The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1921-04-21

to the present charges upon the LAND
would make q total Of approximatel,
$50 per acre. We believe this viii
compare favorably with most Other
projects in this part Of the state.
The water right under the govern
ment project in Boise valley is $Ss
per acre and on top of this there is
a drainage charge which under the
Emmett Irrigation District would moi
be necessary.
The repayment to the government
for the first A years is per cent o.
the total cost. Supposing that the dis
trict is required to repay on the to-
tai cost of the dam of 1 million dol
lars two percentum, which would be
$4,000 or about 81 per acre. Let US
compare this cost with the mainte-
rance of the present canal. During
the last four or five years this item
has not been less than SIS to 81 per
acre. The larger amount of this was
used for maintenance and reconstruc-
ton IN the canyon, the part of the
canal which will be done away with
upon the building of the dam. With
water delivered at the head Of the
bench there will be no long canal to
maintain. The maintenance Of the
canal on the bench will not cost to
exceed 81 per acre and there would
seem no reason for that amount Of
expense. After the development Of
the Black Canyon lands the cost of
maintaining the South Side canal will
be taken over by the government and
the district will be charged only a.
amount for the delivery of
water to the south side lands. Our
contention is that by the construction
Of the dam the maintenance can be re-
duced to 81, or at most $1.50 per acre;
that the repayment for four years,
even upon the entire cost of the dam
will not exceed 81 per acre; that the
'otal of maintenance and repayment |
will not exceed $3.50 per acre. or
laf the present assessment; that af-
er four years the Black Canyon lands |
viii have assumed half of the cost Of
he dam and that even then upon a 6
Ter cent basis for repayment the to-
al assessment forOmaintenance and
repayment will not exceed SO per
ere.
The second question for considera-
ion is the water supply. At no time
4 the last 13 years has there ever
cen an adequate water supply for
ne lands of the Emmett Irrigation ,
district Three-eights Of an inch will
OF produce a full crop. Nothing is
} discouraging as to see crop dry J
Ig up for want of sufficient water
J properly irrigate it. Out of that :
'op must come the money to pay the
'st of seed, labor, water and a small
,oft to the grower The govern =
ent contract for the construction of
e Black Canyon dam gives US an
surance of full water supply, de- !
rered on the first day Of April ard
livered every day in an even steady
w. To every man can be measured
t the full amount of water to which
is entitled. The water will oe there
the spring when you want it, it will
there in plenty during tire hot days
July end August and instead of two
three tons Of hay % The acre you
A produce five or six or more. YJd
MT be tempted to slip out at night
1 stealthily rob your neighbor Of
all too little water supply, for you
] know that he is getting plenty
so are you. It will make better
ghbors, a more contented and hap-
people, more prosperous commu-
he third question for consideration
he effect which the building of the
a by the government will have up
our land values. Our lands have
er advanced to the high values that
= have in other sections of the
,e. This perhaps has been fortu-
e. The building Of the dam at
ck Canyon will be one of the great
advertisements that this section
ever had. It viii be noted in ev- /
part of the country. The En-
Irrigation District has been no.
Gus for its shortage of water and
| cost of maintenance. This will
longer be true. 1t viii then be
vn as government project, and
'yernment project always inspires
dence. Our lands are attractive /.
rice, we have soil that will com
favorably with any section in the
, and with an adequate and sure
r supply our land values will be
lized.