The Arizona sentinel., 1900-06-13

ElNeIS lO lIlG SGct LII clllAcloC SL AAANiClA
 of Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and all of
 Arizona finds lodgment in the Colorado throughout it's 200 miles of channel.
 An admirable feature in this cOnnec-
 ton is the pecuiarity of reaching it's l highest dime nslons in the months of
 June and July, the very time when i other streams are low. But it must be
 said that there is sufficient at all times 1 to irrigate every acre of land under 1 and tributary to it. The river supply
 at the season of irrigation is greater
 than that of all the utilized str5a of California combined.
 The Gila at certain annual periods spreads to close upon two miles, where the surface contour so permits, with an average depth of four feet. In June, July, and August for 40 miles from it's mouth it is either very low or absolute l ly dry, although considerable running
 water can always be found along the rock bed. It happens frequently that where reefs of rock cross the river the water comes to the surface, only to disappear again when the barrier is passed. An excellent site for storing enormous bodies of water has been sur veyed by a competent engineer, the location being in the Gila Valley, as well as the outlying mesas and higher plains, while the construction will not
 be attended with unusual difficulties, nor would the cost prove excessive in comparison with the. increased value of the lands, large portions of which are worthless. Such works would effect ually obViate the diS1eartening effects of the sinking of water to bed rock in summer, for the amount saved during high water, that would have otherwise gone to waste, would furnish the means of livelihood to a large population as against the present population, which is very meager.
 The Colorado and Gila are considered among the most prominent streams of the Pacific coast, and afford more than sufficient irrigation capacity for the cultivation of the rich areas included within the county lines. The former drains a catchment area of more than ,OOO square miles of mountainous country, while the latter also drains an immense surface, very similar topo- graphically. Thus, it can easily be seen that water is abundant.
 TRANSPORTING important factor in connection with the early ri pening of horticultural Viticultural, and agricultural products is the ques- tion of easy and rapid conveyance to prominent market centers east and ! west The Southern Pacific railroad one of the largest transcOntinental lines in America, passes through the city of Yuma, runs through the Gila valley as far as AdOnde, a station some 30 milos east of Yuma. It then passes upon the mesas south of Gila river, the track ex- | tending upon the average not more than miles from the river until the county line is reached. Thus is afforded convenient egress from any section of l the valley and direct communication
 from thence to all parts of the United l States.
 Other railroads have been surveyed along both sides of the river The direct broad gauge line to San Diego, which | heretofore has been a matter of con- l lecture, will, beyond a doubt, soon be a l reality, one of the results of the settle
 ment of the vexed grant question, men ton of which will be found elewhere in
 this article.
 The Colorado river being navigable, l affords transportation by light draft
 river steamers, northward from YUn'ss 1 to the Needles, where connection is made with the Santa Fe Pacific, thence
 on to the Grand Canyon of the Colora- do. and southward from Yuma to the | yIo CnIora1n Sts m Navigation company is now construct ing in Yuma a new light-draft steamer to make regular trips up and down the Colorado river. The new boat is to De | known as the "Cochan," and since the
 recent rich mining discoveries and the marvellous irrigation and agricuitura
 developments have been made up anC
 down the river, the glory of the ole
 steamboating days (when the supple: for all Arizona were bOated up tht
 river) is expected in part to be revived
 CANALS OF YUMA COUNTY
 There are five large irrigation canal
 operating in Yuma county and various
 others are being projected which vii
 in a matter of time be built. Cana
 building is comparatively of recen
 origin in the county. few years az , the fertile valleys were almost llterall destitute of human inhabitants. Wh1l
 today it is safe to say that every acr of valley land along the line ot tn canals has been filed upon, not to men ton considerable mesa land taken u
 along the line of their projected eXten siens. The Mohawk canal is taken ou of the Gila river and irrigates abou ! 40 GOO acres of the Mohawk valley. ther . being no shortage of water. in all sea
 sons. The Farmers, the Ives, and tn . | American canals are taken out Of tn ! l Colorado river below Yuma and can b f made to irrigate ,OOO acres or more ', the richest bottom land on earth. theI
 water supply being abundant.
 The CiboIa Canal is taken out 6 the Colorado river about 50 mile e above Yuma and covers an area of 70 coo acres. For further mention of tf
 Cibola valley, see another page.
 II The duty of water is not constan
 but varies according to the locality. , should be explained that but little Q | the land has been irrigated earlier tha T five years ago, and being virgin soil T. x uuires more water than will be nece q sary during the coming seasons. Ft if this reason it is fair to assume that u 70 "duty" per inch will be materially Il l. creased.
 T It may be stated incidently that d irrigation the fertilization of land flu
 tuates according to the nature al 70 quality of the silty matter deposit' n upon it by the water, and this, it is c T, timated. is from 30 to 100 per cent. BO
 CfiIa and the Colorado are especial rich in such matter, and therefore t ,s constant fertilization effected throui ,o the opening canals renders any furth