Show Happy Prospect P j i for Water Water Water-Clyde L I f 1 I In the Utah hIs hIs' years of Utah his history J. J try tory ry the No 1 springtime worry over pt most of the state h has S been Will we have ha enough water to raise Rood good crops crops crops' In Iii this semiarid semi semi- arid arld land water Is the the final controlling factor of our economy especially of our agricultural economy W r Fro Prospects cU Good Last year w was as a reasonably g gd od odone d done one for Jor most of the state especially espe dally for the southern fart part of th the state which had suffered through 1 a prolonged drouth Happily prospects for a good water are re r even en better this year ear than they hey were In 1857 The April 1 Snow Survey Suney Report and Water Forecast Issued by the theUS US Soil Conservation Service In cooperation with the State Engineer Engineer Engi Engl- neer and the Utah State University University sity Experiment Station Indicates Indicate excellent water prospects through most of the states state's farming area from Cache County south to the Arizona border This Is collaborated collaborated collaborated orated by the release of the US U.S. Weather Bureau Our enjoyment of this happy prospect ct must be tempered however however however how how- ever by the recognition that the heavy that promise an excellent water supply for next summer also hold s some some me threat of floods Floods which could be seriously damaging damaging- none of us have forgotten the experience In 1952 I am sure sure sure- If It we do not make some sensible preparations to meet any eventuality eventuality even even- that may arise In Alta the famous winter resort above Salt Lake City the snow depth last week was Inches with a heavy water con con- tent The accumulated snow at atI I Brighton Is only a little less If the weather should stay COla com comand i and wet a few weeks longer and andI turn to a sudden and prolonged I hot spell the runoff could quickly reach roch flood nood proportions ons i t 1 have hae noted with satisfaction that Salt Lake City officials have already launched a program to clear clar the clear the water wat f. f channels that ma may may soon n be taxed to to the the limit It i 5 l urge other Utan titan communities that may be any ery threatened comparable actIon actIon action act- act Ion Water Channel Program i Not only communities but all Irrigation companies s water ater user group end and nd Individual farmers sh should uld att attN NOW W to clear c I should act NOW to clear obstructions obstructions obstructions from tl their channels bolster any weak spots along long the banks bank's and o otherwise be ready for pt p t. t runt A little work ork now could l save ave thousands thousands thousands ands of oi dollars damage tin a feW few weeks weeks weeks-or or a few days days s da time IA i iA A typical situation Is found on Beaver er River where the RockyFord Rocky RockyFord RockyFord Ford Reservoir Is aready already nearly full If some water is not drained At tf ff n raw now w the Y heavy runoff In May i and J June cau cause serious serious serious' I. I flood damage damage or or even weaken or j I destroy the dam II I In Inlew view lew of this latter danger the State Engineer has ordered release of water from the d dam rn In Ina Ina ina I a schedule carefully planned to toI I I provide pro adequate storage space during the season of flood threat but leav leave the reservoir full at atthe atthe atthe the end of f the peak runoff I State Engineer Wayne D. D I Criddle Is acting on legal authority author- author i i tty ity to forestall a threat to the safety of the Rocky Ford Dam The flood control benefits willbe willbe will willbe be incidental and secondary to this action The State Engineer has no authority to w order flood I control measures nor does any other state official However I 1 citizens and citizen groups should work energetically and intel intel- In their own Interest to prevent pre flood damage The possibility of serious floods depend on a number of factors the chief of which Is the weather from here on out A runoff over a long period oi or unit unit- I would be ideal A sudden hot spell and a fast last runoff could be damaging Agate Again Ag ln let me I urge you 1 0 to make make mak ready for tor anything that may ha happen by keeping jy-keeping keeping reasonable h amount of reservoir storage space available a for tu emergencies and by having all al water channels In first t class shape Keep K p a 8 close dose check checkon on the snow surveys and the US U.S. Bureau bulletins Let us all work together to tomake tomake make 1958 IA a banner year Utah Utah not not m marred by dam damage gp from the very ry water ater that brings life to this desert leml-desert region |