IRRIGATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE GREAT BASIN 37 
LANDS TO BE RECLAIMED 
The extent of arable lands within the Great Basin which can be 
reclaimed depends on the water supply and the manner in which it 
is stored and used. Only a part of the flood flow is stored at present, 
and the ultimate possibilities of this region in the utilization of land 
and water can not be said to be reached until all the excess waters 
which can be economically stored have been so stored. The storage 
of water for irrigation will also permit of the development of electric 
energy and a part of this energy can be used to operate pumps, to 
raise water from underground and other sources, and to drain water- 
logged lands. It has also been pointed out that a large percentage 
of the water at present diverted is wasted in conveyance and use. 
Assuming that the extension of the irrigated area is desirable, efforts 
should be concentrated along four main lines of endeavor: (1) The 
storage of flood waters; (2) providing better facilities for the con- 
veyance of water and adopting better methods in its use; (3) the 
development of underground water supplies; and (1) the drainage 
of water-logged lands. 
What is possible of accomplishment under these several lines is 
difficult to estimate, but it is safe to predict that in time it will 
amount to a doubling of the area now irrigated. 
According to the census of 1920, the area irrigated in the Great 
Basin in 1919 was 2,313,163 acres. Since 1919 was a year of low 
rainfall and small stream flow, this figure probably should be in- 
creased to at least 2.500,000 acres to represent normal conditions as 
regards water supply at that time. A doubling of this area by the 
means outlined would therefore increase the reclaimed area to 
5,000,000 acres. 
The Great Basin, 38 per cent larger than the State of California, 
has important interests apart from irrigation which should be main- 
tained and enlarged. Chief of these are the mines, hydroelectric 
plants, grazing areas, transportation facilities, manufactures, and 
the welfare of urban populations. All of these and more that might 
be named are more or less directly dependent upon the products of 
the irrigated farms, and if these other interests are to advance, it 
will be necessary to maintain a corresponding rate of progress in 
irrigated agriculture. 
Up to the present the rate of progress in irrigation development 
in this territory may be roughly indicated by stating that 2,500,000 
acres have been reclaimed in 75 years. Since such progress in the 
future' is not likely to surpass that of the past, it is reasonable to con- 
clude that another 75 years may pass before an additional 2,500,000 
acres is irrigated. Providing a water supply for this area at the 
present time would call for an expenditure of more than $150,000,000, 
of which the greater part would be for the storage of flood waters. 
The building of large dams to retain water for agricultural pro- 
duction and the development of power, on account of the costs in- 
volved, is likely to extend over so long a period of time that succeed- 
ing generations may have to perform part of tne work. Mean- 
while a part of the flood flow of streams may be utilized with profit- 
able results by early spring irrigations. Instead of permitting the 
waste of such waters, the part that can be used economically should 
