The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1915-10-19
Commission Airs Troubles of Three Idaho
Projects.
Advise Cutting Down Of Acreage On Salmon 1raThe Build
ing of Larger Reservoir For Idaho Project.

Three reports were handed to thu
governor Saturday by the irrigation
and drainage code commission, whicl
has spent the past ten days co-ordinat
ing the results of it's Investigations O.
the various larger irrigation project,
or the state which are not now on
substantial basis.
/ The first of the reports dealt witt
the King Hill and King Hill extension
projects, the second with the Twin
Falls Salmon River project, and the
third with the project Of the Idaho
Irrigation company.
In its report the commission dis
cusses the needs of the projects, their
worthiness Of aid and the possibilities
OF granting such assistance, and con-
cludes by suggesting some of the forms
this aid might take.
King Hill Project.
An examination was made of the
King Hill project by four members of
the comimssion-Messrs Waters, Ell
liott, Anderson and Carter. They
walked over the bad part of the flume
drove over the greater part of the ca
nal system and over the land included
in the project; interviewed numerous
settlers and held public meeting
with the water users Since that time
! they ffave learned more of the project
through interviews and by correspon-
dence
| The report shows that the commits
sion was greatly impressed with the
King Hill tract and comments on "the
unusual fertility of the soil and splen-
did climatic conditions for the growth
of fruit, grains and vegetables"
1T is apparent" the report states,
that this section is admirably adapt
ed to the growth of early fruits and
vegetables, which can be put upon the
market from one to three weeks ear
ller than those from any other part OF
southern Idaho and thus compete with
sub-tropical sections This section
also has the further advantage of be-
ing close to the markets that demand
large quantities of such early prod
ucts."
Settlers Discouraged.
With the present condition of the
project and the prospect for its com
pletion, the settlers on the project the
commission finds, are much discour-
LACED. Many of them have left their
land and others are about ready to-
1t is estimated that the most trouble
some portion of the canal system,
which lies along a steep hillside. will
be practically worthless within two or
three years. The commission is unan-
imOus In the belief that something
should be done to rebuild the project
at once. and submits five plans where
by this might be done
Rebuilding Cost.
In explanation of the cost of re-
building the project, the commission
submits the figures of former State
Engineer King, who estimated that 1t
would cost four hundred thousand
dollars. There are total of seven
teen thousand acres on the entire
project and the commission, believes
that, II water were assured, the land
would be worth $50 an acre, return
OF one million twenty thousand doll
lars for the entire project
Valuable Asset.
The state has already expended to
date $67, 7,004.60 and the settlers have
paid two hupdred and twenty-five
thousand dollars on their holdings.
Deducting this total amount from the
probable returns from the sale Of
land, the commission sees seven hun
dred and twenty-eight thousand dol
lars available for the reconstruction
of the project.
State and Federal Aid.
The first plan suggested for the re-
habilitati0n Of the project Is through
state aid This il the n1an most 70 :