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On "Friday, some 1.200 or
more water Users of the Medford
and Rogue River Valley Irriga
tion districts will vote to deter-
mine whether to enter into a re
habilitation contract with the
United States government.
' Leaders in the two districts
say the $1,712,000 project is
vital to protect the future irriga
tion of valley croplands from
possible loss through a failure
of the system.
The amount would be repaid
the government over a period of
40 years, free of interest.
A recent study made by the
bureau of reclamation, and
pamphlets published by the
Medford district point out the
need for such a project.
According to this information,
the large structures on the main
supply line now transporting
water to the valley were built
34 years ago of untreated lum
ber. They are rapidly deterior
ating and maintenance costs are
rising proportionately.
There have been four canal
failures in the past five years.
If the Lake Creek flume, re
sponsible for the entire supply
of water delivered to both dist
ricts, were to collapse, replace
ment time' could easily exceed
30 days. The logical period for
failure would be the heavy de
mand months, July and August.
During these months, a 30 day
delay in water deliveries would
result in complete crop failures.
Critical Structures ,
. The Lake Creek flume is con
sidered one of several critical
structures.
The Medford district has with
in its system 21 main canal
flumes and two large wood si
phons. The material in some of
these is badly rotted.
In addition to the danger of
failure, seepage losses on the
present system are high. Engin
eers etimate that water savings
in the Medford district alone, 'if
the rehabilitation is completed,
would be equivalent -to that
needed to irrigate 739 acres or
about 1,315 acre-feet per year.
The board plans to use this in
crease as a supplement for presently-irrigated
lands.
Bottlenecks in the system
would be eliminated, further in
creasing the capacity of the
canals. . -.
'- Dams at Fourmile and Fish
lakes retain the water used in
the irrigation season. Initially,
the districts were not financially
able, to complete construction of
spillways, required to release
excess water after the reservoirs
have filled to capacity.
- The- Fourmile spillway has
been in use, but needs attention.
The spillway at Fish lake, although-
excavated, has never
been used because it - was not
completed at the time of original
dam construction.
Because of the condition of
the spillways, the districts have
been forced to employ, a dam
tender throughout the year to
control the gates manually. '
According to district officials,
the annual installment to the
government for - rehabilitation J
improvements would almost
exactly equal and offset normal
maintenance expenditures for
present . structures. Consequent
ly, there would be no need for
raising : assessment charges to
meet the yearly payments.
Large Area
The Medford and Rogue River
Valley Irrigation districts them
selves consist of 13,969 acres of
irrigable and 13,135 acres of dry
but potentially productive lands
within a 2 to 10 mile radius
around Medford. '
Their water supply is obtained
from a direct flow from the
North and South Forks of Little
Butte creek. The natural flow of
these streams is supplemented
by storage in Fourmile Lake
.reservoir in the Klamath river
basin, and the Fish lake reser
voir, at the source of the North
Fork of Little Butte . creek.
These supplies are further aug
mented, by diversions of Bear
creek -water into canals of. the
districts.
Own Works Jointly
The two districts own jointly
works at Fourmile dam and Fish
lake dam, together with con
necting spillway, flumes, canals
and other structures to Brad
shaw drop.
- The Medford Irrigation dist
rict alone owns the Medford
canal, running, from Bradshaw
drop to Phoenix, and the Phoe
nix lateral, running west -and
north from Phoenix, to Hopkins
canal.
The Rogue River Valley Irri
gation district controls Hopkins
canal, running from Bradshaw
drop south and west to a point
some two miles west of Central
Point and five miles north of
Jacksonville.
A breakdown of total im
provement cost follows:
Medford district: Total $1,
475,466; share of joint-works,
$334,886; work on its own sys
tem, $1,140,580.
Rogue River Valley district:
Total, $236,534; share of joint
works. $164,934; work on its
owif system, $71,600.
Plan Outlines
This is the rehabilitation plan:
The spillway at Fouvinile lake
to be reconstructed and a rein
forced concrete parapet wall to
be added to the crest of the dam.
A new spillway to be built at
Fish lake and the embankment
protected by adding rock fill to
the crest and riprap to the up
stream face.
Eight metal flumes on the
Main Canal tdbe replaced, three
with concrete bench flumes, one
with a concrete wall, and the
remainder with concrete pipe
siphons. One spillway on the
main canal to be repaired by
the addition of a concrete cutoff
wall and a concrete-lined stilling
basin. On the , Medford canal,
two existing wood-stave siphons
and one metal flume to be re
placed with concrete pipe
siphons. :'
Six-Year Period
In addition to this immediate
program, a rehabilitation proj
ect to be spread over six years
will include numerous less im
portant items, such as canal lin
ing, pipelines, checks, waste
ways, spillways, flumes, and
bridges.
