Irrigation Institutions Notes
United States. Congress. House. Report of the Special Committee on the Irrigation of Arid Lands. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1890.
Chapter I: Introduction
The arid region of the United States is poised to play a significant role in national affairs due to its untapped resources and the pressing need for their development.
Population Growth and Resource Needs
With the population projected to exceed 200 million within fifty years, the demand for resources, particularly food and clothing, is escalating. The current beef shortage, indicated by a decrease of 10 million cattle over the past decade while the population increased by 10 million, serves as a stark warning.
The reliance on fertile districts in humid states to meet agricultural demands is no longer sufficient. Expansion of cultivated land or more efficient land use is imperative, presenting opportunities in the arid region.
Early Perceptions vs. Reality
Initially, the arid region was considered a desolate wasteland by early explorers. The transformative potential of irrigation was not immediately apparent until reclamation efforts facilitated the growth of trees, flowers, and shrubs. The contrast between barren deserts and cultivated fields, exemplified by the Salt River Valley in Arizona, highlights the impact of irrigation.
The Arid West as the Nation's Farm
The arid West, holding the remaining public domain, offers a chance for individuals to achieve landed independence through industry and perseverance. While the land's fertility is not in question, its lack of moisture is a limiting factor. Irrigation has demonstrated the ability to yield products comparable to those in regions with ample rainfall.
Climate and Topography
The climate in the western half of the U.S. is characterized by aridity, moderating the heat of summers and the cold of winters. The region's mountain valleys serve as natural sanitaria.
The topography is dominated by mountains, including the Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevada, and Cascade ranges. These ranges intercept moisture from the Pacific Ocean, creating a landscape of mountains, valleys, forests, and deserts. Rivers originating in these mountains traverse the plains, ultimately sinking into the sands or reaching the ocean.
Land Distribution and Water Availability
Cultivable lands are situated in valleys alongside streams, varying in size and capacity to support populations. East of the Rocky Mountains, a gradual slope extends towards the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, offering fertile land limited only by water availability.
Even with complete water utilization, only an estimated of the arid West could be irrigated due to physical limitations. For instance, the Columbia River's depth relative to the surrounding table-land in northeastern Washington renders its water inaccessible for irrigation.
Land Suitability and Irrigation Constraints
Millions of acres of fertile land cannot be irrigated due to broken terrain, such as the badlands of Dakota and Montana, lava-covered lands in Idaho, and ridges bordering the Snake and Columbia rivers. Despite the allure of irrigating these lands, the feasibility is constrained by the limited and assured water-supply. These lands are better suited for grazing, necessitating proper management to maintain their productive value.
Altitudinal Diversity and Agricultural Production
The lowest irrigated lands, located in the Salton Desert, are 150 feet below sea-level, while grain ripens at 1.5 miles above sea-level in Wyoming. This altitudinal range influences agricultural diversity. The Sierras and the Japan current create a favorable climate in California, allowing oranges to ripen both in Oroville and San Diego. Conversely, high plateau valleys near the Rocky Mountains experience frost year-round, limiting crop options.
Water Value and Streamflow Fluctuation
The value of water in irrigation is contingent on crop yield, determining the economic viability of ditch and reservoir construction. Water rights can vary significantly in price depending on location and productivity. Streamflow fluctuations influence reclamation efforts, with northern streams generally exhibiting perennial flow and southern streams characterized by torrential flows, necessitating reservoir construction for water equalization.
Reservoir Sedimentation
Reservoirs in the southern region face the challenge of sedimentation, potentially diminishing their long-term effectiveness. Sluicing methods are essential for maintaining reservoir capacity. In contrast, northern reservoirs, such as Jackson Lake and Yellowstone Lake, exhibit minimal sedimentation over extended periods.
Irrigation's Broader Impact
The significance of irrigation extends beyond crop value, fostering the growth and prosperity of related industries. Irrigated areas serve as hubs for outlying districts, providing essential supplies for mining camps and safeguarding livestock during winter. Irrigation also mitigates barriers to trade and commerce between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.
Synergistic Industries and Balanced Development
The arid West features diverse industries, including mining, forestry, and water-power generation. The Shoshone Falls in Idaho rival Niagara in potential water-power. Irrigated farms are integral to this environment, supported by mines, factories, and grazing areas. This interconnectedness promotes a balanced economy, avoiding over-reliance on single sectors.
The Future of Irrigation
There can be no one sided development, no community exclusively devoted to the production of corn, wheat, or cotton, to manufacturing, or to commerce. The farm, the stock ranch, the lumber camp, the mine, the factory and the store are destined to grow up and to flourish side by side, each drawing support from and furnishing sustenance to the others.
The West recognizes the importance of irrigation, and is working to remove obstacles to public and private projects. The East is also beginning to acknowledge the West's role in the 20th century. To be successful, the West must control and distribute its water supply, ensure prosperity and the existence of homes, and consider interests across different communities and states. The goal is to spread water over a surface equal to New England with New York added.
The future holds two possibilities: a civilization with peace and prosperity which will be enabled wise laws and just policies, or legal, economic, and civic strife which will be caused by greed and ignorance.