The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-01-28

reservoir on the hesdwaters of the Santa
Ana River. and since that vast sums have
been expended in similar enterprises. This
reservoir is a mountain valley 6G00 feet
above sea level, from the lower end of
which dashed rushing mountain torrent.
Atthis point the walls of the valley come to-
gether, and there the dam was built in the
form of an arch from one side of the rocky
gorge to the other, the ends buttTessed into
the solid walls Of the canyon. The radius
of the arch is $50 feet. its height Ga feet,
and its thickness 90 feet at the base and
feet at the top. Sufficient water is stored
to cover an area of 2612 acres, amounting
to 90. 900. goo. 600 gallons. There are several
reservoirs of this kind throughout the
State.
AS to the application of the water to the
land to be irrigated this is gradually being
reduced to system. At first the precious
fluid was allowed to run over the land at
its pleasure. The next method was to
plow burrows alongside the rows of trees
and down the center of the spaces between
into which the water was turned from the
open ditch at the head of the tract. run
ming at right angles to the lateral bitches,
a man regulating the flow with a hoe or
shovel and keeping the water flowing
slowly in the bitches until the ground was
thoroughly soaked on either side. This
method is practiced almost entirely in
many sections TO this day. and is con-
sdeTed by some irrigationistS to be the
best, all things considered, when water is
plentiful enough, but the seepage into
gopher and squirrel holes and the evapora-
ton and waste in other ways have necessi-
tated in many sections the substitution of
pipes and hydrants in the orchard and a
system of basins about each tree.
While many of the main canals and
bitches are cemented or paved with con-
crete where the system of open cOnduits
prevails pipes Will of necessity take their
place as the water becomes more precious
and larger area has to be covered With
experience has also come the knowledge
that much less water is required for the
perfect growth of plant life than was
thought necessary in former days, so thai
by American ingenuity and intelligent
study it has become possible to CONVEX
desert spots into garden plots, which Ter
wears ago were not considered fit tC
pasture sheep upon.
That this intelligent study is being
given the subject is demonstrated by the
circular issued on December 81 last by the
National Irrigation Congress. The circu.
lar con tains the following:
As a result OF the late International Irriga.
tion Congress held in Los Angeles last Octo.
Der systematic investigation of The arid land
and irrigation Questions is being made through.
out The arid States and Territories. This in
UaS ho;,,
and Territory By an irrigation commission OF
five, and the chairmen of these commissions
form the National Irrigation Executive Com.
mittee.
The commission of this State consists of
Hon. c. c. Wright of Modesto, author of the
irrigation district law; Hon. VIII S Green of
Colusa. and j. a. Plte OF Los Angeles, and
the chairman.
The commission has outlined a. vast amount
OF work, under the following topics:
First-To compile information relative 20 the
various streams in the State and their waller
sheds. am cunt of water that can be used for ir-
rigatIon purposes and the land subject 10 irri-
cation.
Second-To ascertain what amendments
should b. made TO perfect the present irriga-
ton district laws and other irrigation laws of
the State
Third-What legislation is necessary to assist
In retaining the arid land of the State now
owned by the Goyenment-lands which can
not be settled until irrigated. Also The extent
Of such arid Government land that can DE irri-
gated
Fourth-The area OF lands now irrigated in
the State.
Fifh-The area Of lands that are capable of
irrigation
SiXth-The development of irrigation, water
by means of artesian wells saving the nnder
now of streams and the storage of water ia
reservoirs.
Seventb-How should the waters of interstate
streams be utilized?
To facilitate this Work the State has baen
divided into five districts and each Commits
sioner has undertaken to compile the desired
information in one district
The first district includes San Diego. River.
SIZE and Orange. and the work has been as.
signed 10 tie chairman OF the commission.
The second district consists OF San Bprnar-
dino. Inyo, Mono and Alpine counties, and the
work has been assigned to L. NJ. Holt of Los
Angeles.
The third district consists of Los Angeles
Ventura. Santa Barbara. San Luis Oblspo
Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara
and San Mateo counties, and the work has been
assigned TO j. A. Prtle of Los Angeles.
The fourth district consists of the San ,Joa
quin Valley and all that portion OF The State
south of San Francisco Bay and including the
counties OF San Joaquin and Ell Dorado, and
the work has been assigned TO the Hon. C. G
Wright of Modesto.
The fifth district consists of Sacramento Val
ley and the remaining portions of Northern
California. and the work has been assigned |,
Hon. win s. Gil cen OF ColuSa