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

lamount as was possible with the avail
able spillway facilities.
The official test and measurements
were made July 1st and End by the
board Of directors Of the district, the
Iengineer in charge, the superintendent
for the contractors and the irrigation
manager. At this time it was found
that all lines were carrying from GO
Ito 80 per cent of their respective capac-
tiles. During the test there were no
breaks, no settlement and no damage
or sign of weakness in any of the lines
or structures.
Minor breaks in earth bitches at
critical points during the period Of
lpriming were repaired quickly. Fumes
showed a tendency to settle, particu-
larly on steep earth or clay slopes. In
such cases the leakage that inevitably
occurs between the time water is turn
ed in and until the boards have had
thine to swell tight will often cause set
tlement. At such points the joints were
generally calked with oakum in ad-
vance to minimize the danger as much
las possible.
After the "priming" was completed
the fumes and pipes became remark
ably tight. For thousands of feet along
some of the fumes not drop Of escap-
ling water could be seen. 1t seemed al
most incredible that fumes made Of so
|many pieces Of roungh lumber could be
made to hold water so effectively =
Portions OF the earth canals were
excavated in very gravelly and sandy
soils. Excessive seepage occurred at
some Of these sections when water was
first turned in-enough in some in
stances to cause the sloughing Of hill
sides and seriously to menace cultivat-
ed lands below the canals.At these
places patient work of pudding was
always rewarded by gradual reduc-
|tion in losses. until all visible seepage
was finally stopped.
All lands under the system are in
Iprivate ownership except 1400 acres
Ialloted to Indians. Holdings vary from
I2O to 800 acres. Before contracts for
construction were signed about one
third of the lands for sale in the dis
trict were listed under contract to
sell for stipulated prices. This was
done to forestall speculation and to in
sure land being sold at reasonable
|prices to those who would actually re-
side on and cultivate it. About 1000
acres are now under irrigation. Sales
hox 20 h,,t hnr Loc haa
little or no land speculation-a condi-
ton indicative Of steady, healthy
growth which promises ultimate sue
cess.
During the last session of congress
sufficient money was appropriated to
enable the U. s. Indian service to pur-
chase water rights for all Indian allot-
ments under the system. When the ne
gotiations are completed bonds to the
amount corresponding to the value of
these water rights will be retired.
II strictly permanent type of con-
struction had been prerequisite of
the West Okanogan irrigation project
the system could not have been con-
structed. It was therefore necessary to
build the best possible sytsem with the
funds available. Wooden fumes have
an estimated life of ten years were
adopted and provisions were made for
a replacement fund to rebuild them
during the life of the bonds. On steep
hillsides, where the line went through
treacherous clay, and where slight
leakage would be destructive, steel
|flumes were used. The life of the wood
len pipe was estimated at 20 years
,the same as that of the bonds. Where
|inlets or outlets of Importance were in
|earth bitches. concrete structures
were built and special preservative
measures adopted for the pipes them
|selves.
The intake of the main canal is OF
concrete, with steel gates, and is so
Iarranged that accumulations of debris
Us prevented. In all structures the hy-
Idraulic functions were designed to
minimize losses Of head and to insure
their operation with the least possible
Ioutlay for maintenance. That this has
Ibeen done is evidenced by the fact that
1.-THE first seasons operation has been ac.
Icomplished with practically no inter.
Eruption In the flow Of water to the irri.
lgators. The single exception is a few
Idays in July. when a minor break in
1.-THE main canal was caused by an un-
Iprecedented cloudburst. No unusual ex.
Ipenses have been incurred and all
lands have had an abundant supply ol
water.
The headworks, the plan of which is
Ishown. diverts the water without rails.
ling the level Of that in the river or OBJ,