The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1917-01-12

The West Okanogan Valley irrigation
project, probably the only one financed
and built during the present war per-
iod, was surveyed, designed and con-
structed in less than one year to
water 10000 acres of land in the Okla
hogan River valley, Washington, ex-
tending for 80 miles south Of the Can
adian boundary line. The main line
construction involved 36 miles of earth
ditch, 27 miles of wood and steel flume
and "A miles of wooden pipe-a total
of 67.4 miles of conduit The sum the
district could afford to spend was de-
termined. The best system for that
amount of money was then designed
and built.
This project Is the first of its kind
built under the irrigation district law
OF the state Of Washington. Under the
provisions of that statute the land own
ers organized an irrigation district and
voted 100000 in 20-year per cent
bonds to cover the cost of construc-
ton. Through the efforts Of that great
empire builder, James j. Hill, the
bonds were duly subscribed for and
bids invited on the construction work
A contract for the construction OF
the irrigation system was signed be-
tween A. Guthrie & Company Of st.
Paul and the board of directors of the
West Okanogan Valley Irrigation Dis
trict, July Z, 1915. Just one year later,
. az ~ u slsvss.1Sssss s,fo5ectaWas
formally accepted by unanimous vote
of the board of directors and the works
were taken over by them for operation
and maintenance. The contract price
was $511,650.
The project lies in the most favor
able fruit section of Washington. 1t is
doubtful If there exists a condition of
soil and climate more favorable to the
growing of apples and other orchard
products. The lands, however are not
being devoted exclusively to the grow
ing of fruit, but also to diversified
farming. On the hills bordering the val
ley are extensive cattle ranges, and the
y raising of alfalfa and other forage
crops will be combined with fruit cul-
ture.
The water supply is taken from the
Similkameen river, II miles above the
town of Oroville. As the minimum sum-
mer flow of this river is three times
the maximum diversion for irrigation,
an abundant supply Of water Is assur-
ed. The main canal consisting of 5
miles of earth ditch and six miles of
wooden flume, has capacity at the
head of $50 sec. IT. At Oroville, the wa
ter is divide three ways. The main por-
tion-1O4 .-ft.-crosses the Simil-
kameen river in a 46 in. wood stave
pipe 1913 #. long and continues south
ward on the west side of the Okanogan
valley. Twenty-seven second feet are
carried across the Okanogan river at
Oroville in a 30 in. wood stave pipe
1886 #. long to the east side OF the val
ley. There it divides north and south
The third portions sec. ft.-continues
north on the west side Of the valley to
the Canadian boundary line. Ten miles
below Oroville wood stave pipe line
81 in. in diameter and 4588 IT, long
carries 45 sec. IT, from the west side to
the east side of the valley, where 1t
divides north and south.
The map gives the lay out and gen.
eral features of the project. The gen.
eral character of the Similkameen
river canyon and surrounding country
is shown in one of the pictures.
Work was practically suspended dur.
ing the winter. No grading could be
done on account Of frost and an unu-
sual snow made work on the fumes
very trying Wooden pipe, was, how
ever, laid whenever possible through
out the winter season. The curve shows
the progress made during each month
Of the year.
The contractor was obliged to test
out all conduits to 80 per cent of their
maximum capacity before acceptance
by the district. This rigorous require
ment for new canals and fumes was
met without serious mishap. Water was
turned into the main canal at the head
early in March, and gradually in
creased day by day until the so per
cent was being carried as far as the
first spillway. During that period q
crew of men patroled the line. Stretch.
es of earth ditch that showed excess
seepage were puddled; leaks in fumes
were stopped by throwing In a small
amount Of soil or. where necessary, by
calking with oakum. AS soon as the
next stretch Of canal was ready, water
was let into 1t gradually until the re.
quired amount was being carried. In
this manner all portions Of the system,
was primed a. near to the required