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<br /> <br />homesteaders. The transcontinental railroad followed the Platte <br />River for most of its route across the state. The railroad <br />companies also influenced the settlement pattern. Besides pro- <br />viding access, they sold the land granted to them by the Federal <br />Government to help defray expenses incurred during construction. <br />Settlers who purchased the land later became shippers on the <br />railroads. <br />By 1890 Nebraska had over 1,000,000 people and its maximum <br />share of the nations population, despite being called a part of the <br />"Great American Desert". The population concentration was still <br />in the eastern portion of the state where rainfall was generally <br />sufficient for cultivated crops. <br />A drought and a recession in the early 1890's slowed popu- <br />lation growth and forced many farmers to leave, especially from <br />the marginal lands in the western part of the state. In fact, <br />between 1890 and 1900 many parts of western Nebraska were virtually <br />depopulated. Marginal agricultural lands were replaced by grass- <br />lands and large ranches when credit, like land, "dried up". <br />Following the troubles of the 1890's, steps were taken to <br />modify the effects of the weather. Passage of the Reclamation <br />Act and establisment of the Bureau of Reclamation made possible <br />the existing systems of canals and laterals in the North Platte <br />valley fed by Bureau reservoirs. The development of extensive <br />irrigation led to increased population in the Scottsbluff vi- <br />cinity and a sustained agricultural output giving this area one <br />of the highest yield-per-acre in Nebraska. <br />Modern irrigation and improved agricultural technology <br />helped the state's farmers stabilize and increase their productivity, <br /> <br />2-18 <br />