Payette enterprise. (Payette, Canyon Co., Idaho) 1909-1935, 1915-11-18
GIVEN A SPLENDID REPORT BY
E.E. ELLIOTT, MEMBER IDAHO
IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE
CODE COMMISSION.

sion, who recently visited this sec
tion in company with Mr.. Malott OF
the Spokane and Eastern Trust Com.
pany, of Spokane, Wash, to make
an Investigation of the Little VIII
low Creek Irrigation Project. Mr..
Elliott is not interested in the
project, except as friend of Mr..
Malott and as member of the
above commission, for which reason
his report on the same is of all
the more value to the community
that is looking forward to the ulti-
mate realization of their hopes In
the financing and completion of the
system that will mean SO much to
their future prosperity.
Mr.. Conner Malott,
Spokane and Eastern Trust Co.
Spokane, Washington,
Dear Sir:
In reply to your request for a
report of my personal opinion as tc
the feasibility of the Little Willow
Creek Project in Canyon County, Ida
ho, which l examined In company
with yourself ON October 3rd, 1915,
am herewith submitting a state
ment of such facts and observations
as may appear to be of value or
interest to you.
1. The present agricultural con-
ditions in the Little Willow Creek
Valley reveal the usual pioneer de-
yelopment possible under individual
enterprise. A number of settlers,
have in years gone by, taken up
land, cleaned off the sagebrush, filed
on the natural flow of the stream
until the full amount has been ap-
propriated and have made the most
OF their natural opportunities with
a limited amount of water. They
have seeded a considerable area to
alfalfa, planted family orchards,
grown corn and garden truck, but
for the most part, appeared inclin-
ed to grow grain for stock feeding
purposes.
This is easily understood when It
is noted that the valley lies between
the range and the lower irrigated
country where several crops Of hay
can be grown each season and land
is too high priced for grain produc.
ton. The livestock interests, partic-
ularly dairying and hog growing, are
quite extensive and form the basis
OF the present prosperity. 1t is nat
ural that these farmers should de-
sire to have their lands produce the
maximum crop of which they are
possible, if an ample supply of water
can be secured at any reasonable
cost.
2. WATER SUPPLY. The propos-
ed increase in irrigation water comes
from the water shed of one Of the
tributaries of the Little Willow. 1t
is some distance above the valley
proper but the channel through
which it will flow from the reservoir
to the lands below is of such char
acter that none Of the supply will
be wasted except by minimum OF
evaporation. The valley, too, has
such a grade and slope that all
waste water naturally returns to
the channel and can be used over
and over as it proceeds down the
stream. That an underground water
supply exists is further evident from
the number of flowing wells and
springs near the foothills. The
and dam site are apparent
Iy very good. The dam will connect
the canyon walls at very narrow
place and the surface of the rock
appears to be lacking in fissures
through which the impounded water
might escape.
The proposed reservoir is located
in a little cove, now occupied as
farms, the soil of which is sort OF
yumbo and identical with that IN
Idaho County, near Grangeviile. I'll
Is of such density that water could
hardly percolate through It. Even II
/. should, and the dam should not
prove absolutely water tight the
water would not be wasted since
Ill the dow passes aowa ths creek