Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1874-03-20
THE COLORADO DESERT.


An Eastern paper learns thatSenator
Jones, of Nevada, has received full re-
ports of the results of Il scientific eN-
ploration. made at the expense Of him
self and Il private citizen OF California,
last year. for the purpose of ascertain
ing the practieability of reelaiming or
SubmerginE the great Colorado Desert
nv turning into it the waters of the
Colorado river or the Gulf ofCalifornia.
The report of L. L. James. the engineer
who conducted the expedition. and an
elaborate commentary uponit hN r.. f.
Stretch. an eminent civil engineer of
san Francisco. furnish some informa-
ton which must be of interest to the
general reader. more particularly as
much of it is entirely new.
The exploration shows that the
greater portion Of the Colorado Desert
and the Moiave Valley and Death Val
ley. which lie north OF it. are from 10
10 100 feet below the level of the sea,
and hat this great desert. stretching
from Lower California to Inyo county.
i'll the State OF California, and from the
base Of the Coast Range mountains To
the Colorado river, comprising an area
about 500 miles long by l5o wide. may
be converted into a chain of lakes or
irrigated by the method above men,
toned; and also that a large portion OF
this desert" really consists of eN-
tremelv fertile soil. being a deep allu-
vium. susceptible of the highest cult
walton. 1t is further shown that the
prevalence of what are known as
sand storms" and hot de>icating
winds. and the deficient rain-tall-the
evils suffered by the surrounding
country, and as far north as the Tulare
traceable to the existence OF this desert,
from which. as from a great furnace,
there constantly rises, in the summer
time, a vast column OF heated air With
out appreciable humidity.
Thus the moisture of the rain-bear-
ing clouds, which are blown north
westerly during the Summer months
from the Gulf of California, is diSsi-
pated as loon as they reach the bord-
ers of this su~perheated region. and
prevented from reaching the dry tut
fertile plains of California beyond,
The shells found on the surface of this
desert prove that it has been AT one
time the bed of a sea, and. at a suisse
quent period, the bed of a fre>h-watei
lake. The shore lines of both sea and
lake can still be seen and recognized in
many places; Mr.. Stretch expresses
of the adjacent region in Ari-
IONA (of which there are so many
traces came to an end in consequence
OF the climate changes caused by the
evaporation of these vast lakes in
Southern California after the Colorado
river had cut down its bed in the great
canyon so deep that its course was di-
verted at Collville in a southeriy direc-
ton.
The question is suggested whr;hcr
these desert lands cannot he reclaimed
by irrigation, and thus saved, instead
OF being totally submprged. as it i
considered certain hat covering them
with yeget alton would tend 10 prevent
the evaporation of moisture. and at
the same time act as a p~recipitant for
whatever moisture the atmosphere
may carry, or whether both plans
might not be combined.
senator Jones expresses the opinion
that although either course would in
vOlve large expenditures Of money,
the matter is OF such public interest a.
to be worthy OF investigation by the
Government, which alone has the
necessary resources and appliances at
command for a thorough examination
Of the subject. II, by such an exam
nation. the feasibility of the work
should be demonstrated, private CAPT
tai might be found to undertake it.
lie, therefore, proposes TO bring the
matter to the attention of Congress,
with the view to having a survey made
by the Government.