NARRATIVE REPORT COVERING IRRIGATION ACTIVITIES IN UTAH DURING CALENDAR YEAR 1923. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUER BUREAU OF PUBLIC ROADS, DIVIIDON OF AGRICULTRAL ENGINEERING. In Cooperation with UTAH AGRICULTUERAL COLLEGE EXTENSION SERVICE and UTAH EXPERIMENT STATION. L.M. Winsor, Irrigation Engineer.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
A. Organization Page 1.
B. Summary of Work Undertaken Page 1.
C. Discussion of Results Obtained, Page 2. 1. Consolidation of Independent Irrigation Enterprises into Mutual Organizations. (a) At Spring City, Page 4. (b) At Wales, Page 5. (c) At Gunnison, at Fairview, and at Kanarra, Page 5. (c) At Cedar City Page 5. (e) At Daniel, Page 6.
2. Control of Drifting Gravel in Swollen Streams, Page 7.
3. Detail of Season’s Work in Overflow Dam Construction and Results of Former Work, Page 10. (a) At Nephi, Page 10. (b) At Kanosh, Page 11. (c) At Beaver, Page 11. (d) At Spring City, Page 12. (e) At Santaquin, Page 12.
4. New Gravel Control New Diversion Works Built in 1923, 13. (a) The Chalk Creek or Fillmore Structure, Page 13. (b) The Enterprise Flood Control and Diversion Works, Page 14. (c) In Davis County and in Box Elder County, Page 17.
5. Miscellaneous Irrigation Development Work, Page 18. (a) Use of Early Water in Irrigation, Page 18. (b) State Agricultural Program, Page 19. (c) County Agricultural Program, Page 20. (d) Irrigation Legislation, Page 20. (e) Other Irrigation and Drainage Problems, Page 21.
N.B. Photographic Supplement Compiled under Separate Cover. In order that the work covered in this report may be more clearly understood, a photographic supplement together with explanatory notes has been prepared and is bound under separate cover for convenience as a reference while reading the report.
IRRIGATION WORK IN UTAH DURING 1923. [Map]
ANNUAL REPORT OF EXTENSION WORK IN IRRIGATION & DRAINAGE, 1923. [Map]
NARRATIVE REPORT COVERING COOPERATIVE IRRIGATION WORK IN UTAH DURING 1923 by L.M. Winsor Irrigation Engineer in Charge.
SUMMARY OF WORK UNDERTAKEN
Notwithstanding the three fold cooperation in financing the irrigation investigations in Utah, it has been possible to concentrate along two main lines of study and most of the effort has been directed to the end of obtaining results in these two fields. In the first place, the work of consolidation of small irrigation enterprises which was begun in 1914 has been followed up consistently and with satisfactory results. In the second case, the studies in control of drifting gravel in open channels during high water has been pursued with vigor and real progress has been made. In a more limited way, attention has been given the following problems:
1. Studies relative to the use of early irrigation in crop production.
2. Working out a State program in irrigation expansion and reclamation
3. Experiments in working out a county agricultural program which correlates all agricultural activities from reclamation and irrigation to marketing of the finished product.
4. Controlling flood waters on low-lands and improving pasture lands by means of shallow open drains.
5. Consultations relative to determining proper source of municipal water supply and the feasibility of installing hydroelectric plants for municipal use and pumping for irrigation.
-2- DISCUSSION OF RESULTS OBTAINED. Consolidation of Independent Enterprises into Mutual Organizations. Utah’s agricultural development is dependent upon the extent to which her supply of irrigation water may be put to economic use. The greatest need of the immediate future is to provide a means of utilizing to the fullest advantage the sources of supply now carried in canal systems, rather than to spend the vast sums of money required for building new projects and constructing large reservoirs.
