OCR Text |
Show SEVIER RIVE Is it any wonder water conservation is of primary concern throughout the Sevier River drainage? The Sevier - believed to be the longest river in the country which flows entirely within one state - is considered by many water experts to be the most totally appropriated river in the United States. Much of the water diverted to sustain crops along the river system is return flow, water which already has been applied to the land at least once before making its way back to the stream channel to be diverted again. Sevier water possibly is reused for irrigation more than that of any other river system in the nation. One of the major beneficiaries of the Division of Water Resources program in the Sevier River District is Sanpete County. Among the lesser users is Piute County. The 33 conservation projects in Sanpete County which have benefited from Board of Water Resources financial assistance develop an annual - 16 - DISTRICT average of 21,000 acre- feet of water. The water conserved in the county provides a supplemental irrigation supply for more than 50,000 acres. Of the $ 2,265 million cost of these projects, the Board financed $ 1,254 million. As sponsors purchase projects that $ 1,254 million will become available to help pay the bills for later water conservation projects in the State. Many Sanpete County irrigation companies have converted to the more efficient sprinkler irrigation. A number of others have applied for financial assistance from the Board to make the same conversion. Conservation projects have not been so extensive in Piute County. The 4,400 acre- feet developed is being used for supplemental irrigation on nearly 7,000 acres and to bring another 95 acres of new land under cultivation. |