42 THE IRRIGATION AGE. 



years on these streams are distributed through these various counties. 



The provisions as to the beginning and prosecution of the w }rk 

 and the proviso that the claimant who fails to comply with the law 

 shall acquire no rights as against the subsequent appro priator who 

 makes full compliance, are in their way, well enough, except that no 

 provision is made for determining as to who have and who have not 

 complied with the law. 



On one claim for 200 cubic feet per second from White River (the 

 average flow is 15 cu. ft. per second) filed June 16, 1891, the total force 

 employed in construction up to April 12, 1895, was two men and one 

 team for one and three-fourths days. 



The state was divided into water divisions along drainage lines. 

 Administrative officers were provided whose qualifications and duties 

 were clearly set forth. This is a part of the organic law of the state. 

 At the first session of the Legislature after Wyoming became a state, 

 the principles outlined in the constitution were elaborated into a law 

 which embodies the best that has yet been attempted in irrigation leg- 

 islation. 



This law provides: 



First; a place of record. Every claim for water must be on record 

 in the office of the State Engineer. Under this law, there is no need 

 of uncertainty or doubt in the mind of any person desiring to make an 

 appropriation as to what is already claimed. A letter adressed to the 

 State Engineer will bring in answer full and complete information 

 concerning the appropriation of any stream. There is no need of dis- 

 appointment through the construction of ditches on over appropriated 

 streams. 



The law provides: 



Second: that all claims whose priorities and amounts have not al- 

 ready been determined by Courts should be brought before one tribu- 

 nal, the State Board of Control. This Board is composed of the En- 

 gineer and the four Superintendents of the Divisions. 



The State Engineer brings to this task in addition to his profes- 

 sional skill, the resources of a well equipped office with expert engi- 

 neering assistance. If special or technical information is desired in 

 the adjudication of any case, it can be obtained at first hand. The 

 Superintendent of the Division in which the case is heard has made a 

 special study of the streams in his division and is familiar with all 

 the local conditions. The other three Superintendents are by their 

 work in their own divisions specially fitted for an intelligent and im- 

 partial consideration of all the questions involved. Such a tribunal 

 does not need to act on prejudiced, incompetent and conflicting testi- 

 mony, as to acres irrigated, dimensions and grades of ditches and flow 

 of streams. By the application of bi-oad general principles, they 

 they can, while taking account of the local irrigation practice and 

 conditions, distribute equal and exact justice to all. 