Under this project, it has been the aim to provide a means whereby the water users already on the ground might make their own needed improvements and thus put to beneficial use the water supply already within limits of their irrigation works, without the necessity of bonding or even borrowing funds for the work necessary to be done. Time has proved that this method of approach is not only possible but the practical way of working out the complicated problem involved in such an operation. It requires much time, patience, and perseverance to bring about a final conclusion. It can be done only thru the operation of a public agency such as is represented by the cooperative organization now operating in Utah. This is because of the human problem which enters whenever the question of exchange of water rights comes in for consideration. When committees are left to themselves in the handling of such issues they must, invariably, resort to the courts for a settlement. They always accuse each other of having some ulterior motive in any proposition which local individuals may have to present. On the other hand, the same proposition will often meet with (Pg.3) favor if presented by a man in the public service who has no motive other than the best interests of the community in mind. These same individuals are just as skeptical of professional men. For this reason practicing engineers cannot make headway in attempting to handle this type of work. There is a distinct field for research and study and for putting into effect the plans worked out in bringing about proper utilization of Utah’s greatest resource. There is no agency in the field other than the one herein reported. The results which maybe obtained are limited only by the funds which may be placed at the disposal of the local representative in charge of this cooperative work.
The process of reorganization and consolidation is necessarily slow but if sufficient time can be spent the results pay many times over for the expense involved.
This season, two additional communities in Sanpete County have consolidated their irrigation interests each into one mutual company and satisfactory progress has been made in bringing together the interests in three additional districts, two in Sanpete County, at Fairview, and in the Gunnison valley, and one in Iron County at Kanarra. A fourth community, the Ashley Valley has been less active than during the past three years in carrying forward the solution of her very complicated problems due to shortage funds because of poor market conditions. However, some real constructive work was accomplished in the matter of working out plans for a common diversion point for the several canal systems.
(Pg.4) At Spring City in Sanpete County a hard fight was made before desirable results were finally obtained. Here there were nine classes of high water rights held under an old decree on Canal Creek and Oak Creek. It was desirable to eliminate these numerous classes of rights in issuing stock in the new mutual company to be formed. The old decree is so complicated than [that?] an equitable distribution of water under it is utterly impossible, economically. However, some of the more conservative waterusers [sic] were very reluctant to give up this useless instrument and accept a new apportionment of the rights on the equitable basis of value rather than priority. This point held up the effecting of the new organization for nearly two years. However, persistence and the untiring work of a few local individuals including the city mayor have won out and the new organization has been effected with a capitalization of $500,000 including 40,000 shares of primary stock with a par value of $10.00 and 20,000 shares with a par value of $1.00 (high water stock) leaving a surplus of $80,000 treasury stock to be issues as needed for expansion and development of the system.
The nine classes of high water were combined into one by issuing stock in the new organization on a basis, valuing first class high water at 100 per cent and grading downward inversely so that ninth class stock was tuned in at 20 per cent of its face value. The high water is now to be divided on a time basis, each share of stock entitling the owner to his relative proportion of the available supply, be it little or much. Plans are already on foot for developing the system and bringing in additional water. In this connection, reconnaissance survey was run over the adjacent water shed on head waters of the Colorado River to determine whether water might be secured from that source, and assistance was rendered in providing information necessary for making the filings.
At Wales-also in Sanpete County the two irrigation companies drawing water from Silver Creek have been united into one mutual Company. An agreement has been reached to issue stock on a tentative basis and operate on this basis until measurements carried thru a series of years, - one to three-shall provide the information required in making an equitable distribution of the stock of which there is to be but one class.
The project involves high water reservoir storage and normal or primary water. The capacity of the reservoir has been determined but it is not known how much surplus high water nor how much normal flow the stream carries. Weirs and continuous stage registers have been installed under the direction of the writer for the purpose of obtaining information essential in making a final distribution of the water stock.
The project also includes a program of development which involves the construction of a low life pumping plant and doubling of the reservoir capacity.
At Gunnison, at Fairview, and at Kanarra-Several meetings were held for the purpose of hearing and making reports on progress of committees in working out various phases of the consolidation problem.
