WSPC06448 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

001 t8'~ -3- The field checking disclosed many pumping operations, mostly small installations, some of which apparently had no deorees and were installed by the farmers wherever they were convement. At the time of observation our thoughts wera that the .water being pumped should have been allowed to return to the main river as it had left the land for which it had been appropriated and was flowing in natural ohannels or drains which wouldhav-e returned it to the river. This point was later suggested to the assistant ohief engineer for further consideration. The tributaries, as has been prevlouslymentioned, were more difficult to check and sinoe they were of comparativaly minor importanoe ani ourtime was 11mi:t:ed, less attention was paid to them than to the main river. However, the most important onas, namely, Horse Creek (espeoially the Hawk Springs Projeot), Pumpkin Creek, Blue Craek and Birdwood. Creek were observed and vie determined that the extent and type of agriculture was substantially as represented by. other agencies. In determining the inflow of Horse Creek to Nebraska our observations disclosed that the flow at the gaging station near Lyman, Nebraska oould not be used beoause of' the drain whioh enters Horse Craek between the state line and the gaging station. The flow in Sheep Creek as 0 bserved was due almost entirely to return flow from the Interstate Canal. A rather hurried trip below North Platta was made as f'ar as Kearney and the type of agrioultura and operation of ditohes was. observed. Many pumping operations were observed in this saotion, but it would be very diffioult to estimate the actual extent of lands irrigated by this method without oonsiderable field work. We also observed the oonstruotion of parts of the Tri-state Projeot and the operation of the Sutherland Reservoir. Mr. WeB.k:ly of the University of' Nebraska Experimant Station looated at North Platte informed us that considerable damage was being done to agrioultural landa below the Sutherland Reservoir beoause the ground watar was rising and causing seepad oonditions. Many kodak pictures were taken during the f'ield work, espeoial attention being given to pumping o~erations, tributatias (most of whioh were either oompletely dry or nearly sol. size of' ditches. and any irregularities in irrigation praotioes. OBSERVATIONS. AJ.though we questioned the rights of' some of' the pUmping operations lU)d the faot that: a large part of' SheeP Creek is rediverted into the Farmers Canal, we did DOt observe any particular irregularities in water administra- tion. Of' course, most of our observations were made at a time when the ditches were closed due to water shortage so that this phase of the field work could DOt possibly have been oheoked. Our method of field ohecking the irrigated land proved quite rapid and satisfactory in view of the 11mi ted time. and the results when workad up shouild be within reasonable limits of accuraoy. The looation and size of ditches that were observed appeared to be substantially as represented on the Nebraska exhibits as did the extent of irrigation on the tributaries. The reports of Orin C. Smith and of the A:rlrw Engineers were consulted frequently and the .latter was espeoially helpful in its treai:ment of the history of most of the irrigation cranals.