Investigation of ground water in southern San Joaquin Valley__. 14 14 Growth of activities in three important functions_. Foothill pear orchards near Placerville, California. Dam of Snow Mountain Water and Power Co., Lake County, California----- 11 15 23 In the death of Wilbur Fiske McClure, the State of California suffered the loss of one of its most loyal, diligent, and conscientious officers. Ever devoted to his family, he entertained the deepest feeling for his fellow men. His unceasing devotion in the interest of the State of California was accompanied by a breadth of vision as to national interests characteristic of few men. It was his desire to perform his duties fully and faithfully and to act with absolute fairness and justice. In closing his record of service we can fittingly write, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." ORGANIZATION. The Department of Engineering, created by an act of the legislature, approved March 11, 1907, chapter 183, Statutes of 1907, and organized in May following, functioned until August 1, 1921, at which time it became a Division of the Department of Public Works, created by an act of the legislature, approved May 31, 1921, which became effective. July 30, 1921. In the organization of the Department of Public Works, the Department of Engineering became the Division of Engineering and Irrigation in the new department on August 1, 1921, retaining all the functions of the old Department of Engineering except those pertaining to the office of the State Architect. The State Engineer, in addition to continuing in the performance of the statutory duties imposed upon him as State Engineer, also became Chief of the Division of Engineering and Irrigation, and in 1923 he was appointed Director of the Department of Public Works, in addition to his other duties. ACTIVITIES. The position of California among the wealth producing states of the nation is directly attributable to the phenomenal growth of agriculture in this state, which has been brought about by the scientific application of irrigation, and the intensive and intelligent cultivation of the soil by the California farmer. This has been an accomplishment of the past few decades for in 1885 the limit of profit by dry farming had been reached, and the great increase in agricultural products since that time is the result of the intelligent application of water in the growing of crops. In making available to the agriculturalist the supplementary waters necessary for the intensive irrigation of his lands, it required the construction of diversion works, dams, reservoirs, canals and other works of such a magnitude that their initial cost prohibited their being undertaken by individuals. In order to construct these works and adequately finance them it has required associative effort, which has been made possible through the California Irrigation District Act passed in 1897 and amended in 1913, and the California Bond Certification Act passed in 1913. These acts provide for the approval of organization of districts and general supervision of construction by the State Engineer, and the approval and certification of the bonds by the California Bond Certification Commission, of which the State Engineer is a member. Experience gained prior to 1913 demonstrated that for successful culmination of effort, the formation of these water-developing projects required by the agricultural expansion of the state has needed state sanction; the bonds issued have necessitated certification; and the adequacy of the water supplies to be developed, the safety of the structures erected, the meritoriousness of the entire proposals have demanded the state's stamp of approval. This is a function of the Division of Engi neering and Irrigation, one of the sections of the Department of Public Works. During the past generation most all of the proposals for irrigation development undertaken by collective effort have had their adequacy and general merit concurred with, if satisfactory, or rejected, if defective, by this office. The office approves millions of dollars worth of improvements every year. It analyzes and passes upon the plans of irrigation, drainage and reclamation districts. The certification of irrigation district bonds by the California Bond Certification Commission is based upon investigations made by the State Engineer. The Division of Engineering and Irrigation is charged with the approval of plans for dams, and with the construction of river control works and rectification of channels, of which the Sacramento River carries the highest valued tonnage of any river in the United States. It makes hydrographic surveys and cooperates with the California State Reclamation Board in passing upon plans of reclamation and drainage districts, with the United States Geological Survey in gaging streams and making topographic maps, and with the United States Department of Agriculture in needed investigations. The functions of the Division are widely diversified in character, some administrative, some specialized, others executive, but all constructive and contributing to the advancement and well-being of the state. The principal statutory functions may be summarized as follows: 1. To investigate and report on feasibility of proposed irrigation. districts. 2. To investigate and report on proposed bond issues by irrigation districts before the California Bond Certification Commission for approval. 3. To supervise expenditure of funds from approved bond issues and to inspect generally the construction work of irrigation districts. 4. To collect data, make surveys and perfect plans for flood control of Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers in conjunction with work of State Reclamation Board, to review plans for reclamation, and to advise and assist the board. 5. To investigate feasibility of water storage districts, the fixing of their boundaries and passing on their organization. 6. To pass on plans and specifications of dams, and to supervise the construction of dams, by other than municipalities or public utilities. 7. To designate the width of draw, and the length of span on plans for bridges across navigable streams. 8. To plan and construct work for rectification of river channels and protection of property from flood damage on the rivers of the state. 9. To direct cooperative stream gaging, topographic surveying and irrigation investigations in cooperation with the federal government. Along with these many permanent statutory duties which continue through succeeding years, the State Engineer is enjoined by legislative enactments to make special engineering investigations, and serve on special state commissions and boards. Since the organization of the Department of Public Works, the activities of the Division of Engineering and Irrigation have greatly increased, due to the enlarged volume of business incident to the permanent statutory functions of the office and the great volume of additional work occasioned by the investigation of the water resources of California and other special investigations. The investigation of the |