TC UC-NRLF P1A45 REPORT TO DESERT LAND BOARD ON CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT By JOHN pUBUIS Field Inspector SALBM, ORBGON : STATE PRINTING DEPARTMENT 1915 REPORT TO o^i DESERT LAND BOARD ON ... ,'"'/ ;,^; CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO SEEPAGE LOSSES AND CANAL CAPACITIES BY JOHN DUBUIS Field Inspector December 1, 1914 SALEM, OREGON: STATE PRINTING DEPARTMENT 1915 PILOT BUTTB CANAL NEAR REDMOND REPORT ON CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT 3 CONTENTS PAGE Synopsis 5 Introduction Scope of investigations 8 Personnel 8 Description of Project: Location 9 Water supply Climatic and agricultural conditions 9 Irrigation plan 10 Water Supply: Source 11 Water requirements at Bend 12 Water requirements below Bend 12 Water requirements above Bend 14 Safe Capacities: Definition 15 Central Oregon Canal 15-16 Laterals of Central Oregon Canal 17 North Canal 17 Pilot Butte Canal 18 Laterals of the Pilot Butte Canal 18 Determination of the Value of "N" 19 Summary of Results 20 Transmission Losses: Nature of Problem 21 Location and Description of Gages 21 Discharge Measurements by Current Meter 22 Weirs 23 . Method of Procedure 23 Units Used in Expressing Transmission Losses 23 Computations 25 North Canal 25 Pilot Butte Canal: Main Canal 27 Lateral Systems 30 Lateral E 30 Lateral Fi 31 Lateral B 31 Lateral A21 31 Lateral Ci 32 Lateral J 32 Summary 33 Central Oregon Canal: Main Canal =. 34 Lateral Systems 36 Lateral A 36 Lateral D 37 Lateral H 38 Lateral I 38 Lateral P 39 Summary 39 Farmer's Ditches 40 Evaporation 40 M75880 4 REPORT ON CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT CONTENTS Continued. PAGE Transmission Losses Continued. Summary of Losses 41 Pilot Butte System 41 Central Oregon System Seepage Conditions on Entire Systems Comparison of Results with Other Data Remedies for Losses 45 Weather Conditions 46 Crop Report and Census: Report . 47 Percentage of Cleared Land Not in Cultivation 47 Duty of Water 49 Adequacy of System: General 57 Pilot Butte Canal 57 Central Oregon Canal , 58 Cost of Repairing Deficiencies in Capacities: General 59 Central Oregon Canal 59 Pilot Butte Canal 60 Operation and Maintenance: General 61 Maintenance 61 Operation 62 ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE Pilot Butte Canal near Redmond FRONTISPIECE. North Canal 25 North Canal 26 Pilot Butte Canal, Mile Post 6.88 28 Lateral A, Central Oregon Canal 36 Lateral D, Central Oregon Canal 37 Lateral A 10 , Central Oregon Canal 45 DRAWINGS PAGE Fig. 1. Condition of North Canal, 1914 10 ' 2. Daily Flow of Deschutes River near Bend, Oregon 13 3. Gage Types 22 4. Central Oregon Irrigation Project 24 5. Distribution of Water Diverted at Intake 43 6. Water Diverted at Canal Intakes 52 7. Capacities of Central Oregon and Pilot Butte Canals 58 REPORT ON CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT 5 SYNOPSIS The following report contains data relative to the physical condition of the Central Oregon Irrigation Company's Project, together with cer- tain conclusions therefrom. These conclusions in brief synopsis are herewith presented. 1. The total water lost in transmission through the canals from point of diversion at the river to place of use on the farmers' land, including losses in farmers' ditches, ranges from 67% to 75% of the total amount diverted from the river. 2. The losses in main canals and laterals from river diversion to point of delivery by the Company at or within one-half mile of the farmers' land, range from 45% to 57% of that diverted. Losses in main canals alone amount to from 25% to 40% of the water diverted from the river. 3. These heavy losses seem to be due to the porous, seamy nature of the lava rock which underlies the greater part of the segregation, to the relatively shallow soil, and to the character of construction of the canals. Caves, underground channels, and sink holes have been noted in places where this rock is exposed. Canals have been built wider and more shallow than proper, in order to avoid rock excavation. Where natural depressions were used the water has been allowed to spread over large areas. Since the loss of water is to a certain degree directly proportional to the wetted area, some of the excess loss is the natural result of this excess area. 4. The soil itself is relatively tight. Recorded losses sometimes run as low as 0.3 cubic foot per square foot of wetted area per 24 hours. Where the seamy rock is encountered however, the losses will run up to 3.0 cubic feet per 24 hours, and in the case of the North Canal the remarkable figure of 45.0 cubic feet per square foot of wetted area was obtained. 5. It is believed that in canals dug entirely in earth without encoun- tering rock or gravel, the loss will be about 0.6 cubic foot per square foot of wetted area in 24 hours. 6. Evaporation loss in comparison with seepage and leakage loss is so small as to be negligible. 7. The greatest losses are in the main canals and the places of their occurrence are thus easily accessible. From this and other data at hand it is probable that losses in canals and laterals can be reduced to 40% of the total water diverted from the river without resorting to expensive methods of lining. 8. The duty of water of 1.8 acre feet per acre in 90 days may be sufficient after the project is well settled and all lands are under culti- vation, although the settlers have been using more than this amount. (The proper duty for this or any project is not that which gives the greatest crop yield per unit of water used, but must take into consideration the cost of the land and water, value of crops, cost of labor, and other invest- ment costs, and should be that which shows the greatest net profit in money to the farmer. A proper distinction should be made between the "economic use of water" and the "economic duty of water," as they are not synonymous terms.) '6' ' ORT ON CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT 9. The present capacity of the main canals is insufficient to water all the lands sold and patented and listed for patent, if losses are not brought below 40%. 10. The condition of wooden structures on the project is unsatisfac- tory. Many cannot be expected to stand five years longer, and some have already passed the stage of economic usefulness. The estimated cost of replacing these wooden structures is $130,000. This includes weirs, headgates and flumes. 11. Insufficiency of maintenance and assumptions of design which were not fulfilled in construction, are responsible to a large extent for the poor conditions on this project. 12. The proper cost of maintenance and operation should be in excess of $45,000 and should provide a proper sinking fund to replace the temporary wooden structures. 13. The value of water made available by lessened seepage losses estimated by the Department of Agriculture in Bulletin No. 126, is $3,000 per second foot saved. On the basis of sold lands on the project, amounting to 45,500 irrigable acres, the loss to the community repre- sented by the present seepage loss as against the allowable loss provided for in contract is about $800,000. Should the losses be reduced to 40% a saving to the community of $500,000 would result. The cost of reducing losses even to 30% should be far less than $800,000. 14. It is believed that a large part of the transmission losses can be eliminated if proper maintenance be done as estimated in item 12 above. 15. Seepage losses must be greatly reduced, or the canals must be enlarged if all the lands now under the canal system are to be watered. In view of the water supply situation the former expedient is the most advisable and to accomplish this it is recommended that the maintenance and operation department be greatly increased and a systematic effort made to reduce the excess wetted area of canals, to discover and cement leaks in canals, and drops, to work out effective designs of structure and systematically replace the worn-out structures with better ones, to the end that the system be more efficiently operated, that the maintenance and operation costs be decreased, and that there be a positive assurance that there will be an adequacy of capacity to supply all lands now under the canal system. 16. It has been stated in the past that engineers as a rule make an allowance of 20% of the total irrigable lands in a project for lands which will never be irrigated, such as lands taken up by roads, buildings, beds of streams, high land, waste lands, rights of way and even towns. Attention is called to the fact that in the recent reports on irrigation projects in the Northwest including projects intermingled with and adjacent to this project, no mention is made of any such allowance, although the matter of water supply and irrigation requirements have been most carefully considered by men of national reputation. In view of recent investigations of this subject and in view of the methods adopted by modern engineering practice which eliminates this allowance from serious consideration, it is not to be considered on this project for the following reasons: a. High lands, waste lands, town areas, stream bed areas and some rights of way have already been eliminated from the irrigable area considered under the project. REPORT ON CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT 7 b. No practicable rule to make any such allowance in the actual distribution of water has ever been suggested. c. The poor condition of irrigation system and uncertainty regarding duty of water render such allowance unsafe. d. The following legal question presents itself: Has not the settler the right to demand all the water his contract calls for regardless of the amount of land he has in cultivation? Has any irrigation company the right to sell water rights for, say, 20,000 acres of land and provide water for only 16,000 acres on the theory that 4,000 acres will not be in cultivation? 17. Popular opinion is that after an irrigation project is constructed the difficult work is over. Experience has proven that after the construction of an irrigation project is completed the real problems develop, the correct solution of which determine the success or failure of the venture. 18. It is recommended that prior to the active construction of any irrigation project by public or private funds, the following points should be given most careful and thorough investigation, even though the cry for immediate action and relief be urgent: 1. Water Supply. Sufficiency of water supply is absolutely essential. 2. Agricultural conditions, climate, character of crops, character of soil and subsoil upon which an estimate of duty of water to be based. 3. Market conditions, value of lands, value of crops, cost of living, etc., transportation facilities. 