IRRIGATION ON THE CIMARRON.

The largest irrigation plant on the Cimarron is the one controlled by Col. C. D. Perry at Englewood, Kans. The ditch, which is over 8 miles long, takes water from the river in Beaver County, Okla., and carries it into Kansas, where 800 acres are under cultivation, the chief crops being alfalfa and wheat. This system has been in operation for more than ten years and has been financially successful. It is stated that the greater part of the water used at this place comes from Crooked Creek, which enters the Cimarron from the north a few miles above the dam.

Between Englewood and Kenton, Okla., there are several small plants, while from Kenton to the head of the river above Folsom, N. Mex., practically all the water is taken from the Cimarron, and from its tributary creeks as well, and used for irrigation purposes. Throughout the greater part of the distance for 60 miles west of Kenton a dam has been put in on an average of every 2 or 3 miles. Often one ditch may be seen down near the river and another one farther upstream back near the hills. Most of these ditches are arranged to take out flood waters only, and the water is used to irrigate alfalfa, gardens, and orchards.

IRRIGATION ON BEAVER CREEK.

Beaver Creek, which is fed by streams carrying water from Tertiary springs, has perhaps the most constant flow of any stream in this part of the Plains, but even in this stream the amount of water varies greatly from time to time and from place to place. Along the stream in eastern and central Beaver County there are a number of small irrigation plants. Dams of rock or earth have been thrown across the creek and water has been diverted from the channel to irrigate small fields and gardens. There is probably one such dam every 5 miles along Beaver Creek from Beaver to Redpoint, as well as along the lower course of Palodora, Coldwater, and other creeks.

IRRIGATION ON THE SOUTH CANADIAN.

The region drained by the headwaters of the South Canadian is included in an old Spanish land grant, now owned by a Holland syndicate. In this grant two extensive irrigation systems have been constructed. The Maxwell ditch takes water from Vermejo Creek, where it flows from the foothills and extends as far as the town of Maxwell, a distance of more than 25 miles. The Springer ditch system takes the water from Cimarron Creek below the mouth of Ponil and leads across the plains to Springer and beyond. A number of farms, aggregating several thousand acres, are supplied by each ditch. At Bell ranch, 15 miles northwest of Tucumcari, a ditch was constructed several years ago. The water was taken from the Canadian,

but the dam that supplied the ditch was washed out soon after it was built and the system has not been used since that time.

Along the various smaller streams tributary to the South Canadian small irrigation plants have been installed by Mexican farmers and sheep herders, and occasionally by ranchmen. In many places a small garden patch or orchard is irrigated, thus making homes possible in a region that is otherwise uninhabited. From Tucumeari eastward through New Mexico and the Panhandle there is little irrigation. carried on, except along small streams and spring branches.

POSSIBLE RESERVOIR SITES.

As stated above, a considerable portion of the running water along the upper course of the Cimarron, North Canadian, and South Canadian is now utilized for irrigation.

The chief difficulties to be encountered in constructing reservoirs in this region are the scarcity of suitable dam sites, the occurrence of sand-choked streams, the small amount of stone, and the depth to bed rock.

From the point where these rivers leave the Dakota sandstone and flow out on the plains, the streams run in broad and shallow valleys, usually with low sandy banks. It is rare that a point is found where bed rock comes near enough to the surface to warrant the construction of a dam. Not infrequently there are suitable reservoir sites along the canyons, but with no tillable land below. As stated above, the sites that appear to be most available are already utilized, viz, Colonel Perry's system at Englewood, Kans., and the Maxwell and Springer ditch systems in New Mexico.

From this it follows that the problem to be solved is the utilization of storm waters. Many of the creeks furnish sufficient water to supply evaporation and seepage, but in most cases where it might be possible to construct reservoirs very little water is found in the streams rarely enough to ever fill a reservoir.

In the following description of possible reservoirs only those located on streams that flow practically all the year are included. There are hundreds of localities in the region visited where dams might be thrown across canyons or arroyos and storm water collected.

POSSIBLE RESERVOIR SITES ON THE CIMARRON.

Garrett, Okla.-Near Garrett post-office, 20 miles east of Kenton, a dam and ditch would carry water over several hundred acres of good land. Drainage area, more than 1,000 square miles. Building material, sandstone. Objections, sand-choked stream and depth to bed rock.

Carriso Creek.—A dam across Carriso Creek north of the east end of the Black Mesa near Kenton would collect storm water to irrigate

a considerable area near the mouth of the creek. Drainage area, 400 square miles. Building material, sandstone. Objection, bed rock too deep.

Kenton.-A dam might be built across the Cimarron below the mouth of Carriso Creek, near Kenton. The drainage area is over 1,000 square miles. Sandstone is plentiful. The objection is the depth to bed rock.

Fowler ranch.-A reservoir might be installed a mile above the Fowler (Cross L) ranch, 20 miles east of Folsom, N. Mex. sandstone are found in the valley. The drainage area is 400 square miles.

Rock and more than

Oak Canyon.-In Oak Canyon, 8 miles northeast of Folsom, N. Mex., a dam 200 feet long and 50 feet high would retain the water from 50 or more strong springs. Sandstone is plentiful. Drainage area, 40 square miles. About 60 acres near at hand and 800 acres on the Cimarron bottom, 4 miles distant, could be irrigated.

Folsom.-A reservoir site is reported a few miles above Folsom, N. Mex. It was not seen by any member of the party. Building material should be plentiful.

