Utah exhibits [of the] State of Arizona, complainant, v. State of California, Palo Verde Irrigation District, Imperial Irrigation District, Coachella Valley County Water District, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, City of Los Angeles, City of San Diego, and County of San Diego, defendants, United States of America and State of Nevada, interveners, State of New Mexico and State of Utah, parties

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220 IRRIGATION INVESTIGATIONS IN UTAH. an average of 2.2 waterings, and yielded an average of 3.62 tons per acre. Wheat was irrigated between January 15 and June 24, received an average of 2.5 waterings, and yielded an average of 22.38 bushels per acre. Barley was irrigated between February 15 and May 20, received an average of 2.5 waterings, and yielded an average of 27.64 bushels per acre. Besides the marketable products, the land produced pasturage worth $429. The total value of crops and pasturage was $10,279, making the average return per acre $21.20. In figuring the returns alfalfa was reckoned at $6 per ton, wheat at 90 cents per bushel, and barley at 75 cents per bushel. For the 1,328.24 acre-feet of water applied in irrigation, the value per acre-foot was therefore $7.73. The above figures represent the returns from farming the Santa Clara bottoms in a dry year. All irrigators reported a shortage of water, so that it is safe to assume that the returns would be considerably more in years of ample water supply. LA VERKIN BENCH. La Verkin Bench is directly north of Virgin River and 3 miles southeast of Toquerville. It comprises a tract of 700 acres of irrigable land, of which 538 acres are under La Verkin Canal, and 150 acres within reach of pumping above the canal. La Verkin Canal takes water from Virgin River 2 miles above the bench, and after following the canyon of the river 1£ miles, tunnels through the cliffs east of the bench 840 feet to La Verkin fields. The canal and tunnel were completed in 1891 at a cost of $25,500. The canal was originally 5 feet wide on the bottom, 7 feet wide on top, and 2 feet deep, with a fall of 1 inch in 10 rods, except at the upper end, where a slightly greater fall was given. Owing to financial difficulties it was found impossible to keep the canal in repair for several years after it was completed, and consequently its capacity is at present somewhat below what it was at first. The head gate has twice washed out and an assessment of $500 had to be collected in 1902 to put in a third one. The canal passes through gypsum beds in a number of places, and in each of these it had to be replaced by wooden flumes, which are in turn being replaced by earth and gravel bottoms. The canal is now rapidly being returned to its former good condition. This canal is owned and controlled by La Verkin Bench Canal Company, which was incorporated May 5,1902, with a capital stock of $15,000, divided into 600 shares, each of which is intended to represent a right to water for 1 acre. Since 1902 the company has been in substantial shape. All of the land under the canal has been sold and 4<>0 acres were watered during 1902. The water is distributed on a time basis so as to cover the whole area once in twelve days. La Verkin Bench has an elevation of 3,200 feet and is adapted to the growth of fruit and vegetables. These are the principal products, although alfalfa and grain will aUo be grown. The annual assessment for canal maintenance is $1.25 per acre. HURRICANE BENCH. The movement that will end in the irrigation of Hurricane Bench, across Virgin River and directly south of La Verkin Bench, is one of the most enterprising connected with the history of Virgin Valley. It embodies the construction by men