The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1915-04-23
IRRIGATION PROSPECTS BRIGHT


| look for the beginning or actual work
OF the proposed West Okanogan Val
Hey Irrigation district project has nev-
Ter looked more favorable since the
<inception of that great watering en-
Iterprise than just at the present time
kOf course there will be no absolute
/certainty of the realization of that
long cherished hope until the bonds
are placed and the construction crew
b. on the ground brt movement is
Cli foot, with an individual interested
II the consummation behind the move
nent-who is in earnest in his ef-
forts and confident Of their ultimate
houncement that present prospects
IRE most assuring of early results.
And it is about time that a favor
hble change was taking place, as the
Ong delay has naturally created dis
enlargement and dissatisfaction among
and owners. For three years this
Reclamation of valley lands ON large
cale has been under consideration
fhere has been organization and re-
organization, surveys, reports and es-
Pmates, promises unfulfilled, pro-
pnged delays in securing information,
bgether with heavy expenses that the
wners had to meet with nothing tang
ble to show for the money expended,
bat is tangible in the way of progress
pward the one single and great aim.
lat of securing water.
The favorable change in the pros
bets of this locally important enter
fise has been brought about by the
fesence of o. Laurgaard, and the sta
|ments he freely made while here
the directors of the district, and
hers directly interested in the pro-
ct. AS stated in the last issue of the
Azette Mr.. Laurgaard arrived in Oro-
lie Tuesday evening of last week.
Erly the next morning, in company
tn Ernest Riste. he went over the
Dund from the proposed intake on
Similkameen river to Oroville. AT
remaining here just long enough
lunch the gentlemen continued on
TOnasket, where Mr.. Laurgaard met
Tn the directors and expressed him
+ freely upon the Feasibility and i'm
rtance of the enterprise. He was
Dst favorably impressed with the
Rracter of the lands under the pro-
sed system, their extent and pOssi-
lities under irrigation. He not only
nsidered the project practicable, but
lie that he considered as a safe and
Eiting investment Tor capital. In
1ct he was enthusiastic over the en-
4rprise after having made his in
estigations. He expressed it as his
: pinion that for the amount of bonds
Sued metal pipes and fluming could
3 used, which would greatly increase
be stability and permanency of the
York. He announced that upon his
recommendation material could be
rocured in exchange for bonds, which
ched to construction, and seemed to
ave no doubt that he could meet with
title difficulty il placing the bonds.
He spoke his mind freely and without
ft servation, so that this publicity is
abusing no confidence. Mr.. Laur-
.gaard wasted no time here, but after
Ghis conference with the directors he
64eparted for the outside for the pur-
pose of presenting the proposition 10
bond investors, and if meeting with
"a favorable reception to perfect ar
ra ngements to start construction at an
early date.
AS was stated last week Mr.. Laur-
}gaard is a civil engineer of high repu-
Ration. Some years ago he had charge
foF the construction of the big dam at
zConconully, built by the government
ITO conserve the water of Salmon creek
{fcr use on the vast government rec
lamation project on the west side of
/ the Okanogan river between Riverside
land Okanogan. After the completion
/ OF the dam Mr. Laurgaard retired
from the government reclamation SER
vice, and since that time has been
connected in an engineering capacity
with private irrigation enterprises.
That experience, coupled with the
construction of the Conconully dam,
has tended to make him an authority
| on irrigation systems, both as to ply
Steal construction and as to the utility
o. applying irrigation to any given
body of land. 1t further gives him
great prestige with investors and con-
tractors having confidence in his judg-
ment, and favorable report from him
after personal inspection of a propos-
ed project carries great weight. He
feels confident that upon the repre-
sentations he can aud will make he
will experience little trouble in plac-