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r--- 00 r:. CHAPTER II c EVALUATION OF DIRECT AGRICULTURAL BENEFITS TO BE EXPECTED FROM 1HE 9'!ITH FORK PROJECT In evaluating the direct agricultural benefits to be expected from the Smith Fork project, the project plans outlined by the Bureau of Reclamation served as a basis for the study. The report is based on the proposed project facilities and the lands which they will serve. Consideration was given to the following: 1. Project soils and their suitability for irrigation. 2. Irrigation water supplies and requirements. 3. Necessary land and farm irrigation development. 4. Evaluation areas. 5. Size and type of farming, together wi th anticipated crops and crop yields. 6. Farm income po tentials. 7. Direct agricultural benefits. Evaluation Areas To facilitate the presentation of basic agricultural data and to assist in the reapprai sal of di rect agri cultural benefi ts, pro ject lands were grouped into five evaluation areas. (Table 1) The soils, climate, water supply and markets within each evaluation area reflect similar crop adaptations, pro- ductivity, land and irrigation development and production costs. Nonirrigated lands proposed to receive project water are interspersed throughout evaluation areas A, B, C and D wi th the exception of the nonirrigated lands in evaluation area D. These tracts are scattered and not large enough to make new farm units so they will probably be added to existing farm units. The nonirrigated lands described in evaluation area D are analyzed separately because they consi ti tute the largest area of nonirrigated land in the project and will probably provide the only new farm units. Table 1. - Irrigable acreage by evaluation areas, Smith Fork project Project lands Evaluation areas A B C D E To tal I - - - - - - - Acres - - - - - - - - Presently irrigated I lands 1,684 1,916 2,667 653 6,920 Nonirrigated lands 112 318 350 540 1,320 Total 1,796 2,234 3,017 540 653 8,240 - 4 -