At Cedar City-the adjudication of water rights have been practically completed. A few adjustments in the high water rights have been practically completed. A few adjustments in the high water rights are still to be made. Although a mutual cooperation has been effected which has reduced numerous individual companies to one company covering primary rights and one company covering high water rights-still the (Pg. 6) arrangement will not be satisfactory until these two companies have been merged into one, and all efforts are concentrated on the problem of using the waters which are now lost thru lack of storage facilities and thru inefficient methods of distribution and use. Up to the close of the last season there had been an increase of 300 per cent in the effective use of water as indicated by the acres irrigated as compared with the area irrigated in 1914 when the present plan of consolidation came into effect. By combining the present companies and developing the remaining economic irrigation resources of Coal Creek, it will be possible to add another 300 per cent to the original area thus making an increase in cropping power of 600 per cent as a direct result of consolidating all the independent irrigation units along Coal Creek of which there were ten in 1914.
At Daniel on Daniel’s Creek, satisfactory progress was made during the year which marks the close of the season under consolidation. The dam on the head waters of Strawberry River, which holds back the principal supply of late season water, washed out four years ago and was again leaking badly, (see photograph), in the early part of 1922 when consolidations was effected.
The lower toe was drained under the writer’s direction in the late Fall of 1922 and the damage repaired. During the present season, the base of this dam has been widened, also under the writer’s direction, and some buried timbers which were ca using the leak were removed. Foundation is now in place for a dam which will increase the storage capacity over 300 per cent. In addition, a new wing (see photograph) was built to include an adjacent basin which adds 1/3 to the original capacity. This work was all done by assessment with the following distribution of expense:
(Pg. 7) Total labor $1127.22; Addition to outlet pipe $25.00; Scrapers and plow 413.08; Miscellaneous $12.00; Total: $1577.30.
CONTROL OF DRIFTING GRAVEL IN SWOLLEN STREAMS
Under this project has developed a practical problem of far reaching importance of the farmer and the engineering profession. Its proper solution will make possible the use of vast streams of water by direct diversion in place of storage and will also be of material assistance in determining the probable life of storage basins. A kindred problem which has developed coincident with that of controlling drifting gravel is that of determining how to construct an overflow dam out of the materials at hand which will withstand the action of high floods, and at the same time be sufficiently economical in cost as to be practical. Some of the floods common to the Utah streams carry great quantities of drift and even boulders weighing up to 50 tons. It has been found that usually suitable foundation material for concrete or masonry dams is too far below the surface to make excavation practical. Even where bedrock is available it is found to be very difficult and expensive to construct with stone on concrete an overflow dam which will withstand the wearing and battering effect of these floods laden with rock and gravel.
The results of this project thus far indicates that overflow dams built of timber properly placed and bedded in rock puddled together with gravel, sand, and clay, will withstand the action of these floods even where such a structure is built on loose rock, sand and gravel foundation and where the overflow dam is used only as a means of flood control and low water diversion rather than for checking drifting gravel. (Pg. 8) In latter case, the dam is built sufficiently high to create a pond of still water up stream in which case all heavy debris in the form of gravel and rock are dropped above the pond; therefore the overflow structure is not put to so severe a test as in the former case.
Up to the present time 8 structures have been completed in various parts of Utah and under a variety of conditions, and three more are under way while other additional structures are planned and will probably be built as soon as weather conditions will permit.
Here again we have a unique condition in which this office may readily lead out and where, up to the present time, not a single one of these structures would have been built had the initiative been left to private enterprises or to the engineering profession. Notwithstanding this fact the entire expense except for general supervision has been born by the communities affected or by the irrigation company in control of the stream. It is also interesting to observe that these structures are built entirely by the people interested with a very small percentage, not to exceed 5 per cent of the actual cash outlay, so that those interested are no poorer when the work is finished than they were before it started, since in every case the work has been done during the late Fall season when plowing and harvesting were all over.
One additional interesting comparison is this: counting all labor on a cash basis the total ranges about 10 to 20 per cent of the ordinary structure built of concrete or stone to serve a similar purpose. As an example, a design was prepared in 1919 for a structure to control the floods at Mt. Pleasant, Utah, where the stream at flood period often carries enough debris including 8 feet in diameter, to cover a hundred (Pg. 9) acres to a depth of 5 feet. This structure was estimated to cost $43, 000.00. The plans were rejected and the structure was not built. Late this Fall, the writer made a survey covering this same stream and a site was selected where a structure may be constructed to do the work required, at a cost of not to exceed $4,000.00 in labor and $100.00 in cash. Mt. Pleasant has accepted the tentative plans and has decided to construct this control works before the next flood season.
