One big improvement vastly increased the value of land in this project in 1918 by the building of a dam across the river.

This was determined at a meeting of the directors and a full representation of the different interests under the canal. The Bridgeport irrigation district covers the land under the old Belmont canal, extending from the headgate to about forty miles east and comprising as stated, about 15,000 acres of irrigated land. A large share of this land is owned by the Central States Land Company, successors to the old Belmont concern.

The directors of the district decided to make the water supply certain for all time to come in the future by the building of a diversion dam across the river at the headgate. It was a big undertaking and cost a large sum of money, yet the cost to each individual land owner under the canal will In- com paratively small.

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

The dam extends clear across the river, debtedness of the company was paid in 1904. part of it being in the form of a dike and and since that time there have been no oblipart being an immense concrete spillway gations against the company, that will control the flood water at all times. The men who organized the Little Bel- The dam raises the water about two feet mont Company in 1889, had the pick of all and fills the canal to running- over at any lands in the valley, and as a result the holdtime of the year when water is needed or can ings which came to the present company be used. embraced some of the best lands in the state. This cost is about five dollars per acre -- a This canal eventually came into the convery small sum, and worth it in a single year trol or name of the Belmont Irrigating Canal in a case of emergency which occasionally & Water Power Company. arises.