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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 1961)
SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 19S1 MEDFORD MAIL TRIBUNE, MEDFORD, ORE. Talent SybUdterals Hemmoimi do Basin (Project Division Is 94 Per Cent Done; Potentials Noted By JOE COWLEY Mail Tribune Staff Writer Now that the Talent divl- slon of the Rogue River basin riroioct is 94 per cent com plete, what is left to do? What 10 A v , Vt - v. . V H'"- kl Huh is its potential in terms of ag riculture, power and recrea tion? The west lateral enlarge ment and extension is to be let out on bid Feb. 15. Other phases of the actual work is just about completed, accora ing to bureau of reclamation officials. The expansion of Emigrant lake will be completed in Anril. Talent Irrigation dis trict work on enlargement and rehabilitation will be fin ished in April. All collection and delivery systems nave been completed. Only work left is completion of sub la terals to be run for distribu tion to new land. The TID will construct these, Benefit 10,500 People Water from this project will benefit directly about 10,500 persons, based on the 1959 crop census. That Indi cates that the three irrigation districts have a farm popula tion of 3,840 persons, The re lated suburban and urban areas have a population of 6, 712 persons. What will this additional water mean to Rogue River valley agriculture? Breaking it down by districts, it means that a greater variety of agri cultural products can be raised in the Talent Irrigation district. "The trend in the last five year3 has been more diversifi cation," TID Manager Walter Hoffbuhr said. "We will see more truck gardening, partic ularly. This means tomatoes, sugar beet seeds, melons, cu cumbers, onions and that type of crop." On Bottom Soil Most of this type of crop will be Brown on the more pli able rich Bear creek bottom loil-lho heavy black silt-like oil which already supports many truck crops for farmers gelling them from roadside glands between Phoenix and Ashland. Actually, TID rec ords show about the same truck crop acreage within the district as the previous year. "The bulk of new land brought under irrigation will go Into pasture and hay pro duction and quite a bit of It into orchards, Bear Creek or chards has been preparing for the new water already by planting an extensive acreage next to Bear creek in the Phoenix-Talent area. Much of this newly planted orchard land is being watered by tank truck until it is brought under TID water," Hoffbuhr ex plained. "A lot of new subdivisions in the Griffin Creek, Dark Hollow and Cherry Hills dis tricts will rely on TID water for watering lawns and gar dens," the TID manager point ed out. "The ground water there is so poor that such dis tricts have only domestic use from their wells." Largest Return "But pears do bring the largest return por acre and as much land as practicable com ing under Irrigation for the first lime will be planted lo pear trees," Hoffbuhr said. The TID will serve some new land in 1901. All of it will go cn the water assess ment roll In 1962. However, as Hoffbuhr pointed out, the Happy and HOTEL WMEDF0RD 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. CANDLE ROOM OPEN 12 A.M. TALENT LATERAL This shows the Tal ent lateral extending 20 miles on the west side of the valley. This picture was laken just off the old Phoenix-Talent highway. The' project is under contract to Pacific Talent project will not be completed until the secretary of the interior notifies t h e district. The TID manager suys gen eral conditions so fur indicate a good Irrigation season next season providing a good snow pack is spread over the high hills this winter. The upper layer of soil is belter primed this year than it has been for several years. This means a good snturated upper manlle of earth so when a snow pack is formed there will be a more productive runoff. It will not have to seep inlo the parched high hills first, 'robbing the lowlands. More Stable Crop With good supplies from Four Mile and Fish lakes available, the Mcdford Irriga tion district has developed a more permanent and stable crop situation. Jack Hoffbuhr, MID man ager and brother of Walt Hoff buhr. exoects a' definite in crease in orchard lands with the water which will be and cd to his district when TID lakes what It needs. Orchards will be planted further otit as Ihc orchards closer to lite pop ulation centers are used for subdivisions. One possible crop change may be some planting of cane berries on lands suitable for farming. By bringing addi tional lands under the dis trict it will achieve a broader base, meaning a thinner cost spread. No Change Seen Rouuc River Vnlley Irriga tion district probably will not chaniic its crop outlook mucli Much of Ihe district Is already nlantcd to a diversified type of farming, orchards, seed croDS. truck gardens and pus ture and hay lands. 