The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-10-01

Junk, the irrigation project is the
foundation for many happy homes,
each year becoming more valuable
asset to the nation.
When the government Reclamation
Service first came upon the ground in
1902 it found private capital wrestling
with the problem and doomed to fail
ure because of the size of the lob.
After a careful survey it took over
the enterprise. A diversion dam II
miles below Arrowrock was complet-
ed; the main canal from this dam to
Deer Flat was built Deer Flat was
low tract in the center of the pro-
ject and by the erection of earthen
dams this was converted into a reser-
voir A network of distributing ca
nails was built. A power plant was in
stalled at the diversion dam. An ex-
elusive telephone system was install
led.
All this was but preliminary
clearing of the ground for the real
work to be done in the construction
of the Arrowrock dam. The prelim-
mary work started in 1905; construc-
ton work on the main dam did not
start until 1911.
Here it must be said in justice to
the Reclamation Service, and espec-
tally to F. F. Weymouth, supervising
ton engineer and James Mum, sup
crintendent of construction, that Ar
rowrock dam is completed a full year
in advance of the time specified at
the beginning and at saving in cost
on the dam itself of $2,000,000 The
fact that water was available this year
was a Godsend to thousands of set
tiers in this, the driest season ever
known in southern Idaho. The gov
eminent, with the water stored at
Arrowrock this year, was not only in
position to save crops on the project,
but to sell water to many other farm
ers near by, neighbors, who were in
dire straights. In the saving of these
crops it is estimated that the dam
practically paid for itself this year.
Sentiment played a part in the final
location of this monster dam. Jut-
ting out into the canyon, overhanging
the trial that crept along by the side
of the stream stood old Arrowrock,
a grim and silent sentinel of the ages
1t had won its name from the custom
of the rowing Indian hunters who shot
arrows into the face of this particular
rock to tell their comrades who came
after them which way they had gone.
By the angle of the arrow the late
corners knew at glance whether
those in advance had gone up stream,
down stream or up one of the many
tributaries.
Other places further up the stream
had been recommended as sites TOR
the dam, but before the final decision
was reached by the government otti-
Gals, Frank Grove, a young field en-
ginecr, was attracted to Arrowrock.
He became interested in the traditions
and surroundings of the place, with
the result that measurements and
tests were made and the spot finally
chosen for the dam
This meant the obliteratlon OF the
old landmark Of the Indians, but the
substitution of an enduring monu-
ment in tho onward march OF civiliza-
ton.
The first work to be done here was
to Danish the river from the site OF
the dam while the main work was III
progress. This was done by boring
a tunnel through the rock at the side
and through this tunnel for 500 feet
! the river was diverted. The TUNE
was large enough to carry the entire
river AT its highest flood and was lin
ed with cement. When the dam was