Modern Irrigation

On July 23, 1847, the day the first Mormon pioneers reached this ground, they unyoked their teams, cut the first furrow, threw up a dam on the creek, and by afternoon were watering a patch of newly planted potatoes. This tablet marks that half-acre — the plow held, the record says, by William Carter. It is often called the start of modern irrigation in America, and it did launch the vast Great Basin system the pioneers built. Native peoples of the Southwest, it should be said, had watered their fields for centuries before.

What the plaque says

Commemorating the beginning in America of Modern Irrigation in this vicinity on July 23 and 24, 1847, by the “Mormon” pioneers. ————————————— “Encamped near the bank of a beautiful creek of pure, cold water. •• In about two hours after our arrival we began to plow, and the same afternoon built a dam to irrigate the soil.” “July 24th •• This forenoon commenced planting our potatoes after which we turned the water upon them and gave the ground quite a soaking.” Orson Pratt thus records compliance with the instructions of Brigham Young, who with the main company, arrived about the time the irrigation began. This tablet is within the half-acre of ground first plowed, as identified by William Carter who held the plow. ————————————— Placed by the Utah State Conference, Daughters of the American Revolution, July 23; 1931. ————————— “ The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose.” Isaiah 35;1.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Salt Lake City — 0.6 mi
  Utah's capital and largest city — where the Wasatch Range meets the Great Salt Lake.
• Temple Square — 0.6 mi
  The spiritual and architectural heart of Salt Lake City
• Liberty Park — 1.4 mi
  Salt Lake Citys beloved 80-acre urban park since 1882
• Gilgal Sculpture Garden — 1.7 mi
  A surreal and eccentric sculpture garden hidden in a residential neighborhood

More markers nearby

• Salt Lake Stock & Mining Exchange Building — steps away
• Pioneer Camping Grounds — steps away
• Salt Lake City and County Building — 0.2 mi
• City & County Building Restoration — 0.2 mi