The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-07-08
a MYSTERIOUS LAKE.
The Great Desert In Southern Call
fornia Inundated.

fornia Inundated.
special from Yuma says the Colorado
desert basin at salton, sixty miles west Of
Yuma, IS rapidly filling up with fresh water
from snbterranean passage believed to be
connected with the Colorado River caused
by the high waters Of last February. Atlast
adyices it was converted into a lake many
miles wide. The machinery is being remov-
ed from the salt fsciories at Salton. The
Southern Pacific Railroad track passes
through the basin for more than fifty miles,
its lowest point being 353 feet below the sea
level. The Colorado River Is 160 feet above
the sea level al Yuma. II the subterrznean
passage connects with the Colorado above
Yuma, the lake viii be over four hundred
feet in depth and over fifty miles long. if
the waters continue 10 rise the Southern
Pacific track will be submerged for nearly
100 miles, and the great desert Of Colorado
will be converted into a vast lake
Colorado Desert, the scene ofthis strange
phenomenon and which is announced now
to be filing with wafer, forming a great in
land lake, j. in San Diego county, the most
southern county Of California. It is bor-
dered by the Colorado River on the eastern
side, the San Bsrnardino Mountains on the
north, Lower California on the south, and
the fertile coast lands on the west Taken
al in ali, il m axes district about seventy
miles wide by one hundred and forty long
The great inland basin at its lowest part IS
go feet below the sea level This region
was named the Colorado Desert because Of
lis barren, sandy, alkaline soil and scanty
vegetation. In some pl lsoes the soil is com
posed Of sand, packed together firmly, with
hard, smooth surface which reflects light
Ike mirror; in other places are mountains
Of loose sand, which are continually shift
ing. This region Of California is Of recent
formation, and is sterile and fOrbidding TO
the last degree. 1t has many dry lakes and
creek beds. These lakes, or gulfs oflen
very deep, are always salt and bitter, and
often without water most OF the year, but
the beds Of the lake. are covered with aka
line deposits.
Ike the famous Death Valley, there are
some who think the Colorado Desert fvol-
canic origin. It is more likely. however, to
have come from the recession OF the waters.
However this great hole may have first been
seooped out, there are unmistakable signs Of
former marine life, shells and other things
extending up 10 the san Gorgonio Pass, in
the San Bernardino Mountains, the gate
way from the desert TO the orange groves OF
Southern California. The commonly ac-
cepted opinion is that the Gulf Of California
once reached several hundred miles farther
north than it now does, and that the Colo
rado River in long ages deposited 50 much
alluyium as to make banks down TO the
present head Of the Gulf thus cutting of
from It's connection a part Of the great basin
until recently 50 dry and sterile. The eyap-
Grafton in this desert far exceeds the fall OF
rain; 50 it was aot long before this lake
which was left behind was dried up.
Mr.. Joseph F. James, who spent four
weeks at the head Of a surveying party which
Travelled oyeE this desOIate region some
years ago, on his return gave this graphic
and blood boiling account Of his heated and
cherries experience
Neither the desert OF Gobi, in Asia, nor
the Great Sahara, in Afri%, can be worse in
respect % heat than lis small relative, the
Colorado Desert in California.
No industry can thrive here except in
places where there are deposits Of salt. Near
Salton this product is found in almost its
natural state, aud lacge salt works are ioca-
ted there, which, it is now reported. are ~
ined by the sudden and mysterious food
There is, Of course, no chance in this grea;
region for agriculture, and no great part Of il /
was ever successfully irrigated. such a pro
Jet was early contemplated, being suggest
ed by its remarkable situation below the lev
el of the sea, with great river to the west.
3 great gulf to the south, and 4 stream called
81 New River, which during the wet season
is filled from the seepage of the Colorado. 10
fow out into and across the sand toward>
the mountains Ii was this river on the
desert the Southern contingent of the pic
neer gold hunters came 10 in the early sum
mer Of 1855, when they were trudging on
towards the Fl Dorado. 1t was to them, say
the chroniclers Of that suffering time, as II
another Moses had smitten the earth and
caused the waters 70 gush forth.
The overhowing Of Colorado Desert con-
tnues and there is now prospect that the I
impOuring Of water will not cease until the /
entire desert Is covered. AlTeady a vast in
land lake has been formed, and It's area is /
being momenlarily increased.
Aleady the circDmference Of this inland 1
sea, which seemingly arose from the bowels |
of the earth, measures one hundred and four
miles. Thus far no serious damage has I,
attended it, growth, but unless It's limits are
soon reached considerable damage is sure
to result particularly to the property OF
the Southern Pacific Railroad Company.
YUuA, Ariz, July 3-AH the fat part of
the famous Death Valley. in California, is
now covered with water, and the depth OF
the novel desert lake may be expected 20 in /
crease much more rapidly. The water Is
still rising, hut a curious phenomenon was
yesterday by the water recoding
IN the morning and coming back in the
afternoon in increased volume. 1.-THE water
comes from the Colorado river there must
be enough oft between Saltou and the river
to nearly fiji the basin. and most likely
reach to the main line Of the Southern
Pacific.
Two outfits were started BY Superintsn-
dent Muir, sf the Southern Pacific, ysster-
day, one fr1n Salton ana the other from
0gilby. Beth parties started in wagons
with supply Of water and provisions, and
they will make an effort TO locate the exact
spot where the water comes through the
Sand Hills rom the Colorado River or New
River, as the case may be- The boat sent
out by she -ailroad company was forced to
return, the force Of the current making
further heasway impossible.
Careful investigation proves that the bar
rier between the Colorado and the rirn of
the desert was only ridge of four feet. The
river has been falling for over a week mast
and is lowe to-day than the same day last
year.
Married at WInsdor.
LONDON, July Crowds Of people from