This type of construction is original so far as has been determined up to the present moment, and considerable time was spent early the present year in searching libraries at Berkeley, California, and Salt Lake City, Utah, for published material bearing on the subject. It is therefore difficult to predict what length of life these timber overflow dams may have. It is probable, however, that 50 years will find them in working condition, since in most cases, cedar posts are used as the timber.
If successful, this type of structure should have a wide range of application. For example, the most expensive part of road construction in the Southwest is that taking care of the surface drainage. This is because the desert generally is subject to sudden and terrific floods at unusual places and any type of covered conduit is inadequate to carry the flood which fills the culvert or bridge opening and then washes out a section of the graded road, if it happens to be graded, or washes gutters across the road where it is not graded. The type of overflow dam used in this project is admirably suited to such a condition since it can be placed below the highway in such a manner as to prevent erosion and may easily provide capacity for carrying the flood over the highway without the slightest damage. In most cases, juniper posts, or scrub cedar locally (Pg. 10) named, are plentiful.
A further application of this type of structure is found in building trails thru the forest where erosion form summer floods is troublesome. In a similar way, it may be used to prevent erosion generally thru the forests. It might be added that the Western Division of the Forest service has expressed a desire to cooperate with this office in establishing a number of experimental structures in places where other forms of construction tried have failed.
A still further use for this general form of construction may be found in providing diversion dams in such streams as the Rio Virgin which has quick sand for foundation and is subject to wide fluctuation in volume.
DETAIL OF SEASON’S WORK IN OVERFLOW DAM CONSTRUCITON, AND RESULTS OF FORMER WORK.
At Nephi. Juab County, structures were placed in Salt Creek late in 1922 for the purpose of checking the drifting gravel which has formerly filled the canal system several times during the spring high water period. The annual cost of keeping these channels open has averaged slightly less than $5,000.00. The cost of constructing the two overflow dams complete was $2, 600.00 in labor, no cash. It was not known how effective they would be nor how long they would last. The first year has shown them to be completely effective in stopping the drifting gravel. The sites were carefully cross sectioned and profiled during construction and permanent bench marks were established from which a resurvey was made during the present season since the high water (Pg. 11) period. Results show no appreciable change in the cross-section of the area covered by still water but a material change in the area immediately above the still water line. The coarse rock carried by the stream is deposited at the apex of the cone which is formed spreading in a fan shape downward from a point far above the basin of still water where the stream merges from the confined channel into the open sea. The gravel is carried to the edge of the pond of still water and deposits upward filling every channel that is formed during the period of high water.
It is now calculated that these structures will serve for a period of at least 15 years without further expense. On the basis of normal costs not including interest, this means a direct saving to the community during that period of at least $67,000.00 in labor expense. At the end of this time an additional outlay in work of $500.00 will make these same structures effective for another period of 10 to 15 years. Should the structure become defective thru decay, it may be replaced at a nominal expense by constructing a new timber overflow dam in the channel immediately below and connecting the wings to the banks already in place. It should also be noted that the lower structure was put to an extraordinary test on August 13th when the same storm which caused so much damage in northern Utah began in the Salt Creek region and brought down a terrific flood which swept over wing walls and banks. The structure stood the test without the slightest damage, while other diversion dams in the same stream were swept away.
At Kanosh. In Millard County, a structure similar to those in Salt Creek canyon, was built late in 1922. This work has proved just as effective as that described above under “Nephi, in Juab County”. The costs were comparative and the estimated time the structure will be (Pg. 12) effective without further expense in stopping the drifting gravel is even longer than for Salt Creek.
At Beaver, on North Creek, in Beaver County, two structures were built side by side at the junction of the two main branches of the stream. This work was started in 1922 but completed before high water time in 1923. The combined structure is designed mainly as diversion works where the stream is diverted, measured and divided. It also serves as a gravel control and has been entirely successful in every respect during the past season. The cost compares favorably with the structures already described.
