The times-herald. [volume] (Burns, Harney County, Or.) 1896-1929, 1920-08-14
PROGRESS OF IRRICA-
TION PROJECT TOLD
Engineers Now on Distribute
ing System; Investigating
Drainage; Dam Site.

the Harnuy Valley Irrigation District,
discusseu the progress of the work
toward Installing the irrigation sys-
tenn the other day at the weekly Com
merCial club luncheon. The subject
was reviewed from the time of the
organization down to the present ani
the speaker showed bow the directors
were proceeding with the work and
what had been accomplished.
Engineering forces have been In
the field ever since early spring on
portions OF the work The nrst part
to have consideration was the pro-
posed reservoir sites and these have
been thoroughly Investigated the low
er dam site data Was purchased from
c. u. Mcconnell and thus consider
able time was gained: later more
data has been secured from Mr.. Nc
Conneil covering the greater portion
OF the distributing system In the val
ley. but this was not NO complete as
the dam site and Engineer Cunning
ham now has bis forces doing work
In the northern part OF the valley
leading down TO the portion Mr.. Nc
Connell's data covers.
Tests are being made at the res
ervoir sites TO ascertain the nature
OF the formations and thus get some
idea OF what will have TO be done 10
get a proper foundation for the dams.
II Ia the hopes OF the directors that
a greater force may be put on this
important work-a larger equipment
for drilling. In order TO hurry that
work as the present equipment Is
not adequate.
Mr.. Olsen pointed out In his dis
oussion OF the subject before the
business men. that complications had
to be overcome in the preliminary
work and that II really takes more
time than one would at first suppose;
several comissions. both state and
federal, have something to say before
project may proceed and under such
circumstances II is necessary that the
work comply with the requirements
OF these commissions, otherwise II
would be held up until these require
ments were complied with. With
this in mind the steps all along the
line have been carefully taken In or
der that there be no delay in ac-
ceptance OF the plans when once sub
mitted. For instance. the plans must
be put up 10 the State Engineer for
approval: the State Engineer. the
State Treasurer and the State Bank
Examiner constitute "a committee 10
pass upon the project before the
state will allow the district to vote
and issue bonds. The federal govern
ment also has certain requirements
TO meet before the matter can be
voted and the project authorized.
Chief Surveyor Cunningham has
his men working on the present
system OF distribution In the upper
part OF the valley Just as the water
emerges from the canyon. az thus II
may be possible 20 use some OF the
present natural canals so far as II
will conform TO the general distribu-
tlon system.
Q. II Smith. a drainage engineer.
arrived recently and has taken up
work on the project Mr., Smith is
an expert in his line and II making
Investigations from the lowest point
on the project and working up. |,
Is hoped to have this phase worked
out together with other features Ia
order that the entire project may be
complete In every detail before any
estimates are made or the subject
submitted to the water users for their
approval
so far there seems nothing to pre-
vent an early consideration OF tho
project and It's installation. except
money conditions which II is hoped
will be in better shape ERE the time
comes TO sell bonds.
This week committee composed
OF members OF the Commissioners OF
the Harney Valley Irrigation District.
consisting OF p. q. Smith. Sam Moth
ershead, Jake Welcome and Ted
Hayes, has been going over certain
property within the district which II
viii be necessary TO purchase. ap-
praising IT. This Is another demo
cratic feature OF the methods used by
The destrict In bringing about results
Continued on page four)