The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1924-07-18
No WATER WENT
To WASTE LAST
YEAR IS FOUND
S w e n d S en- Finds all
w alter possible was
Impounded for Pro-
ject during Season

Reports that water. now 50 pre-
ciously needed. flowed 10 waste down
the Boise river last winter have no
basis in fact according to an analy
sis OF The seasons flow made by W
C. Swendsen. Idaho commissioner OF
reclamation. His findings are con
CURED in by \. v Tallman. Boise
river watermaster.
Only such water as was needed 10
supply prior power rights and to
sluice sil, and sand from the river At
he diversion dam head was not
stored. Mr. Swendscn finds. In out
lining the situation and giving the
lie to false reports which have been
so freely circulated. Mr.. Swendscn.
IN a formal statement. says.
In order TO satisfy various requests
FOR information regarding the ques
ton as to whether or not Boise
River water was wasted during the
storage period OF the curren, year
a careful analysis OF the records o.
flow has been made by the under
signed over the period in question.
and the following reductions are
made and represent the actual condi-
tons That prevail from time 10 time
"The total quality OF water in the
river Immediately above the diversion
dam at the head OF the New York
Canal. from November |, 1923 to
March 81. 1924. is found to be 267.-
1872 acre feet OF this qauntiiy OF
water 1880 acre feet WIS diverted
into the New York Canal and the
Deer Flat Reservoir. except such
quantity as was lost in transmission
in the said New York Canal
Power Rights Get Water
"Thc quantity OF water that passed
the diversion dam at the head OF
the New York Canal during this per
iod amounted to oo.626 acre feet OF
this last said quantity. vested power
rights at Barber Dam required So
S6f acre feet. which said rights. ac-
cording to Court DEGREES. are prior
TO the rights OF the Government for
storage at Arrowrock and Deer Flat
reservoirs.
an addition 10 the said S0S6l acre
feet. lo04S acre feet of the quantity
which passed the said diversion dam
was required md was used in sluicing
out the forebay or reservoir above the
diversion dam. This suicng is per
iodically necessary in order to dis
pose of the rather large volume OF
Silt and debris which accumulates in |
the said forebay. If the sluicing is
not done the accumulated silt finds |
It's way. during the irrigation season |
into the various canals. particularly |
the New York and Ridenbaugh, and |
interferes with their capa-
city and would materially increase |
the cost OF annual maintenance and |
repair. 1t is my conclusion, there
fore that at least until such time as
other means OF disposing of the said
silt. are found. and it is extremely
doubtful If other means can be found
The use OF at least this quantity OF
water periodically for sluicing the
said forabay or reservoir. is necessary
While the rights to the use
OF water for power at Barber
Dam amount to s0.S64 acre feet
il is observed that during the
period in question. and when il
was realized tina. Arrowrock re-
servoir would probably not FILL
the owners of power rights at
Barber dam generously con-
scented to reducing their flow for
power use in order that the max