4. A financial arrangement which will be the most advantageous to the farmer and yet be sufficient to reimburse the expense of constructing and handling the project: 5. Design of the proposed works, which should take into considera- tion the following : a. The character of soil and subsoil conditions with reference to the elimination of losses and to providing an ample supply of water for lands. b. Minimum cost for maintenance and operation, taking into account interest on construction cost, depreciation of struc- tures, ease and economy in the distribution and measurement of water. c. The development of the project in small units whereby the lateral system may be extended as dictated by sales. (Lands in any unit, however, should not be opened for sale until all the land in that unit is provided with an ample lateral system. Thus construction can be kept just ahead of sales so that interest charges are low.) 8 REPORT ON CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT INTRODUCTION In April, 1914, the writer was authorized by the Desert Land Board to undertake certain studies as to the physical condition of the canal and laterals of the Central Oregon Irrigation Project and to report thereon. The field work was carried on from May 1 to September 1, 1914, the compilation and computation of data being done entirely by the writer and his assistants. Whenever it was possible, cooperation was had with the engineering and operation department of the Central Oregon Irrigation Company. SCOPE OF INVESTIGATIONS The main object of this investigation was to determine the trans- mission losses on this project. The work included the investigation of canal capacities, condition of maintenance and collection of a crop census. PERSONNEL This work was done under the direction of John H. Lewis, State Engineer and Secretary of the Desert Land Board. The writer had charge of the work, and is glad to acknowledge his indebtedness to the following persons who have assisted him in the collection of data and preparation of this report: Walton Van Winkle, Assistant Secretary of the Desert Land Board, for many valuable suggestions and for assistance in the preparation of this report. William A. Schell, Portland, Oregon, office engineer. T. A. H. Teeter, Professor of Irrigation Engineering, Oregon Agri- cultural College, field engineer. A. E. Perry, Redmond, Oregon, field assistant. Robt. B. Gould, Bend, Oregon, special work. A. E. Lovett, County Agriculturist for Crook County, reporting on soil conditions. A. 0. Walker, Alfalfa, Oregon, keeping water records for duty of water and evaporation records. F. A. Kennard, Redmond, Oregon, keeping water records for duty of water. J. T. Ledbetter, Redmond, Oregon, keeping water records for duty of water. The writer wishes especially to express his appreciation of the coop- eration of C. M. Redfield, Chief Engineer, and C. L. McCauley, Water Superintendent of the Central Oregon Irrigation Company, whose advice and personal aid have been of great service in these investigations. It has been a continual source of surprise that so much work has been done by them with so little resource at their disposal, and it is due to their efficient efforts that conditions on the Project are not far worse than they are. REPORT ON CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT LOCATION County: Crook. Townships: 13 to 18 South and 12 to 15 East, Willamette Meridian. Railroad stations: Bend, Deschutes, Redmond, Terrebonne. Estimated population of district: 5,000. Project headquarters: Deschutes, Oregon. WATER SUPPLY Source of water supply: Deschutes River; no storage as yet provided. Discharge in second feet for irrigation season, May, June, July, August, from 10 years' records: Maximum, 2,860 second feet; minimum, 1,250 second feet; mean, 1,770 second feet. CLIMATIC AND AGRICULTURAL CONDITIONS Average elevation: 3,300 feet above sea level. Mean annual rainfall about 14 inches. About three inches in irriga- tion season. Temperature ranges from 19 degrees to 102 degrees Fahrenheit. Length of irrigation season: April 1 to November 1. Duty of water: Sufficient for ordinary irrigation purposes April 1 to November 1 and 1.8 acre feet per acre from May 23 to August 20. Character of soil: Disintegrated volcanic rock intermixed with volcanic ash, sandy and silty loam. Principal products: Alfalfa, grain, potatoes and hardy vegetables. Principal markets: Local; Portland, Oregon; Spokane, Washington. LAND CLASSIFICATION TABLE Name of Canal Central Oregon Pilot Bntte C. O. & P. B. Length of Main Canal 44.15 Miles 30.1 Miles 74.25 Miles Distribution System Laterals 187.51 Miles 175.08 Miles 362.59 Miles Irrigable Acres Waste Acres Irrigable Acres Waste Acres Irrigable Acres Waste Acres Total land under system "Total sold land Total unsold land .. Patented Sold 37,134 25,573 11,561 13,238 2,391 2,357 435 12,762.13 6,753.57 6,008.56 2,798.53 1,103.29 1,152.33 365.00 21,348 18,913 2,435 til, 975 t 1,302 3,352 707 10,725.91 8,195.86 2,530.05 4,465.16 1,116.87 1,639.42 1,127.41 58,482 44,486 13,996 f26,213 $ 3,693 5,709 1,142 23,488.04 14,949.43 8,538.61 7,263.69 2,220.16 2,791.75 1,492.41 Unsold Certified for Patent Sold Unsold Total lands deeded 26,732.06 acres Total number of contracts sold 1,034 Number of contracts in force (approximately) 950 Number of deeds issued 335 Number of farms 645 Number of people on farms 1,400 Area in cultivation in 1914 17,719 acres *This does not include sold lands under the proposed extension of the North Canal, not yet watered. These lands have been certified for patent by the State Engineer and are now pending before the Secretary of the Interior. f Includes 52 irrigated acres and 28 waste acres to be watered by North Canal. ^Includes 395 irrigated acres and 165 waste acres to be watered by North Canal. "Does not include 6,763.71 gross acres for which patent has been applied without certification. NOTE Irrigable acres here given are the actual irrigable acres on the land according to the best information in this office, proper reductions being made for canal rights-of-way, and therefore include the so-called "excess acreage." 10 REPORT ON CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT The country is rolling, covered with sage brush and juniper trees. The predominating geological features are those common to volcanic regions. Dykes of cooled lava, caves and pumiceous deposits occur here and there over the project. Pilot Butte, a landmark in that region notable for its regular cone- like appearance is evidently a cinder cone marking approximately the center of considerable local activity in the past. The soil is productive; potatoes and forage crops do well. Under the encouragement of the Oregon Agricultural College in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture no doubt still greater diversity of crops than in the past will be generally practiced with profit to the farmer. IRRIGATION PLAN Irrigation is accomplished by gravity flow from Deschutes River. Two main canals, the Central Oregon and Pilot Butte Canals, with their respective distribution systems, carry the water to the irrigable lands. In computing areas to be served by these canals, waste land, high lands and rights of way for canals have been eliminated from the gross area, what is left being considered as irrigable and is sold as such to the settler. j| Unhnect- Seamy Rock C 3OOO' 4000' 50OO' Profile of North Canal showing Lined and Unlined Sections *~~y^L --=-.-^=^8 Concrete Designed Section North Canal Above Drop A = 116' V = 88 ft /sec "n".= .OI3 Q= 10 tO Sec- ft Designed Section North Canal A _Bejpw Drop |2 & ^ n"- 013 Q = 999.2 sec- Fig. 1. CONDITION OF NORTH CANAL, 1914 The Central Oregon Canal receives its water supply from the Pilot Butte Flume, a wooden box structure about 1.25 miles in length. This canal is about 44 miles in length, serving land in the vicinity of Bend, Alfalfa and Powell Butte. REPORT ON CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT 11 The Pilot Butte Canal originally received its water supply from the Pilot Butte flume. Now it receives its main supply from the North Canal which diverts water from Deschutes River about one mile north of Bend at the North Canal dam. This Pilot Butte Canal serves the lands in the vicinity of Bend, Deschutes, Redmond and Terrebonne. It was one of the earliest canals built and was later incorporated as part of the Central Oregon Irrigation Project, as now organized. It is an unlined canal about 30 miles long. The North Canal is incomplete as now constructed. Three main objects were contemplated in the design of this canal: First, to supply the North Canal Unit lands lying between the Pilot Butte Canal on the west and lands of the Central Oregon Unit on the east and south. Second, to supply water for about 8,000 acres of land in the Powell Butte District now under the Central Oregon Canal, by junction with this canal at the wood stave syphon. Third, to supply water to Pilot Butte Canal for all lands served by it. The North Canal dam is of concrete gravity overflow type and is located on Deschutes River about one mile north of Bend. The dam is curved on a radius of 179.19 feet, about 33 feet high and can carry a discharge of about 10,000 second feet with water five feet in depth over the crest. Water is diverted at this dam for certain power rights of local parties, also to supply the Deschutes Reclamation and Irrigation Com- pany's ditch, commonly called the "Swalley" ditch and also to supply the North Canal above mentioned. The North Canal was designed for a capacity of 1,000 second feet and was to be concrete lined throughout from the headgates to the junc- tion with the Pilot Butte Canal. The canal has been excavated this far but the lining is only about one-third complete. WATER SUPPLY SOURCE The water supply considered herein will be that obtained by the normal flow of Deschutes River during the months of May, June, July and August. The records of the United States Geological Survey show no fundamental difference between the discharge of Deschutes River at Benham Falls and at Bend and since the records of the former are more complete, they have been used to determine the available water supply for the project. The following table summarizes the flow of Deschutes River at Ben- ham Falls for 10 years, 1905 to 1914 inclusive, and indicates the water supply available at Bend. The complete data for this table are published by the State and the United States in the Deschutes Project report and in the Water Supply papers of the United States Geological Survey. May June July August Maximum in 10 years, sec. ft... 2,860 2,540 2,130 1,900 Minimum in 10 years, sec. ft.... 1,600 1,480 1,280 1,250 Mean for 10 years, sec. ft 1,932 1,890 1,689 1,569 Mean monthly discharge in acre feet for 10 years 119,800 113,400 104,718 97,278 12 REPORT ON CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT Figure 2 shows that 1,500 second feet can be depended on for seven years out of 10. The shortage which occurs in July and August of the remaining three years should not be serious enough to warrant a reduction of the allowable amount of 1,500 second feet. The relative rights of claimants to the use of the waters of Deschutes River has never been determined hence it is impossible to discuss at this time priority of rights as affecting the project. In the following dis- cussion all rights are assumed to be of the same value and the amount of water given is on the assumptions of use which are considered to be a minimum