Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1920-08-17
PLAN TO DRAIN
MIRROR LAKE
OWNERS OF OVERLOOKED LAND
WILL PETITION FOR FORMA-
TI0N OF DRAINAGE DISTRICT
TO RECLAIM OVER 4,OOO ACRES
VIII Build bikes and Install a Good
Pumping System

| Plans for the reclamation of 1880
acres of land surrounding and partlv
including Mirror lake, just southwest
OF Bonners Ferry, have been formu-
lated and, according to A. j. Kent who
Is one of the leaders in the project,
will be rapidly matured.
Mr.. Kent has always taken a leading
part in all efforts towards drainage of
overflow and bottom lands in the Koot-
email valley and 1t has been through
his efforts that the present project has
come to the attention of outside cap
ital and that local landowners in the
Mirror lake district have agreed to
the forming of drainage district,
Those who have investigated the
project seem certain of its final sue
cess ana every owner of overflow land
in the kootenai valley which contains
nearly 10000 acres of similar land to
that of the Mirror lake project. will
watch with interest the progress that
Is made and will hope for its success.
If the Mirror lake reclamation scheme
is successful it is presumable that 9TH
er drainage districts will be formed in
the more favorable parts of the Koot-
enai valley and it is not impossible
that the movement to reclaim the en-
tire valley, that was started about
eight years ago. will be revived.
Mr. Kent states that as yet he has
not seen all of the owners of the land
to be reclaimed in the Mirror lake pro-
1ect but that he is confident that near
ly all VIII go into it and that if any are
dubious they can sell their land at a
reasonable price. Among those who
have agreed to sign the petition ask
ing for the formation of the drainage
district are ID. X. Mcdonald, Of Spo-
kane, Wyman Hoagland. Frank Clapp,
Sci Bauman, II. L. Shively and A. j.
Kent. The petition asking for the
formation of the Mirror lake drainage
plan will be presented to the Judge of
the district court, according to law, In
the near future. The Judge will set
day for the hearing of remonstran-
ces against this petition and if there.
are none or If there seem to be no val
Id and sufficient reason why the dis
trict should not be formed, he will ap-
prove the petition and the organiza-
tion will be completed Immediately.
The plan for the drainage of the
overflow lands of Mirror lake call for
dixie to be constructed from Galena
Landing to the former Stanley ranch
and on to the mountainside distance
OF some four and half miles. 1t is
figured that the county wagon road
along the Kootenai river will have to,
be raised some six feet and be Wild
ened and that from the Stanley ranch
to Deep creek nine foot dixie will be
necessary.
1t is proposed to construct a gate on
Fish creek to let out water that will
gather in the spring from the noun
tains and it is probable that it will
be necessary to install a pumping
plant with which to pump out some
OF the water.
Those who are greatly interested in
the drainage of the district surround
ing Mirror lake state that the cost
will not exceed $500 per acre. This
land is very rich and fertile and would
produce as much il not
more in the way of crops, if drained,
than any other land in the United
States.