The building of this canal was simultaneous with that of the Tristate or Farmers canal, and the incidents and conditions obtaining in the construction years were similar to those related under the former story. This difference occurs : government work was eight hour labor. Under the civil service rules and the rapid expansion of the government department, there were those in the service that the departmnt could not discharge had it so desired, and some of the places were occupied by men who should not have been there.

That is generally true in civil service positions, but it was more apparent in irrigation work which was expanding with such strides. The result was some costly mistakes, and a higher cost of canal construction. However, the system was built in a substantial manner, the only lingering fault being the capacity of the canal, which many believe is not adequate for the vast acreage. This has been remedied in part, by the construction of storage reservoirs known as Lake Alice and Lake Minatare, and by securing a carrying capacity through the Farmers canal, for irrigating what is known as the Northport extension.

Gradually, the difficulties have been ironed out, and the system is now in quite capable hands. The territory embracing something near 140.000 acres is changed from grazing land to splendid irrigated farms. There have been many changes from the original conceptions and altruistic ideas. There have been a number of modifying acts relating to the irrigation statute, making longer time for the payments, but the costs have mounted rather higher than the original estimates. It is expected that this will all be adjusted in due time with ultimate justice to all.