claim. WATER REQUIREMENTS AT BEND According to U. S. Geological Survey, Water Supply Paper No. 344, the Arnold and Swalley ditches contemplate the ultimate irrigation of 18,000 acres of land which lie close to and intermingle with the 58,000 acres under the constructed canals of the Central Oregon Project. Assuming a duty of one and eight-tenths acre feet in 90 days for this 76,000 irrigation acres and a loss of 40 per cent for seepage, this land would require a diversion of 1,267 second feet. Smaller rights, such as Wiest's lateral, City of Bend, Steidl & Tweet, etc., are estimated at about 30 second feet, which makes a total of 1,297 second feet which is a very low estimate of the irrigation rights at Bend. WATER REQUIREMENTS BELOW BEND Between Bend and- Cline Falls, the next point of diversion of water from the Deschutes, there is no appreciable inflow, the water of Tumalo Creek being entirely appropriated. The drainage of the Central Oregon Project is generally towards Crooked River and from the general char- acter of the land in the Tumalo Project it is believed that seepage returns to the Deschutes, if appreciable at all, would not effect the flow at Cline Falls. Hence sufficient water must pass all the diversions at Bend to satisfy rights at Cline Falls. This amount of water is not definitely known but may be estimated as follows: As estimated in United States Geological Survey Water Supply Paper No. 344, power is developed at the Falls to pump 14 second feet of water 95 feet in elevation. Assuming 56 per cent plant efficiency (80 per cent at power wheel and 70 per cent at pumps), the power necessary is: 14X9 *=270H. P. 8.8 x 56 For an effective fall of 20 feet the amount of water required is: 270 x 8.8 20 = 119 second feet to which is added 14 second feet, the amount of water pumped for irriga- tion, making a total of 133 second feet. This appears to be very con- servative as other writers have variously estimated the requirements at from 200 to 500 second feet. o CD uJ O Q' s CD Ct 2 z Q: LJ > a: (O u D r o en u Q L_ o Is < (D 0) TI - o rt I? i 5 1 3 0) to o 00 I 2 356 286 286 284 280 280 190 144 130 130 B c x> Dl E F G H 1 j Powell Buttes In 1912, L. R. Allen, acting under authority of the Desert Land Board, inspected and reported on the capacity of the Central Oregon Canal. His report showed a material shortage of capacity in the main canal and his conclusions were confirmed in 1913 by the writer, who as inspector for the Desert Land Board made additional studies on this canal in company REPORT ON CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT 17 with C. M. Redfield, chief engineer of the Central Oregon Irrigation Company. In the fall of 1913, enlargement work was undertaken by the company under the writer's inspection. Bad weather forced a discon- tinuance of the work before it was completed, and accordingly additional enlargement was made in 1914. Certain structures which were pointed out by the writer as being deficient were repaired and as a final result the capacities above mentioned were obtained, at a cost of approximately $14,000.00. Though the Central Oregon Irrigation Company was unable to obtain new money to expend upon these canal enlargements, they were financed by the release to the company of settlers' notes held on deposit with the Desert Land Board, to the amount of the cost of the work performed each month. LATERALS OF CENTRAL OREGON CANAL In the short time and with the limited funds available, an intensive study of all laterals was impossible; however, five of these laterals were carefully selected and it is believed the results obtained fairly represent average conditions on the project. In estimating the required capacity of these laterals a duty of one second foot to 80 acres was used. The proper clearance between the tops of the bank and water surface in laterals of from 10 second feet to 50 second feet capacity was taken as one foot but where extremely favorable conditions existed .slightly less than this was allowed. On this basis the safe capacity of Lateral I was found to be less than the required capacity. When 44 second feet was flowing at the intake, it was found that at many places the water was less than one foot from the top of the bank and in one place there was less than three inches clearance. Hence, the safe capacity at the intake was estimated at 40 second feet, provided maintenance would repair the worst places. The low places occur so frequently that to completely overcome the deficiency would require more than ordinary maintenance. Lateral D also appeared to be somewhat deficient near the intake, but since it can be easily repaired in the course of maintenance, no further mention need be made of it. As a rule the lateral systems are ample in capacity, needing only to be properly maintained. NORTH CANAL The specifications under which the first section of the North Canal was constructed call for a fully concrete-lined canal of 1,000 second feet capacity, as far as its junction with the Pilot Butte Canal. In construction, the greater portion of this canal was left unlined (see Figure 1), and the maximum amount of water it has ever carried is 340 second feet. This maximum discharge was maintained for only a few minutes because of damage, which threatened to become serious to the inadequately protected banks. After observing the behavior of the canal, both during this test, and many times before and since, the writer is convinced that a continuous flow of 306 second feet is all that the canal can safely carry under present conditions. 18 REPORT ON CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT PILOT BUTTE CANAL In 1914, the Pilot Butte Canal carried the largest amount of water it had ever yet received. An examination of the canal made during this period showed such a large extent of low banks and such poor general condition that it was decided to adopt the maximum discharge carried during the season as its maximum safe capacity, as far down as Lateral C4. Below this point the maximum capacity is believed to be in excess of the amount carried in 1914, and is better represented by the figures given in the accompanying table in the last column. A small deficiency which was in evidence at about the 26-mile post during 1913 -was repaired in time for the irrigation season of 1914. CAPACITY OP PILOT BUTTE CANAL Lands Total lands under Required capacity of i second-feet lain canal Actual safe Lateral under lat- eralacres P. B. Canal at intake of lateral Losses 30 per cent Losses 40 per cent Losses 50 per cent cavity A3 . 44 21,388 306 356 428 280 A4 352 21,344 305 355 427 280 A4-1 124 20,992 300 350 420' 280 A6 654 20,868 298 348 417 276 AlO 166 20,214 289 337 404 245 A12 855 20,048 286 334 400 245 A 973 19',193 274 320 384 245 Al5 47 18,220 260 304 364 238 A17 44 18,173 259 303 363 238 Al6 921 18,129 258 302 362 205 A21 919 17,208 246 286 344 200 A27 227 16,289 233 272 326 200 B2 719 16,062 230 268 321 150 B 2,438 15,343 219 256 307 150 Bi 414 12,905 184 215 258 130 B3 73 12,491 178 208 250 130 Ci 318 12,418 177 207 248 130 c 2,954 12,100 173 202 242 130 C4 102 9,146 131 152 183 *130 D 62 9,044 129 150 181 129 D2 339 8.982 128 149 180 128 E 581 8,643 123 144 173 123 E2 119 8,062 115 134 161 115 D3 562 7,943 113 132 159 113 F 3,752 7,381 105 123 148 105 Gl 114 3,629 52 61 73 52 G 1,079 3,515 50 59 70 50 I 275 2,436 34 40 49 34 J 1,585 2,161 31 36 43 31 K 576 576 8 10 12 8 * From Lateral C4 to Lateral K canal capacity seems to be ample for 30 per cent losses with good maintenance. LATERALS OF THE PILOT BUTTE CANAL As under the Central Oregon Canal, certain representative laterals were chosen for study and the estimates based on a duty of one second foot to 80 acres. Lateral E was found to be deficient, due more to lack of maintenance than to any fundamental insufficiency of design. More than the usual amount of maintenance, done with more care, should put this lateral in good shape. The lateral systems as a whole seem to have been originally of ample size, but in many places they have not been well maintained. REPORT ON CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT 19 DETERMINATION OF THE VALUE OF "N" The flow of water in open channels is affected by the fall or grade, section, or size and shape of channel, and a certain quantity-figure which takes into account the degree of roughness of the channel or the frictional resistance it offers to the water flowing in it. This quantity- figure has been called "n" and is used by engineers in general to indicate the degree of roughness of a channel. When all the above factors regarding a channel are accurately known, the flow of water at any stage can be accurately determined but when any one of these factors is uncertain or missing such determination becomes uncertain or impossible. Therefore, to determine the capacity of any channel we must have an accurate discharge determination of the canal when running at full capacity or else we must know the grade, the area of cross section, wetted perimeter and the proper value of "n." Kutter's formula which contains "n," and is used to ascertain the value of any of the above factors when all the others are known, can be found in almost any book of hydraulics or civil engineer's pocketbook. Determinations of the value of "n" were made on the main canals and some of the laterals and flumes. Discharges were measured by current meter measurements or by weir measurement and slopes by level and chain. The results given here are good enough for practical purposes but variations in condition of canals were such that the results are subject to slight changes. TABLE* SHOWING VALUES OF "N" AS DETERMINED ON MAIN CANALS Name of lateral or canal Discharge in second feet Mean velocity feet per second Value of "n" in Kutter's Formula Remarks Central Oregon Canal Mile Post 4 290 1.87 .042 Channel very rough. Curvature may have some effect. Mile Post 7.. . 216 1.45 .036 Channel rough ; rock bottom. Mile Post 8.. . . 199 1.49 .038 Channel rough ; rock bottom. Mile Post 12.. . . 161 1.84 .030 Channel rough ; rock bottom. Mile Post 13.. . . 158 1.58 .030 Channel rough ; weeds bottom. Mile Post 15.. . . 141 2.48 .030 Channel rough ; rock bottom. Mile Post 17 121 2.20 .028 Some erosion of banks occuring Mile Post 19i/2 . 76 2.12 .025 Alignment good. Pilot Butte Canal Mile Post 6.88.... 187 2.05 .042 Very rough ; canals like a stream bed. Mile Post 8 ... 182 1.73 .049 Mile Post 9 168 2.30 .036 Mile Post 10 174 2.22 .030 Smoother section ; banks rip- rapped. Mile Post 12 ... 154 1.88 .034 Mile Post 13 152 1.86 .030 Mile Post 14 144 1.88 .049 Mile Post 18 125 2.48 .035 Mile Post 19 97 1.84 .025 20 REPORT ON CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT VALUES OF "N" ON SMALLER LATERALS Laterals Discharge second feet Value of "n" Remarks Under Central Ore- gon System 13 43.00 17.00 .024 .0195 Fairly good condition. H 6.00 .022 Smooth section. D6 .035 Small ditch ; weeds and grass D . 