On the M easurement and Division 
of Water. 
One of the most important as well as one of the most 
difficult problems of irrigation is that of making a just 
distribution of water. Therefore, in passing over the lines 
of ditches with superintendents, from time to time, I have 
made it the object of special inquiry to find the methods 
used in measuring or dividing water among the consum¬ 
ers. In many cases, even on important enterprises, there 
was no attempt, save by the eye; in others the methods 
varied, from the crudest to others which gave some ap¬ 
proach to accuracy. Where water has been plentiful in 
the streams, or where the ditches had more water than 
was needed for the consumers under the ditch, there has 
been no necessity for any close division or measurement, 
for there has been water to supply the demands of all. 
But with the greater demand for water, pressure is being 
brought upon the canal organizations, and many are be¬ 
ing led to consider more economical means of distribu¬ 
tion and more efficient means of measurement. 
The prevention of waste is a matter of public impor¬ 
tance. With more land than water, the agricultural future 
of Colorado will depend on the use of her existing water 
supply to its fullest capacity. The building of storage 
reservoirs, the stopping of waste, improved methods in 
irrigation, together with the changes consequent on irri¬ 
gation, which makes less water necessary, will increase our 
water supply in effect, if not in amount. 
It is safe to say that a good system of measurement will 
save a large amount of water, just as a close account of 
