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Show AGRICULTURE UNDER IRRIGATION IN BASIN OF VIRGIN RIVER. 235 ON SANTA CJLARA CREEK. The distribution of the water of Santa Clara Creek has so far presented more difficulties than has the distribution of water in any section of Virgin River Basin. The only irrigation district successfully organized and operated in the Virgin Valley under the law of January 20, 1865, and the only litigation over water rights occurring in the central division of the basin have been in connection with this stream. Yet in spite of the difficulties met, conditions are more nearly settled on this stream than anywhere else in the basin, save in Long Valley, on the headwaters of East Fork The cause of trouble on the Santa Clara has been twofold-the lack of any definite understanding as to what area the creek could bo made to water, and unbusinesslike methods in administering the various organizations that have from time to time been charged with its control. The desire to live and let live, so prevalent with the Mormon settlers, resulted in gradual encroachments on the water supply, until in dry seasons it is insufficient. As shown in the record of discharges of the two St. George Clara ditches during 1902, the entire flow of the creek was exhausted in June. From the end of the irrigation season of 1901 to the end of the season of 1902 the only water that passed the ditches into Virgin River was that which seeped from the irrigated lands along the stream too far down to be again used. In outlining the history of the valley of Santa Clara Creek it was shown that Santa Clara was the first town to be established, that Gun lock followed Santa Clam, and that Pine Valley came last. When the missionaries were first sent south by the church authorities, the idea of making Pine Valley an agricultural settlement was not considered, and it was thought that the lower settlements on Santa Clara Creek would have an ample water supply. Pine Valley was intended primarily as a milling center, and the records of the old Washington County court have frequent reference to milling privileges allowed different settlers. Thus on September 1. 1856, the control of the water, timber, and grass in Pine Valley was granted to C. W. Dalton and others for mill purposes, and, in addition, water to irrigate 2 acres of land; and on the same day spring's in Grass Valley Were awarded the same parties for irrigation, "so long ns their operations continue to subserve the interests of the settlement." December 8. 1-StJT. Robert Gardiner was given a right to unite the water of Pine Vallev and Haw-ley Springs to run a sawmill. It was not until 18<HJ that water came to be used to any extent for irrigation in Pine Vulley. There is no record of nny grant being made for such a purpose, but the early settlers remember distinctly how people from St. George gradually began irrigating the narrow bottoms in the valley, each thinking that his small diversion would work no injury to those below. The church authorities, wishing to find homes for as many as possible, urged that there was land ami water for all. The natural result was that by the early seventies the irrigators began to realize that some way to retard further appropriations must be found and some agreement reached as to the division of the water. When the city of St. George was incorporated January 17, tS62, the city council was given control of the water of Santa Clara Creek, with the, provision that such control should not be exercised 4'to the ¦injury of any rights already acquired by nrtual settlers thereon." During the controversy among the irrigators in the differ- |
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Original book: 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 |