4.00 .022 growing. P 7.83 .032 Rock and hardpan bottom. Under Pilot Butte System B 27.00 .025 Fairly good shape. B17 4.00 .019 Excellent section. B14 2.50 .020 In good condition. Bis 1.00 .024 Some rock. Fl .060 Weeds. E ,040 to .060 Badly grown up with weeds. Ci 5.00 .022 In good condition. J3 1.60 .021 Flumes on Size Value of "n" Remarks Lateral E 1x2 .017 Some silt in bottom ; leaking Lateral B 8'xlK' .014 badly. Alignment poor. Built in 1906. Lateral J 8'x8" .020 Very poor shape, dirt put in flume to stop leaks. SUMMARY OF RESULTS The values of "n" on the main canal are found to be much larger than in the original plans, the reason being that the construction left the canal with a very rough rock bottom. On the smoother sections of the Central Oregon Canal below the 12- mile post the values indicate construction practically as assumed in the original design. On the Pilot Butte Canal the values of "n" are like that of the natural water channels, especially in the upper portion and truly reflect the type of construction which prevails in that portion. The values of "n" in laterals average .022, when adverse conditions do not exist. Under the adverse influence of weeds and rocks the value ranges from about .035 to .060. The flumes tested here seem to give unusually high values of "n." This is caused by the settlement of bents, deposits of silt and general poor condition of the flumes tested. The small flumes seem to be gen- erally in poor condition. The larger flumes appear to be better main- tained although they are not altogether exempt from criticism. In some cases the value of "n" proved to be less than the assumed value and the resulting high velocities make bank protection necessary. REPORT ON CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT 21 TRANSMISSION LOSSES NATURE OF PROBLEM The problem involved under the head of transmission losses was the accurate measurement of the inflow and outflow waters from any section of canal or lateral, the difference being the amount lost in trans- mission by seepage, leaks and evaporation. To this end, gages were established at the intake and discharge end of each section to be studied, except where the measurement of water was already provided for by the presence of a weir, and all other inflow or outflow was measured mainly by weirs. LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF GAGES For many years the United States Geological Survey has maintained gages at the intakes of the Central Oregon and Pilot Butte canals, and since 1913 a gage has also been maintained at the intake of the North Canal. These gages are so located that they measure practically all waters diverted from the river and passing down the canals in which they are located. The discharge ratings as made by the United States Geological Survey were used in connection with these gages, except in the case of the North Canal gage. During the periods of investigation this latter was affected by back water caused by the choking of the channel below the gage with rock for bank protection. The change in rating caused by this back water was less than five per cent of the discharge indicated, but it was decided to make the correction in computing loss determinations. Previous to the arrival of the writer in the field, the chief engineer of the Central Oregon Irrigation Company had caused to be established gages as follows: On Pilot Butte Canal At 6.88-mile post, 15.50-mile post, and 21.00- mile post. On Central Oregon Canal At 2.56-mile post, 5.02-mile post, 7.51-mile post, 9.00-mile post, 11.00-mile post, 12.17-mile post, 14.92-mile post, 16.81-mile post, 19.50-mile post, 22.39-mile post, 26.60-mile post, and 28.60-mile post. Additional gages were established by the writer on the Pilot Butte Canal at 10.10-mile post and at the 18.00-mile post, and the gage at 21.00- mile post reestablished. A 10-foot Cippoletti weir at the 25.5-mile post on the Pilot Butte Canal and a 15-foot Cippoletti weir at the 34.00-mile post on the Central Oregon Canal completed the hydrometric control of the system. As the work progressed it was found advisable to abandon all the gages on the Central Oregon Canal except those at 11.00, 19.50 and 22.39- mile posts, as some were improperly located and because time would not permit the making of sufficient discharge measurements to rate so many stations. An attempt was made to so locate the gages that the discharge measurements could be made by wading, where there was quiet water and where change of section through scour or deposit of silt did not occur. It was not possible in all cases to fulfull these requirements and hence the gages above mentioned had to be abandoned. 22 REPORT ON CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT The gages established by Mr. Redfield consisted of two-inch by four- inch pine timbers painted white and marked in feet and tenths by burn- ing with a hot iron. (See Fig. 1 of Fig. 3.) Those established by the writer are copies of the "Steward" staff gage in use by the United States Reclamation Service, the figures and lines being painted in black on a six-inch plank painted white. These planks were nailed to posts in the canal and braced to the bank. (See Fig. 2 of Fig. 3.) The Steward gage proved generally more satisfactory. Company Gae ni Fig. 3. Steward Gae Fl 2 GAGE TYPES DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS BY CURRENT METER A Price Current Meter No. 1706 with interchangeable penta and single point head, with wading equipment, was used in determining the velocity of water. This meter was rated by the United States Geological Survey in January, 1914, at the rating station at Chevy Chase, Maryland. A tag line of oiled silk, marked every two feet, was stretched across the canal at the point of measurement. Sounding and velocity measure- ments were made at each two-foot mark or oftener if the canal was less than 20 feet wide. Two velocity determinations were made at each sound- ing station, one at two-tenths and one at eight-tenths of the total depth. The average of these furnished the mean velocity in that vertical section and the average of two adjacent vertical sections was applied to the area inclosed for the discharge in any particular two-foot section. The sum of these discharges in the two-foot sections across the channel gave the discharge past the total section. Meter rating comparisons were made from time to time against weirs or other rated meters and no change in rating was found to occur during the season. A complete rating of a gaging station requires measurements to be made at low water as well as high water. The water in the canal remained at such a constant stage throughout the season that a complete rating was not possible. However, for the stage of the water which existed during the actual seepage determinations, excellent ratings were obtained which, within the limits of this investigation, were as accurate as if complete ratings had been made. REPORT ON CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT 23 WEIRS Weirs have been installed by the Irrigation Company at nearly all diversions from the main canal, but not all farmers' deliveries are thus provided with measuring devices. The weirs are wooden and of Cippoletti type, but are not provided with sharp metal crests. When new and properly placed they make excellent measuring devices, but the wooden crests soon become dulled and thus subject to considerable error when low heads of water are used. However, with high heads this error is small. In computing discharges, the following standard formula was used: Q = 3.367 LH % 0, = discharge in second feet L = length of weir crest in feet H = head on weir in feet Tables of discharge calculated by the above formula, for different values of L and H, are printed in a small pamphlet entitled "Measure- ment of Irrigation Water," issued by the United States Reclamation Service. This pamphlet also contains a table of corrections for velocity of approach and submergence which was used by the writer whenever necessary. Temporary weirs were installed on unweired diversions wherever practicable. These were Cippoletti type, metal-crested weirs so constructed that they could be quickly installed, taken up, and used again. In most instances a carpenter's level was used to check the location of the nail or block on which the measurement of head on weir was made. This nail or block was located in the still water back from crest in order to avoid the effect of contraction of water over the crest. METHODS OF PROCEDURE The main canals being too long to be covered by one man in one day, they were divided into sections, each section so chosen that one man could complete, in a single working day, the work necessary to measure all the inflow, diversions and outflow in that section. Measurements were made beginning at the upper end of the section and reading all diversions consecutively down the canal. A large number of the weirs were affected by either submergence or velocity of approach, which had to be measured and recorded by the observer; thus it was found that 10 to 12 miles per day was about a day's work for one man. Ordinarily the regulation of headgates and hence the change in the flow of water during the day has a tendency to cause inaccuracies in measurements of this kind. The method used and the unusually constant amount of water flowing prevented serious trouble from this cause in the measurements on the main canals. However, on the lateral system regu- lation caused some trouble and some records were discarded from the final computations on that account. Sufficient readings were made in all cases until data checked and dependable results were secured. Water records were taken on forms designed for the purpose and they proved a great aid to speedy and accurate work. UNITS USED IN EXPRESSING TRANSMISSION LOSSES Two units are generally used in expressing seepage or transmission losses. One is expressed in cubic feet per square foot of area of canal section in contact with water in 24 hours, which is the same thing as 24 REPORT ON CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT R. 13 E. PROJLCT MAP CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT (Ca-y Act) Showing Transmission Losses in Canals and Laterals -CSi -j - Legend Casio/ Losses jC * 1-- o ^ |g d eale ^5 P 5 O ^ ^'E B fe jr; ^ Q OjB w cj "S ^ !-> es o +* ^ C^ ^ O J ^ S 5 H "^ z sjnoqrc CO ti 3 TH O O o a. a J ! K Jgl H i 10 co CAI co' 06 Tf CO CO -f<0co OSOt- t^ O5 O 05 SS lo'c-'od rH * * * i HO|l.;.)-~ JO pU9 ^B CO 1 - 1 - CO C<1 t- o'oo-* t- Oi Oi (MOTj< IO O c& HS-^^J t-5^-< i-5 ^ 2 .2 5 fS 4 "* M 1 || la 1 fift d 4-1 i S I ^ J 05 -H H -o jflj >**( O 1; *H iH 1^5 ro ^H ^ G 3 I Ifl |g-| |g"g "3 q i i O ^ ^ g l^c * n Jgrioo ^ a REPORT ON CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT Lateral Systems Each lateral system on this canal was studied as a unit. On each system a number of control runs was made. Where at all feasible, unweired deliveries or diversions were provided with temporary weirs. In all computations, corrections for velocities of approach and sub- mergence were made. The following tables show results of measure- ments on the individual laterals. LATERAL A Location: Sees. 13, 14, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 34, 35, 36, T. 17 S., R. 12 E.; Sees. 18, 19, T. 17 S., R. 13 E.; Sees. 2, 3, T. 18 S., R. 17 E. W. M. Condition: Runs through a rocky region. Leaks common. Laterals constructed with a large proportion of excess wetted area. Numerous drops uncontrolled. RECORD OF LOSSES July 23 July 24 July 25 Total inflow at intake in second feet 44.40 41.71 42.28 Total diverted from system, second feet 27.24 27.43 2'). 