24 



SALT LAKE COMMERCIAL CLUB 



DRAINAGE OF ALKALI LANDS 



BY 



PROF. LEWIS A. MERRILL, AGRICULTURAL EXPERT SALT LAKE ROUTE 

 AND SECRETARY UTAH STATE CONSERVATION COMMISSION 



For several years past the feasibility of reclaiming water-logged 

 and alkali lands by tile-drainage has been urged by Government and 

 State Officials. Some twelve years ago the writer, who was then con- 

 nected with the Utah Experiment Station, represented the state in a 

 co-operative experiment with the Government in an attempt to reclaim 

 a forty acre tract near Salt Lake City. 



Irrigated lands in Salt Lake valley are worth from $125.00 to 

 $250.00 per acre, and if adjacent to Salt Lake City and free from alkali 

 are worth much more. There is plenty of good tile clay in the vicinity of 

 Salt Lake City and tile can be and is manufactured here at a reasonable 

 cost. Experience has shown that these lands can be drained at a cost of 

 less than $25.00 per acre. It is apparent, therefore, that there is here 

 an opportunity for a material addition to the wealth and population of 

 Salt Lake valley. 



Careful estimates show that there are at least 90 square miles be- 

 tween Salt Lake City and the lake that can be drained ; lands that at 

 present have but a nominal value, but if properly drained would be 

 worth at least six million dollars. 



That the drainage can be successfully accomplished and the alkali 

 removed has already been demonstrated. In 1902 the "Swan tract," 

 consisting of 40 acres, lying 4 miles west of Salt Lake City in Sec. 5 

 Township 1 S., R. 1 W., was underlaid with tile at a cost of $660.00 



This land was strongly impregnated with alkali salts and was con- 

 sidered practically valueless. After installation of tiles, the land was 

 flooded practically each week for an irrigation season. 



Before any water was applied to the tract, however, a*detailed 

 survey was made to determine the alkali content of the soil. The 

 following table gives the tonnage of alkali in the tract, as shown by 

 these surveys : 



Quantity of Alkali in the First Four Feet of Soil in the Sivan Tract. 



Total I 6651 | ........ | 3480 



49 | 1221 |........| 82 



'Shows the proportion of the salts removed as compared with the salt 

 originally present in the various depths. 



