The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1919-07-18
BLACK CANYON WORK
UNDER FULL SWING
Fifty Men and Teams Engaged Eek
cavating for Concrete Siphon
Under Boise River.

Fifty men and number OF teams
are busily engaged this week in ex-
cavating a route across the Boise
river for the concrete siphon which
the federal reclamation service is
building to convey water to the first
unit of the Black Canyon district. At
least this portion of the work will be
pushed to completion as rapidly as
possible, according to statement
made Wednesday morning by Gilbert
Hogue, construction engineer in
charge of operations.
Shortage of funds may hold up the
work on the canal system west of the
Boise river for a time. Mr.. Hoguc
stated that this portion of the work
would not of necessitv have to be
started before December l, when adj
ditional money would be available.
Will Get 1920 Water.
Farmers who have been waiting
for years for water under that recla-
nation project are virtually assured
water for 1920 crops unless unfore-
seen complications arise to make it
impossible. Construction of the con-
crete siphon which crosses the Boise
river about 100 yards below the Can
yon station will be rushed to insure
completion before cold weather makes
concrete construction impossible
Speaking of the Jones $50.0O0.00C
sundry appropriation rider which
failed in the senate recently Mr.
Hogue expressed the belief that a
portion of that fund might have gone
for the construction of the second
and third units of the Black canyon
which provides for the reclamation o.
about 100000 acres above the first
unit. He believed, however, that nc
additional units to the Boise project
would be made until additional stor,
project.
Storage Sites Available.
Speaking of possible additional
storage ABILITIES on the Boise rivel
Mr.. Hogue said that two satisfactor,
sites were available on the south forl
of the Boise river Neither would b.
so large as the Arrow Rock impound
ing system, but he stated that it wa!
not necessar- that they should be. H,
remarked that enough water passet
Arrow Rock this spring on its wav t.
the ocean to have completely fillet
Arrow Rock second time. This wa
in addition to the 2000-second fee
flowing through the New York cana
on ;.c ---~-- to Deer Flat. He believe
that this years water shortage woul'
impress the necessity for additions
storage facilities on water users ant
reclamation officials alike before fur
ther reclamation was considered.
The 1918 reclamation report ha
Just come to the reclamation offic
in Boise. accordiro to Mr.. Hogue. I
shows that in 1918 the government
had $112000,OO0 invested in reclama
ton projects. During the same yea
crops raised on the reclaimed Ian
were valued at $S0.OO0000. eff 20
can show me a more profitable invest
ment that that | should like to shar
it." he remarked.
Materials Are on the lob.
| Cement is already on the job for tn
concrete structure and one mixer
under operation. Forms were bui
some time ago and have been take
to the scene of the work. The sipho
: will be five feet in diameter and abot
20O0 feet long. :.
Work east Of the river is virtual
completed with the exception of
short distance, where it was suspend
ed pending condemnation proceeding
and the other which wust be excavate
from the crest of the bluff to tt
Boise river for siphon installation.