IRRIGATION" DISTRICT OPERATION AND FINANCE. 51 
Onlv two districts have been formed, both in connection with Federal 
reclamation projects. 
Oklahoma. — The Oklahoma statute was approved March 29. 1915. 
The only district yet organized was formed in connection with the 
proposed construction of Lawton project by the Reclamation Service 
in 1917. Construction was deferred, however, owing to the estab- 
lishment of a military post at Fort Sill and the need there for all 
available water, and has not jet been resumed, so that for the time 
being the district is inactive. 
Oregon. — The irrigation district law of Oregon was approved Febru- 
ary 20. 1895, the latest complete enactment being in 1917. Little 
development took place for some years after the passage of the first 
act. Besinnins: with 1904, however, there have been three distinct 
periods of activity, namely, 1904 to 1906, 1910 to 1913, and 1915 to 
the present time. The most pronounced activity has been since 1916. 
More than half of the active districts are still in preliminary 
stages, due in part to the fact that some are of very recent origin, 
but largely because of the difficulty of selling bonds. The State has 
done much to further legitimate irrigation development, and through 
the reenactment of the district law in 1917, the provision for certifi- 
cation of oonds. and lately the new departure in the matter of pay- 
ment by the State of interest on district bonds, has made possible 
the sale of large amounts of bonds and the development of numerous 
projects. But districts have been formed and bonds voted on such 
an unprecedented scale during the past few years that the irrigation 
district bond market, never an eager one at best, has been un- 
able to absorb so many issues. The result has been that some dis- 
tricts formed even for supplemental development have found the 
disposition of their securities more difficult than had been antici- 
pated and others for this reason have delayed voting bonds until the 
market should appear more favorable. 
With a few scattering exceptions the Oregon districts fall into six 
general groups: (I) Hood River Valley; (2) Umatilla and Columbia 
River Valleys: (3) the inland plateau: (4) Rogue River Valley; (5) 
Klamath Valley: (6) Snake River, Malheur, and smaller tributary 
valleys. The last-named area has been the scene of several attempts 
to provide for irrigation on an extensive scale, only one of which has 
been accomplished. District development in this area is closely asso- 
ciated with that on the Idaho side of that portion of Snake River 
Valley, involving cooperation and the use of common water and 
power supplies by districts on both sides of the State line. 
In spite of the large number of irrigation districts in Oregon, the 
life history of most of them has been so short that generalizations as 
to their operation can not be readily made. Some work has been 
unwisely done, and some districts, in common with other types of 
irrigation enterprises, that have had to depend upon the return from 
hay and grain crops have been hard pressed financially during the 
recent period of low prices for such products. However, with very 
few exceptions the Oregon districts have met their bond obligations 
when due. 
South D aTc ota. — The district law was enacted March 2, 1917. As 
yet no districts have been organized, although the formation of two 
is contemplated. 
