The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1923-03-15
= RESERVOIR NEWS

II The American Falls Press has
II been publishing information about
II the proposed reservoir, and we re-
II print the following:
II The American Falls reservoir dis
II trict vote Tuesday, Jan. 16, resulted
\ in favor of the formation of the dis
i trict by majority of six to one,
II over 5000 votes being cast. Eighty
H five and four-tenths per cent of those
Il who voted were in favor of the pro-
II ject.
This means that an organization is
now effected for the purchase OF
II water from the government thru
II bonding process, the bond issue to be
voted upon within the next ninety
days. The irrigation district con-
| tract with the reclamation service
| will be voted upon at the same time.
| If the bond issue carries, the sale of
the bonds will be a comparatively
easy matter as they will be secured
by improved irrigated land and
backed in a way by the United States
government.
The building of the great dam and
reservoir at American Falls and the
development of the North Side Mini
doka project by the reclamation SER
vice will mean the expenditure of ap-
proximately $20,00O,0O0 in the i'm
mediate vicinity of American Falls
within, the next five years. The over
whelming majority in favor of the
creation of the American Falls res
ervoir district seems to indicate that
there will be little difficulty in carry
ing the bond issue when it comes to a |
vote the twelfth of May, possibly |
sooner
Before the bond issue can be voted |
upon it will be necessary for the
board of directors of the newly
created district to enter into a con-
tract with the reclamation service
and have this contract approved by
the contracting companies within the
reservoir district.
The Idaho Power company is now
employing a force of IT'S men who
are installing two additional power
units which will develop 1900 ad
ditional horse power at American
Falls.
American Falls Dam and Reservoir
Is there any construction work
under way now? No.
When will it start? Not for several
months.
Is there any land open for home
stealing? Practically none.
When is the government going to
open its land for entry. Probably
not for five years at least. II
Will any new land be watere' I
from the American Falls reservoir?
Yes The Greater Fort Hall Project /
probably will contract for water to
use on land now dry farmed. This LF
land will not be available for five or
ten years. The North Side Minid0ka &
Project will also be opened If water z
is made available from the American +
Falls dam. This is not less than five T
years distant. Z
What will be done with all the
stored water? 1t will be used by ir- q
and canal companies already N
operating and which desire more
water than is now available. There +
are thirty-four of these companies in N
the Snake river valley now. A
When will the reservoir be con-
1t may be several years, A
but present indications are that the "
reclamation service will be in a posi-
ton to begin construction about the
summer of 1923. F
Is the reservoir a sure thing? No. R
Following the formation of the irri- o.
cation district bond election must :
be voted. Then bonds must be ad-
vertised and sold in an amount to
pay the installments on the most of
he dam and reservoir as they fall
1ue.
How much is that? Between five
md ten million dollars.
How much land is included in the
PETITION? Approximately 100000
Lcres.
What is the nature of this irriga-
ion district. 1t is formed for the
exclusive purpose of voting bonds for
he purchase of water.
When will the town of American
Falls be moved? That depends upon
vhen money is available for the
uilding of the dam. At the earliest
will not be moved before the fall
+ 1928.
Where will it be moved to? About
alf mile east of it's present loca
ion. Who will pay for the moving?
he reclamation service. The gov
will buy up the property,l =.
love 1t to and establish 1t on the
ew model townsite and then sell
to the public In this way 1t will
scover the major portion that it ex-
ends for city property.
Has any movng or Improvements
the(new townsite taken place? No.
Would you advise me to come to
Falls for work? No. There
no construction work at the pres
1t time.
Who should l write to for job on
le project? Address your letter to
AIRY Dibble, Project Manager, U. S.
S., American Falls, Idaho.
[TY SUPERIN-