PROGRESS IN RECLAMATION OF ARID LANDS IN THE 

 WESTERN UNITED STATES. 1 



[With 12 plates.] 



By F. H. Newell, Director of Reclamation Service. 



PRESENT CONDITIONS. 



The progress being made by the United States Government in the 

 reclamation of arid lands under the terms of the so-called Recla- 

 mation or Newlands Act of June 17, 1902, has been notable, and the 

 results as accomplished are instructive to students of engineering and 

 economics. The plans and hopes have been touched upon in previous 

 discussions, but the time has now arrived when more tangible con- 

 clusions are becoming available. The work is in an instructive stage 

 in that it is possible to observe the results of the practical application 

 of ideals of conservation and the working out of these in communities 

 of considerable size. 



Reclamation works have been laid out in all of the Western 

 States and Territories and an investment of over $60,000,000 has 

 been made. Part of the works in each State has been completed 

 and is being operated, returning a part of the cost. About 10,000 

 families are being supplied with water. Most of these have come 

 from the humid regions and have located upon tracts of land which 

 formerly were considered valueless, and in portions of the country 

 which were called desert. In short, by the use of a trust fund which 

 is being returned and used over again, the waste waters of the Nation 

 are being conserved, destructive floods prevented, apparently value- 

 less land converted into highly productive farms, and thousands of 

 families settled upon small tracts sufficient for their support. To 

 this extent relief is being given to the tendency toward congestion 

 in the industrial centers and home markets are being extended. The 

 farmer located upon a small irrigated tract owned and cultivated by 

 himself necessarily practices intensive farming, produces the highest 



1 This article is in continuation of papers printed in the Smithsonian Reports for 1901, 

 pp. 407 to 423 ; 1903, pp. 827 to 841 ; 1904, pp. 373 to 381 ; 1907, pp. 331 to 345. 



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