Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1915-08-05
personal INVESTIGATION.
n Il. shepherd Makes Report to
Water Users Oh His Investiga-
lions of the Packson Lake
Reservoir.
FRO Water Users:

ITo Water Users:-
In company with Reclamation
Service Engineer f.. Il. Weymouth,
and Cnsulting Engineer A. j. Wiley,
have Just returned from trip of
/ inspection to the Jackson Lake Res
| eryoir. The purpose of the trip was |
TO ascertain the present state of the |
work and the probable amount OF
| storage available for this project for
the year 1916 and the time necessary
for the final completion of the reser-
yoir. We were very much gratified
with the progress being made. There
is every reason TO believe that there
will be available for 1916 at least
10000 acre feet OF water for this
project This amount together with
the natural flow and the water we
will be able to otherwise purchase
from the government will assure to
the North Side project an ample sup
ply for next year This can only be
prevented by Unforeseen accidents or
other difficulties beyond our power
to control
1t was my desire on this trip to
impress upon the men in charge OF
this work the Importance of its bear
ing upon this project and how de-
pendent we are upon their diligence
in the performance OF this work
AS TO the character OF the con-
struction. | was impressed with its
thoroughness and have every reason
to believe that when the dam is COM
pleted II will be permanent and de-
pendable structure. Nothing is be-
ing omitted which careful engineer
ing and human foresight can sug-
gest to make the structure safe. The
men In charge OF the work are eX-
perienced and competent and are
bending every energy towards Its
completion without delay. 1t is q
very large undertaking and one car
have no idea with regard to it with
out personal visit to the reservoir
site Three shifts OF men are EN-
ployed working eight hours each
The work is thoroughly ilumninat
ed at night, so that II is being carrie,
on continuously and | know of moth
ing that can be done to shorten tn
time of it's careful completion
The drainage area back of the res
ervoir. including all that mountain
Gus district south of and part o
Yellowstone Park is a country ord
narily OF heavy snow fall and capabl
of filling a reservoir, even in years G
light snow fall so that there is littl
question in my mind of our waite
supply when once this work is con
pleted.
In order that | might know tn
conditions of the upper Snake Rive
Valley. ! made the return trip owe
that route, visiting most of their Ct
nails. | was surprised to find that
large part of that territory there
very reckless use of water. the G.
nails being run bank full and In mar
places the roads are flooded. The
was a great waste of water. This v
are seeking to have corrected. Viii
It no doubt is true that much of tn
water eventually drains back in
the river. nevertheless 1t Is an irl
cation practice which l cannot he
but feel is to the disadvantage of {
water users of the lower Snake Riv
Valley. AS to Just how this can
corrected l am not clear. but q
calling it to the attention of the
ficials with the hope that more &C
siderate use of water can be effect'
| feel safe in advising the peoI
on this tract who have not as yet &
ton all of their land under culti'
ton to proceed with the work a
try to get as large an acreage rea
for crop next year as possible.
We are making n careful study
the water losses in our canal syst
and hope to reduce this very mat
tally before the next irrigation 8
son so that the available water s.
ply can be used to the best adva
age The water losses in all can
are necessarily large in the ea
history of their operation.
] shall be glad to have my att
tion called to any work which
may discover should be done.
Notwithstanding the difficulties
have had to surmount this year
results from the threshing mach
which is the real test. so far as h
come to my knowledge. are '
gratifying. The threshing of all
clover is now going on. l am
formed that so far the yields are !
ming from to IL bushels per a
which is certainly a very good ret
r. Il. SHEPHERD
Water for Domestic Use.