The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1921-08-05
PLAN IRRIGATION
ON UPPER SALMON
STATE RECLAMATION DEPART
MENT PROPOSES GREAT DAM
LOCATED NEAR STANLEY AND
TUNNEL TO PIERCE SAW
TOOTH MOUNTAINS,

| ACoAh -N&tG ~ .lN9.
A dam higher than Arrowrock.
IN the salmon river near Stanley,
and tunnel through the solid
granite OF the Sawfooth noun
tains, are the proposals of the
state reclamation department as
solution for the problem Of put
ting water on the Mountain
Home-Sanny side area Of half
million acres.
his WAS announced Saturday
by Reclamation Commissioner W
q. Swendsen in making public a
report by Assistant Commission.
er George b. Archibald following
u reconnaissance just made hy
him in the Salmon river country.
Study of the possibilities contain
ed IN this plan have been impelied.
MIR. Swendsen said, by three facts.
me hrst Is that settlement on these
lands Is taking place in the utter alb
sence OF any Immediately feasible
plan TO water them. Secondly, inyes-
LEGATIONS have already been instigat-
eel for solving the problem of reclaim
ing them, in connection with the pro-
posed great dam at American Falls.
And finally, IL Is a certainty that the
area of reclaimable land in the Snake
river valley is far in excess Of the
water available therein, and other
supplies must be drawn upon If their
potential value is to be realized.
Salmon Water Sufficient.
Mr.. Archibald's repor, bears out
these premises, and further indicates
That the Salmon river offers both q
sufficient and accessible supply for
this purpose. IL also dwells on other
features that make the scheme very
attractive one
Commissioner Swendsen's state
ment in making public the report OF
the reconnaissance follows:
The Mountain Home -Sunnyside
tract Is one OF the most valuable areas
OF undeveloped agricultural land in
Idaho. Owing to peculiar geographic
conditions and locations of streams.
the irrigation Of the tract is quite diff
iicult, and despite great efforts in the
past nothing tangible or definite had
thus far been accomplished.
unfortunately some of these landx
have been occupied by settlers with
the hope. and probably in some in
stances the definite understanding,
that water supply would be afforded.
Losses IN time and money have been
suffered, to the end that they may
be afforded assistance and the states
resources IN this great area, be de-
Veloped, studies are now under way
to determine feasible means of secur-
ing water for il.
Snake River Plans.
Through the efforts of the Boise
l lf'hAphge nf
mittee on irrigation, headed by Leo
J. Falk, a definite plan has been ma
tured for obtaining data relative to
the feasibility of irrigating these
lands by water from Snake river TO be
lmpounded in the proposed American
Falls reservoir A fund of 1000 has
been raised for this investigation by
the chamber, the United States recla-
nation service and through the CO.
operation and financial support Of the
department of reclamation, state of
Idaho. The necessary survey for field
work IN connection with this inyesti-
CATION is in charge of the United
States reclamation service and is eth
err now under way or will be under
taken IN the immediate future.
"ln furthering future reclama-
tion development In Idaho. IL IL
of great Importance, IL the best
use ~ To be had Of our water sup
ply, that careful study be made of
each individual watershed in its
entirety, taking into account:
/ first, the available lands. consid-
crina all Of the elements that go
To make up their value when re-
/ claimed: and above all things, the
question of proper use of the
states water supply To the end
that when development IL COM
( pleted We will be sure that we
! have built we'll and secured the
greatest good to the greatest
numbers therefrom.
1T therefore becomes necessary to
consider many problems and to extend
the scope of study To all possibilities
in and about the Snake river valley
and its adjacent territory. That is
why the state department of reclama-
ton Is going into the possibilities of
the Salmon river and its tributaries.
Keeping Daily Records.
Measuring stations have been es-
tabllshed in the Stanley basin on all
streams apparently possible to divert
for use. and daily records Of flow are
being kept. Mr.. Archibald's trip was
to study physical conditions 20 be en-
eountered and 10 determine whether
detailed surveys OF this possible
source are justified. lie was accom-
panied by W. r. Armstrong. s. ii.
Hays and our well known reclamation
supporter and enthusiast. James b
Hays, local engineer. who for the
last year or more has devoted no
small amount Of time 10 the compil
alton OF data and study of this posi-
bility."
Mr.. Archibald's report first reviews
and confirms the conclusions reached
by the commission regarding the eN-
cess of land available over available
water in the Snake river valley. He
declares fatty that study shows the
Salmon river TO be the only possibility