The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1921-06-23
SMALL PROSPECTS FOR
new DAM
All Reclamation Work Stopped
for Lack of Funds-Not
Abandoned.

Settlers of the Emmett Irrigation
District and the Black Canyon Dis
trlct might as well be prepared for
the worst, as the prospect for any
work being done on the dam at Black
canyon this year by the government
is doubtful. This view of the situation
is generally taken by those in
close touch with conditions in the
government reclamation department
for the reason that the funds avail
able are barely sufficient to pay op-
Grating expenses of the department.
because of this fact, policy of re-
trenchment has been adopted, and
construction work on reclamation
projects has been discontinued. Or
ders were received last week to def
nrtely postpone operations on the
American Falls project, with little
likelihood that any construction will
be resumed until next year.
The only hope of the Emmett Irri-
cation Distrnct is the critical condi-
ton OF the districts system and low
ebb in its finances. So serious is the
situation that it is hoped that an
emergency may be recognized by the
reclamation department and funds
made available for immediate relief.
To this end, Congressman French is
working and it is earnestly hoped he
will be successful.
The gravity of the situation is also
recognized by the newspapers of |
southwestern Idaho and has called |
forth strong editorial pleas for ac-
ton. The Caldwell Tribune even goes
so far as to charge a "breach of
faith" That paper says:
If, as is now evident, the United
States reclamation service has indef-
lmtely postponed its contract prom
lse to build the Black CANON dam,
such policy constitutes nothing short
of breach of faith with Emmett Ir-
rigatiou settlers.
Black Canyon can wait, if it is nee
essary. One or two more years added
to the long ones already past, per-
haps won't do material harm. But
Emmett valley farmers face disaster
that can only be averted by immediate
prosecution and completion, of the
Black Canyon dam and substantial
canal to supply lands already in
high state of cultivation; lands that
will revert to primeval conditions un-
less some agency can avert the ca !
lamity which confronts their owners.
Every obligation imposed upon set
tiers under the Emmett Irrigation
district has been complied with under
terms of the reclamation service con-
tract. In good faith the district has '
proceeded with full expectations that '
the government would meet them =
halfway
Like bomb from clear sky comes
now the announcement that the gov I
ernment cannot fulfill its contra ct, c
that some other solution must be pro- l.
vided for this critical situation. And I
there is no solution. :,
Confscatory maintenance charges U
on the sidehill canal above Emmett a
now in use have been postponed be- f
ieving that the Black Canyon dam E
was an immediate certainty. Recla-
nation engineers have reported that 7
his canal cannot be maintained at d
my cost for more than two irriga- r.
ion seasons. 1t must be replaced
With a more substantial water diver :;
ion system.
If Emmett farmers should proceed n
o carry out this work without feder- IL
i aid, Black Canyon lands must re-
main indefinitely as they are today, :,
rid and nom productive. Caldwell =
imply cannot permit this to occur. e'
g