87 Total loss in system second feet 17.16 14.28 12.41 Loss in per cent of inflow 38.60% 34.20% 29.40% Average loss: 34.2%. Weather conditions: hot and sunshine. Length of canals and laterals studied: 21.3. Irrigable acres under canal: 4,785. Required capacity at intake: (duty of water 80 acres to 1 sec. ft. ) 60 sec. ft. Estimated safe capacity at intake, 1914 : 60 sec. ft. Maximum recorded discharge, 1914 : 53.4 sec. ft. LATERAL A, CENTRAL OREGON CANAL (Drop at upper end) REPORT ON CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT 37 Comment: This lateral system is the largest under the C. O. Canal. The main lateral is constructed with a considerable excess wetted area. It runs close to Pilot Butte and evidently construction work on the canal opened up many sink holes, the worst of which had been sealed up. These sink holes undoubtedly make losses greater. LATERAL D Location: Sections 21, 22, 27, 32, 33, T. 17 S., R. 13 E.; Section 4, T. 18 S., R. 13 E. Condition: Very little silt. Weeds growing in many places. RECORD OF LOSSES July 29, 1914 July 30 July 31 Total inflow at intake in second feet 4.00 4 92 4 92 Total diverted from system, second feet 2.39 3.39 3 30 Total loss in second feet . 1 61 1 53 1 62 Total loss in per cent of inflow 40.3 % 31 1 % 32 9 % Average loss: 34.5%. Weather conditions: sunshine. Length of laterals: 5.7 miles. Irrigable acres under canal: 1,362. Required capacity at intake: 17 sec. ft. Estimated safe capacity at intake: 8 sec. ft. Maximum recorded discharge, 1914: 5.30. Comment: Excess wetted area is characteristic of this lateral system. The canal is built much too wide for the amount of water to be carried. About one-half mile of low banks just below intake limited the capacity to less than is required for the lands it serves, which will undoubtedly be repaired. LATERAL D, CENTRAL OREGON CANAL (Wide, shallow canal causing excessive seepage) 38 REPORT ON CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT LATERAL H Location: Sees. 27, 28, 32, 33, T. 17 S., R. 14 E. W. M.; Sees. 5, 8, T. 18 S., R. 14 E W. M. Condition: In good shape except towards lower end, where some silt and weeds occur. Excess wetted area. RECORD OF LOSSES August 12 August 13 Inflow at intake in second feet 7.39 7.72 Diversions from system in second feet 5.12 5.06 Loss in system in second feet 2.27 2.66 Loss in per cent of inflow 30.80% 34.40% Average loss: 32.6%. Weather conditions: sunshine. Length of laterals studied: 4.4 miles. Irrigable acres under canal: 2,884. Required capacity at intake: 36.0 second feet. Maximum recorded discharge, 1914: 9.82 second feet. Comment: This lateral takes out of Central Oregon Canal about 16-mile post, and joins it again at 22-mile post. It was at one time thought, since the canal is built largely oversize, that if it might be used as the main canal instead of the present portion of the Central Oregon, some loss might be eliminated. The result of our studies shows, however: 1st. That losses in Lateral H are .63 feet per square foot of wetted area per 24 hours. Losses in Central Oregon Canal between intake of H and outlet of H are 0.79 feet. (Determination made August 20.) 2d. That it will be necessary to do considerable work on Lateral H, that it may carry the increased amount of water. Certain low banks exist which would allow excess water area and hence greater losses. It is estimated by the writer that the same money spent on the Central Oregon Canal would produce more satisfactory results. LATERAL I Location: Sections 2, 10, 11, 13, 14, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 34, 35, T. 17 S., R. 14 E.; Sections 2, 3, T. 18 S., R. 14 E. Condition: Running over its safe capacity; silted badly in places. RECORD OF LOSSES August 8 August 10 Inflow, in second feet, at intake 44.18 44 18 Diversions outflow, in second feet, from system Loss in second feet 33.63 10 55 35.24 8 94 Loss in per cent of inflow 23 90% 20 20% Average loss: 22%. "Weather conditions: sunshine. Length of laterals studied: 12 miles. Irrigable acres under canal: 4,181. Required capacity at intake: 52. Estimated safe capacity at intake: 40. Maximum recorded discharge, 1914: 47.05. Comment: Out of the 4,181 irrigable acres under the canal, only about 1,700 acres were cultivated last year. Our measurements show that when 44.18 second feet is flowing at the intake the delivery capacity of the canal system is about 35 second feet, of which 2 second feet is wasted at the ends of the laterals, leaving 33 second feet diverted to the farmers. REPORT ON CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT 39 This should be sufficient for 3,300 acres, but due to loss in farmers' ditches and wasteful methods of using the water, also on account of the different character of the soil at different places under the system, which necessitates the use of a larger amount of water for some of the land under the canal, it appears to be sufficient for only about 1,700 acres. Should this condition of affairs remain unchanged until 3,400 acres are in cultivation, 84 second feet of water inflow, or over twice the present capacity of the canal, would be required. LATERAL P Location: Sections 1, 7, 12, 18, T. 15 S., R. 14 E. W. M. Condition: Hardpan and rock subsoil; some silt in upper end. RECORD OP LOSSES August 18 August 19 Inflow at intake, in second feet 7.83 7.83 Diversions, in second feet 7.47 7.50 Loss, in second feet 0.36 .33 Loss, in per cent of inflow 4.60% 4.20% Average loss: 4.4%. Weather conditions: bright sunshine. Length of laterals studied: 2.9. Irrigable acres under canal: 1,255. Required capacity at intake: 16 second feet. Estimated safe capacity at intake: 16 second feet. Maximum recorded discharge in 1914 : 8.62 second feet. Comment: This lateral is located in the Powell Butte District, which district seems to be generally underlain with an impervious stratum, and measurements indicate that losses are low in this region. Summary The following table summarizes the results of studies on the lateral systems. ii II *i5 Lateral system I!| aS.S ! fe!B Condition |.s-s r as * 3000 DO A 34.2 21.3 60 Excess wetted area, sinks and uncontrolled drops. D 34.5 5.7 17 Excess wetted area, low banks, near intake. H . 32.6 4.4 36 Excess wetted area. 1 ... 22.0 12.0 52 Main canal built too small. P 4.4 2.9 16 In Powell Butte district, in good shape except in a few places having low banks. 40 REPORT ON CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT The following table is given to show the losses as affected by the character of material through which the canal is excavated: LOSSES ON LATERALS OF CENTRAL OREGON CANAL Is 71 ift 5S 9*411 J2, tt a 1^2 fl "*"* No. lateral fill Its 1 Hi a *a *a.2 Material through which laterals run J41 1 II jm |dlr 1 I 44.18 6.50 2.30 .99 50% volcanic ash soil, 30% gravel, 18% clayey ash, 2% rock. 2 A . 42.80 6.00 2.50 1.20 60% sandy ash, 40% rock. 3 C. O... 32.64 1907 9.00 .84 .33 4 13 16.90 2.60 3.60 .76 50% earth, 30% gravel, 18% volcanic ash with clay, 2% rock. 5 AlO . 12.00 5.20 4.65 .92 6 Al .... 9.40 4.00 4.93 .77 95% earth, 5% rock. 7 P 7.83 2.90 1.55 .22 40% rock, 30% hardpan, 30% earth. 8 H .. 7.56 4.40 7.40 .63 95% earth, 5% rock. 9 AT .... 5.05 2.50 5.30 1.14 90% earth, 10% rock. 10 D 4.61 4.50 5.75 .35 90% earth, 10% rock. 11 AlO-5 3.21 .90 19.90 2.60 Wetted area, approximate. 12 13-4 .. 3.18 .65 37.70 3.30 70% gravel, 30% earth. 13 A13 .. 2.80 1.50 17.50 1.64 14 AlO-8 1.87 .50 to .70 32.80 1.06 15 12 1.19 .70 32.50 .68 50% earth, 50% rock. 16 13-1 .. 1.16 .80 55.00 2.22 80% gravel, 20%. earth. 17 A2 .... 1.05 .23 40.00 1.52 80% sand ash soil. 20% rock. 18 D6 .... .70 .50 56.40 1.15 95% sandy ash soil, 5% rock. 19 Dio .. .60 .70 47.70 1.04 90% earth, 10% rock. FARMERS' DITCHES Different surveys and observations on farms scattered throughout the project show that the length of ditches necessary to carry the water from the company's point of delivery down to the farmers' land .and over it is in many places more than a mile. It has been determined that in small ditches, such as used by farmers, the losses are about 40% per mile. In some cases the loss is greater, and in some cases less. It will be reason- able to assume then that 40% of the water diverted to the farmer is lost before he can use it to advantage on his crops. Mr. E. G. Hopson, in his article on the Economic Aspect of Seepage Loss, published in the Proceedings of American Society of Civil Engin- eers, says: "It has been estimated that seepage losses in the farmers' ditches on many projects are not less than 50% of the losses in the main canal and lateral systems." The loss of 40% in farmers' laterals as assumed by the writer in these studies is thus seen to be low rather than high. EVAPORATION There seems to have been an idea in the minds of some persons interested in irrigation problems of Oregon that evaporation plays a large part in the losses on this project. Although this idea is entirely contrary to all data and conclusions of other investi- gators of this matter, it was decided to carry on sufficient investigations to determine whether evaporation was higher than usual. Accordingly, an evaporation tank was constructed and installed at the ranch of A. O. REPORT ON CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT 41 Walker of Alfalfa. The tank was circular, two feet in diameter and twelve inches deep and constructed of galvanized iron. The results obtained from this tank may be high due to heat reflection from the sides of the tank tending to increase evaporation above normal. The tank was installed in a pool of quiet water just above Mr. Walker's north weir. Records were kept from May 13 to August 26, inclusive, a total of 105 days. Rainfall was allowed for in figures given below: EVAPORATION IN INCHES ON C. O. I. CO. PROJECT, 1914 May 13-31 June July August 1-26 Total for 105 days 3.94 8.81 6.12 5.63 24.50 The following record shows evaporation in inches for Klamath River, near Keno, Oregon, 120 miles south of Bend, and is a typical evaporation record for an irrigated district. Altitude, 4,000 feet. Taken from Water Supply Paper 344, page 86: MEAN OF SIX YEARS' RECORD May June July August Total for 123 days 4.14 5.16 6M4 6.46 22.20 These records are here compared to show the small difference between the evaporation on this project and a standard record for this State. Taking the maximum of 8.8 inches in June, we have a maximum daily rate of .293 inches. The mean transmission loss in depth per day over wetted area is about 1.1 feet on this project. The proportion of evaporation losses to transmission losses on this project is, therefore, .0244 ( .293 inches reduced to feet) _ SUMMARY OF LOSSES Pilot Butte System To show the losses on the entire Pilot Butte Canal system, the follow- ing table is presented, based on the data previously given. The main canal losses are measured directly from the river diversions and include North Canal losses down to 25.5-mile post, where the canal becomes small enough to be considered a large lateral. Lateral losses are taken as 30% of the amount diverted from main canal and losses after leaving the lateral system are estimated at 40% for farmers' ditches. SUMMARY OF LOSS DETERMINATIONS ON THE PILOT BUTTE CANAL SYSTEM FROM THE RIVE'R DIVERSION TO THE FARMERS' LANDS Second feet Per cent of water diverted from river June 25 July 17 August 15 June 26 July 17 August 15 Total water diverted from Deschutes River at United States Geo- logical Survey gages.. Total water lost in main canal system 309.00 113.42 58.67 54.76 226.85 172.09 323.00 128.98 58.20 54.33 241.51 187.18 337.00 135.17 60.73 56.68 252.58 196.90 100.00 36.70 19.00 17.70 73.40 55.70 100.00 40.00 18.00 16.80 74.80 58.00 100.00 40.20 18.00 16.80 75.00 58.20 Total water lost in lat- eral system taken as 30% of that diverted from main canal Total lost in farmers' lat- erals taken as 40% of that diverted to farmer Total loss in en- tire system Loss in system for which the irrigator is not responsible . 