106 



of natural rainfall and 30 inches of irrigation water, or 51 inches in 

 all, should be ample for any crop. 



In all rights that are hereafter to be ac([uired the maximum time of 

 use as well as the maximum cjuantity should })e specified. This time 

 limit for summer irrigation might be fixed at live consecutive months. 

 A provision of this kind is necessary in order to utilize to the fullest 

 extent the available water supply. Water is now used in Beaverhead 

 and other counties for winter irrigation. As i.he area devoted to dry 

 farming is increased the use of water during the early si)ring and fall 

 months, and even in winter, is destined, it is believed, to increase in a 

 more rapid ratio. It would seem to be well, therefore, to clearlv 

 define all kinds of rights to the use of water. One man desires water 

 onl}' during the crop-growing season, which is assumed to be live 

 months; another desires water for winter irrigation, which may be 

 assumed to be for a definite period also; while a third desires to divert a 

 part of the Hood flow to till his storage reservoirs. Now, it would seem 

 to be the duty of the State to permit all of these appropriations and 

 others that may arise, but to so detine both the time and amount that 

 conflicts ma}' be avoided. 



ACQUIREMENT OF RIGHTS. 



The adjudication of all existing rights will fall far short of its greatest 

 value if it is not accompanied by a provision that in the future rights 

 can be acijuired only under such supervision as will insure a public 

 record of their dates and volumes, in order that there ma}' be at all 

 times a complete record of rights. The systems adopted for this in 

 Wyoming, Nebraska, Idaho, Utah, and Nevada are in general the same, 

 and may be considered the best. The person wishing to acquire a 

 water right is re(juired to apply to the State engineer, stating in pre- 

 scribed form how much water he wants and from what source, the 

 location of his irrigation works, and the lands to be irrigated. If this 

 application is in proper form, and there is unappropriated water in the 

 source of supply, a permit is issued flxing the conditions under which 

 the work must be done and the time when it nmst be completed. On 

 or before the expiration of this time proof of completion must be 

 submitted, and a certificate is then issued stating what rights have been 

 acquired. Such a system is not intended as a limitation on the acquire- 

 ment of rights, but rather as a means of encouraging construction by 

 relieving the builders of works of uncertainty as to the water supply 

 and of the necessit}- of lighting for their rights in the courts. 



