American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1922-08-24
PROJECT GIVEN THE
OK. BY SWENDSEN
Detailed Report to Commissioners
Points Out Many Reasons for Big
District-Last Chance for Additional
Water.

water
Pocatello, Idaho, Aug. 2S.--After the
investigation required by law, the
state of Idaho, through its department
of reclamation, has placed the seal of
its approval upon the Great American
Falls reservoir project The report on
this project has been sent by Commits
sioner Warren G. Swendsen to the
county commissioners having jurisdic-
tion.
In this report Commissioner Swend-
sen points out that the proposition af-
fords the last opportunity for those
sections in Snake River Valley need
ing additional, or protection water to
bring their supply up to requirements
at all times, before the present sur
plus is dedicated to new acres" which
he adds, "is policy greatly to the
interest of the state and it's citizens"
Commissioner Swendsen's report
goes into the subjects of water sup
ply, reservoir construction, etc., and
points out that the purpose of organ
iZing the proposed super district is
solely to finance the project. and not
trict embracing the following areas
giving state construction to the limi-
tation of the powers of the district.
Attorney General Black had previous
ly given the Idaho Reclamation asso-
citation an opinion to the same effect.
Commissioners Report.
Commissioner Swendsen's report
follows:
Under date of July 9Th, 1922, there
was filed in this office the petition
of Irwin G. Lincoln ct al praying for
the organization of an Irrigation Dis
80 t. AznI a..
4,200.30 acres of land Madison Coun-
ty. 2,504.82 acres of land Bonneville
County. 51,78218 acres of land Bing-
Power County 95,293.44 acres of land
Jerome County. 97,957.02 acres Of
land Gooding County. 6,287.16 acres
of land Gilmore County. 221,981.37
acres of land Twin Falls County.
Making a total of 48752311 acres.
The said petition was accompanied by
a general map showing the boundary
of the proposed District, the lands to
be included therein, together with the
location of the canals and other struc-
lures now in existence and serving the
lands in the proposed District, and the
location of the American Falls Reser-
voir which is to be constructed for the
purpose of providing an additional
water supply for the said lands.
Pursuant to the provisions of law.
] have given this petition, together
with the accompanying data and other
information relating thereto available
to this Department, consideration and
it is my pleasure to offer the follow
ing report:
An examination of the data, includ-
ing land descriptions, together with
my detailed knowledge of the area EN-
bodied in the proposed district, dis
closes the fact that lands included in
the said district are all situated in lr-
rigation projects which has hereto
fore been constructed, and have been
in operation for a number of years last
past The evident purpose of organic
ing this District is, therefore, to Sc
sure an additional or supplemental
water supply
Water Supply.
The supplemental water supply for
the proposed District is, according to
the petition and accompanying data
to be derived from a reservoir to be
constructed at American Falls, such
water supply to be made available tC
the lands situated below American
Falls by releasing the same to Snake
River, conveying it thence in the nat.
ural channel to the various points Of
diversion now in use and the lands
situated above American Falls are tC
receive supplemental water by ex-
changing rights to be acquired II
American Falls for reservoir rights II
Jackson Lake, which last mentioned
reservoir is already completed.
A consideration of the stream flow
data relating to the flow of Snake
River, indicates that the water supply
is ample and sufficient for the needs
of the proposed District, together
with other interests and lands which
are, under present plans to receive
water from the said Reservoir.
Reservoir Construction.
Abundant data is available, bearing
upon the feasibility of empoundini
water in American Fails reservoir, in
cluding records of foundation test
conducted by the United States Recla
nation Service, and a careful stud!
of the reservoir basin by expert geo
logists, all of which are favorable.
/ am convinced, therefore, that thu
proposed reservoir is practicable anC
feasible.
Purpose of Organization.
A consideration of the petition in
dicates clearly that this District is t.
be organized for the sole and onl.
purpose of financing the purchase 0
water in the American Falls res arvoi
and that when this function is per
formed and the obligations Rrowini
out of the same are discharged, th'
District will have no other function
Reclamation Service funds now ant
present Canal Companies and organ
izations not delivering water to land
in the proposed District, to function
as each may for itself from time u
time determine. The proposed res
ervoir is TO be constructed by fund
contributed from this proposed Dis
trict, other Irrigation Districts an
Companies desiring additional water
and by the United States Government
each to the extent of their respectiv
needs 1t is my information that tn
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