42 REPORT ON CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT Central Oregon System On the main Central Oregon Canal the losses are directly measured to Mile Post 34, below which point the main canal is no larger than some of the large laterals on the project. Losses on lateral systems between the intake and the 34-mile post will average 30%, as seen from table. Below the 34-mile post, a loss of 15% is assumed on the following basis. The loss in the section of the Central Oregon Canal between 34-mile post and 43-mile post is 7.6% of the inflow. The loss in Lateral P is 4.4% of the inflow, and it is believed that losses in other small laterals such as N, M-5, M-3, etc., would be sufficient to make an estimate of 15% a conservative figure of the losses below 34-mile post. Taking into consideration the foregoing facts, it will be seen that the following table summarizing all losses on the system, while it shows them to be high, is certainly as low as could reasonably be expected: SUMMARY OF LOSSES ON THE CENTRAL, OREGON CANAL SYSTEM FROM RIVER DIVERSION TO FARMERS LAND Second feet Per cent of water diverted June 13 August 14 August 20 June 13 August 14 August 20 Total inflow diverted from the Deschutes River 313.00 81.23 63.80 2.78 66.04 213.94 147.90 330.00 82.00 65.76 4.81 71.17 223.24 152.07 333.00 79.28 67.10 4.52 72.84 223.74 150.90 100.00 26.00 20.40 90 21.10 68.40 47.30 100.00 24.80 19.90 1.30 21.60 67.60 46.00 100.00 23.80 20.10 1.40 21.90 67.20 46.70 Loss from .5 mile post to 34 mile post Loss in lateral systems above 34 mile post taken as 30% of their intake discharges Losses below 34 mile post taken as 15% of the discharge at 34 mile post Losses in farmers' lat- erals taken as 40% of the water diverted to the farmer Total losses in entire system Loss in system for which the irrigator is not responsible Seepage Conditions on Entire System The preceding data show that losses are heaviest on the main canals, laterals and farmers' ditches in the order stated. In the case of the main Central Oregon Canal and North Canal, which has a large per cent of rock surface in contact with the water, it is believed that seams and cracks in the rock are responsible for the larger part of the loss. On the Pilot Butte Canal the high losses are also attributed to the large excess wetted area. Since rock is relatively so close to the surface over a large part of the segregation, the tendency has been to construct wide, shallow canals rather than deep ones, thus avoiding expensive rock excavation. The result has been that canals were constructed with a large excess water area and since seepage and evaporation are proportional to wetted area REPORT ON CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT 43 and water surface area, the losses are high. Some of the lateral systems, however, were designed to serve a greater area of land than they are ultimately to serve, and hence they are wider than they should be. This is true particularly of the laterals diverting in the first 20 miles of the Central Oregon Canal. Another cause of losses is that the numerous drops on the canals have not been properly constructed, as in most instances the water is allowed to tumble down over the rock as best it can between the canal grade lines. Thus seams and cracks and sink holes have a splendid oppor- tunity to take water. The logical remedy for the high losses would be to first reduce the excess wetted area; second, search the canal bottom in the rock section for leaks, and when found, close them in a permanent manner with cement; and third, to provide and construct drop structures. . 2.95 acfr / DeS/verecJ to farmer-, /. 77 ac. ft Aw/'/ab/e for Crops 32. 3 X /./8ac.ff: Loss />? formers 2i.t%p/fc/7es /.I7ac.ft. Loss //? Lofera/s ZI.4-% /.36oc ft Loss m Ma/rt Cane/ Z48%> CENTRAL //? Cono/ System 4-6.2% OREGON CANAL 3.l9ac. ff. De//vered fo Farmer \ /.9lac ft Available for Crops 2S.6& /.230-cft Loss //? farmers /7./%D/fches /.370c.ft Loss />? Latera/s /e.tt 3.92 ac ft Loss in Ma/'r? Car?o/s 39.0% PILOT BUTTE Trans mis si or? Loss />7 Car?a/ System Fig. 5. DISTRIBUTION OF WATER DIVERTED AT INTAKE (In acre feet per acre of irrigated land) A study was made on the Pilot Butte Canal system to see what possible reduction in seepage losses would result from the carrying out of such a policy of loss reductions. All canals and laterals were redesigned with a view to reducing excess wetted area, and it was assumed that the rate of normal seepage loss would be 1 foot per square foot of wetted area per 24 hours. It was found that losses would then amount to 40% of the inflow. A similar condition on the Central Oregon Canal would also reduce the losses on this system to even less than 40%, but to obtain such would practically necessitate the reconstruction of some of the main lateral systems at a heavy cost, which would not be the case under the Pilot Butte Canal. 44 REPORT ON CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT COMPARISON OF RESULTS WITH OTHER DATA From the following table the losses on the combined systems of the Pilot Butte and Central Oregon canals are compared with the recorded losses on other projects. The figures on other projects are taken from Mr. Hopson's article in the Transactions of American Society of Civil Engineers, mentioned under head of Losses in Farmers' Ditches. LOSSES IN PER CENT OF WATER DIVERTED FROM RIVER Project Canal Farmers' ditches Total *Umatilla 32 00 15 00 47 Truckee-Carson .. 41 00 15 00 56 "Orland 23 00 10 00 33 Klamath - 48 00 15 00 63 Tieton 24 00 8 00 3 Sunnyside 27 00 7 00 4 Central Oregon Project 51 70 19 30 71 * Reservoir losses in Umatilla and Orland projects are eliminated in these figures. It must be remembered that the figures for loss in farmers' ditches in reclamation projects are the results of private opinion and not as a result of actual measurements, while the figures given for the Central Oregon Project are based on the result of actual measurements on such ditches. To still further compare the results obtained the following table is given: Canals carrying 100 sec. ft. or more Canals carrying less than 100 sec. ft. "Loss of Water in and Contracting, by P. M. Fogg . Irrigation June 24, Systems," Eng. 1914, page 712, .95^ oer mile 6.02^ ner mile Central Oregon Irrigation Company Project ] 1.71% per mile ; 11.15% per mile I i The results of the measurements of seepage show this to be a serious problem on this project. The above comparisons show that it is greater than is experienced on many of the more important projects of the Northwest. The two main causes for this loss are as follows: 1. The canals were so located as to take advantage, wherever possible, of natural draws or gullies, with the result that the sections were such as to cause large wetted areas. No impervious linings were used, except on the North Canal, where the concrete is rough, and considerably checked. (See Bulletin 126, U. S. Dept. Agriculture, page 43.) Natural drops were used when possible and the porous seamy rock of the region thus diverts large amounts of water through leakage. These conditions, whose results are augmented by the effects of changes of irrigation plans after construction of the original canals, are large responsible for the high losses. 2. The geological formations of the country are mainly volcanic, pro- ducing a rich soil for raising crops, but also, in this instance, being responsible for the underground caves, subterranean channels and seamy rock which naturally produce high losses unless canal and lateral con- struction is especially provided against it. REPORT ON CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT 45 LATERAL A-10, CENTRAL OREGON CANAL (Flume over rock cavity) REMEDIES FOR LOSSES As seen from the above discussion, the problem of reducing losses naturally resolves itself into reducing excess area and cementing leaks. The amount of reduction in losses which can be accomplished by this method depends on the amount and character of work done, but it is estimated that by this means the losses can, at least, be held to 40% without excessive expense. To reduce losses below 40% it may be necessary in some places to resort to concrete lining, puddling of banks, and other expedients which will prove to be quite expensive. The exact cost of this work can only be estimated after experimental work has been done to determine just what method will be most economical and efficient. 