Bids have already been ac
cepted on two phases of the pro
gram, the spillway work at both
reservoirs, so that work can
start immediately if the contract
is approved and the initial ap
propriation is made.
The appropriation to get the
work started amounts to $350,
000 and the bill in which it is
contained is nearing final appro
val by congress.
Methods of repaying the .gov
ernment for improvements will
differ in the two districts.
The Medford district presently
has $190,000 bond obligations,
scheduled - for retirement by
1969. During the period in which
the district is obligated to pay
$18,400 per year retiring its
bonds, the annual installment to
the government would be 180
the total rehabilitation cost, as
of the preceding Dec. 31.
After the bonded . indebted
ness is paid, the number of years
during which installments on
the rehabilitation costs ' have
been made are subtracted from
40. This number is then divided
into the amount remaining to be
paid, giving the total for each
ensuing yearly installment.
The Rogue River Valley dist
rict has no bonds outstanding.
Therefore, its improvement cost
of $236,534 would be divided
into 40 yearly payments.
No payments will be due until
after the joint works are com
pleted sometime in 1958.
Only Other Fund Source
If the contract proposal - is
turned down, the only possible
source of financing for addi
tional work would be an in
creased assessment.
For water the 900 or so eli
gible voters in the Medford Irri
gation .district, three meetings
were held last week to explain
the proposals in detail. They
were not attended by many per
sons, leaving directors with the
belief that the issues are pretty
well understood.
In the Rogue River. Valley
district, some 300 or more water
users will be eligible to vote.
Eligibility Told
In both districts, eligible vot
ers are those 21 years of age or
more who own two or more
acres within the districts with
the deed recorded for at least
six months, or with a recorded
contract of sale.
Poling places for the3Iedford
district are. Precinct 1, Hillcrest
Orchard ho use; Precinct. 2,
Phoenix Grade School gymna
sium; Precinct 3, ' Oak Grove
school.
The Rogue River Valley Dist
rict poll will be at the district
office on the old Central Point
highway past the Table Rock rd.
junction.
Polls will be open from 8 a.m.
to 5 pan..
OLD FLUME CARRIES CANAL One of
the chief reasons that rehabilitation is being
sought for the canal system of the Medford
and Rogue River Valley Irrigation districts is
the old structures, built more than SO years
ago of untreated, wood, which are now . in
dangerous shape. One such, a flume in the
Lake Creek area, is shown above. Constant
repairs are necessary to keep it standing, and
it is still a threat to the district's water sup-
ply. . r A V:
REHABILITATION NEEDED Another
flume carrying water to the valley floor is
shown above. It is planned to replace such
structures with concrete conduits if next
Friday's vote by water-users of the Medford
and Rogue River Valley Irrigation districts
approves a 40-year repayment contract with
the bureau of reclamation. Details of the plan
are told in the accompanying article.
Grand Jury Returns
Two True Bills Friday
Two true bills of indictment
against Joseph Patrick Lynn,
36, Grants Pass, and. one "John
Doe" true bill were returned by
the Jackson county grand jury
Saturday, District Attorney Wal
ter Nunley reported.
He said that Lynn was indict
ed on charges of obtaining mon
ey under false pretenses. One
involved a $15 check cashed at
Chungking inn and the other a
$10 check passed at Jackson ho
tel. - - -; -
Sir If 1 ,
LEAKS IN OLD SIPHON Jack Hoffbuhr, manager of the MID,
is shown above pointing to one of the many, leaks in the siphons
used by the irrigation districts to get water to the valley floor.
It is proposed to replace these slowly rotting, antiquated struc
tures with concrete siphons. It is believed that .the savings in
maintenance, costs alone will permit repayments on a contract
with the government to be made without increasing water assess
ments. If the system failed at any of its weak points, it could be
up to 30 days before service could be restored, which, might well
mean a total crop loss in the districts.. t ; s . "
4-H Teenage Council
Will Meet on Monday
' Jackson County 4-H Council
of Teenagers will', have their
monthly session. at 8 p.m. Mon
day, July li; at Bigham hall at
the county faiigrounds. Yv.
N Plans will be made for the
summer camp at Camp Gray-
back the last week in July and
for the . county 4-H and Future
Farmers of America fair in Au
gust. - , ' . ':. ...
