Great Falls tribune., 1922-04-26
WILL IRRICATE
$4,000 A. UNIT
BY 1923, PLAN
Call for Bids on Second Green.
field Bench Project
Announced.

IL
work for the irrigation of the second
Greenfield bench unit Of the Sun River
irrigation project. involving the ex-
penditure Of approximately $500, 900,
and to place water on the land for the
1923 crop, have been announced by
the government through George c.
Sanford. project manager.
The government construction works
bring an additional 10000 acres under
water, making the total $1,000 acres
or about a third of the irrigable lands
to the north side Of the river. The
bids will be opened at ? o'clock on
June 6 at Mr.. Sanford's office.
This marks the last unit that will be
authorized in the district until there
have been storage facilities provided,
according to Mr.. Sanford.
Finish Work in Year
The bids call for the completion of
the earth work by this fall and the
completion Of the structural work by
next spring, closing the work in less
than year after the letting of the bids,
The work is diYided into ID schedules.
IL on the earth excavation and three
on the structural work. This will per-
NIT bids to be let on the basis of units
of the construction. each bidder being
allowed to specify whether his bid is
for any number Of schedules.
The speed of the work will be
largely dependent upon the wishes Of
the contractor. but will probably mean
a force of from Is to 100 men at
work. according to Mr.. Sanford
The new unit to the project lies in
to Great Falls, being about 90 miles
distant and the extreme point about 3S
miles from the city. The bench is some
six miles east of Fairfield on the Mil
waukee railway.
To Charge for Water Used
The plans Of the reclamation service
call for a charge made on the lands
on a basis Of the actual water used, at
for the season. The reason for this
method, according to Mr.. Sanford is
the chance that the water can not be
guaranteed for delivery until storage
facilities have been prepared, condi-
ton which may not be met for some
time and will mean the spending of
several million dollars.
When the storage facilities are pre-
pared. the payment'on the project will
be made on the usual 2O-year plan.
The construction involves some
11S.OOO cubic yards of canal excava-
ton. 21,OOO cubic yards of structure
1850 cubic yards of rein
forced concrete. the laying of about
$500 linear feet of vitrified and con-
crete pipe, and the placing of wooden
structures Of about 171,OO0 feet,
board measurement of lumber.
$1,000 Bridge Planned
The reclamation service will CON
struct a bridge across the main canal
on the Parkto-Park highway It will
be of reinforced concrete construction
instead of the former type Of bridge
and will cost about $1,000, not to be
included in the other construction
costs.
Keen bidding is promised on the
construction work. There are six
contractors already in the territory
work and will be ready to
take on other jobs by the time the jobs
are let. All of these are expected to
De competitors in seeking the new jobs
and there is heavy waiting list Of
who desire information on
the construction with the view of bid
ling.
Dry Land Farmers Given Preference /!
The construction work had prev
ously been delayed due to the lack
If funds in the reclamation depart
mt. The second Greenfield bench |
vas to have been placed under ditch
n 1916, but was given up in answer
% the protests of the land owners, |
Who, after two good crops, felt the
irrigation system was unnecessary. |
LAST spring. following series Of dry |
ears, committee from the Great |
Falls commercial club met with the
armers and the campaign for the
project was launched.
The reclamation service set aside
100000 last year for the work.
In employing men and teams for the
york, preference will be given to dry
and farmers Of the district. according
o Mr.. Sanford.