The Record-courier. [volume] (Gardnerville, Nev.) 1904-current, 1919-07-04
WORK FINISHED
AND OFFICE
CLOSED

Having completed all the prelimn-
ary work IN connection with Carson
Valley irrigation project, the govern
ment reclamation office, which has
been conducted at Minden for the past
year or more, was closed ND Monday
and Engineer Perkins, the official in
charge. ordered TO take up his head
quarters at Tahoe City, where he will
complete the survey work at Lake
Tahoe.
This step means that until an ap-
preparation is secured for the Carson
Valley project, nothing further re-
mains to be done. A complete topo-
graphy survey of the Valley has been
made and checked in detail. Two
reservoir sites have been investigated.
The Long Valley site was abandoned
las year for more suitable site on
the Carson river a short distance be-
low Horseshoe bend. The foundation.
or bedrock was tested out with
diamond drills and found to offer
even better foundation for a dam than
had been expected. Mr.. Savage
designing engineer for the government
visited the site some time ago and
from surveys, drew up the plans for
the dam.- As contemplated the dam
will be 222 feet high. will cost in the
neighhorhood of sl.300.000 and will
impound $4,000 acre feet OF water,
an amount sufficient to irrigate all of
the lands in Carson Valley as we'll
as large acreage at Dayton.
When asked if he had any idea how
soon actual work Of constructing the
storage reservoir would commence.
Mr.. Perkins stated that he had
no knowledge of this part of the pro-
gram. but stated that the reclamation
department had no funds on hand and
future irrigation projects hinged on
the soldier settlement act now before
congress.
Those who have made study of
Lane bill are of the opinion that the
Carson Valley project will not be in
eluded in the new irrigation projects
contemplated, for the reason that the
raw land here is all held in private
ownership and the price asked for the
land is more that government will al
low. This belief is gained through
the fact that throughout many of the
western states. irrigation projects are
contemplated where the land is still
under government ownership, and in
localities where the opportunities Of
storing flood waters equal if not
surpass the Carson Valley project
The Soldier Settlement Act provides
for the establishment OF rural com
munities for soldiers, towns and the
like. which lead to the belief that the
bulk of the work in providing homes
for soldiers will be carried on in un-
settled territory.
Although no irrigation project in the
West offers inducements greater than
In Carson Valley, there are at The
same time many drawbacks, as 1t now
appears. The high price of raw land,
together with the unwillingness of
present water users to give coGpera
ton. seems to be stumbling block
that will Withhold the advancement OF
the farming interests of Carson Valley
for some time. Some of the farmers.
according to reports are in favor of
a movement to have the government
relinguish its rights to the flood
waters of the Carson river, which
would make possible the building of
a storage system by the farmers them
selves and along the lines as started
in Smith and Mason Valleys.
However, II is believed that ad-
vantages of the Carson Valley project
far outweigh the disadvantages, and
that the reclamation department will
be able to get Congress to make an
appropriation for the completion OF
the storage system contemplated.
Lost-Near Minden, package con-
tanning shirt waists and razor strop'