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Show MEMORANDUM REPORT IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENTS AND NEEDS FOR FURTHER WORK IN UTAH By L « M* Winsor, Irrigation Engineer Bureau igricultural Engineering tJ. S. Department of Agriculture In developing the irrigation systems throughout the State of Utah the lowlands were placed under irrigation first. As time went on other ditches were constructed further and further up each stream until high lends as well as bottom lands were included in the irrigated area. As a result of this evolution lowlands became water- logged while the highlands received insufficient water for their needs* Under the law of priority of use the first lands irrigated are covered by the primary water rights* all of which means that the best water rights are held on the lands which need the water least* In order to make an adjustment and in order to simplify the details of operation, eliminating needless duplication of ditches and canals and remove the complications which naturally develop In water distribution, it is essential that consolidations be made and that the water be re- distributed in such a way as to provide economic use on all of the lands served. In bringing about such a consolidation it is possible to develop ground water for supplementing the gravity flow<> In this connection the ground water may be used on the lowlands which at the present time have the first or primary rights to the gravity flow<> Where pumping is resorted to at the present time it is to supply water for the highlands or benchlandn at what is usually a prohibitive cost; by each consolidation effected the cost of developing ground water |