Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1874-08-29

Different surveys OF the tract of barren
soil known as the Colorado desert, show that
it is below the surface of the ocean. But
this is explained by its position, separated
from the Gulf of California only by sand
bar. The bar was undoubtedly formed by
drifting sand which cut the region off from
communication with the sea, and evapora-
ton. in the course Of years, left it dry.
1t is now stated from Washington, that
Senator Jones, of Nevada, has received full
reports Of the result ola scientific cxplora-
ton made at the expense Of himself and a
private citizen Of California, last summer,
for the purpose of ascertaining the practi-
cability Of rccaiming or submcrging the
great Colorado desert by turning into it the
waters of the Colorado River or the Gulf Of
California. The report Of Mr.. j. f. James,
the engineer who conducted the expedition,
and an elaborate commentary upon it by NJ
r. f. Stretch, an eminent civil engineer of
San Francisco, furnish the following very
interesting information:
The greatest portion of the Colorado desert
and the Moave Valley and Death Valley,
which lie north Of it, are from 10 to 100
feet below the level of the sea. This great
desert stretching from Lower California, to
Inyo county, in the State of California, and
from the base of the Coast Range Mountains
to the Colorado River, comprising an area
about 300 miles long by $50 wide, it is be-
'licycd may be converted into chain Of lakes
or irrigated by the methods above mentioned;
and also, that Il large portion of this desert
really consists Of extremely fertile soil be-
ing II deep alluylum susceptible to the high
est cultivation. 1t is further shown that
the prevalence Of what are known as ''sand
storms, and hot, dc~scating winds, and the
deficient rajninli--thc evils suffered by the
surrounding country, and as far north as
the Tulare Valley Of Cailornia-are direct
ly traceable to the existence of this desert,
from which, as from Il great furnace, there
constantly rises in the summer time a vast
column Of heated air without appreciablc
humidity. Thus the moisture of the rain
bearing clouds which arc blown northwest
crly during the summer months from the
Gulf of California, is disSipatcd as soon as
they reach the borders Of this supcrheated
reg ION, and are prevented from reaching the
dry but fertile plains Of California beyond.
The shells found on the surface of this
desert prove it has been at one time the bed
OF sea, and at a subsequent period the bed
of fresh water lake. The shore lines of
both sea and lake can still be seen and
recognized in many places and Mr.. Stretch
expresses the opinion that the Aztec civil
ization of the adjacent region in Arizona
(of which there are 50 many traccs) came to
an end in consequence Of the climatic changes
caused by the evaporation Of these vast lakes
in southern California, after the Colorado
River had cut down its bed in the Great
Canon 50 deep that its coarse was diverted
at ColyilIe to Il Southerly direction.
The question is suggested whether these
desert lands cannot be reclaimed by irriga-
ton, and thu, saved, instead of being totally
submerged, as it is considered certain that
covering them with vegetation would tend
to prevent the evaporation Of moisture, and
at the same time act as 4 prccpitant for
whatever moisture the atmosphere may
carry. or whether both plans might not be
combined