The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1920-04-02
SEES NEED FOR
DRAINAGE WORK
A. V. TaIIman Has Confidence
In Reclamation of
Wet Areas

q know that fully 95 per cent o.
all drainage works constructed in the
state of Idaho have been successful
and have relieved at least 95 per cent
of land embraced in the drainage are
as of their water logged condition.
is the assertion made by A. " Tall
man, for many years water master OF
lands reclaimed under the Boise river
and who is familiar with the opera
ton of drainage projects. On the gen
eral matter of drainage, Mr.. Tallman
says:
One of the principal problems con-
fronting the major portions of the ir-
rigated west, that is, those sections
that have been irrigated for num-
Der Of years, is drainage of wet lands
This problem has arisen on all of the
older irrigated projects where the
formation of the subsoil is water
bearing grabel or sand covered by
clay or hard pan surface soil. This
is also true of some projects where
the subsoil or sub formation is a flat
sheet of lava unbrQken by vertical
cracks and crevices.
"In many irrigated districts having
areas of wet lands the settlers are
confronted with the problem of i'm
mediate drainage because of the un-
usual demand for improved. irrigated
lands and the high prices that are now
common. 1t has also been my exper-
fence that many Of the settlers in any
particular locality who are opposed
to drainage are basing their silent op-
position on the fear that the assess
ments placed on their lands to pay
for the drainage will not be made
fairly and will therefore place bur
den on them for all future time.
Courts Take Broad View.
Right here I might state that the
courts are rapidly grasping the fact
that the need for drainage in any par
ticular locally should not over ride
all other questions of equity that are
sure to arise and at this time extreme
caution is being taken in drainage af-
fairs to see that the interests of all
property holders are conscientiously
taken care of any protected
Another cause of opposition to
drainage is the oft repeated phase,
Drain bitches do not drain all of the
lands through which they are con-
structed and therefore drainage is a
failure" During the last 10 years !
have devoted all of my time to the
study of irrigated Idaho and have
been actively interested in drainage
problems that have arisen in Idaho
during that time do know of my
own knowledge that fully IS per cent
of all drainage works constructed in
the state of Idaho have been success
full and has relieved at least o5 per
cent of lan11 embraced in the drainage
areas of their water logged condition.
OF course there are instances of welt
ed areas imme diately adjacent to open
drains that have not been drained. but
these areas are so small compared to
the total areas actually drained that
this phase should not condemn drain
age as a whole.
Past Experimental Stage.
"The drain bitches constructed in
the Nampa- Meridian and the Pioneer
Irrigation districts have been highly
successful and had they not been con-
structed at the time they were at least
40 per cent of the lands in these two
districts would not now be producing
maximum crops.
"In conclusion will state that in my
opinion drainage of wetted areas is
long past the experimental stage and
has absolutely proven itself to be the
proper method of retaining these
waste areas.