IRRIGATION INVESTIGATIONS. 481) 



believed that these studies of dikes and drains should be continued 

 until eiioutih iiifovniation has been oained to enable this Office to 

 make detinite recoinnicndiitions for the improvement of the rice 

 industr}- of this region. 



At the recjuest of Mr. ,1. H. Stewart, director of tlic State experi- 

 ment station of West Virj»inia, a visit was made to Parkersburu- in 

 order to determine whether or not a feasible location could be obtained 

 for punipin*;' water from the Ohio liiver to irrit^ate a small experi- 

 mental tract in the vicinit}' of this city. The Avide difference between 

 the hi^^h and low water levels of this stream is not a favorable condi- 

 tion for pumpino-, and it was concluded to examine some of the tribu- 

 ttiry streams to see if a reservoir which would furnish water b}' 

 gravit}' could not be ])uilt. The search for such location has not 3'et 

 been completed. 



DRAINAGE INVESTIGATIONS. 

 C. G. Elliott, Expert in Drainage, in (-harge. 



From drainage survej's made in the Fresno district, California, in 

 1902, plans and estimates were made and published in circular No. 50 

 of the Office of ExpiM-iment Stations. The tract for which drainage 

 was proposed contains al)out 25 square miles of fruit land which 

 requires drainage to reclaim it from injury which has resulted from 

 excessive quantities of soil water and alkali. Through the efforts of 

 those intimatelv concerned in the drainage of land in that State 

 re(juiring combined effort, the passage of a drainage law was secured 

 during the session of the legislature in 1902-3, and a district is now 

 being organized under its provisions. During the summer of 1903 

 measurements of the fluctuation of ground Avater Averc made for the 

 purpose of ascertaining more accurately than had previous!}^ been 

 done the (piantity of Avater that should l»e rcMUOved I)}' drainage. 

 These measurements lead to the conclusion that during the month of 

 Marcii 0.15 acre-inch should lie drained from each acre in tAventy-four 

 hours, in April 0.08 acre-inch, aii<l in iNIay 0.02 acre-inch, in order to 

 prcA'ent the soil Avater line from rising. The tile-drain S3'stem pro- 

 posed for that district is designed to remove 0.09 acre-inch each 

 twenty-four hours. This, from investigations thus far made, it is 

 believed will meet the requirements. 



At the recjuest of farmers at Sunnyside, AA'ash., Avho desired some 

 assistance, examinations and surveys of land showing seepage and 

 alkali Avere made in the early part of the season of 1903. Drainage 

 for 1,500 acres Avas plaimed and surveys, with estimates of cost, Avere 

 made, together with suggestions for necessary supplemental farm 

 drainage. A district for the execution of this. work has been organ- 

 ized in accordance Avith the provisions of the Stiite law. 



The Ahtanum Valley and lands about North Yakima Avere carefully 