At Spring City, in Sanpete County, the flood control and low water diversion works built on Canal Creek in July, 1922, just previous to a terrific flood has gone thru a second season without the slightest damage and it has served its purpose completely in diverting the low water from a creek bed in which much of the stream was lost during the summer months. This structure was put to the most severe test imaginable just before its completion when it carried a head of water 10 feet deep filled with rolling stones many of which measured 6 feet in diameter. By the use of derrick which is placed on one wing wall, the water-master is able, with the assistance of two men, to clear the opening into the low water canal in an hour or two after the flood has subsided, where as previously, it required days to replace the temporary diversion dams which were washed out with every flood.
It should be noted here that Spring City had the experience recently of constructing and expensive concrete dam which was swept away by a flood much less severe than the flood of 1922.
At Santaquin, in Utah County-During the season of 1922, a (Pg. 13) survey and design was made for a gravel control structure in Summit Creek above Santaquin. This was not built, however, because the water users thought they could control the drifting gravel with less work than was required to construct the overflow dam and dead water basin. Their method was to stretch net wire across the stream bed at intervals, and weave willows and scrub oak into the fence thus built. This was done at considerable expense but was not in the least effective in accomplishing the desired results. The wasted effort and cash outlay for wire was sufficient to have built at least one half of the debris barrier proposed under project. A sentiment is now gradually crystallizing in favor of building the proposed control works.
NEW GRAVEL CONTROL AND DIVERSION WORKS BUILT in 1923.
Two new structures have been completed, one at Fillmore, one at Enterprise, and a third at Kaysville is nearly finished and two more are under way, one at Kanarra in Iron County and one at Centerville in Davis County. Still one more is planned for Mt. Pleasant in Sanpete County and another for Farmington in Davis County. Considerable time has been spent in surveying the Mona Creek in Juab County for a similar work, but up to date the job has not been authorized.
The Chalk Creek or Fillmore Structure was built during October to December by the water users almost entirely without direct supervision, but by the aid of a foreman who worked on the Kanosh dam. The work was outlined in detail and started by the writer and was inspected once during the process of construction.
The overflow portion of the dam extends 4 feet below the surface and 6 feet above. The banks are 10 feet high which leave 4 foot wing (Pg. 14) walls above the crest of the overflow dam. These banks are 300 feet long. The overporer [sic] weir and wings contain 153 dry balsam logs 20 feet long and 500 cedar posts 7 to 8 feet long. The detailed cost is as follows: Excavation $208.00; Logs and cedar posts $304.00; Embankment and placing crib $900.00; Total: $1412.00
Chalk Creek runs thru the town of Filmore [Fillmore]. At flood time it carries so much drifting gravel that the old channel has filled. Each year it has been necessary to maintain a force of men and teams on the creek channel to keep the stream within bounds so that now the stream bed and banks are far above the level of the city streets and adjacent lots thru which it passes.
The work just completed is located at the edge of the city limits and is calculated to handle only the loose gravel lying between this location and a more suitable site further up stream [sic] where it is planned to construct next spring a dam sufficiently high to check the drifting gravel for a period of at least 50 years, and where other structures may be erected to retain the gravel for all time.
The Enterprise Flood Control and Diversion Works-Here we have a condition which approaches those found on the Rio Virgin or even on the Colorado River since there is nothing but sand and fine gravel as foundation material which becomes quicksand during periods of high water. The location is at the intake of the canal system, a canal being taken out on each side.
During the period 1898 to the present time, the water users have built at least thirty diversions dams of cedar boughs, rock, straw, barnyard manure and clay; all but the last of which have washed out. (Pg. 15) (See photograph).
In 1917, $5,000.00 was spent in making an excavation 20 feet deep across the 300 feet of open wash and filling this excavation with a clay and soul puddle dam below which was placed a heavy layer of cedar boughs covered with rock to a depth of 6 feet below the surface. Even this work was ineffectual in controlling the floods which reach a depth of 6 feet over a stream bed 300 feet wide and having a slope of 12 feet to the mile. A small breach was made in this dam the first season. This was not repaired, with the result that each season the opening became wider until last year it reached a width of 110 feet and was cut to a depth of 6 feet below stream bed.
