Arizona weekly citizen., 1890-02-15
The Florence Canal,

The completion of the Florence canal
to the furthermost limit contemplated at
the present time, is matter of great
Importance to the people of this valley,
and particularly to those who have TAX
en- up government land under it.
From the head gate near the Buttes
to the end of the several branches along
the Southern Pacific railway, the total
length is fifty-two miles, besides which
there are many miles of small laterals
reaching out to lands several miles dis
tant from the main canal, and the water
now flows through its entire length.
From the head gate to the storage
reservoir now under construction be-
tween Florence and the railroad, the
canal has a uniform width OF twenty
five feet on the bottom and has capaci-
y equal to flow of 440 cubic feet per
;econd, and is SO constructed that it
IAN be easily enlarged and its capacity
increased,
Near the point where it crosses the
railroad, six miles east of Casa Grande,
/ branch has been constructed parallel
with the track toward Casa Grande, a
distance of nlnety-three miles, with q
width of twelve feet on the bottom, grad
ually decreasing to ten feet. From this
an eight-foot lateral is built north for
three miles to carry off the waste water
and to supply lands in that vicinity.
The branch crossing the railroad is con-
lucted distance Of two miles, where
its water are divided, portion flowing
nearly two miles in northwesterly direc-
ton towards Casa Grande, and the re-
mainder continuing in a westerly course
nearly five miles. Near the point of sep
qration the water has a thirteen foot
drop or fall.
All the land taken up along the rail-
road from the point of the canal cross
ing 20 Casa Grande can now receive
plenty Of water for irrigation and its
owners can begin their improvements at
Dnce. In fact all the entries made I'M
Ter the canal can now be supplied with
md be made to produce IS the pres
snt year.
Here and there parties are at work
clearing or planting their lands and lay
ang foundations for future competence
and the whole face Of the country is
rapidly undergoing change from a lbar-
rem desert to a blooming garden. AS
the water supply is now amply for every
one owning land, the activity in this
respect will now doubtless be greater
during the spring and summer months
The Florence canal company have ac-
complished great work and an expen-
sive one, and in establishing for itself a
very profitable business, it is accom-
plishing a great deal Of good for the
whole valley. Over 100000 acres of land
will soon be brought under cultivation
through its influence. every acre of which
is equal to the richest and most fertile
portions OF the western country. 1t will
produce anything adapted to the tenn
perate zone and many OF the semitropi-
cal productions. 1t is particularly
adapted to the growth of raisin grapes,
figs, oranges, lemons, lines, dates. prunes,
apricots, peaches, pluns, almonds and
all kinds of nuts as we'll as the farm pro-
auctions usual TO the northern and east
ern states. These all mature several
weeks in advance of Southern California
and can command the earliest and best
markets, both east and west.
The completion Of this great canal is
a matter of congratulation to the people
of this valley, and insures the perpetual
prosperity of every one SO fortunate as
to own property along its course.-Flor-
ence Enterprise.