46 REPORT ON CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT WEATHER CONDITIONS The season of 1914 was notable for the low precipitation. The records of the U. S. Weather Bureau for Bend show only about 2.68 inches of precipitation from January to April, inclusive, while the normal for that period is about 7.5 inches. During the irrigation season of May, June, July and August the rainfall amounted to 2.57 inches, while normally it should be about 3.22 inches. This deficiency of moisture before and during the irrigation season undoubtedly made it necessary to use more water for irrigation purposes than would be advisable to use under normal conditions. The following- table is taken from monthly climatological data published by the U. S. Weather Bureau, being average of records for Bend and Powell Butte for 1914. TEMPERATURE Mean Maximum Minimum Precipita- tioninches May 51 6 90 19 84 June 57 93 22 88 July 66 98 30 16 August 64 2 100 3TT Trace REPORT ON CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT 47 CHOP REPORT AND CENSUS REPORT A census of crops, stock, people, and a valuation of property was made on special forms prepared by this office, in cooperation with Mr. C. L. McCauley, water superintendent on the project. Kind of Crop and Acreage: Alfalfa, 7,351; clover, 2,249.5; grain, 6,003.5; potatoes, 757; orchard, 221.5; garden, 612; miscellaneous, 524.5; total acres in crop, 17,719. Stock Census: Beef cattle, 1,209; dairy cows, 1,004; horses, 1,174; swine, 5,589; sheep, 443. Total population,- 1,398, not including population in towns and cities, or residents on homesteads and desert claims. Total value of farms cleared, partly cleared, or under cultivation by irrigation, $2,167,520.00. Total value per capita, $1,550.00. Total number of farms investigated, 645. (Includes four very large ranches, such as Pilot Butte, Davenport-Stanley, etc.) Total irrigable acres reported on, 30,692. Average size of farms, 47.6 acres. Average size of small farms, 41.6 acres. Total taken up by roads and buildings, 774 irrigable acres. Total area of lands cleared but not cultivated, 4,322 acres. The valuation here given represents as far as possible no speculative value, such as is due to location near a town. The basis of the valuation was the reclamation lien fixed on uncleared irrigable land with water right, which is $40 per acre. These figures are therefore low, but represent as far as possible the value of the land as produced by the industry of the settler. The total irrigable acres reported on are the irrigable lands that the company recognizes as contracted for, and hence the actual irrigable acres may be in excess of this figure. PERCENTAGE OF CLEARED LAND NOT IN CULTIVATION In any irrigation project a certain portion of the land under a canal system will not be irrigated because it is taken up by roads, houses, buildings, rights of way, etc. Engineers have been accustomed to make an allowance for this unusable land in designing irrigation systems. The amount of this allowance varies greatly with conditions, and no figure should be taken from one part of the country and applied to another without a careful study of the conditions which exist where the figure was determined and where it is to be applied. For instance, it has been reported that in India, where irrigation has been practised for hundreds of years, 20% of the land under the canals are found to be taken up by roads, towns, buildings, etc. In the earlier development of irrigation in the United States it was estimated that 20% would apply to conditions in the West. Careful investigations have shown that this figure cannot so be applied except under unusual conditions. On the Central Oregon Project, waste lands, towns and rights of way were eliminated from the lands considered under the canals. The amount of waste lands on this project is such as to make strong inducement for 48 REPORT ON CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT farmers to use this waste land for buildings, yards, etc. Irrigable lands costing $40 per acre for water rights, and 80 cents per year for main- tenance would certainly not customarily be used to put buildings and yards on where there is available waste land costing $2.50 per acre which may be used for this purpose. Don H. Bark, who has thoroughly investigated this matter for the Department of Agriculture, finds, after studying a large area in Idaho, that the average project has only about 8.06% of the lands lying idle. This percentage is divided as follows: 2.2% taken up by corrals, barns, stock yards, fence rows, building sites and high land; 5.86% in sloughs, creeks, canals, county roads, railroad rights of way and miscellaneous. The data were collected over an area of some 16,000 acres of land, and are considered typical of Idaho projects. Mr. Bark says that in a highly developed section the amount of fallow lands would not exceed 2.5% of the total irrigable lands. The 1914 census of the Central Oregon Irrigation Company's Project shows that about 2.5% of the irrigable land under the census is taken up by roads and buildings, and about 14% taken up by lands which have been cleared up for the next year's cultivation, cleared land on abandoned ranches and lands not irrigated but cleared. As the project grows older this percentage will undoubtedly become almost negligible. The contract between the settler and the company calls for a delivery of 1.8 acre feet per acre for whatever irrigable acres there may be on the land; contracts since 1907 naming the amount of irrigable acres. Since it is difficult for the average farmer to use small quantities of water, even should he have the skill, it is natural to suppose that he will do as he has already done, viz., demand all the water his contract calls for, regardless of the amount of land he may have lying fallow or taken up in any way such that it is not actually irrigated. And especially will he do this in a dry year, when 1.8 acre feet per acre appears to him to be inadequate. Therefore, in view of the above facts, and in view of the unsatisfactory condition of the canals, it is not considered proper to make an allowance of 10% for non-irrigated lands and certainly not 20%. REPORT ON CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT 49 DUTY OF WATER Moisture is necessary for raising of agricultural crops. To supply any deficiency in moisture that crops may be raised profitably to the farmer and to do this work efficiently and at the proper time is the ideal of irrigation practice. That amount of water per acre of land necessary to make up any deficiency in crop requirements of moisture, is expressed in the phrase, "Duty of 'Water." The duty is commonly expressed as acre fe.et per acre, or as acres per second foot. Aside from the /"human element," having to do with the skill and intelligence of the farmer or water user, the most important factor affecting the water duty in arid regions is the character of the soil and subsoil. Climatic conditions, character of crops, fertility of soil and the aver- age intelligence of farmers are more or less constant factors within the extremes of a large project. Once determined they vary but little between different sections in the same project. The character of the soil and subsoil, however, does vary within wide limits, and it is almost impossible to adopt a uniform quantity of water which is best for all lands in a large project. No better instance could hardly be found to illustrate this point than the conditions on the Central Oregon Irrigation Company's project. Lands lying in what is known as the Powell Butte District require less water than do most any other lands in the project. The soil of that district appears to have a fine loamy texture with a relatively tight substratum. Some lands lying in the Alfalfa district, near Bend and near Red- mond, need more water than do those of the Powell Butte district, and there will be found a tract like that used as an experimental farm near Redmond, where soil conditions approach those of the Powell Butte district, and where, under the expert management of a specialist, much less water than 1.8 acre feet per acre is required. Prior to October 10, 1905, no duty of water had been fixed for this project by the State Land Board. However, the company had inserted in its Contract Form No. 1, a specification of 1 second foot to 160 acres between April 1 and November 1. As this was not deemed sufficient by the State Engineer, and the company's contract provided that all rules and regulations with respect to water must be approved by the Land Board, the then State Land Board refused to approve this contract form. The minutes of the State Land Board dated October 10, 1905, with reference to duty of water, read as follows: "Now comes on to be considered the application of the Deschutes Irrigation & Power Company for a List for Patent for 77,950.87 acres of land included in the segregation of the Pilot Butte Development Com- pany, and in order that the proper officers of the State may be able to make the certificates of reclamation as required by the rules and regula- tions of the Secretary of the Interior so that patent may issue, it is necessary that the board, at this time, fix and determine the duty of water for the land in this project, which, in the absence of any informa- tion concerning the irrigation of lands in the vicinity of the lands included in said list, the board at this time is unable to do with any degree of 50 REPORT ON CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT certainty. However, it appearing to the board that the estimated quan- tity of water made by the U. S. Reclamation Service for the Klamath Proj- ect is one second foot of water for 150 acres and that the ditch companies in the Yakima country furnish only one second foot of water for 160 acres, while in Idaho the quantity ranges from one second foot of water for from 60 to 80 acres of land, it is the opinion of the board at this time that one second foot of water is sufficient to irrigate and reclaim 100 acres of land in this segregation within the meaning of the law, and this amount is hereby fixed and determined by the board as the proper and reason- able duty of water for this project for the purpose only of establishing a basis for the guidance of the Governor and State Engineer in certify- ing the "List for Patent," and they are hereby requested if they find that the capacity of the headworks, flumes and ditches of the Deschutes Irrigation & Power Company is sufficient to convey this quantity of water and in other respects in compliance with the law to make the proper certificate to said 'List for Patent.' " Later the company incorporated this duty in the rules and regulations, which were duly approved by the State Land Board, as follows: "(2) The irrigation season shall be from April 1 to November 1 of each year, and during the period of maximum use from May 23 to August 20 (90 days) of each year the company shall deliver to each settler, his heirs, personal representative or assigns owning lands reclaimed by contract with the State of Oregon (for convenience herein- after called the settler) an amount of water measured at the point of delivery to his land, which will cover each acre of irrigable land to a depth of one and eight-tenths feet (1.8). If the above supply of water is found to be in excess of that required during the period of maximum use, or insufficient to raise ordinary agricultural crops, it can be changed with the approval of the State Land Board to conform with the recom- mendations of the Chief of Irrigation Investigations of the U. S. Depart- ment of Agriculture." On November 2, 1905, this rule among others was adopted by the State Land Board, and in 1907 it was included as part of the contract between the settler and the company which was approved by the board. This is the only instance in the records of the State Land Board or Desert Land Board where the duty of water was fixed by the board. The first duty of water of one second foot to 160 acres was fixed by the company without the approval of the board. Since 1905 many experiments have been made to determine the proper duty of water, both in Oregon and in other states. Most noteworthy of these investigations is that carried on by Don H. Bark in Idaho for the Department of Agriculture in cooperation with the State of Idaho. The character of the soil, elevation and general condition of the lands under Mr. Bark's investigations are very similar to those under the Central Oregon Project, and the result of his work should throw some light on what should be the proper duty of water here. Since the period of maximum use under consideration is 90 days it is necessary to interpolate Mr. Bark's