The times-herald. [volume] (Burns, Harney County, Or.) 1896-1929, 1920-03-27
State Engineers Office Gives
Out Info, nation.
WORK SUPPLY TO Limit
Disputes over Water Should
Be Kept Out of Court;
Wster Masters Under
State Engineer.
trrom State Engineers omce)


The supply OF water for irriga-
tion according 10 tho present indi-
cations will bc far below normal thls
season. In fact. II will not be sur
rrising II 1920 proves to be the dry
est season OF reco d for irrigationists
the heavy SHOWS OF early December
seem not TO have reached TO any
marked degree the higher attitudes.
In some sections, Il foil on unfrozen
ground and was almost entirely abb
sorbed by the soil. while In other Sec
tions the reverse was true and un-
usual floods followed tho melting OF
the snow.
Reports from various sections Of
the State indicate n very light snow
fall In tho higher mountains upon
which we must rely TO maintain our
irrigation streams aud hll our reser-
voirs. II seems. therefore. not too
early TO check up on our available
supply and to take such practical
precautions as we may TO avoid un-
due shortage for the irrigated crops.
The use OF water early In the season
serves a double purpose. Il saturates
the soil. much Of which remains To
supply the plants. and also serves as
a reservoir. the water gradually re-
turning to the stream as secpage and
maintaining Its flow for the benefit
Of those below. which In turn enable
the upper appropriation to longer dI-
vert water without Infringing upon
prior rights.
The hime when irrigation can bs
commenced TO advantage depends up
on the condition of the crors and soil
and is far better known 10 the irri-
gator In each particular locality than
anyone else. The fact remains how
ever tha, the lrr gator with his usual
excess OF spring WORK does not al
ways appreciate until II Is 10 late.
that there may not be an ample
supply of water to raise a full crop
unless he starts IN early. IL Is par
t!cularly necessary that irrlgators
with the later rights take warning
and make the best possible use OF ths
water when the same is available.
bitches should be cleaned out and
for nse as early as possible.
80 that water may be applied as soon
AS conditions In the respective local
tiles will permit OF the beneficial uss
OF the water.
Under the statute. the State En-
gineer has charge OF the distribution
OF the Writer'S OF. the various streams
OF the State To those entitled TO their
use as established by the State Water
Board or the courts.
Extreme shortage OF water often
brings about unforeseen conditions
which render the equitable distrihu-
tion of water difficult matter. How
ever with the confidence aud cooper
alton OF the water users, these pro-
blems become simple. ana IL is the
desire OF the State Engineer to At alt
times work In close cooperation with
the water users.
The water masters who have im-
mediate charge OF the distribution
Of water under the direction of the
state Engineer. are required to dis
tribute the water strictly In accord-
ance with the decrees Of the State
Water Board and the copfts. In
ease Of q misunderstanding or dis
pute with the water master. 1t 10 urg-
cd that the matter be not immediate
Iy taken into the courts. but referred
to the State Engineer. Every ef-
fort will be made to adjust the mat
ter with due respect to the rights OK
all concerned. Even though the
water supply should be as short as
conditions indicate, much
can be done to relieve the situation