IRRIGATION INVESTIGATIONS ON CACHE CREEK. 173 



attaching to his other riparian lands. BeA^ond this there is nothing in the deed to 

 indicate that Harbin understood that he was ti-ansferring the right to water lands not 

 riparian or that can reasonably be considered as alienating all riparian rights from 

 Harbin's other lands lying along Cache Creek. 



From this time forward Moore claimed exclusive ownership in the waters of 

 Cache Creek and held himself in readiness to defend it against all comers. 



In 1856 work was begun. A temporary dam of brush and gravel was made, and 

 the headgate and a short section of the ditch was constructed of capacitj^ sufficient 

 to carry a considerable volume of water. The ditch was extended some 3^^ miles to 

 some lands owned bj' Moore, but the canal, except for a part of the first mile, was 

 much reduced in size. Only a small tract was watered. In the voluminous testimony 

 concerning the ditch evidence as to the actual use of the water is conspicuously absent, 

 but, as nearly as can be determined from the conflicting evidence given in the various 

 suits over this claim, the volume actually diverted and used prior to 1864 never 

 exceeded 2.5 cubic feet per second. In 186i the ditch was enlarged and extended 

 and the grade of the section at the head changed to secure greater capacity. The 

 ditch was also extended in two branches — one toward Woodland, the other southward. 

 The total length of the canal and main branches at the close of this work in 1864 was 

 about 9 miles. 



The Moore Ditch of to-day has substantially the same extent as in 1864. Exten- 

 sions and laterals have been built by the users of the water, but these ai"e owned and 

 maintained by the parties who have constructed them. Some of these extensions are 

 made bj- individuals, others b}- organized companies of farmers. The most important 

 of these organizations are the South Fork Water Ditch Company and the Farmei-s 

 Irrigating Ditch Company-. The ditch of the first-named companj' was built in 1864 

 and has a capacity of about 40 cubic feet per second. It covei's about 2,000 acres of 

 fine lands, but now irrigates only about 1,000 acres. The original cost of this ditch 

 was about §2.400, mosth^ in labor. The Farmers Irrigating Ditch Company also 

 built its canal in 1864, which has a capacity of about 20 cubic feet per second. It 

 covers about 1,000 acres and cost originally about $1,500. The total length of the 

 Moore Ditch and the extensions and laterals is estimated at about 70 miles, but this 

 probabh' includes some of the smaller field laterals. There are approximately 30,000 

 acres of fine land that could be watered from this ditch and its extensions if the ditch 

 could supply the water. 



The ditch was operated for many 3'^ears with temporary dams, which were usually 

 carried out during the winter rains. In 1881 a more permanent dam was put in. 

 This remained until 1886 when, owing to defective construction or neglect of repairs, 

 it was washed out. Since the dam went out it has been replaced each 3'ear by a 

 temporary structure of brush and gravel, which disappears with the first heavy rains 

 and can not be replaced in the spring until all danger of flood is passed. Once or 

 twice, when the owners of the land have been especially desirous of obtaining water, 

 the}' have secured the building of the dam a little earlier in the season b.y giving 

 bond for the cost of the dam in case it should be washed out. The water users feel 

 that this is a one-sided arrangement and generally await the action of the ditch 

 owners. One of the views in Plate XV shows the character of the construction of 

 the dam for the present season. As it is not expected to withstand floods, it is, of 



