The Stupendous Dam Proposal for the Walla Walla River

Engineers who have spent considerable time along the Walla Walla river for three months have guardedly discussed a stupendous scheme for storing the stream to be used for irrigation purposes. The scheme under consideration is for the construction of a huge dam across the river at the Reddin place, backing water into the mountains for five miles and piping it across the high range to the valley below. It is estimated by the engineers that a tract of land embracing a vast belt, miles long and as many miles wide, could be irrigated at slight cost. The land at the Reddin place narrows to 300 feet, and lofty ranges of mountains on either side form natural side walls for the reservoir. Practically all the available land for agricultural purposes along the river bottom lies below the Reddin place. Proposed plans, as is practically admitted, include the largest piece of masonry work in the west: a wall 185 feet in height, tapering to a minimum thickness of 24 feet at the top. A survey of the land is expected to be completed within two months.