230 



2 HE IRRIGATION' AGE. 



ti'on has been had and no decree fixing the priorities for the distribution of the waterhas 

 been issued, but where a supervision of such distribution is deemed desirable by a 

 majority of the claimants, water masters are sometimes elected for that purpose, the 

 basis for their distribution of ths water in such cases being mutual agreements of 

 local customs and recognized rights, In some cases also, especially in Utah, the 

 earlier appropriators have in some instances secured injunctions from the courts 

 against later ones, enjoining the latter from using the water claimed by the former. 

 These injunctions have usually been obtained without a consideration of all the 

 rights in the stream, and the results under their operation have not generally been 

 satisfactory. 



"The United States has never attempted to exercise any supervision or control 

 over the appropriation and use of the public water supply in the arid States, this 

 having been left to the various States which have assumed the responsibility to a 

 greater or less extent. The result has been the growing up of important State de- 

 partments having this work in charge. In addition to the duties which have been 

 specified, these officers are directed by law to measure the flow of the various streams 

 used for irrigation, to collect all possible information in regard to water supply, and 

 irrigated and irrigable lands of the State, to examine dams, existing reservoirs and 

 possible reservoir sites, to give information in regard to measurement of water, to ex- 

 amine all existing irrigation systems, and in general to become thoroughly familiar 

 with the agricultural and irrigation conditions and possibilities in their respective 

 States and districts. The results, in a general way, may be found in the reports of 

 the various ptate engineers, and of the Montana Arid Land Grant Commission. 

 These reports may often be obtained, and they embody the best and most reliable 

 information in regard to the region under consideration. Special inquiries addressed 

 to the irrigation officials in the different states will secure additional information. " 



