The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1915-08-13

from the Fort Hall reservoir, anC
the water users above Blackfoot ge
an eQuivilant amount from the Jack
son Lake reservoir This water from
jackson Lake will all be furnished
in space of ten days. The repre-
sentatives of the Indian and Recla
nation service wired this agreement
to the secretary of the interior. The
state Of Idaho is very much interest
ed In the proper distribution of the
water in Idaho, and in its proper use
The power over the proper use and
distribution of water in Idaho resides
in the state, and it should be very
jealous of its rights. The fact that
the state allowed the government to
Racquire title to waters in Idaho does
not mean that the state has abdicated
its right to regulate and control
under its own rules, laws and regula-
tions the water of the state used for
irrigating agricultural lands.
The lesson which the meeting at
Idaho Falls on August teaches is
that the state should vigorously ex-
Iercise its power of control over the
Snake river water. 1t should ascer-
tain the amount of water in Jack
son Lake reservoir, the amount lost
by evaporation, seepage, ETC., the
amount of the return flow of water
into the Snake river, and should have
its own individual officers, who
should be alert and active in guard
ing the rights and interests of the
independent water users of the state.
The Reclamation service will care
fully look after the welfare of the
,Minidako project. Mr.. Shepherd will
Hook after the North Side and it is
tthe province and duty of the state
to see to it that neither there nor
any other government or semi-goy-
eminent projects encroach on the
rights of individuals. There should
not be even the faintest semblance
Eof any compromise on the part of
1.-THE state. 1t should assert it's abso-
lutte authority.
Following is telegram showing
agreement regarding use of water
Temporarily:
Copy of Telegram
Idaho Falls, Idaho, August 6.
To Secretary of Interior,
Washington, D. C.
Representatives of the Indian
Service, Reclamation Service, Twin
Falls North Side project, and %
principal canals of the upper Snake
valley met, represented by the Pro-
tective Irrigation association, at Ida
no Falls, yesterday and have agreed
upon plan which meets the approval
of all interests represented and which
it is believed will handle the extra
ordinary water shortage of this year
In such a way as to save the crops
as far as possible. This plan includ-
ed agreement of canals having old
est rights to rotate and give part of
their water to newer canals. North
Side Twin Falls project to continue
to receive surplus Blackfoot reser-
voir water, Reclamation service will
accumulate this small stream of
Blackfoot water in Lake Walcott I'M
til sufficient is accumulated for
good irrigation also such additional
surplus water as can be spared from
jackson Lake. Reclamation Service
will lend canals of upper Snake one
thousand second feet from Jackson
Lake for ten days to tide over criti-
cal period, and the upper Snake
canals will return this borrowed
water between August Is and Sep
TENDER 10. If this arrangement meets
your approval, please wire Reclama-
ton, Boise; Dietz, Indian Service.
Salt Lake; R. e. Shepherd, Jerome,
Idaho; and state engineer, Boise,
Idaho.
(Signed)
"JOHN EMPEY,
President of the Protective Irri.
cation association
"R. e. SHEPHERD,
Manager Twin Falls North Side.
III. w. DIETZ,
"Supt. of Irrigation, Indian Ser
vice.
IF. e. WEYMOUTH,
Senior Engineer, Reclamation
Service.
"B. E. sToUTEMYER,
District Counsel, Reclamation
Service.
FIRED T. DUBOIS.
"Blackfoot, Idaho"
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