11 will the water diverted from MID. Agate dam on Dry creek will influence its development more than Ihc Talent project. The project gives Ihc resi dents of the Rogue river vai ley a chain ot three lakes, Howard Prairie which covers an area four miles long anci width varying from a half to n mile: Hyatt reservoir cover ing two miles by a halt mile and Emigrant reservoir meas uring 2'-i miles H'lR uv half mile wide. When the local recreation nconlc speak of recreation they are thinking primarily of Howard Prairie: Those peo ple pushing for its develop ment can visualize a busy rec reation area on the west side Healthful to YOU from all of ut at DINING ROOM OPEN " 1 Concrete company, Portland. It is scheduled for completion In April. The new lateral will carry water to newly irrigated lands and bring supplemental Talent division water to lands now in short supply. if J. ,4 FIRST SCREEN STRUCTURE This is a picture of the existing lower outlet works for the Hyatt Prairie dam fish screen structure. The photo shows the contractor removing the concrete walls and slab at trash rack. (Pholo by F. E. Ross, U. S. Bureau of Reclamation.) ot the reservoir in lale spring and summer. A comparatively small- ma rina development extends ils finger piers out into the deep er water so recrealionists can tic up tlieir boats while they come in for a quick snack in the attractive service building. Building Planned This building now being planned will probably have a large glassed In front so outdoorsinen and their fami lies can watch the activity on the lake while they cat or those out on a Sunday drive can enjoy the scenery in frof of them, Here in this large building, which also houses the caretaker's apartment, on the second floor, groceries, fishing gear and various boat ing equipment and supplies, can be purchased. Far out on the lake the sharp prow of a sailboat knifes through the water as Ihe boat's white wings billow to the afternoon breeze. A fisherman with his outboard motor temporarily silent deft ly ncls one of the large trout J destined to make Howard I Prairie "hottest fishing lake in the slate," according to Cole Rivers, biologist In this area for the state game commission. In (heir restricted zone. water-skiers delicately bal- anrc on their twin boards as ! ski-boats surge through the 1 water And there are others ! content merely lo dangle Iheir feel in the water while : sitting on (he edge of the boat I piers. Other Recreation I'eharps a diver arcs her sun tanned body high over the i lake before splashing cleanly J into the water below a diving board. A picnicker puffs con i tcntcdly on his pipe as his ! wife packs away Ihe remains I of a hearty picnic lunch on one of the neat onc-uhit tables with benches. The lire In the outdoor concrete fireplace has already been carefully ex- linguished. As the seasons change duck i hunters may take (heir stands I The reservoir covers 38.500 in blinds along the lake's 'acre feet. shores. Then. In winter, slim! The Green Springs power hriuhL Kaila ft t h I r ahnnt'nnrf k-Muminl ,.,AM.nip, 11. T5 stcel runners bite into Ihe Ice oil Ihe lake. Skaters skim gracefully in singles and pairs over the frozen surface as bonfires spread rozy glows along the shore. This is recreation and this is a phase of all irrigation projects which is becoming in creasingly important and in separable. But what about the engi neering features? Distribution Systems The distribution systems which carry the water from Ihe reservoirs to Ihe farm lands cover 101.1 miles, ac cording to bureau of reclama tion figures. This system will serve a lo (al of 18,020 acres. It includes the Ashland lateral extension, Ashland lateral rehabilita tion, east lateral enlargement, west lateral enlargement and extension, Talent lateral en largement, Phoenix canal enlargement, existing s u b laterals' rehabilitation, new sublalerals constitution. The collection canals cover 10.7 miles; the south fork collection canal nine miles (Including the Deadwood tun nel), Daley collection canal, Dead Indian and Conde creek canals. When this complicated and extensive project is completed by 1962, il will provide sup plemental Irrigation water to 9.921 Irrigable acres now in short supply, and a full sup ply to 5.1:10 irrigable acres of dry lands in the Talent division. Howard Prairie dam Is lo cated on Beaver creek in the Klamath basin. 