The Arizona sentinel., 1902-10-22
IRRIGATION ACTIVITY.
Preliminary Work Begins CT Colo
 raGo River Lands.

E. E. Perkins of the Mnited States geological survey returned yesterday
 from a trip to the Needles, says the Los Angels Herald, and gave some inter- citing information regarding the inn mense irrigation project that has now been commenced on the Colorado river bottom lands. Mr. Perkins said:
 "The United States geological sur vey, acting as agent for the reclama- tion of arid public lands. has at pres ent completed the following organiza- tion for carrying on this work between | Camp MOhave. above the Needles, and the Mexican line. First, 8 primary triangulatiOn party is put in the field 1 between these points to determine the exact positions of controlling points upon which to base a detailed topC- graphical map of the entire river. Sec ond, line of precise levels will be run | by party starting from Camp Mohave proceeding down stream, and also by another party starting at Yuma and l proceeding up stream to a connection. 1 These levels will be used also for a con- trol of the contour maps. A contour map will be made of this region on the scale of one and onc-half inches to the mile from the hill country back from the river, showing elevations of every fifty feet and on the scale of two inches to the mile, covering the river bottom lands in this district, showing eleva- tions of every five feet. For this pur- pose a typographical party is now started at Yuma, and two or more to- geographical parties will be started from the vicinity of the Needles These last mentioned parties will com plete the survey of the lands adjacent to the river bottoms under the direc- tion of R. U. Goode, geographer of the typographical branch of the survey, and F. C. Barnard in charge in the field.
 ''The survey of the river itself and the irrigable bottom lands will be under the general direction of r. II. Newell, chief engineer of the hydro graphical division, myself being, in charge of the field and under the gen. eral supervision of J. B. Lippincott as consulting engineer.
 "These engineering parties will also survey in detail diversion points for
 Dr. l.. H. Moller left Yuma last Sun day night for New York, from which city, after few days of sightseeing, he will take steamship passage for trip to the Old World The doctor will tarry a while in London. then take spin over to Paris, and later will go to his native land of Germany to once more look upon the scenes of his boy hoods happy days. He will be absent about three months.
 canals and make determinations Cf depths to bedrock, and character Of the same at various possible dam sites. Probably from four to six parties will be engaged in this work. Upon this typographical map will be made com prehensive study of suitable locations for irrigation canals and irrigable lands
 "The bureau of soils of the agricul- tural department, under Professor Milton Whitney, will assign party to study the agricultural quality of these lands. A permanent river observation station will be established at Yuma and an engineer assigned to this sta tiOn to devote his entire time to the study. of silt problems, body of flow, evaporation, etc. Machinery has been ordered for the exploration of all rock at the diversion points and dam sites mentioned above.
 ''It is thought possible that 5O0,0OO acres of land may be reclaimed by this stream. The land will be situated both in the territory of Arizona and the state of California. Such land, when reclaimed, should be worth $50 an acre and provide settlement for 25O.OOO. The soil is of extreme fertility, and may be compared to the rich producing lands of the Nile.
 "A large force of men, all under civil service regulations, an essential quali- fication. together with about thirty civil engineers, are on their way to this field. The monthly payroll will amount to about 5000"