Bisbee daily review., 1906-05-20
B|e sALIOA SINK
 AFFECTS CLIMATE

Much has been written lately concern Sng the effect of the diversion of the waters from the Colorado river into the Saitop Sink upon the climate of AxizDna- Several articles have ap- peared in the newspapers tending to show that the large flow of water into tho Saiton Sink has changed the eli snxte of the Southwest to an apprecia- hse cxtent- It is even asserted that, xince the Salton Sink became moder- sfely full. the temperature of the air
 szs greatly modified and the rainfall largely increased thereby.
 In order to obtain more definite in Formation relative to the supposed changes in the climatic conditions, pruniaent resident of Yayapai county addressed the Chief of the Weather Bureau upon the subject as follow: -I am keenly interested in the proba- bIe prevailing weather in this section of Ariscpa.-Yavapai county and yicin- sty- The past two years have been wet. preceded by several dry years.
 b Is rumored that these rains are caused by the presence of tho large lake formed in the 'Salton Sea region of California, through the breaking of fhe large and extensive dyke located st the intake of the Imperial Canal Co. and by which the entire flow of the Colorado river has forced its way into the Saiton Sink, several hundred feet below the river bed If this Is true, il would mean that the future years voald be wet also. Of course you are thoroughly familiar with all of the facts in the matter. Answering, the Chief of the Weather Bureau dwells particularly upon the fallacy of the theory that a change in the climate of the Territory has resulted from the filling of the Salton Sink. The views ss embodied in the letter are clear and comprehensive, and impart much valuable information concerning the true causes of the aridity of this sec ton The letter is, in part, as fol- lows:
 'AThe greatest difficulty in ascribing the heavy rains that have been ex- perienced in Arizona during the last two winters to the formation of an ar- tihciai lake in the Salton Sink lies in the fact that the rains came first, faet that should be recalled by clear
 
 my information is correct, the canal l Through which the original diversion 1 of water was made was not finished 1 xntH November, 1904. The phenom- rnzity heavy rains in Arizona came in i January, 1905. about month after the i of the canal, and several 1 ssoaths before there was any sem Nance of lake in the Salton Sink
 
 Tt was the floods caused by the | heavy rains in Arizona and contiguous | territory that destroyed the temporary | headworks of the canal, and thereby 1 sPened the way to 8 complete diver i xicn of the waters of the Colorado and | Iie formation of the present lake
 The effect of this artificial body of l xxfer on the climate of the Southwest 1 sxay be considered as practically nil. Ik Is true that the evaporation of wa | e- from the lake surface will be much | ,rczter than from the desert that for aeTfy occupied its bed, but in the ab- .ence of factors which produce con the increased amount of wa CT vapor thrown into the air ayails | aothing so far as rainfall is concerned. | t Is not possible to condense it so kat it will be returned to the earth as ain The same is true of the water hat passes into the air in the form ,s yapor from the Gulf of California. 1 The shores of that body of water are about as arid as can be ound in any part of the globe The E rue reason of its aridity is to be 'oaght in the general circulation of he atmosphere. as modified by the sction of continental masses, rather han in local topography or proximity | d large bodies of water.
 I'm the region of the Great Lakes he precipitation on the leeward side | If the several lakes is probably a lit i ie greater than on the windward side. | ,ut the difference Is not of moment, | n the matter of temperature, however. i here is decided amelioration of the l igors of winter due to the influence 'f the lake waters, and likewise the | .xfreme heat of summer is diminished, | specially on the leeward side of the l akes.
 It seems probable that the temper fture conditions in the vicinity of Sal ] on Sink will be slightly affected by 1 inc presence of that body of water, | 'fe most noticeable changes being a l tendency to higher temperatures in sinter along the shores of the lake and thus a protection from frost, and slightly lower temperatures in summer zsons fhe Ieeward shore. Doubtless Inc lower temperatures will be more fasafferable than those formerly expe- ricaced by reason of the increased humidity. In any event the influence of this body of water situated in the hezzrt of the desert can not extend much. if any. beyond ten miles from fs immediate shores.
 The people of the Southwest should znt De led to expect the slightest mod fScation of climate as a result of the formation and continuance of the Sal lun Sea"