Trinchera Pass.-Three miles south of Trinchera, Colo., a basalt dike has been cut across by a creek, and a dam 100 yards long and 50 feet high would inclose a reservoir of several hundred acres. Building stone plentiful. Drainage area, 25 square miles. Several thousand acres might be brought under the ditch.

POSSIBLE RESERVOIR SITES ON THE NORTH CANADIAN.

Clear Creek.-About 5 miles west of May, Woodward County, Okla., Clear Creek is fed by springs and carries a considerable amount of water the year round. A dam would divert water to a ditch which would irrigate several hundred acres. Drainage area, 100 square miles. Objections, too much sand, great depth to bed rock, no good building

stone.

At various points along Beaver Creek and its southern tributaries, Kiowa, Palodora, and Coldwater, dams might be constructed that would divert water from the channel. There is plenty of land that might be brought under ditches. The objections are, too much sand, no building stone, depth to bed rock.

POSSIBLE RESERVOIR SITES ON THE SOUTH CANADIAN.

Irrigation plants are in operation along Vermajo and Cimarron creeks. It might be possible by means of cooperation with the owners of the land grant to utilize a larger amount of water than is now being done.

Rayado.-On Rayado Creek, near the post-office of the same name, small reservoirs might be constructed. The drainage area is about 20

square miles. Building material, sandstone. Objections, small reservoir, rather poor soil below dam.

Ocate River. Ten miles southwest of Colmor, N. Mex., Ocate River flows through a gorge. A dam 100 yards long and 50 feet high would receive the drainage of 50 or more square miles. Building stone is plentiful. A good location.

Watrous.-Reservoir sites are reported on Sapillo River west of

Watrous.

Bell ranch.-Between Bell ranch and La Cinta, on a branch of La Cinta Creek, a dam 75 yards long and 20 feet high would irrigate 200 acres. The drainage area is not more than 10 square miles. Building stone, sandstone. Objections, small reservoirs and small drainage area. Mesa Rica. On the south side of Mesa Rica on Pajarito Creek, a dam 150 yards long and 25 feet high would receive the drainage of 10 square miles. Building stone, sandstone. Objection, small drainage area.

Ute Creek.-About 6 miles above Bacca, N. Mex., in sec. 16, T. 21 N., R. 30 E., a dam 400 yards long and 60 feet high across Ute Creek would form a reservoir 2 miles long. The drainage area is more than 400 square miles. Building stone is sandstone. Base of the dam is a stiff red clay shale. Objections, length of dam and amount of sand. Plenty of good land below.

Carriso Creek.-Near Albert, N. Mex., probably on sec. 18, T. 20 N., R. 29 E., a dam might be constructed that would have a drainage. area of 200 square miles. Length of dam, 300 yards. Building material, sandstone. Bed rock, clay. Objections, sandy stream, length of dam. Plenty of land below.

Trampers Arroyo.—On (probably) sec. 25, T. 22 N., R. 31 E., near Miera, N. Mex., a dam might be built across Trampers Arroyo. The drainage area is approximately 100 square miles. Building stone, sandstone. Length of dam, 300 yards. Objections, length of dam and too much sand.

CONCLUSION.

In general, the region visited is not well adapted to irrigation, the chief objections being meager precipitation, sand-choked streams, and scarcity of reservoir sites. The most available localities are now being utilized. Of the 16 possible reservoir sites mentioned in this report, those best adapted to this purpose are the following: Ocate River, Trinchera Pass, Ute Creek, Clear Creek, Fowler ranch.

INVESTIGATIONS IN OREGON,

By JOHN T. WHISTLER.

A general reconnaissance of central Oregon was made previous to 1903 by F. H. Newell, chief engineer of the Reclamation Service. Later, following the request of citizens of the State, presented by Hon. Malcolm A. Moody, an examination of the possibilities of diverting Snake and Columbia rivers was begun by James G. Camp. The results of this work are given on a later page, showing that it is impracticable to divert the water by gravity from Snake and Columbia rivers to cover arid land in Oregon. It was pointed out by Mr. Camp that the reclamation of some of the arid lands on the south side of Columbia River might be effected by storage and diversion of the waters of Umatilla River. Accordingly, survey parties were organized early in 1903 to ascertain the practicability and cost of such work.

A further preliminary examination of projects in Baker, Malheur, Harney, and Crook counties, as proposed by citizens of these counties, was made in March and April, and as a result, in addition to the Umatilla project, surveys have been begun on Malheur River, in the eastern part of the State, and on Silvies River, in the central portion of the State. All three of these projects involve the reclamation of considerable areas of vacant public land. The water supply is, however, limited, and storage of spring floods is necessary. Many reservoir sites have been examined and the conditions studied in order to reach a determination as to the relative cost and merits of various alternatives.

The State, under the operation of the Carey law, has already begun the reclamation of certain areas, particularly those along and near Deschutes River. The opportunities here are among the best in the country, owing to the large and constant supply from Deschutes River and the relative simplicity of the engineering problems. In comparison with these the projects considered under the reclamation law are very difficult and involved, necessitating long and careful examination of the facts as to water supply, storage capacity, present title to land and water, and a multitude of other details of engineering and local matters.

UMATILLA PROJECT.

The Umatilla project contemplates diverting water from Umatilla River below the city of Pendleton and taking it westerly to the region of Butter Creek, where are a number of shallow depressions which

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