The Imperial press., 1905-07-29
THE OVERFLOW SITUATION
Colorado River Presents Difficult
 Problem

That there are things doing and to be done in connection with the interest ing problem nov presented the South ern Pacific Railway Company and the California Development Company, is quite evident from what can be seen on the surface For several weeks it has been given out that the railroad track was safe from damage in the sink at SaIton, and that the inrushing waters of the Colorado river at the lower Mex ican intake were under control and the break would shortly be stopped. Late events, however, go to show this to not be the case.
 It is true the volume of water being diverted from the river by the intakes of the canal company and finding it's way to the Salton Sink, has decreased, and is decreasing, having declined from about 25,000 cubic feet of water per second on July to about half that amount at the present time. It is also true that the total volume of water flowing in the Colorado river, as shown by the measurements of the U. s. Photographer at Yuma, was 37,5O0 cubic feet per second on July 8 and has now declined to about one half that amount, so 1t can be seen that approxl- mately two-thirds of the entire volume of water flowing in the, river is being diverted by the Imperial canals. In like manner the volume of water pass ing into Salton sink through New river and the Salton channel has measurably decreased.
 On July 12 the measurements made by Hydrographer Hardy showed nearly 18,0O0 cubic feet of water per second going to the Salton sea in those channels besides large volume of water running into the Valley near Signal mountain that could not then be reached for measurement. On July 20 the total volume of water running to waste in both the river channels and in the stream near Signal mountain had de- creased to total flow of 15,800 second feet, a decline in eight days of approxi- mately 4,0O0 cubic feet of water per second. During the week from July 20 to July 27 the flood still further declined to 13, ,524 second feet of which 10, lO2 second feet were flowing in the New river at Calexico, 3154 second feet in the Salton channel at Redwood station and 268 second feet in the slough near Signal mountain.
 This shows a decline of 2276 second feet during the week, which of itself is very substantial decrease. New river at Calexico has fallen about eighteen inches and the Salton channel at Redwood more than two feet. There is absolutely no danger whatever to our Valley under present conditions. The farmers and the Imperial Valley are safe.
 The trouble, however, has now gotten up to the Southern Pacific people and the California Development Company. It is they who are walking the floor. They appear to have tough proposi- tion Oil their hands if one is to judge by the newspaper reports from Los An geles. A jetty 5000 feet in length must be built from point mile above the lower Mexican intake to the island in the middle of the river, to throw the current onto the American side, the east end of this jetty will be on Amer ican territory, the operation involves international features and there Is the dickens to pay. However, Uncle Sam is wide awake and the situation is being carefully watched by representa- tives of the government.
 The Board of Engineers of the Recla- ton Service have been in session at San Francisco for several days discussing ways and means for handling this mat ter. This board consists of J. B. Lippin- colt, w. H. Sanders, L. H. Taylor and D. c. Henry. The plans agreed upon will not be revealed until they are ready to be put into operation. It is to be hoped that basis of cooperation can be arrived at, and the government join with the Southern Pacific people in