A new structure has just been completed which provides a spillway 75 feet long with a drop of 5 feet to the level of the creek bed, and with wing-walls 8 feet above the crest. The structure is built entirely of cedar posts all fastened securely together with number 8 galvanized wire. These posts range in length from 7 feet to 22 feet and in size from 6 inches to 16 inches at the butt. The excavation extends 6 feet below surface in order to make contact with the remnants of the former puddle dam placed in the twenty foot trench across the stream bed. There are four solid layers of posts below creek bed which make an apron 24 feet long; above this apron the spillway rises more abruptly to a height of 5 feet. Each layer of posts rests with the butts on a stringer of long cedars wired securely together and fastened midway across the next layer of posts beneath. The tops are weighted down with heavy boulders and these are puddled together with sand, gravel and clay washed in place. The wings are filled around the outer edge with large rock puddled in place. Contact is made in this way with the earth em- (Pg. 16) bankment on each wing which forms a compact mass thru which water cannot penetrate and gives the structure the necessary weight to counteract its tendency to float when the sands fill with water.
The union with the former puddle dam is so good that all signs of seepage were overcome, which eliminates the loss not only of a normal flow thru the sands of 1 ½ second feet of water but also will prevent the loss of a much larger stream during the time that the reservoir water is being used. If successful, this structure will be the means of saving:
1- The loss of one tenth of the normal supply of water during the summer months as well as saving approximately 1 ½ second feet from the underflow, thru the sands, which is brought to the surface.
2- It will make possible the control of sand which normally is carried into the canals and must be removed at a great expense.
3- It will eliminate the annual expense of 500 to 600 dollars in replacing the temporary diversion dam which has been washed out every season, sometimes more than once.
4- Last but not least in importance, it will make it possible to control and use the normal high waters which formerly have been wasted. This will increase the crop producing power of the stream at least twice. It will require a campaign of education in methods of operation, however, before this condition can be reached.
The first three of these items mean an annual saving to the community of approximately $5,000.00 which is equivalent to an investment of $83,000.00. A supplement of the cost of this structure follows:
Labor for excavation, embankment and rip rap $2268.22; Labor in securing 1500 cedar posts 774.44; Cash outlay $75.00; Total: $3117.66.
The work was done by men most of whom would have been idle much of the time had this job not been under way. This work, therefore, instead of placing a burden on the water users stands out as a clear gain to them of $100,000.00, conservatively speaking.
(Pg. 17) It may be added that the work was carried on under great adversity because of lack of response to the call for men. However, before the job was done those working became so enthused that they interested others and before the finish it was necessary to limit the applications for work. A heavy assessment for back indebtedness became due at the same time this work was started, therefore the work on this dam was paid for by time vouchers not redeemable until April 1, 1924. Meantime another assessment will be levied and these vouchers will be taken in payment. This, of course, explains the difficulty experienced in securing men.
In Davis County and in Box Elder County on August 13, a severe storm swept the mountain region, concentrating at intervals in its northward path and causing a series of floods far in excess of any recorded. Immense damage and loss of life were the result at Farmington and vicinity in Davis County and at Willard in Box Elder County. In addition to washing away homes and farm buildings, great areas of orchard were swept away or covered with a sea of boulders and mud. Municipal water works and canal head works were wrecked wherever the flood touched them. Great banks of gravel now remain along the stream beds, ready to come down at high water time.
At the request of Governor Mabey considerable time was spent in studying the various problems opened up by the flood. As a result of this study and several meetings which were held in different communities, work was begun on two of the streams following out plans for rebuilding the diversion works which had been destroyed, which include provision for measuring the water and for controlling the drifting sand and gravel.
The work at Kaysville is further along than at Centerville. In (Pg. 18) both cases timber overflow dams are being installed below concrete masonry cut-off walls and diversion channels.
The timber is used to protect the masonry from damage during periods of summer flood.
MISCELLANEOUS IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT WORK.
It has been studiously endeavored to make all other work subordinate to the two main projects reported above. However, urgent requests from communities and a very restricted number of individuals (Pg. 19) have been given consideration while traveling to and from the localities where the work of the major projects is being conducted.