Miss Jean Brooks, county 4-
H club agent, pointed out that
the deadline for. filing applica
tions to attend the camp is on
Wednesday, July 13. She said
that at least 10 more applica
tions must be in to assure that
the camp will be held. " " 1 '
Spring Tree Planting
Finished in Forest
' Tree planting on the Rogue
Kiver ivauonai forest has been
completed for the spring period,
according to . Supervisor Jack
Wood. Approximately . 500.000
trees, including sugar pine, pon
derosa . pine, Jeffrey pine and
shasta red fir; have been' set out
on 600 acres of cutover lands.
: - During the past five years
more than 2,500 acres of nation
al forest lands have been plant
ed with seedlings. Areas selected
for restocking are those for
which natural seed source is
poor or other factors indicate the
need for artificial seedine:
: Seedling trees used in the op
erations are raised iif Forest
Service nurseries and nlanted
when about two years old.
Swim Lesson Signup Will Start Tomorrow
Registration . for the : second
series of 10 swimming lessons at
Hawthorne park pool will start
at. the pool tomorrow, Darrell
Huson, .park director, ' hia 'an
nounced. Classes for the second
series, will start Monday, July
18." ' , ' . "
Huson said children 8 years
old and over-may- register, any., registered-
day next week. Ten classes will
be held at a cost of $2, which
covers pool entrance fee. Huson
said each- child is required to
furnish his own swimsuit and
towel. ' ,
' The first .series of classes fin
ished its first week' Friday, and
will .'complete its classes next
Friday. -Some 154 children are
Cecil Morrises
Leaving for Chico
The Cecil Norris family, 2105
Roberts rd., Medford, will leave
this week for Chico, Calif., to
make their home.
Norris will take over manage
ment of a Dodge-Plymouth
dealership there. He has been
in automobile sales work in Med
ford for a number of years, and
recently sold Foreign Motors
here,' a dealership in European
automobiles. Since then he has
been sales manager for that
firm. Earlier, he was a Nash
salesman. : -
- Norris has been active : in
Democratic politics in Jackson
county, having served as chair
man of the Democratic central
committee. In 1954 he. was
Democratic candidate for coun
ty clerk.
; Mr. and Mrs. Norris are par
ents of two girls and a boy.
Park Vandalism Gets
Prosecution Warning
Ashland Several acts 'of
vandalism in Ashland park
brought warnings last week from
Eldon Scripter, park commission
chairman,' that all such acts, by
"juveniles or adults," will be
prosecuted.
, Wednesday night in the lower
section of the park three heavy
sprinklers were taken apart and
sections of the mechanism taken.
Benches were upset, the v. tool
house broken into, and a rins of
keys stolen. Several weeks ago,
a 60-foot length of hose was
found to be missing. ; ,
"Every effort is being made
to keep the park attractive and
in good condition," Scripter said.
"It's the property of the taxpay
ers and we have no other course
but to prosecute Juveniles or
adults when they commit acts of
vandalism."
Welcome To
ft miie east S2?njjm
WATCH FOR SIGNS
Bring your visiters and friends
; . Voluntary Contributions Ac
cepted. .,
Featuring Southern Oregon Cut
and Polished Stones and Indian
Artifacs. Rough agate materials
cut and polished are For Sale.
Try Our Delicious
CLOVER HONEY
largo selection of contain
ers, including Co ramie
Jugs.
Bud Fisher Newly
ElectedCommander
Of Legion Post 15
M. E. "Bud" Fisher, recently
was elected commander of Med
ford Post 15 of the American
Legion for the year 1955-56.
Fisher was born at Vader,
Wash., in October, 1900, and was
raised in the Willamette valley.
He finished grade school in Se-
V
"BUD" FISHER
Hew Legion Commander
attle and high school at Mon
mouth, Ore., when E. H. Hed
rick, now superintendent of Med
ford schools, was principal.
Fisher became a member of
an Oregon National Guard com
pany at Dallas while in high
school. and went to Vancouver
barracks at the outbreak ' of
World War I in 1917. He was
discharged from the Army while
still 15 years old. When he was
16, he enlisted in the Navy, serv
ing- overseas. After the armis
tice he ' was placed - on special
duty, returned to the states in
October, : 1920, and was dis
charged in July. 1921.
He became a member of the
American Legion at Bend in 1925
and has been in continuous mem
bership since.
Fisher became a member of
the 40 and 8 in 1940, and re
inlisted in the Navy in 1942.
Finally discharged in 1945, he
and his family moved to Med
ford where they have resided
since. . .
Fischer has been' active in
affairs of the local Legion post,
holding . the ' offices of second
and first vice-commander, and
has headed a number of committees.-.
. .
