ON THE 
MEASUREMENT AND DIVISION OF WATER.’ 
By L. G. CARPENTER. 
Questions concerning the measurement and distribution 
of water probably give rise to more trouble than all others 
combined in an irrigated country. While frequently the 
matter in dispute is of small consequence, it is a source of ir¬ 
ritation that causes constant annoyance both between canals 
and consumers, and between neighbors. The problem of a 
just distribution of water is one of the most important as well 
as one of the most difficult problems of irrigation. 
In passing over the lines of ditches in Colorado and in 
other states, and in other countries, I have made their meth¬ 
ods a special object of observation and inquiry. In general 
it may be said that the prevailing methods are exceedingly 
unreliable. In some canals, even the large ones, there is little 
attempt save by the eye or the judgment of the ditch rider; 
in others there are nominal measures which frequently are 
worse than none at all, because while giving no approach to 
a proper measurement, they give among the consumers and 
canal officers a false sense of accuracy and stand in the way 
of a better system. In others the systems are as good as the 
present conditions will permit. When water has been plenti¬ 
ful in the streams, there has been no necessity for close di¬ 
vision or measurement, for there has been water enough to 
supply the demands of all. But with the greater demand for 
water, and the need by each farmer of every drop obtainable, 
there is greater necessity for closer measurement, and many 
canal organizations are being led to consider more efficient 
means of measurement and distribution. 
The prevention of waste is a matter of public importance. 
With more land than water, the agricultural future of Colo¬ 
rado depends 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 
* The first edition of this bulletin was issued in October, 1890, the second 
edition in July, 1891. In preparing the third edition the opportunity has been 
taken to condense the bulletin in places, make material additions, add new tables, 
and practically rewrite the whole bulletin. The changes and additions have 
been too numerous to call attention to them in detail. Tables V. and VI., in the 
appendix, are the only ones which appeared in the first edition. 