Use of Early Water in Irrigation-Following closely after the completion of diversion works and gravel barriers designed to control flood waters, comes the question of using this surplus water in crop production. In fact, this is the ultimate purpose of building the control works. This project when undertaken on an active basis will involve a study of soils with respect to moisture content at the beginning of the growing season and even during the dormant season. Observations thus far have shown that winter precipitation over a large area of the West is entirely inadequate to support plant growth for profitable farming. In many cases which have come under observation, one early irrigation is sufficient for producing a crop of fall wheat, one or two crops of alfalfa, and when applied before planting on fall plowed ground, corps of spring grain, potatoes and corn may be matured.
Demonstrations conducted this year are reported as follows:
1- In Tooele County, turkey red wheat was produced in three communities by the use of early water only, and yielded an average of 39 bushels per acre.
2- In Utah County, a demonstration in the use of early water on alfalfa produced an increase of $50.00 worth of hay on 5 acres.
3- Other tests not yet reported in detail have proved beyond a doubt the value of early water in crop production, and justify preparation for an expansion of this study both thru investigations and demonstration.
The direct application of flood waters to the soil in the early season is undoubtedly one of the principal routes to a full and complete utilization of the undeveloped sources of water supply of the (20) future. In addition there is ample reason for studying the benefits to be derived thru fall and winter irrigation with streams normally wasted between early fall and late spring.
State Agricultural Program-Utah has undertaken to work out for the entire State an agricultural program which has as its aim the organization of effort along all lines of agricultural endeavor to the end that crops will be grown which are required to bring the best market returns to the producer either when sold direct or when sold thru some concentrated product which will net higher returns.
The whole program hinges on the crop producing power of the land and this in turn is limited principally by the economic use of the available water supply.
The work of this organization which now operates as the “Utah Agricultural Council” has fifteen committees at work on all phases of the problem from production to marketing. The program of reclamation and irrigation has been detailed to the local representative of Cooperative Irrigation Investigations. One preliminary report has been prepared and presented for consideration by the council. A complete report is now called for which should include a specific policy respecting reclamation in the State of Utah, and outline what may be expected in all branches of irrigation development and improved methods of application.
County Agricultural Program-As an experiment, a detailed program of agricultural development and operation has been worked out for San Pete County (21) which is much more pretentious than the ordinary “program of work” planned each season by the County Agent. In the present instance, six specialists and the county agent spent a week on the ground; first, in conference with local representatives from the subdivisions of the county, and later, in round table discussion for the purpose of correlating the information gleaned and the conclusions reached, with the result what a conservative plan was outlined which will now be presented to the people as a whole. With their approval and support, this program will be carried into effect and given a real test.
Irrigation Legislation-The Utah Irrigation and Drainage Congress which is sponsored to a considerable extent by this Division and the Irrigation Department of the Agricultural College, has undertaken the task of working up such legislation concerning irrigation and drainage as may be needed at the present time. A special legislative committee, with the Director of the Utah Experiment Station as chairman, was appointed at the annual meeting held in August and was detailed the task of framing a proposed series of amendments to the Drainage Law relative to the participation of irrigation companies in paying the costs of drainage reclamation. Also to draft a proposed bill covering the needed legislation concerning underground water rights. This committee is charged with the responsibility of bringing back a completed report to the 1924 annual conference for ratification or modification so that the required measures shall be ready to place before the next legislature in ample time for consideration.
(22) other Irrigation and Drainage Problems which have received attention include:
1- Water Measurement and Distributing Devices- Permanent weirs of concrete and steel were installed at Mona, at Kanosh and at North Creek of Beaver River System. Four weirs were installed at Fairview, San Pete County for measuring the drainage water run-off. Two weirs were installed at Manti to determine the flow into and out of Funk’s Lake. Likewise a weir was placed on Silver Creek near Wales to measure inflow into Silver Creek Reservoir.
2-Reservoir Sites were surveyed at Wales in Sanpete County, and at Wallsburg in Wasatch County, to determine the feasibility of storing spring runoff for late season use.
