The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1920-07-22
MAKE REPORT ON
COLUMBIA PROJECT
Survey Commission Says Vast
Area Can be Irrigated at
Cost of $171.40 an Acre

The Columbia Basin irrigation pro
ject, using gravity supply of waite
from the Pend Oreille river, unde
present conditions, will cost when com
pleted $171.4o per acre with waite
delivered at the farm unit, accordin,
to the report Of the Columbia Bash
Survey Commission submitted +,
Governor Louis F. Hart yesterday.
The crop results now being obtain
ed on adequately watered acreas il
the state justify development cos,
for the Columbia Basin much higher
per acre than that prospect, says the
report. =. a -....
After more than years investiga.
ton of available sources of water sup.
ply, of methods of distribution and q
complete land classification of the Co.
lumbia Basin area the report submit
ted to the governor shows that !, 1885,
600 acres of land in Adams, Grant,
Franklin and Walla Walla counties
can be reclaimed.
Depending upon the size of indi-
'vidual ownership from 20, 900 to 10000
farms will be developed" according
to the report, which also shows that
"by using gravity supply from the
Pend Oreille, which is the most prac-
teal and economical sourse, there will
be two to three times the amount Of
water necessary to meet any irriga-
ton demand"
The report also contains studies of
a water supply from Wenatchee lake
and rom the Columbia River showing
a slightly higher cost per acre Of the
former and the infeasibility of the lat
ter.
The area within the Columbia Ba-
sin that could be watered from these
sources, however, are considerably
less than those proposed to be irri-
gated from the Pend Oreille.
In resume of its Investigations,
the commission shows that:
There is an abundance of water that
can be conveyed to the Columbia Ba-
sin lands by gravity. ~
There are no serious engineering
features.
The irrigable land is of excellent
quality. Much of it has been titled
and will require small expense to pre-
pare for irrigation.
The topography of the Columbia
Basin lands lends itself to an econom-
cal distribution of water.
The productivity Of the land has
been amply proven by results obtain
ID on small tracts within this area.
The splendid climate, abundance of
long growing season and the
fertile lands assure abundant and de-
,endable yields.
"The application of water to the
Columbia Basin lands will yield pro-
lucts which will add greatly to the
wealth of the state and nation" says
he report. "Lack Of adequate rain
all upon the greater part Of the area
8 the only factor which has prevented
t becoming thriving agricultural
'egion. In soil and climate it is prob. |
IDLY unequaled by a similar area in |
he country"
Adjoining the area which can be
irrigated by a gravity water supply,
according to the report, are 1,25O, 900 |
lcres which are not suited for inten- |
i've cultivation but which will large
y be available for grazing. An adj
litional $1,000 acres can be irrigated
~ pumping less than $50 in height,
md $4,000 acres by a higher lift.
jumping areas, however, are not in
'luded in the present estimates of the
commission. During the irrigation
'eason it will be possible to develop
'ower for pumping or other use vary.
ng from 10000 to 230, 900 horsepow- |
T at drops in the distribution system. |
The project will be settled as rap
Oily as water Is available for the sey-
raj units" says the report. "Now !
argely in private ownership, with 10
al development well advanced, trans
'ortati6n available thruout the region,
agricultural conditions which will
'qual or excel areas now irrigated in
he state, these lands will return to
he settlers every year asubstantial
profit over all costs"
According to the commission It will
,e able to control prices at which set
;lers can acquire farms and t expects
% prevent an unregulated settlement
n advance Of the distribution Of water.
which was Is per cent of normal.
The United States pear crop ICON