Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1922-08-25
IDAHO APPROVES
AMERICAN FALLS
RESERVOIR PLAN
Continued from page u

quired in American Falls for reser-
voir rights in 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
lis 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 impounding
water in American Falls reservoir,
Including records of foundation tests
conducted by the United States Rec
lamation Service, and a careful study
of the reservoir basin by expert geol-
ogists, all of which are favorable.
am convinced, therefore, that the
proposed reservoir is practicable and
feasible.
PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
A consideration of the petition indi-
Gates clearly that this district is to
be organized for the sole and only
purpose of financing the purchase of
water in the American Falls reser-
voir and that when this function is
performed and the obligations grow
ing out of the same are discharged,
the district will have no other fune-.
tions to perform, 1t being the plan
for the present canal companies and
organizations now delivering water
to lands in the proposed district, to
function as each may for itself from
time to time determine. The pro-
posed reservoir is to be constructed
by funds contributed from this pro-
posed district, other irrigation dis
tricts and companies desiring addi-
tional water, and by the United
States Government, each to the ex-
tent of their respective needs. 1t is
my information that the United
States Reclamation Service expect to
obtain water from this source for
the Minidoka Extension Project, ag-
gregating $4,000 acres, and that
payment for water therefor will be
made from the United States Rec
nation Service funds.
A study of the Snake river water
resource indicates clearly the neees-
sity for building this proposed res
ervoir. and the writer considers the
proposed arrangement for its con-
struction to be highly desirable and
in the interest of the state. 1t is
of great Importance to the petition
ers and the state generally that the
United States Reclamation Service
funds now and hereafter to be al
lotted to the Minidoka Extension
Project be made available. The hon
orable Secretary of the Interior has
indicated definitely to the writer
that the United States cannot and
will not go ahead with the construc-
ton of this reservoir unless the pri-
vate canal companies and districts
who have heretofore subscribed for
water and who constitute In part
the owners of land in this proposed
district, furnish their proportionate
share of the necessary funds.
Should the district be organized as
proposed, and its bonds in an amount
to pay for it's interest in the Ameri-
can Falls reservoir be issued, the
writer is firmly convinced that the
same will find ready favorable mar
ket, thus making cash available for
construction without delay.
Viewed from the interest of the
state, the citizens in the proposed
district and in the Snake River val
ley generally, it is very certain that
the organization of this district is
very desirable and that the dedica-
tion of additional water to the lands
therein, according to their needs, VIII
constitute the best and greatest pos
sible beneficial use that could be had
of the now surplus water resource.
Your attention is directed to the
fact that the plan as now contem-
plated will, If carried out. afford an
opportunity to the landowners IN
this district and other areas Whlch
will participate in the construction
of the American Falls reservoir, to
obtain such additional water as they
may need for the complete irrigation
of their lands before the present sur
MUS is dedicated to new areas. Thls,
likewise, is policy greatly to the
interest of the state and its cltlzens.
Because of the foregoing condi-
tions, it is my pleasure to recommend
this petition to your favorable con-
sideration. Yours very truly,
w. G. SWENDSEN,