The government finally succeeded in acquiring an interest in the Tri-State ditch, which has its terminus at the range line at the west end of the district, and thereby became possessed of ditch capacity more than ample to carrv all of the water necessary.

The chief obstacle in the way of reclamation of this area by the government being thus removed, it only remained to make the necessary surveys and estimates of the amount of work required preliminary to entering uoon active construction. These surveys and estimates were made and the construction is well on toward the completion of the system.

The Northport irrigation district has many advantages over similar areas in the North Platte valley, if not in the entire state. It is served by two great railroad systems. the Chicago, Burlington & Ouincy. and the Union Pacific, the first of which has lines passing north and south through and along

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

the south side of the west part, while the Union Pacific passes along the south side of the east two-thirds of the district, thus placing the most remote parts of the area within four miles of a railroad. The stations of Northport and Kelly on the Union Pacific are accessible for the eastern part, and the stations of Northport, DeGraw and Vance on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy are accessible for the western part, thus affording every part of the district unexcelled shipping facilities.

The settlers within the Bridgeport unit have exhibited great patience and determination in waiting for the coming of the time when water would be available for irrigation. These qualities will insure wonderful development and prosperity for the district when the government has the work completed and water is at hand. The settlers will then be able to possess themselves of the reward that is due to them for such patience and determination, and millions of dollars will be added to the value of the agricultural products and to the taxable value of the property of the count}- and state.