St. Ignatius Post

Authorization of $6.2 million to mean extension of Flathead Irrigation power systems

Authorization of $6,200,000 for construction of the Flathead Irrigation district irrigation and power systems has been announced by Senators Metcalf and Mansfield.

George Moon, project engineer, said that the project hopes, through this appropriation, to be able to extend and improve the irrigation system so as to get water to all lands which are now included in the project.

He pointed out that this was in reference to Class 3 lands, which are in the project, but are not served with water. Included in the plans for work throughout the project is replacing of a dam at Black lake in the Jocko, and canal lining on the Pablo feeder system.

Work on the power division, Moon said would be carried forward to increase the capacities of the entire project's distribution system to meet anticipated needs.

He said the Ronan power distribution system now is in the best condition of any of the towns in the system and that other systems will also be rebuilt increasing the capacities of substations and service lines. He said plans are being made for a new heavier line from Kerr dam to Ninepipe so that as demands increase the capacity of the line can be doubled.

Work permitted by this authorization of funds will be carried on over a period of years. The entire amount is reimbursable.

The Flathead project, which was begun in 1909, has been continued through various acts of congress. Repayments of more than $2.5 million have been made on the investments in the irrigation and power systems.

Along with the plans to get water to all project lands, Moon said that they also hope to remove from the project all those lands which cannot be served with water or which cannot effectively use the water. Long range plans are to consolidate the project so that all the acres included are actually served with water.