19 
the resultant seepage, strongly impregnated, appeared later in the 
lower lands, and, evaporating, left on the surface a coating of white 
alkali. 
In the construction of the earlier ditches n<> attempt was made to 
reach a level higher than the bottom lands. 'The early settler was 
skeptical as to the ability of the upper lands to produce anything other 
than short grass and cactus, and the running of ditches out onto the 
mesas was too great an undertaking. The ditches began only high 
enough up on the stream to cover the land of the builders, and were 
given a grade more with reference to making the water run than to 
maintaining a maximum elevation. The matter of erosion of the ditch 
was never considered. The ditch was carried over the edge of the first 
mesa and thence along its foot on no uniform or fixed grade. Often 
the rate of fall was greater than that of the river itself, which in 
its meanderings back and forth traversed much Longer distances than 
the ditch between the same points. The consequence was that the 
ditches washed and grew larger and larger. An extension required no 
enlargement of the old portion, and the abundance of water and the 
ease with which a large amount was obtained led to excessive use. If 
the decrees were based on the sizes of the ditches it is not surprising 
that they were excessive. 
There were probably earlier, small, unimportant, and now forgot- 
ten ditches, but at present there are only 15 in all. Of these, 2 
are practically abandoned and 2 are small and supplied by seepage, 
while 1 other has no decree and is likewise supplied by seepage. 
Those ditches which survived up to the granting of decrees in 1881 
are described below, and, as far as possible, their original names, loca- 
tions, sizes, and the land covered at the various periods are given. 
It is a delicate matter to make statements concerning these ditches, in 
view of the lawsuits past and anticipated. When voluminous court 
records give directly conflicting evidence by the "oldest inhabitants," 
one will surely be excused for so often using the words "possible," 
"probable," "perhaps," and "about." 
The statement of the former and present value of lands under sev- 
eral ditches is given for three reasons: 
(1) To compare them with unirrigated Government and railroad 
lands. 
(2) To show the change of sentiment toward bottom lands and those 
on tin 1 mesa. In the early days bottom lands only were of much value. 
yet a few years ago they were the lowest priced of any in the district. 
The reclamation of this land by drainage will make it very valuable 
for the planting of onions in particular and of sugar beets, as it is 
very rich though hard to thoroughly subdue. It is quite rough and 
requires leveling to make it available for these crops. 
