The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1924-05-22
COMBATING THE
WATER FAMINE
Regulation of DEGREES
Not Being Considered
At This Time

unless cnanSe which Will luQl'
cate that Snake river has reached
its peak flow for the season; occurs,
no attempt at regulation of water
} rights, will be made at this time,
it was decided at a meeting of the
committee Of Nine acting for the
water users of the Upper Snake River
velley at a conference held in Twin
Falls Wednesday.
G. Clyde Baldwin, water master,
who attended the meating declared
upon his return to Idahi Falls that
while no action will be taken just
ours, regulation of the water flow
according to water rights will be
started.
For several days the river has
been rising at Heise," said Mr.. Bard
win. Under normal conditions the
run off should be just starting, but
conditions now would indicate that
the flood run off will be limited both
as to amount and to duration"
Mr.. Baldwin stated that while a
water shortage, is apparent, it does
not necessarily follow that great
losses to the farmer will follow.
Careful and early use of water, prob
abilities of showers during the sum-
mer which will undoubtedly aid those
not so fortunately fixed with prior
water rights, constitute a hopeful
note in the situation, he said. There
is no justification at this time, for
the restriction of acreage on the
theory that an extreme year may re-
suit, in his opinion.
In the event OF regulation the
first step taken Is to limit the can
ais to receiving of water bestowed
by DEGREES, the second step will be
to cut permits and license rights, If
it should become necessary, and the
third step would be to cut of water
in reverse order to the dates of their
rights. Cessation of storing in Jack
son lake would probably occur coin
cident with move to regulation.
Study of conditions at Jackson
lake and along the river is to be con-
tinued through a committee consist
ing of E. B. Darlington, w. o. Cotton
and C. Clyde Baldwin, who were
named as a sub-committe to the COM
mittee of nine with power to act.
The subcommittee will arrange
FOR a Joint investigation of the bank
storage, the natural lake storage,
losses and gains at Jackson lake.
1.-THE committee will Investigate
he segregation of storage and ma
,ural flow water. No undue expense
will be gone to in order to collect
iata and it's activities will in no way
conflict with later investigation
which may be ordered by the water
lsers," said Mr.. Baldwin.
Appreciation of the seriousness OF
he situation throughout the Snake
liver valley this season was evidenc-
ID throughout the deliberations of
he committee which is composed OF
of water users OF
district number SO, extending from
he point where Snake river enters
he state to include territory served
Nth water diverted at Miner dam.
Various suggestions were advanced
or making the best possible use OF
he available supply in the interests
I all the districts water users. In
his connection F. A. Miller of st.
.nthony( suggested as an alternative
Or proposed plan of tagging distri-
ution of water, that trade might
e affected to mutual advantage be-
ween water users of the Twin Falls
rejects and those of the north fork.
hree canal systems on the north
DIX, he suggested, may pe III poSl
on to divert for users lower down
le stream a total of 1850 second
yet of water beginning late in July.
Protest was made at the commit
,e's meeting by Mr.. Shepherd
zainst use by the Idaho Power Com
any of Hastings on its dam at Am
.ican Falls to divert water through
le turbines of its new plant there.
The committe authorized sending
: letter protesting against diver
on of 10 second feet at Miner to
le Miner Low Lift irrigation dis
let. The river has been practically
v below Miner dam since April
cept for unavoidable leakage, those
nversant with the situation assert
Members of the committee who at
nded the meeting were John w.
art, Rigby, chairman; John Lee,
Igby, secretary; w. o. Cotton.
aho Falls; John E. Kelley, Shelley;
!. C. Sollanberger, Blackfoot; F. A;
Iller St. Anthony; E. B. Darlington,
riley; R. E. Shepherd, Jerome; T.
Baird, Twin Falls. The absent
smber was Eph Peterson of Rex