27 miles east of Ashland. It is 105 f,cet high. 11 s surface area Is 2.000 acres and capacity 00,500 acre feet. East of Ashland Hyatt Prairie lake on Krone creek In the Klamnth river basin, Is 18 miles east of Ash land and was built in 1922. The dam Is 53 feet high. Total capacity is 10,200 acre feet. Emigrant damlis located on Emigrant creek east of Ash land. The dam is 196 feet hish DAM ENLARGEMENT This This is a composite picture the right bank near the axis 1 Z - Wt si el" -5" -( Sir LATERAL REHABILITATION This photo shows Talent lateral rehabilitation struc tures and is a view of the "meter-gate" turnout and farm bridge (abutments) struc tures under construction. Such distribution 0' " .rm. . ':'- '' : - i , I t' If r"V ,! : .T.-iiii.! WASTE-WAY This picture shows a concrete waste-way in the Talent lateral on the west side of the valley. Normally there are flashboard gales inserted in the box to control the outlet of water. This gate is opened to carry away storm or waste water in order to prevent flooding the lateral. The gate is left open to drain the lateral in the winter time when the irrigation water is not needed. commercial (Tillable annual power production is estimated at 52,190,000 kilowatt hours. Annual operation, mainten ance and replacement costs arc estimated at $62,700. The power plant makes the project feasible for the farm ers. It will pay for 52 per cent of irrigation costs and all its own cost plus interest at 2-U per cent annually. Authoriiing Act The authorizing act for the Talent provision provides that all costs, including those to be relumed from power and (roin the water users should be repaid In a 00-year period. The commercial power invest ment should be amortized under an interest rale formu la. The act requires that the power revenues be used first to amortize the commercial power investment which will require approximately 40 vcars Thereafter it is lo be , used lo assist in the return of j the irrigation costs. Net federal Investment for i tho project was $24,736,930. This includes construction costs of $23,700,000. less past ' investigations at $430,000, less salvage value of $77,000. Construction Costs The total construction costs of $23,700,000 Include Howard Prairie dam and reservoir $1.- 810.000, but excludes Stio.OOO : completed in 1887, the fruit fish and wildlife costs. It also Browing potential was seen includes Emigrant dam and ! here. Commercial orchards reservoir al $4,944,000. Keene j wcrc pia,ltcd ncar Ashland, creek dam and reservoir at j However, water supplies still $935,000. i wcl . not dependable. Collection canals cost an The Fish Lake Ditch com cslimated $1,876,000; canals ; pany was developed in 1898. and laterals. $487,000. but ex- j This company began water eludes $24,000 fish and wild- deliveries in 1902 and through Qo costs. Sublatcrals cost I reorganization is now the view shows the Emigrant dam showing the up-stream face. It is of the dam. Contractor is R. systems which carry the water from Ihe reservoirs to the farmlands cover 101.1, ac cording to bureau of reclamation figures. nnanieHi $487,000; the drainage system, $300,000. The Green Springs power plant and switchyard cost an estimated $6,023,000; fish fa cilities, $104,000, maintenance machinery and equipment $146,000, but excludes fish and wildlife al $15,000 and recreation costs at $140,000. Benefits Estimated Direct and indirect bene fits of irrigation were esti mated at a total of S919.000; power at $417,000; flood con trol at $29,300; fish and wild life $29,500 and recreation at $8,200. Irrigation is not a modern day development. Hot, dry summers plus the need to keep livestock close lo the settlements during Indian troubles early in the valley s history emphasized the Irriga tion need. Simple stream di versions furnished irrigation for summer pastures. Bv 180P1 Bv 180P there were 3.950 acres irriMted in the valley. This acreage grew from year to year until all tributary streams were appropriated (or H'e summer flow. By 1890. some 17.000 acres were irri- galea This success of early irri gation created a desire for larger projects. Early attempts to control (he larger streams, however, proved inadequate. Fruit Potential Seen When the railroad was enlargement, struction company. This dam is located on a view from land. The dam A. Hcintz Con- (F. E. Ross pho(o) Rogue River Valley Irriga tion district. Finally, the Oregon district laws were passed in 