The Arizona sentinel., 1895-01-12
resources
Of
Yuma County.
YUMA COUNTY.

YUMA COUNTY.
4 white nan Grst sst foot en- what i
nov Yuma County in HI. It is the
southwest division of the Territory, and
che of the four original counties Of the Ter
ritory, Many great reclamation projects are
however on foot, AMI in few years ex-
pect to see Yuma County rated as the
richest in the Territory.
The first glimpse the traveller from Cali
foruia catches Of arizona is that of the
picturesque town of Yuma, which is saugly
situated in the embrace OF gentle rolling
hills. upon whose crests and sides the
modern homes of our superior civilization
are crowdins the adobe dwellings into
eternal oblivion. Yuma is the gateway n
Arizona, the new empire of the West, upon
whose undereloped riches the eyes of the
ountry are at preseat turned, aud as snch,
she is bound to grow and prosper with a
rapidity that at present can hardly he re-
allied. Bat coupled with her geographic
cal position NC find that she is the center
of q country whose agriculture; possibii-
ties are practically unlimited, being snr-
roun;ed 10y soil the fertility of hicIi
exceeds that of the delta OF the Nile, aud
wanting oily water TO become paradise Of
bloom. Billions of gallons of that precious
Huid have annually gone to waste at
Yuma's very doors, but already a reaction
IS taking place AID many enterprises are
on foot % supply the life giving waters Of
the yellow Colorado to the thirsty earth.
RIVERS OF YUMA COUNTY.
IN regard 10 climate, healthiulness, fer
tility and productiveaess Of soil, facilities
for cultivation, irrigation and abundance of
water supply, variety Of resources and
cheap transportation by rail and by water,
no part of Arizona can surpasS Yuma
coanty, which is destined to become one of
ichest aud most prosperous counties in
Arizona.
1t lies between 80 O0' and 80 90 north
latitude and ll3' 20 and ll4' 40 woso
longitude 1t contains 6.4SS, so acres. Il
is about IS large as the States of Rhode
Island, Connecticut and Delaware COM
bi.ed, or as large as either New Hampshire,
Vermont or Massachusetts.
The western boundary of Yuma County
ia formed by the Colorado river, which
separates Arizona from California. The
county is bounded on the north by Williams
Fork and the Santa Maria river, whose
waters flow into the Colorado; on the east
by the counties of Pima, Maricopa and
Yavapai, and on the south 10y Sonora,
Mexico. It's county seat is the town of
Yuma.
The Colorado river drains TIE entire ter
ritory OF Arizona, and every drop CT water
which falls on its mountains and plains
dnds its way to this mighty river. 1t is
formed by the union Of the Green and
Grand rivers, fed by the streams which
rise in the Rocky Mountains, and the melt
ing SHOWS cause a greater depth of water
Ia this river in summer than in winter. thus
furnishing the most water at the season
when it is most required for the purposes
of irrigation and agriculture.
1t will lie seen THAI For the entire distance
sloug its western boundary, Yuma County
possesses the great advantage of cheap
water transportation.
The ella river rises in the western part
of New Mexico and is fed by numerous
streams, among the most prominent of
which are the San Pedro, Aqua Fria, Has
saysmpa and Salt rivers. 1t flows west
through Yuma County and empties into the
Colorado at the town of Yuma.
Yuma county. traversed by these great
rivers from its northern to its southern,
and from its eastern to its western bound
aries, possesses far greater water supply
than any other county in the Territory.
and far more than can be found in all Cali
fernia.
This water is now being diverted from its
natural channels by means of numerous
large irrigating canals, and utilized for the
purpose of reclaiming and irrig~ ting tn
immense tracts OF LANDS which lie in this
favored country, and which are as fertile
as any in the world.
The Southern Pacific Railroad crosses the
Colorado river at the town of Yum1 and
runs through the county, following the
generOl course, and at an average distance
Of about four miles south, Of the ella river,
rendering all the lands susceptible of irri-
cation and cuiti alton, can find an easy
outlet in this way and can be transpol ted
to ali the markets and centers Of population
IN the East or West.
Another competing railroad is projected
from San Diego. California. to the town
Of Yuma. and theme along the north side
Of the ella river. Thus Yuma County will
have exceptional railroad advantages.
THECLIMATE OF YUMA.
The climate OF Yuma for nine months of
&c year has no equal, as we believe, ia the
ord, and during the remaining three
months of the year, comprising jane, July
sud August, the heat is not oppressive.
Even slough the thermometer in mld-sum
msr may a. times rise above l0)', and &C.
sasiOnally even reach ll0', yet, owing to
the absence of moisture in the air, it not