results to the same basis in order to apply them to this project. The following table is compiled from Mr. Bark's report: Duty of water obtained by Don Bark for the Department of Agricultural, on Idaho REPORT ON CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT 51 lands similar in character and climatic condition to Central Oregon Project. Average yearly precipitation is about twelve inches, of which about three inches fall in the four summer months. SS22 ifl w gi Crop gp J& fi S-3 & fcl ** ^ a^-S Character of poll "c*c8 oo "c ^ cfl cS 3C 3 >;o H' 5 55 Alfalfa 2.50 1.83 46 3 IV^eclium clav and sandv loam soil. Grain 1.45 1.337 122 3 IVXcdiuni clav and sindv loam soil. Alfalfa 6.815 5.073 17 2 Porous sandv and gravelly soil. Grain 3.09 3.031 30 2 Porous sandv and gravelly soil. The weighted mean of the above figures gives a 90-day water duty of 2.705 acre feet for alfalfa, and 1.676 acre feet for grain. Since alfalfa and grain are about equally proportioned in the average projects under discussion, a fair average would be 2.191, or, roughly, 2.2 acre feet per acre. According to the above investigation it would appear that 2.2 acre feet is the proper duty where the ratio of grain to alfalfa is equal and where the ratio of porous sandy soil is as approx- imately 47 to 215. Since the exact area of the fields is not known it is impossible to give exact figures, but it is sufficiently accurate for all practical purposes to say that the duty of water of 2.2 acre feet would be safe to apply to an area 22% of which is a porous sandy loam and gravelly soil. A very careful study of the duty of water has been made by Prof. W. L. Powers, in charge of irrigation and drainage work of the Oregon Experiment Station. Prof. Powers had direct charge of the work in 1912 on the Redmond Irrigation Experiment Farm, and his results, pub- lished in Bulletin No. 117 of the Oregon Agricultural College, reveal the possibilities of scientific knowledge applied to irrigation practice. It is indeed unfortunate that Prof. Powers could not have extended his work over a period of years, so that the effect of yearly climatic differences might be ascertained; and also it would have been of the greatest value if he could have carried on his experiments on several different tracts of land so as to note the effect of the different kinds of soil on the duty. The duty of water obtained by Prof. Powers was 1.041 acre feet per acre, and in applying this to the Central Oregon Project the following conditions must be taken into consideration: 1st. The precipitation for 1912 was above normal and as seen in the diagram the use of water per acre was the lowest in four years. 2d. Crops were very well diversified, tending to a minimum need of water. 3d. Unusual skill was used in applying water. Soil moisture deter- minations were made, thus the amount of residual soil moisture was known. Resources, financial and otherwise, which are not as yet avail- able to the average farmer were available for use on this farm. 52 REPORT ON CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT 4th. This duty of water was obtained on one type of land alone, and it is by no means certain that this is the average type. The writer has seen by far the larger portion of the lands in the segregation and his opinion is that this experimental farm is better than the average in character of both soil and subsoil. 5th. The maximum crop yield for the least water is the economic use of water, but not of necessity the economic duty of water. In determining the duty for any project the cost of land and water, cost of clearing and cultivation, cost of producing crops, and the value of crops must be taken into consideration, as well as the amount of water which will produce the maximum yield. It is evident that to use only so much water as will produce the maximum yield per acre may entail 6.SJ 627, 1911 1912 1913 1914 Contract Duty of Wafer of /ntoke r- ofMoJn Cona/ - / second -foot to 7 O acres Excess Use and Losses Fig. 6. WATER DIVERTED AT CANAL INTAKES (Acre feet per acre of irrigated land) much expense for leveling land, handling water, cultivation of crops, which would not be fully offset by the increased return from the increased crop, while, on the other hand, less expensive methods using more water, even with the decreased yield would show a substantial profit to the farmer. 6th. Even as one year's stream measurements are of little value unless continued over a period of years, so is the determination of the duty of water for one year only of small value. Mr. Bark's experiments show in three years a variation in duty of water of from 8.7 per cent below to 11 per cent above the mean, and a maximum variation of 29 per cent from the minimum duty. 7th. In determining this duty the water was measured at the point of use and arbitrary allowances were made for losses. On this project the water is required to be delivered within one-half mile of the lands, and hence ditch losses, which are heavy in this section, would tend to increase the water requirements at the company's delivery. REPORT ON CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT 53 The year 1912 was a year of abundant precipitation and unusually low use of water. In 1911 the diversion use of water was 6.51 or 30% greater. To take even Prof. Powers' duty of 1.04 acre feet in 90 days, and increase it 30 per cent for difference in precipitation from the normal, and make an allowance of 30 per cent of the amount delivered at company's delivery for losses where conditions are favorable, we have a duty which in dry years may possibly be obtained by skilled farmers on the best 'of lands, as follows: Acre feet in 90 days Professor Powers' duty for 1912 1.041 30% for climatic difference between 1911 and 1912 .31 Losses between company's delivery and on farmers' land equals 30% of the amount delivered -58 Total duty for dry year 1.93 Assuming a 10% deviation from the mean duty for average years, it would appear that 1.74 acre feet would be the proper duty for this segregation, provided all lands were like that of the Redmond farm and all farmers had developed a great degree of skill in the economic handling of water. Such conditions are practically out of the question and it is necessary that the problem be approached from a more practical standpoint. In 1914 the attempt was made to ascertain just what the actual duty of water was during the 90-day period on this segregation. Accord- ingly three farmers volunteered their services to keep records of water diverted on their farms and to continue their ordinary use of water in their own way and to use neither more nor less than they were accustomed to use. Cippoletti weirs were installed either on the farmer's land or as near to it as possible, so as to measure all the water coming on the land. Conditions did not permit of controlling the waste water, but the farmers were cautioned about allowing waste water to run off their lands, and observations during the season showed that on these particular tracts but little water was wasted. Farm No. 1 is located at Alfalfa, Oregon, and owned by Mr. A. O. Walker. Water is supplied through Lateral I system of the Central Oregon Canal. Two weirs were necessary to measure all the water on the place. This farm is representative of the best in the segregations. Buildings are in good shape, ditches are well located, the land is slightly rolling, and conditions are favorable for an economical use of water. Mr. A. E. Lovett, County Agriculturist and Agent of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, rendered valuable assistance to the writer by reporting the character of soil and subsoil on these farms. He reports: "I find the soil on this farm uniform in texture and fairly uniform in depth. It is composed of a sandy loam, generally with a coarse sandy subsoil and underlaid with about four inches of hardpan or ash cement. The depth varies from 12 to 38 inches and averages about 18 inches. . . . . Results obtained in your water measurements may be taken as results representative for that section." Mr. Walker is the only farmer of the three who appeared satisfied with the amount of water received, which amounted to 3.19 acre feet per acre irrigated during the 90-day season. 54 REPORT ON CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT Farm No. 2 is near Redmond, and is owned by F. A. Kennard. This farm required but one weir, which towards the end of the season became silted and therefore measurements taken at that time are slightly low. Mr. -Lovett finds that the soil is quite variable. The texture varies from a fine sand to a fine sandy loam with a trace of pumice in the subsoil. The surface soil is about 16 to 65 inches deep, and the farm is an exceptional one, although many of the same nature may be found. A very large amount of water was used on the place, being 5.70 acre feet per acre of land irrigated in the 90-day period. Mr. Kennard claims that this amount of water was not sufficient in- 1914, but it appears that the greatest need is for an increased head of water on a rotation system. It is believed that a large head of water delivered at the proper time will result in the more economical use even in a dry year requiring less water than the 5.70 acre feet delivered this year. Farm No. 3 belongs to Mr. J. T. Ledbetter, and is located under the Pilot Butte Canal on the Deschutes River near Cline Falls. This farm is excellently laid out and is evidently managed by a man of experience in irrigation. Mr. Lovett reports the soil to be fairly uniform in depth and texture and a medium sandy loam. The fields are in excellent shape and so located that definite results can be obtained from studies of the use of water. Mr. Ledbetter writes that the lack of a sufficiently large head of water at proper times made results of the season very unsatis- factory, causing some of his young alfalfa to die. He used on his tract 2.44 acre feet per acre during the 90-day irrigation season. The table on the following page is a record of the water used on these three farms. In 1912, Mr. H. P. Farmer, under the direction of Dr. Samuel Fortier of the Department of Agriculture Experiment Stations, carried on cer- tain preliminary studies for the duty of water on the Central Oregon Project. The results of this work have not yet been made public, but it may be said that nothing in them conflicts with the deductions here drawn for the duty of water on this project. Fully as important as the total seasonal use of water is the maximum monthly use. It is a recognized fact that the prime essential in an irrigation project is that it should deliver not only sufficient total amount of water, but also in the proper time. Flooding the lands in May or August will not relieve a shortage in July. This was clearly proven in 1913, during the shortage occurring in July. July is the month when the largest percentage of water is used, and it is evident that the demand of this month determines the required capacity of the various canals, regardless whether the total duty is 1.5 acre feet or 2.0 acre feet in season. REPORT ON CENTRAL OREGON PROJECT 55 It f "<>j * O