Arizona weekly citizen., 1891-07-25
THE NEW LAKE.

Now that the Colorado desert Tor q
fact is filling up, and veritsble lake is
to take its place on the geography Of the
country, the question arises, says the
Los Angeles Times: What shall it be
called? Colorado is rather too common
an Esppellation,i and then q river just
there by that name is enough. Sslton
is better name for place on land
than for body Of water, and water not
very salt at that. To call it Wozen-
craft Lake would have been just
tribute to the memory of the gentleman
ly doctor, if it had become lake by his
sxertions, but it comes about quite in
dependent Of human agency. Nature
is doing the work, without assistance
from man. 1t is doubtful If human eff
fort, however great, could have accom-
plished sll that the elements are now
doing, free Of charge. DR.. Wozencraft's
idea was that the borders of this lake
would be one Of the most delightful, and
in view of its productions, one OF the
most luxurisnt localities in the world.
He asks from the government no par
ticulsr aid 10 bring the water in, but
that the government should grant to
him and his associates the land-the
waste land-the desert land about the
border of the lake; this, and nothing
more. This land he expected to convert
from q desert into paradise, by first
creating q lake, Many besides the
doctor regarded the scheme as practic-
able and meritorious, and it might have
been carried out to the letter; or have
been undertaken, had not the promoter
died at Washington few years ago,
where he had gone to advocate the
measure, and to obtain the concessions
from the government.
When the desert files up with water,
Irdio, or so much Of it as will not float,
will be ruin at the bottom Of the great
lake, and Indio would he pretty name
for the lake, but there is too much doubt
shout Indlo having buoyancy enough
to come to the surface, and that name,
like many snothcr, will remain at the
bottom and pass out Of recollection. a
name that will be more likely to adhere
to that interesting body of water will be
the Colorado Desert Lake. This would
not be inappropriate If it were called
THE Lake of the Desert" instead Of
Desert Lake.
But it will have to have some rame,
for in all probability, it has now come
tostsy, and the dream of DR., Wozencrsft
may after all, and soon, be verified.
Southern California has more reason to
rejoice over this event than anything
that has happened in a long time. A
lake is preferable to desert at any time
and the effect of this upon thesurround
ing country cannot but be beneficial,
That corner Of the state seems to be in
need Of just that sort Of an improvement.
In its desert condition the heat Of sum-
ner there is something frightful, and re-
placing the smooth stretch OF sand and
salt with pure water will necessarily
work great change for the better.
The government, instead Of attempt
ing to turn the river back, should if
possible, assist the diversion and make
sure of the lake.
The country in its desert form was
good for nothing, and worse than moth
ing, it was q nuisance. Many a person
has persisted from thirst in trying to
cross it. A lake lthere will make the
country round about as attractive as it
was before repulsive. Vegetation will
take the place of waste land, and thou
sands of pleasant homes will spring up
where man could not exist. It will be a
most valuable acquisition to southern
California.