The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-11-27
BENEFICIAL EFFECTS
OF IRRIGATION
lRu j. 3. IL

water to make them blossom IKE the
rose" To other vast areas water has
already been brought from varying dis
|tances, and these are now among the
most productive of all our agricultural
lands
Irrigation alone is responsible for the
sugar best fields of Utah, the alfalfa
fields of Idaho and the orange groves
of California. So literally has water
meant wealth to the Rocky Mountain
and Pacific Coast states that the west
need no longer base its claim to the
title on the magic metal that brought it
fame and prosperity in the early days
The gold Of the grain field and Of the
citrus grove is now worth more than
the gold of the mine The s274000 600
which represents the annual value of
the crops produced on the $50. 900 farms
comprising the 100000 acres of irri-
gated land in the west, is nearly three
times as great as the value of the pre-
cious metals produced annually in the
same region. California, the Golden
State" contributes annually nearly
four times as much in crops as in pre-
cious metals.
Beneficial Effects of Forest Cover.
Perhaps the most obvious effect that
exists between forests and water is the
tendency Of the tree cover to check
erosion. The leaves and branches of the
trees prevent the rain from beating
upon the soil as it does in the open
The cover which they afford delays
the melting of snow in the spring; the
upper leaves of the forest soil act as
an enormous sponge that absorbs large
quantities of water, which in turn are
passed on to the great reservoir of
mineral soil beneath; and finally, the
surface cover of stumps, fallen twigs,
branches, and even whole trees act as
mechanical obstruction to prevent rap
id run-off.
The surface run-off from the forest
areas Is less, both in total amount and
in velocity, than that from similarly
situated interested areas. From the
standpoint of the water user, the ten
dency of the mountain forests to pre-
vent erosion is of the utmost impor-
lance. The action of the forest in re-
ducing surface run-off tends also to
regulate the flow of streams. Instead
of rushing away in uncomfortable tor
ents the water is absorbed into the
reservoir of mineral soil, from which it
is gradually paid out to the springs and
streams.
This tends to decrease the high water
run-off and to increase the low water
drainage. Both results are good. Let
it be borne in mind that the decrease
in the high water run-off means that
there is less danger of destructive
floods and less waste Of valuable
water; while the increase in low water
run-off means that large amount of
water is available during the dry sea-
son, when it is particularly needed.
1t is the low water flow that deter
mines to a great extent the availability
of any given amount for municipal use,
or hydro electric develop
ment, and anything which will increase
this flow is therefore a factor of prime
Importance.
What the National Forest Does,
A typical example of the ways in
which the national forests benefit the
water user is furnished-by the Pike Ma
tional forest in Colorado This forest
extends along the range of the Rocky
mountains from somewhat north of
Denver to south of Colorado Springs
and includes within its boundaries a
portion of the headwaters
of the South Platte and Arkansas riv-
ers.
Irrigation by means of water coming
from the mountains included in the
Pike National forest had its beginning
in 1860 along the South Platte river in
South park and also near Denver.
Since then the area in which irrigation
is praeticed has grown steadily until
now it is estimated at some 400, 600
acres, valued at about $40, 000, 900 and
worth an annual crop production of
over $40, 900. 600. on many acres where
water is not available dry farming
is practiced. but the results are I'M
certain and the yields much less than
of irrigated lands.
The value of the water in this re-
gion is so great that the natural flow
of the streams is greatly over-appro-
priated and there is need for every ad-
ditonal drop that can be developed or
stored. Practically all the great plains
lying east Of the Rocky mountains are
agricultural lands and the
only limit to its development is the
amount of water which can be secured
for Irrigation.
So well recognized is the part played
by the forest cover in protecting tie
water supply, that in one case an or
ganization of farmers has protested
against the cutting of timber on GER
tain lands
Above all, what we cannot too
strongly recommend for, are huge.
deep, water-tight cisterns or wells, tile
drainage and heavy, tall. windbreaking.
long leaf pine trees for all those farms,
gardens and stock ranches from the
source down to the mouth of the great
Mississippi. and all other rivers. OF
course, an these vast unidentified acres
should be heavily forested.
In the last three centuries there have