450 



THE IRRIGATION AGE. 



President Taft Opens Gunnison Tunnel of Colorado 



Surrounded by a brilliant assemblage of officials 

 from the state of Colorado, and representatives of the 

 United States government, President Taft pressed the 

 button on September 23, and by electric signal to work- 

 men stationed at the distant end of the completed under- 

 ground waterway, opened for operation the greatest irri- 

 gation project of the present day the Gunnison tunnel 

 of Colorado. 



The scene was picturesque. On a temporary platform 

 high above the opening of the Uncompahgre end of the 

 tunnel stood the president with hand upon a miniature 

 bell, the gift of Montrose citizens and the means by which 

 the signal must be flashed across the mountain. As the 

 president placed this bell on a copper disc, establishing 

 electrical connection, and the workmen began the destruc- 

 tion of the board barrier to the waters, several thousands 

 of citizens gathered along the big ditch near the 'presi- 

 dent's stand broke into hearty cheers and other expressions 

 of delight. 



Uncompahgre Project, South Canal Division, Showing Series of Drops. 



Previous to the brief ceremonies connected with the 

 opening, the president had passed the day in the fertile 

 valley. Almost the whole population of the district had 

 gathered to celebrate his arrival. Many opportunities 

 were given him of viewing the valley and learning of the 

 marvelous productiveness of the fields under proper irri- 

 gation. 



Briefly reviewed, the Gunnison tunnel is approximately 

 30,000 feet in length, has an average cross section of I0y 2 x 

 Iiy 2 feet, and will carry a stream of 1,300 cubic feet of 

 water per second. The head is in the bed of the Gunnison 

 river, from which there is a descending entrance, thus 

 insuring a maximum flow of water so long as the Gun- 

 nison river shall carry the volume in its bed. On the 

 Uncompahgre side is a series of falls between the level of 

 the tunnel and that of the ground to be supplied with 

 water. These falls will supply power for commercial 

 purposes at cities and villages in the valley. 



While there are at present no government lands to be 

 opened for public entry in the Uncompahgre valley, yet 

 the government has secured control of all previously ex- 

 isting ditches and laterals and settlers are required to buy 

 water rights at a figure that must return to the govern- 



ment the whole cost of the engineering work, named by 

 the president as about $6,000,000. 



In length the valley of the Uncompahgre is about 

 forty miles long and twenty miles wide. It is claimed that 

 about 40,000 acres will be supplied with water at once 

 and that when the system is complete nearly 150,000 acres 

 will have been reclaimed. For several years settlers 

 placed dependence upon the Uncompahgre river for their 

 supply and an imperfect system of laterals and ditches was 

 maintained. The river failed several years ago, and be- 

 cause of the lack of rainfall settlers were gradually aban- 

 doning their homes and moving to other sections. The 

 Gunnison river is said to be a never-failing supply and it 

 is anticipated that water for Uncompa'hgre lands is now 

 assured for all time. 



Lands of the Uncompahgre valley are reported to be 

 among the most fertile in the west. Because of the early 

 effort at irrigation farming, their productiveness has 

 already been demonstrated. Fruit growing is the most 

 profitable work, but because of the distance from selling 

 markets greatest attention has thus far been given to 

 apples and peaches. Large shipments are made each year 

 to Texas, California and eastern markets. It is said that 

 the smudge pot has never been used in the valley and that 

 the only fruit crop failure was in 1907. 



In small fruits, strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries 

 and blackberries are most profitable and it is claimed that 

 remarkable yields can be anticipated. The vicinity about 

 Montrose is particularly adaptable to berry crops. One 



Shown on 



Richardson Ranch, near Montrose. Alfalfa Just Harvested Shown 

 Right. Orchard in Background. Spring Creek Mesa in Distance. 



grower sold $1,350 worth of berries from one and three- 

 fourths acres last year. 



Land also seems adapted for alfalfa and grains. Un- 

 til the present time there has been no beet sugar factory 

 in the valley, but negotiations are now pending and it is 

 predicted that a plant will be in operation before the 1910 

 crop has been gathered. Potatoes do well and 400 bushels 

 to the acre is said to be an average yield. 



In climate the valley enjoys the delightful sunshine 

 and warmth without chill in winter or extreme heat in 

 summer. No cyclone has yet been chronicled. Hail- 



(Continued on page 462.) 