1917. These acts allowed formation of the present municipal type irrigation districts. However, high costs of the large proj ects still limited development lo cheap, inadequate, tribu tary water resources. None of the four storage dams con structed cost more than a few hundred thousand dollars. From 1900 to the present time, the agricultural economy and growth of the area has fluctuated as the water supply fluctuated. This has empha sized the need for develop ment of the overall Rogue Basin project of which the the Talent division is a part. Dr. Seuss Featured In Tuesday Story Dr. Seuss will again be fea tured at the pre-school story time in the children s depart ment of the Public Library of Mcdford and Jackson County. The Tuesday morning story wi)l be "If I Ran the Circus" with Mrs. Charles Henry the story teller. Mrs. Henry will also include other stories and finger plays in her program. The program for pre-school age children is ' regularly scheduled in the children's department on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. V D o I- c a -o 3 O JK 12 Wt O o MORTUARY CEMETERY MAUSOLEUM CREMATORY SP 2-5488 605 Highland Drive is 198 feet high. The reservoir Pacific Telephone Plans Expansion During Next Year Pacific Telephone North west has programmed a $23.9 million outlay to expand and improve telephone service in Oregon during 1961, F. M. Mitchell, the company's vice president and general man ager, has announced. "This expenditure of almost $24 million is certainly the best evidence of our belief in the essential soundness of Oregon's economy and in the future growth prospects of the state," Mitchell said. Grange Notes Phoenix Grange held a so cial evening Dec. 27 as the Yulotide holidays were rec ognized. A potluck dinner was the preceding event followed by a variable program. There was no business meeting. Lecturer Mrs. Lloyd Lacy was in charge. A vocal group, "The Lady and the Tramps," sang several songs. ,The members are Dar lcne Coffman, Dorothy James, Penney Simmons and P a m Grove, at the piano. Mr. and Mrs. Olin Poe gave a Christmas skit. Accordion students of Rose Meadows played a number of Christmas melodies. The stu dents ' are Danny O'Duane; Randy and Roger Wiley, Rick Campbell, Douglas Mann, Ray mond Potter, Walter, Frank and Delia Fitzgerald and Wil liam Brcedlove. The evening ended with five members of the Phoenix Judo Academy giving adem onstration. They were T,arry Noltc, master of ceremonies: Jo Rutter, Dr. Paul H. Rut ter, Buster Norton and Jack Wheeler. Nolte explained the terms and actions as they pro ceeded and also gave the his tory and origin of the judo arts. First Church of God W. Martin, Pastor -Phone SP 3-5449 Temporarily Worshiping WILSON SCHOOL Grand and Corona Until New Building Is Completed at Crater Lake Avenue and Roberts Road As the bells ring in a bright New Year, 1961. We hope they're chim ing a promise of happss, health and prosperity for you. A very happy and joyous New Year. Joe and Virginia Hosick Lew and Margaret Miles SISKIYOU Siskiyou Memorial Park Emigrant creek east ot Ash- contains 50,000 acre leet. (F. E. Ross photo) Reporting on 1960, Mitchell said the number of telephones served by the company in tho' sta(e increased by 22,942 to a total of 576,169. The number of long distance calls went up' about 6.6 per cent during tho, year, he added. i 687 Telephones Added In Medford, 687 telephones' were added to the total in ser-j vice during the year, accord-i ing to Manager J. H. Creager.i There are now 16,771 phones' in the Medford exchange. Looking ahead, Mitchell, listed bringing direct distance! dialing, to some 160,000 Port- land phones with ATlantic,, CApitol and BElmont in May,, 1961, as one of the company's biggest projects during . the coming year. DDD will be ex-! tended lo the rest of Port-! land and nearby suburban! communities in 1962. : j Completion of manual lo, dial conversions at Florence and at Arlington in 1961 will1 bring dial service to 99 per' cent of the company's tele-! phones in Oregon, he said. i Dances Scheduled ; For Area Students i i Dances for junior and sen-! ior high school students inj January have been announced, by the Young Men's Christian1 association, Medford. j High school dances will ba held Jan. 6, 8 to 11 p.m.; Jan.; 13 and 14, 10 to 12 p.m.; Janj 21, 10 to 12 p.m.; and Jan. 27, and Jan. 28, both 7 to 10 p.m.; Proceeds from ticket sales are B be used to purchase, new dance equipment and to' help start the new Junior Hi Y club. Refreshments will be' available at the affairs, and recorded music is featured. ! .us- ' t