3-Municipal Water Supply-Assistance was rendered in providing a sanitary source of water for the town of Junction in Piute County where the former source was obtained from an open ditch to which livestock and other animals had access.
4-Municipal Electric Lighting System-Surveys were made for Junction in Piute County and for Freedom in Sanpete County to determine the feasibility of installing electric lighting systems in each place.
5-Drainage of Irrigated lands-This work has been left quite largely to the County Agents working with the help of a representative of the Division of Agricultural Engineering, Bureau of Public Roads, who spends all his time in drainage work. In addition, four private drainage systems have been laid out and are in process of construction.
6-Improvement of wet lands by digging open surface drains has been given attention with the result that three small areas are being improved and a fourth large tract, 12,000 acres in Sanpete County, is working to the end of perfecting an organization for constructing and operating a water control system. This latter area includes bottom lands which are covered with water until early summer and then dry out rapidly.
(Pg.) 23. ULTIMATE STATE GOAL IN IRRIGATION IMPROVEMENT AND METHODS TO BE EMPLOYED IN REACHING IT.
The ultimate aim of this work is to develop and utilize to the fullest extent consistent with economic returns, every available irrigation resource, since the limit of development depends upon the full use of the available water supply rather than the land which is relatively abundant.
After nine years of study and experience in trying out various methods of approach to this problem, it was decided in 1922 that the one way to accomplish the desired result is by the process of working out the specific problems of one community at a time as the people become converted to the general plan and give it their support to the extent of appointing local representatives to lead out in carrying on the burden of the work involved. It is essentially a slow process and cannot be pushed faster than the people interested are willing to go. It involves a re-classification of water rights and a re-distribution of the available water supply. Naturally this becomes a very delicate task since the water supply is the very life’s blood of a Utah community, and has been the cause for more fights in court and out than any other one thing. In fact, it may be safely said that water rights litigation makes up at least one fourth of the cases in our local courts.
It is the aim of this work to eliminate, for all time, causes for litigation on streams where consolidation of irrigation interests has been effected by making a unit out of the diversified interests to the end that the community will be the unit rather than a (Pg. 24) a conglomeration of independent and contending factions. All minor irrigation problems lend themselves naturally to the proper working out of the central project.
An additional policy which has been found valuable in obtaining results is the following: “It pays to follow a job thru to a finish once it is begun rather than to leave it too much in the hands of others in order that some other job may be started.”
Occasionally, leaders are found who are reliable and will keep the work going, but it often happens that they fail at the most critical moment. The enthusiasm which characterizes the beginning of activity is very hard to revive once it has been allowed to lag. For this reason, it has been found desirable to wait until a community is ready to go before attempting to put into operation, except in a preparatory way, a program of work such as the consolidation of all the independent irrigation units in a community or the building of a flood control work which is going to cost two or three thousand dollars in labor. It is necessary to obtain and to retain practically the unanimous consent of a community before work of this sort can be carried thru successfully. The engineering phases of the work are simple in comparison with the human problem which is involved.
In this work, the County Agent is the man on the job who must take the initiative in awakening interest in the project. The specialist cannot be identified with the problem until his services are s ought. If he wishes to exert the greatest influence in carrying thru the project to a conclusion, he must maintain the position of being sought rather than of seeking a job. The County Agent who has the proper understanding of this situation can be the most potent (Pg. 25) factor in starting the work properly and also in maintaining the necessary interest to keep it going. An example of efficiency in this particular is sighted in connection with the work at Spring City, reported briefly on page 2. An example of efficiency in this particular is sighted in connection with the work at Spring City, reported briefly on page 2. Here the county agent was diplomatic rather than aggressive. He had a very little to say at any meeting which was held. He showed his interest by being on hand at any time he could be of the slightest service and was always present at meetings. In short, he filled the position of a real county agent by bringing the people and the specialist together at the proper time and then remaining in the background except to give his opinion when asked concerning vital points in the issue.
N.B. Photographic Supplement Compiled Under Separate Cover. In order that the work covered in this report may be more clearly understood, a photographic supplement together with explanatory notes has been prepared and is bound under separate cover for convenience as a reference while reading the report.
