Montana farmer-stockman. [volume], September 15, 1948, Image 1

About Montana farmer-stockman. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1947-1993

Image provided by: Montana Historical Society; Helena, MT

                
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65,000 More Acres For
Homesteads
in Wyoming
OME 65,000 acres of good irrigable farm
lands in central and northern Wyoming
are yet to be opened for homesteading some
time before 1953, according to present plans
of the bureau of reclamation.
Land opening possibilities on the River
ton project total about 40,000 acres sched
uled for homesteading some time before
1953. Another 15,000 acres remain for home
steaders on the Heart Mountain project,
with nearly 11,000 acres ready this summer
and an additional 4,000 acres to be ready
some time after 1948.
Homestead units containing approximate
ly 5,700 acres of irrigable land were opened
for settlement during the summer on the
bureau of reclamation's Riverton project in
central Wyoming. Veterans of World war 2
are given preference of application for the
available farm units.
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The Riverton project, in Fremont county,
was authorized in 1919. Construction of the
irrigation features was started in 1920 and
water was available for irrigation in 1925.
Irrigation water for the project lands is di
verted from the Wind river by a concrete
diversion dam, located about 35 miles up
stream from Riverton, Wyo. The Wyoming
canal, with a capacity of 2,200 second-feet,
heads at the diversion works and carries the
irrigation water to the project lands.
Principal storage for Riverton project is
provided by Bull lake reservoir, located up
stream from the diversion works and off
the main stream of the Wind river. Nine
miles from its head, the Wyoming canal is
diverted through a drop to the 1,600-kilo
watt Pilot Butte powerplant and then into
the Pilot Butte reservoir, where the water
is regulated for use in the remainder of the
Wyoming canal and the Pilot canal.
The initial postwar opening of public
lands to homestead entry on the Riverton
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—Bureau of Reclamation Photos
TOP PICTURE—Wind River diversion dam and the head for the Wyoming canal, a part of the irrigation
works of the Riverton reclamation project in central Wyoming. SECOND PICTURE SHOWS—Kenneth W.
Dickinson, formerly of Cozad, Neb., beginning construction of his permanent home on a new homestead
unit on the Riverton project. THIRD PICTURE—Mr. and Mrs. Charles I. Bovee. formerly of Powell, Wyo.,
plant shelterbelt trees on their permanent homesite on the Heart Mountain division of the bureau of rec
lamation's Shoshone project in northwestern Wyoming. BOTTOM PICTURE—A homesteader's house in the
final stages of completion. The house pictured is that of Pete G. Milohov, winner of the No. 1 priority for
selection of a farm unit at the first opening of the Heart Mountain division of the Shoshone project. Milohov
can be seen working a field near his home. Homesteading preference on both these projects in Wyoming
is given to veterans of World war 2. Openings are announced periodically as new lands are prepared.
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MONTANA AND NO
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WYOMING
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reclamation project was announced by the
secretary of the interior in July, 1947. The
area opened, about 5,700 acres, was divided
into 55 farm units. Applications for the
lands were received from World war 2 vet
erans residing in 27 states and the District
of Columbia. A public drawing to establish
priority of selection for the available units
was conducted at Riverton on Dec. 4, 1947.
Homesteaders began moving to the project
soon after the first of the year and nearly
all of the units are now under cultivation.
During 1947, the operating portions of the
project, containing about 42,500 acres, pro
duced a new high in gross crop value. The
lands under cultivation, 38,600 acres, pro
duced crops valued at $2,360,000, or an av
erage of about $61.15 an acre. Commercial
beans and sugar beets were planted on
about 12,500 acres and both crops brought
an average return in excess of $100 an acre.
At present, construction contracts total
ing more than $1,000,000 are in force on the
irrigation features of the project and addi
tional contracts will be awarded as soon as
practicable. The contracts in force are con
fined primarily to extensions to the Wyo
ming canal and other canal and lateral sys
tems. These contracts will make possible
the opening of additional lands on the
project.
It is anticipated that during 1949 about
50 units, containing approximately 7,500
acres of land, will be available for settle
ment. During 1950, it is planned that irri
gation water will be available for another
12,000 acres of land. More than 20,000 acres
will be opened for settlement during 1951
and 1952.
Heart Mountain Division
Bureau activities are also being pushed
to make possible the opening of about 10,900
acres—included in 98 farm units—on the
Heart Mountain division of the Shoshone
reclamation project in northwestern Wyo
ming.
The first opening of Heart Mountain lands
was announced in the fall of 1946 and con
tained 7,720 acres, included in 83 homestead
units. In 1947 the second opening of 31 farm
units and 3,215 acres was announced (Mon
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