67 



In cooperat ion wi(li the Utah Agricnltnral Experiment Station soil 

 surveys of the traet are also bein^ made. The estimated eost of tliis 

 is 1.25 cents i)er acre. 



This system is much more elaborate than that adopted in anj^ other 

 State, and it remains to be seen whether it will be maintained in Utah. 

 The law is general in its terms, and it is in the power of the engineer to 

 simplify tlie ])rocedure if he deems it advisable. One of the greatest 

 drawbacks is the time consumed. If the surveys of a single stream 

 are to occuj)y the time of the engineer and his assistants six years, it 

 will take a great many years to adjudicate the rights to the streams of 

 the State. This new law did not repeal the old law, under which in 

 any water-right suit all parties claiming rights to the same source may 

 be made parties to the action. It is quite likely that in the years that 

 must elapse before the rights throughout the State are defined under 

 the new law many will be defined in the old way. There is no pro- 

 vision for liydrographic surve3's in such cases nor for the issuance of 

 certificates by the court when a decree is rendered. It would seem 

 that there might well be provision similar to that in Idaho, for the 

 court to call on the engineer to make surveys and measurements, and 

 by all means there should be provision for the issuance of certificates 

 by the court. The num])ering of these could be left to the engineer 

 when they are filed with him for rect)rd. 



ACQUIREMENT OF BIGHTS. 



■ Supervision of the acquirement of rights to water was given to the 

 State engineer in 1903. Before that there was provision for posting 

 and filing notices, but nothing more. The new law provides that 

 rights may be acquired under its provisions and not otherwise. The 

 party wishing to accpiire a right to water must apply to the engineer 

 and receive a permit, and must, at the expiration of the time allowed, 

 submit proof of completion, after which a certificate is issued stating 

 what rights have been acquired. 



The application must contain the same information as is required 

 from a claimant whose rights are being adjudicated (see p. 63). 

 Originally all classes were made on the same form, but there was a 

 tendency for applicants to fill all ])lanks, whether they should be filled 

 or not, producing a good deal of confusion. A form with the blanks 

 for dift'erent uses all on one sheet, but under separate headings in large 

 type, was next tried, but there was still a tendency to fill all blanks. 

 Now separate forms are used for irrigation, power, and mining appli- 

 cations. In order to get their applications in proper shape and avoid 

 the loss of time due to making corrections, many applicants come to 

 the engineer's office and fill out their applications wnth the aid of the 

 engineer or his assistants. No maps are required with the applica- 

 tions, but the place of diversion and the place of returnhig the water 



