Bisbee daily review., 1906-01-03
REPOPT ON IA PLATA
tContinued From Page 1 )

investigation on the ground, but it geve careful consideration to the sur ress, plans and estimates presented by engineeh M. c. Hinderlider, who made the preliminary investigations.
 While the conclusions reached by the board are not final, it is apparent from tue report that the prospects for developing a feasible project at this point are not very favorable. The sur yeys made to investigate the feasi- kAity of storing water on the Animas river near Durango and conducting the same through canals and tunnels to La Plata valley, have shown that the cost of such storage and con- duction would be very high and un- occasionally pTohioitive.
 It was found that the storage reser- vation on the Animas river about two miles above Durango ultimately might become of value in the irrigation Of land in the San Juan valley, or in the lower valley of the Colorado river. The only reservoir sites found after a thorough examination. which would be available for the storage of waters of La Plata river are designated as the state line reServoiar, with ca pacfty of 30.675 e.crefeet. and the Narrows reservoir. with a capacity of 12.400 acre-feet. The state line reser- Toir would involve the construction of a dam 115 feet in maximum height 2000 feet long on top, and 1900 on the bottom.
 From the available data it is proba- ble that this reservoir would cost ir the neghborhoood of s20 for each acre foot capacity The water from this reservoir would be conducted in a canal to lands in La Plata valley and adjoining bench lands, and by another canal would reach about 5000 acres in McDermott glade. The total acreage supplies would be about 17,000. The water supply for this area is considered ample. but portion Of the land is already under irrigation, and if the project were carried out it would be necessary 10 make arrangements with the people for the repayment of the cost. It is believed that if the Gust ol construction could be kept within $40 per acre, satisfactory Arrangements could be made with the land owners as the present water supply is very inadeouate in the absence of storage
 Tn the event that the water supply was found to be insufficient the canal on the west side of La Plata river could be enlarged and extended to reach the Narrows reservoir, from whence the waters could be conducted to tract known as the Meadows. con tsiping about 5000 acres of fine land. This enlargement and extension. II is believed. would not greatly increase the acreage cost of the project.
 From data and quantities submitted by Mr. Hinderlider the board esUi- mates the cost of pro+6ct to cover 1s.oo0 acres in the La Plata valley and McDermott glade at over s62 per acre insiuding maintenance for ten years. Considering tt.s fact that some of these lands already have a parIial waaeT supply. it is the opinion of the engineers that this price would be considered by the people as prohibitive
 The board expresses its confidence in the thoroush1ess of the search made by hr. Hinderlider for storage in La Plata basin. and states that it is satisfied that there is no feasible meth. cd of storing the waters of this river and using them for irrigation. It recommends that the lands withdrowL from this project De helr and the water supply investigation be continued un- til the board can make more thorough Held examination next summer.