The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1920-11-26
EEOENTHUSED
OvERPROSPECTS
FOR ALL IDAHO
Reclamation Booster
Outlines Wonderful
Opportunity for State
Development in Future.
Continued from page One.

CONSTRUCTION tn0t VIII nOlO IN res
ervoirs the millions of acre-feet
of water that is wasted in this
state every year in the spring
run-offs. And when that water
is reservoired until needed, and
then put on the lands, it is posi-
bic in this great valley of the
Snake to irrigate a million and 4
half, If not more of acres that
are therefore simply a dead load,
except for what grass they pro-
duce for flocks and herds that
may range over them.
Looking Ahead.
There are several projects in Ida
no to be considered in this great plan
of reclamation, beginning with the
wonderful Dubois project in Fremont
and Clark counties and other neigh
boring projects that are constructed
or in contemplation; then the great
country from Shelley to the west
down through the Aberdeen country
to American Falls; then the extension
Of the Minidoka project, and the Sc
curing of permanent and dependable
water rights for the Twin Falls-Oak-
ley and the Twin FallsSalmon and
rights 0 fthe Twin Fails country and
the Twin Falls north side, with the
Idaho irrigation project; all, to . GER
tain extent in more or less cultiva-
ton, but all . little shy of water for
late irrigation. That there is where
the reservoired water that in the
spring goes to waste has the value Of
gold dollars.
There are wonderful stretches of
country to be reclaimed, and it re-
quires great constructive plan where
by the waters of the Snake river basin,
and that includes not only the uppef
Snake river valley from Pocatello
north, but the lower valley from Poca-
tello west, and the irrigable valleys
of the tributary streams. There is
= great stretch of country west OF
Buhl known as the Bruneau project
the King Hills. (Which was the lanes,
duck that we had in Idaho until the
government took it over); and the
magnificent country in the neighbor-
hood of Mountain Home; west oil
Mountain Home to the Sunnyside
and all the country reaching clear
to Nampa.
Many Projects Waiting.
There you have the Black Canyon
project, on which hundreds of noble
people have suffered hardships and
disappointments. Washington coun-
ty has its problem; in fact, nearly ev-
cry county has problems whereby
when solved the productiveness OF
Idaho may be largely increased, bu,
which will stand still until some plan
is worked out whereby. fair, honest
: and dependable water distribution
may be arrived at.
There are also innumerable smaller
projects that can be reached by pump
ing. with lift anywhere from 80 to
rs feet, and, in some instances, re-
layed. However, when you get above
50 feet on 4 pumping project, it has
to be very carefully considered, and
the services of eminent authority en-
ployed to guarantee success, but il
can be done.
Now we are practically = new peo-
pie in this splendid young empire that
we are building up in southern Idaho
and we are all trying to do the best
we can for ourselves and our families
The writer has been directly and in
directly connected with reclamation
work for many years and knows the
privations, hardships and sufferings
the differences of opinion and the
disappointments that the people have
undergone and are overcoming. The
great Lost River project has been one
of the problems that has created q
tremendous amount of hardship. and
yet it is one of the best projects in
Idaho when the physical difficulties
are overcome.
Ny judgment is that in our work
under the Carey act we were in too big
hurry. and, had we understood i,
rs well as we do now. many of the
hardships would not have been ex-
perienced However, mistakes of the
past are only \ tutor in the grea,
school OF experience, and while many
hard things have been said, and many
of them cruel, as 4 general PROPOSE
ton, the work OF everybody connect
been along honest lines
Comprehensive Plan Necessary.
We have now arrived at the poin,
and a step that is going to have a
mighty influence on the future de-
velopment Of our state. We all know
that we have the water and the land,
but the question is, how to get them
together, because that requires vast
amounts Of money.
Looking the matter squarely
in the face, it would seem that
great plan for the systematic dis
tribution of the unused and unde-
creed water rights of the Snake
river and its tributaries will have
to be worked out, and it only
seems reasonable that the lands
nearest the course of the water
should be irrigated first, because
BY that method We get the bene-
fiji of the return flow and the
pickup" which. IN this country
is very large. This has been de-
termined By actual experience in