The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1914-02-06

Herewith is published the synopsi
OF and conclusions reached in the
report to the Great Northern Railwa!
company on the East and West Okla
hogan Irrigation Districts by d. c
Ilenny, consulting engineer, submitted
January 10, 1914, and received by thu
district officers last Friday, also the
opinions of the three other engineer.
who previously examined and reported
on the projects:
The East and West Okanogan Val
ley Irrigation Districts are situated il
northern Washington. The districts
rigable lands.
Soil and climate are favorable fol
raising general crops and are espec.
tally adapted to the production of higt
grade deciduous fruits.
The water supply from the Similka.
meen river after making deductions
for prior rights is ample.
The irrigation system provides for
gravity irrigation. Flume construc
tion is required for over one-third OF
the canals.
Comparison Of estimates show TIM
| ber flume construction to be most
economical both in first and in ulti-
mate cost.
The acre cost of districts is about
S4S for the west district and sos for
the east district under the plan of
joint construction, and about $63 for
the west district in case of separate
construction. Ten per cent of the ir-
rigabe lands in the west district and
forty-five per cent in the east dist
riot are unpatented. Joint construc-
tion is most economical for both dist
a ricts.
The use of metal flume so far as
funds will permit has certain special
advantages.
IA Annual payments to be made by land
owners vary between the two districts,
s. begin at the rate of from $420 to $40
per year, and average for 20 years
81 from $3.50 to $3.50, according to the
construction plan followed.
British Columbia lands can be ir-
irrigated to advantage from either the
west, or the joint district system.
# The value of irrigation lands of a
similar character is high, running for
the unimproved land with water from
5000 upward.
4 Settlement of a proper type Is es-
sentlal to success, and an effort to
secure it must be made through agree
M ent as to sale of lands with land
'fpwners.
<X The present value of the lands is
$3a less than the proposed bond issues.
Falues will rise according to methods
- management Control over expen-
|dltures should be exercised by bond
$&lurchaser The security of bonds up.
" or completion of works runs from 40
70 1.9O times the bond issue according
ans adopted
W After completion the security may
x be expected to become better rapidly
I in spite of depreciation of works.
III The increase is relatively slow for the
III east district.
M The general conclusions are that
VI the bonds for the west district under
ri separate construction plan, and for a
ii merged district undnr joint construc-
IN ton plan, offer fair security and that
N any bond purchased should be con
tingent upon certain conditions which
"A are enumerated.
Il CONCLUSION
N Climate and soil place both dist
81 ricts indisputably within the limits OF
the restricted area in the northwest
most suitable for the production OF
y high-grade fruit, and are certain. in
connection with an assured water SUD-
u ply and existing transportation facil-
ltles, to create high land values.
A cost of $65, or less, per acre. un-
der above conditions, for gravity ir-
rigation works, is relatively low. The
'Harges in connection Herewith can
be readily paid by Industrious settlers
o. small capital and with some ex-
perience.
The east district does not offer the
4 requisite margin Of security for its
H tonds. If 1t desires to continue as a
II separate district it must await the
patenting Of its public lands and q
definite decision regarding the dis.
Eosition of Indian allotments before
expect to sell its bonds.
In case certain conditions herein.
after mentioned are complied with the
west district offers fair margin Of