Glacier County chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1931-1940, 1940-08-09

structed within Prairie county at an
average cost Of S3,170.62 each.
Drouth conditions after completion
Of the dam necessitated the drilling
of a well to secure water to fill the
holding area. This was done at a cost
an additional cost of 1897 for deep
water pumping equipment.
Nine other wells were drilled in the
area at an average cost of S536.36 and
in depth averaged 1894 feet. Several
old wells within the area were re-
paired at a total cost of S1,943.13. A
total of 20 springs have been devel-
oped for stock watering purposes at a
total cost Of S10,387.74.
Aimed primarily at making the area
a stock grazing center, work has been
carried on toward making it likewise
self-sufficient in years to come. Among
the first work accomplished was the
removal of all buildings from ranches
purchased within the confines of the
grazing district. A total of POT build
ings were salvaged at cost of S52,-
24774 Also q total of 531 miles of
fence was shown by a survey but only
about 40 miles were Salvaged. The re-
mainder was left for use of resident
operators who have leases for winter
grazing on tracts which are fenced or
partly fenced.
Other Surveys Made
Three other surveys were carried on
during the early stages of the develop
ment work. A grass survey covering
I the entire county or 100000 acres at
a cost of more than sl2,7l4; drain
at an average cost per structure OF
S9651, and a boundary survey of 223
miles at total cost of s1,35113.
At the time these statistics were re-
leased total of POT miles of fence had
been built, consisting of split cedar
posts, the butts creosote-dippe anc
four wires with two stays per panel
This was constructed at a total cost
of s76,589.99 or 1910 per mile and en-
closes almost the entirety of Prairie
county.
A total of 60 stock passes through
the fence were constructed and con.
stitute the only means of entering the
government land. Cost of these passes
which are made of 2 by 8 lumber SCI
on edge over buttressed walls, was moi
given.
The IA impending dams range from
one that cost S23,677 and drains 3,76t
acres to smaller earth dams for hold.
ing runoff water for stock watering
be irrigated either by flooding OF
pumping for the purpose of raising
wild hay and grass. After the projecI
started approximately 25 dam spill
ways were damaged to the extent Of
more than 5000 each for repairs.
A total of SGT acres of contour dyk.
ing was accomplished at a total cost
of Sl3,384.73 for the purpose of spread.
ing water below the dams to raist
hay and feed Also total of 1,O95 acre:
of contour listing was done at a cos
of S87430 for the purpose of erosion
control in fields and flood contro
where gullies carry excessive amounts
of runoff water.
PlatS Are Seeded
Some $3.50 acres were seeded Il
demonstration plots of range grass anc
BITS acres to range reseeded TO native
grass at total cost for both project!
of S11,645.56.
Near the center Of the area is con
structed a large corral with concret,
; dipping vat, branding and dehornin(
chute, truck scales and loading chutes
1t is one of three such units in thu
. area. constructed at an average cos
of S6,07525. Stock will be weighed ant
: trucked directly from the area to thu