Desert Land Act

a statute of the United States providing that any citizen may file on a tract of desert land not exceeding 640 acres, in any one of several arid Western states, declaring his intent to irrigate. If within three years he expend three dollars per acre in securing water rights and constructing waterworks, a patent is issued for the land. Any number of individuals may associate, file joint declarations, and make joint expenditure to bring water from a distant point. See Irrigation