East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1913-12-31

Prom a development standpoint the
most important enterprise now under
way In eastern oregon Is the con-
struction of the west Umatiila pro-
3ect by the United States government
In the following letter from f. G.
Hopson, supervising engineer of the
reclamation service, much informa-
tion relative TO the history of this
project Is given. Since the letter was
written steps have been taken by the
government towards beginning actual
work 4
Portland, Ore, Dec II, 1913
Bditer East oregonian:
Answering your request for some
material relative to the west Umatilla
project. its extent. possibilities and
other features, il may possibly inter-
eet your readers to know something
about the varied history of this pro-
1sot.
Way back about the year 1900 or
before an engineer employed by the
Northern Pacific Railway company
conceived the idea of building a dam
across the Umatilla river a short dis
tance below Butter creek. At this
time a large part of the reservoir
lands were unentered and practically
all of the lands in the country east
of the river were vacant public lands
or owned by the Northern Pacific
company. The railway company did
not do anything, and the project was
laid aside.
1t was partially revived, however,
by developments that have since TAX
en- place near Irrigon and under the
canals of the Western Land and Ir-
rigation company
In the early days of the reclama-
ton service a somewhat different
scheme was considered for watering
the same lands. the plan being to
take water from the Umatilla river
by a feed canal which would dis
charge into a reservoir called the
Juniper reservoir. This plan was
abandoned, however, because the res
ervoir site did not appear wholly
satisfactory, and it was feared that
seepage losses would be too great
Shortly after this 1t was decided to
60 ahead with building the present
OHdtilIa PEOJcCI az x1oIulStOu.
During 1903 the project of build
ing a storage reservoir near Butter
creek was revived by the reclamation
service. and some preliminary plans
and estimates were made. During
1910 the president Of the United
States appointed an army board to
investigate all reclamation work.
These gentlemen visited the UNA
tiila project and examined the dam
and reservoir site proposed for the
west extension, and approved the
plans proposed but recommended
that the work be postponed for the
present on account of the large
amount of money needed for the
completion of other projects.
Early in 1911 the secretary of the
interior took the west extension work
under serious consideration for the
first time, and allotted the sum of
$4,000 for detailed surveys. These
surveys were made during 1911. and
at the end of the year full report
was made by the engineers as to the
possibilities of the project They
reported on some four or five alter
native plans involving the irrigation
of different areas of land. The larg-
est area proposed for irrigation was
close to 10000 acres. the smallest be-
ing only 10000 acres. All of these
plans except the smallest involved the
construction of a reservoir near
Butter creek.
In order that the entire proposition
should be thoroughly ventilated by
the local public, the secretary of the
interior ordered public hearings to
he held at various points in eastern
Oregon, Pendleton being the chief
center. These hearings were held be-
fore committee of engineers select
ed by the secretary. and all parties
interested in the matter were given
ample opportunity to express their
views. Many hundreds Of people in
terviewed the committee, some ad-
vocating the building Of the project.
others opposing its construction for
various reasons, and others taking
middle course. 1t appeared, how
ever. that the great concensus Of
opinion was in favor of constructing
the project. provided the interests of
the people on the upper portion or
the river could be properly protected
by the government.
During 1912 a great deal of time
was taken up by subscribing the priv
ately owned lands to the project The
subscription of lands was completed
during 1912, and final report was
made to the department early in this
year. About this time the admins
tration changed and a new secretary
OF the interior having assumed office
the entire question had to be consid-
cred de novo.
Secretary Lane visited the project
last August. stopped at Irrigon, took
breakfast with and interviewed a
large number Of residents and settlers
in the vicinity. afterwards called at