He said last week he is plan
ning, an active and aggressive
year for the post, and has se
cured the services of some of the
post's top .members to serve as
leaders of important committees.
5
4
LODGE AT YMCA CAMP
Outdoor Area Opening Today) Work on Site Completed
-.,., ..... ... . , . " f
'Y Summer Camp Opening
Today; Workers Ready Site
During the past several weeks,
workers have been readying the
YMCA Diamond Lake ; camp
for its official opening today.
In general, preparations have
included setting up tents for liv
ing quarters and getting water
front facilities "ship shape." The
lodge, ' used as a cafeteria, was
constructed two years ago. ft
has now received the final ham
mer, and . nail treatment - as the
fireplace outer wall- was
sheathed. ::
Today, campers from the Ash
land YMCA move in for a
week's stay. Roseburg and Klam
ath Falls also share the camp in
ensuing weeks. .....
Local Camp July 24 ;
Camp for Medford boys aged
9 through 14 begins July 24 and
runs .until Sept; 5, the last week
being for "families of all ages."
Fee for one of the four seven
day periods is $18, of which S3
is an advance registration charge. Walter Bish, committee chair
Spiritual values, swimming.
diving, canoeing, sailing, boat
ing, biking, and campfire ses
sions are featured. Safety mea
sures are primary considerations.
Staff Listed
Staff for the summer will be
Donald Day, director; - R. L.
Jones, supervisor; Alfred Leste
barger, engineer; Mrs. Bernard
Moore, nurse, and selected col
lege and high school students as
counselors.
Campers are asked to provide
their own transportation, and
parents are invited only during
aunaay afternoons.
Registration blanks may bo
obtained at the YYMCA, 822
est Sixth st Those desiring fur
ther information may receive
it there or telephone 2-6295. .
Mental Health Expert
Slates Appearances
Melvin Murphy, executive sec
retary of: the. Oregon Mental
Health association, will speak
here Monday at a meeting of
the Jackson. County Mental
Health committee.
The meeting is scheduled for
8 - p.m. at the Congregational
church, 300 Oakwood dr. , ,
Murphy is conducting a work
shop at Southern Oregon college
in Ashland, and is, spending his
free time , working with the
county group, according to Mrs.
man; ; - .. . .. , .
At Monday's meeting he Is
scheduled to discuss family
counseling and problems of the
aged in Oregon, as well as local
work in these fields. -
Murphy also is scheduled to
appear Monday at 4:45 p.m. on
television station KBES-TV and'
at 4:15- pjn.. July 18 on radio
station KMED. He wffl meet
wijh parents of mentally retard
ed children on July 18, and
again with the mental health
committee on July 21.
For A Pltasant Sunday Afttrnoon
IT'S
DAEIDAMELLE
V For Rtally FINE FOOD V L i f
. V ChHdron AJwayf Wolcomo '
' ' ' ;''. Vary Ploatant Aimotphor ;
; Opoii at .l pjni' Sunday-
CLOSED WEDNESDAY PHONI S-9230 OOLD rfitt ;
360
LITTLE
CIRCLESI
COUNT 'EM!
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Thy all look alike, don't thay? Yat tftara's a world off diffaraflea
tha way wa figura at Marcy Flights. Thbsa 360 drclas rapratant 360
patiants wa'va flown to aithor sava thair Kvaa or aparo tham pain, and
120 off tho drclas raprasant pro-paid subscribars.who wara flown ffraa
of chargo. Tha othars had to pay, iff thay wara abla. Actually, wa wish
that all of tha patiants had baan subscribers and flown ffraa off chargo.
That would mean that everyone in Jackson County was a subscriber,
plus a few more out off the county. Both the patients and ourselves -would
be better off financially. l f 1
Right now, whether you're a subscriber or not, you enjoy the com
fort of knowing that a Mercy Flights crew and at least one of our
two planes is standing by day or night to rush you or someone in
your family to specialized medical centers in the larger ernes. As a
subscriber, you pay only $4.00 a year for your entire family, and for
get about the high costs of operating airplanes.' Of herwise, a 50c par!
mile charge is made for non-subscribers. Which do you think would bo
easier to pay? J
v Mercy Flights is a non-profit, public service organization which is
vital and necessary for the safety and health of everyone in the com
munity. It can exist only with your support as a subscriber. HY so
simple to join, so do it NOW. Send your name, address, number in
family, and $4.00 to ,
MERCY FLIGHTS, INC.
P.O. Box 522
Mtdford, Oregon
Your subscriber card will be sent to you by mail in
. : ; 2 approximately 10 days V r