely has had
experience and is familiar with many
Of the government projects. He pro-
aounces these lands superior to any
hat have yet been undertaken, which,
With a superior and attractive climate,
makes it a decidedly attractive propo-
sition, not only for the government to
place under irrigation, but for pros
o~ective land purchasers.
1t is the plan under this project to
nave two large bitches leading from
IN immense reservoir in the Cheyenne
liver. The height of the dam Will be
l56 feet, and its width at the base
about 200 feet and at the top $40
feet. 1t will hold 164, 965-acre feet or
water, or sufficient to irrigate the 3d.
300 acres that will come under the
hitch to a depth of w feet each sea-
son. The estimated cost OF the project
is $3.50 pei acre-which includes all
l~aterals to lands and everything to
complete the thorough irrigation of a
little over 10000 acres. This estimate
Is based upon government cost, which
Is said to be much greater than where
it is done by private contract. Yet
this estimate, which the engineers
have been generous in figuring, Is
considerably less per acre than a large
number of projects that the govern
ment has thus far undertaken. Nearly
all of the land under this project is
already decided, but the owners VIII
be very glad to pay the amount OF the
estimate for irrigation, and in fact
would willingly pay a greater sum II
necessary, for they easily estimate
that their land would at once be worth
from SIS to S100 an acre as soon as 1t
Is irrigated.
An idea of the capacity of the res
ervoir may be gained when it Is
known that it will be ninety miles
around it when filled with water. 1t
will make one Of the most beautiful
lakes in the country, as the surround
ing region ia most picturesque, lying
lust at the foot OF the Black Hills,
with scattering pines and cedar n
rugged rock cliffs. j. G. Keith, a resi-
dent of Cascade Springs, which VIII
border this reservoir, is so impressed
with the attr~activeness of this reser-
yoir Oake) that he has proposed to
the government that he will give $780,,
900 for a concession of the reservoir
for the use of boats and all its hshing
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 it to
the Paris Observation-Disclosures 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-
ing 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 speculat.
ing on future values to n extent,
even 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 it 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
a second thought and declare that
they would willingly share their hold
ings with land spectators. Thus has
his new enterprise created a hope and
confidence that is already inspiring.