The Delta independent., 1919-08-22

the head-gate of the West canal that
is taken out just few feet above
where the same empties into the I'm
compahgre river, two miles above the
Montrose and Delta canal
Following along the South canal
one cannot help but think what a
great and glorious thing the Reclaim
alton Act really has been to every
one living in the Uncompahgre Val
ley. Tunnel, fill and nume is about
all there is to it. A wonderful piece
of engineering. Concrete here and
there and drops to help steady the
immense head of water down and
down until it reaches a level that can
be safely emptied into the Uncompah-
gre river. We could write pages
about this particular part of the big
system, but a careful study of the
appended figures obtained from En-
gineer Pyle will give some idea of
the gigantic and expensive part of
the system. AS will be noted this
particular canal cost nearly 1000, 900.
ARRIVING at the mouth of the Gun
nison tunnel, many in the party took
occasion to take photos of the 500
feet of water that was gushing through
the big bore from the Gunnison river
nearly six miles away.
The water users that went along
on this trip were well pleased with
what they saw and will have a much
broader understanding of how they
obtain their splendid water supply.
The following facts and figures
were obtained from Mr.. Pyle, project
manager, at Montrose, and should be
filed away for future reference:
In accordance with your request
left with Mr.. Peach wish to advise
that the Reclamation Act was dated
June1 1902, but there has been con-
siderable supplemental legislation
since that time. On April II, 1901
the State of Colorado appropriated
$25, 900 for investigation and con-
struction of State tunnel No. 1. Pre-
liminary surveys were begun by Geo
logical Survey in June, 1901. Land
was withdrawn on January 81, 1902.
Construction was recommended by the
Director on March Z. 1903 and condi-
ionally authorized by the Secretary of
lultllOI Oh Wal IJVo bi-
compabgre Valley Water Uusers' AS
sociation was formed on May 5, 1903.
May 8, 1904 and construction author
Present location of tunnel approved
lied May Z, 1904.
Gunnison Tunnel cost s3,OS4,S30
capacity approximately 1000 second
feet; length 3O.5S0 feet. Largest and
longest irrigation tunnel in the world.
South Canal cost s931,397; capacity
1000 second feet; III miles main ca
nal; 40 miles laterals; 1876 acres irri-
gable.
West Canal cost s271,611; capacity
12O second feet; 21.3 miles main ca
nal; 1877 miles laterals; 6,574 acres ir.
rigable.
Montrose and Delta cost 1851 ,634;
capacity 45O second feet; 31.5 miles
/ main canal; 58.5 miles laters; 29,2O4
acres irrigable.
Loutsenhizer Canal cost $137,793;
capacity 1875 second feet: 14.5 miles
main canal; S.5 miles laterals; 1904
acres irrigable.
Selig Canal cost $351.313; capacity
300 second feet; 1876 miles main ca
nal; 52.9 miles laterals; 13.909 acres
irrigabIe.
Ironstone Canal cost $445,651; ca
pacity 375 second feet; 1873 miles
main canal; 1913 miles laterals; 49,.
046 acres frrigable.
East Canal cost s264,927; capacity
1926 second feet; 10.6 miles main ca
nal; i46.S miles laterals; 13.50s acres
irrigable.
Garnet Canal cost 1854; capacity
60 second feet; 10 miles main canal; /;
no laterals; 2,679 acres irrigable.
The above are the actual costs
and do not include credits which will
be allowed on the construction cost
where canal systems were taken ov-
er from the farmers.