The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1906-12-14
The mFLUEECE OF The Hog
NEW sALTON SEA IN SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA.
Body OF Water Of Immense Extent
Induces Rainfall I'm Arid
ReEions-

THE SaltOn sink is a deep depres-
sion, nearly 1000 feet below sea level
in southeastern California and near
the boundary OF old Mexico and Ari-
IONA on the right bank Of the Colo
radO rived below Yuma, Cal Water
was turned into this sink for irriga-
ton purposes, and in a season OF flood
the Colorado burst its banks and filed
this great basin. The Southern Pac-
ific railroad tracks for forty miles had
to be removed to higher ground and
depOts were almost submerged At
great expense the waters Of the Colo
radO were quite recently got under
control 1t is thought that evapOra-
ton from this large body OF water
prevents hot air currents from the de-
Serts, and favOrs rainfall in the south
west The article following advances
this theOry.l
Mexico and western Texas believe
that the SaItOn sea is one Of the breat-
est blessings ever bestowed upon the
arid west Those who take this view
OF this newly created inland body Of
water are strongly opposed TO the re-
cent stOppage Of the flow Of water in
to the sea from the Colorado river.
Major George J. Inman, who is well
known throughout the southwest, IS
one Of those who believe that the Sal
ton sea is the cause Of the phenomen-
al meteorological change which has
come over the whole Of the south
west. including all Of western Kansas,
Texas and Oklahoma during the past
two years. Its benefcient influence
extends far down into Mexico, IL is
contended. Major Inman is interest
ed in a large American colony enter
prise in the northwestern part Of Chi
huahua- He says that the change
which has taken place in the section
where his colony is located during the
last two years is marvellous. When
the cOlOnists settled there it was sup
posed that nothing could be raised on
the land without irrigation. The same
thing is true throughout the south
west
Major Inman says that he will take
up the SaltOn sea matter with Presi-
dent Roosevelt and President Diaz
with the view Of obtaining the Coop
Grafton Of the United States and Mex
leo governments in preserving the new
body Of water 1t is claimed that If
the sea is permitted to remain the
United States government will be saw
ed millions Of dollars that would 9TH
erWiSe be expended in retaining arid
lands by irrigation projects.
Major Infan, in discussing the sub
ject, said:
The meteorological hanges cover
ing all the southwest and a portion Of
northwest Mexico which have occur
red as a direct result Of this new in
land sea have been marvellous during
the last two years. In a few more
years, il the SaltOn sea is left undis-
turbed, all the vast and arid west viii
undergo a complete change and viii
be made to blossom like the rose
More changes will come about than
can now be dreamed OF. On account
OF the increased rainfall that has be
gun in the southwest, the Rio GranGe
and other rivers will have their pres
ent channels Overtaxed ID carry the
water of. Perhaps whole towns
situated in the valleys Of these streams
will be forced to move 10 higher
ground.
ct is not at all ridiculous to attri-
butte this wide range Of power to the
effects Of the SaltOn sea Covering
thousands Of square miles area in
which was once a desert several hun
dred feet below the level Of the ocean,
it viii not only keep the air saturat-
ed with moisture, but by altering the
temperature il will change the direc-
ton Of the winds and operate in a
number of ways TO reVOluCiOnIZe the
climatic conditions in the southwest
It is the theory Of those EghO be
lieve that the apparent change Of Gil
m IL c. ditiOns in the southwest is
due to the SaltOn sea that before tie
advent Of that body Of water clouds
from the Pacific ocean which were
laden with moisture were unable TO
get over the great eXpanSe Of desert
The terrific heat from the parched
and bistering sand rose into the air
and dissipated the moisture. This
region to the east Of the desert arid
and unfit for agricultural development
Occasionally in the winter season
clouds would get across the desert and
rains would ensue in the arid region.
Since the thousands Of square miles
Of desert is now covered to a depth
OF 10 to 40 feet with water, the
mOisture-laden clouds are able 10 pass
across into the formerly arid region
Of New Mexico and western Texas and
abundant rains are the result.
The flow of water into the SaltOn
sea has recently been stopped by rail-
road companies which built vast
dams. In a year or two the water IL
the vast sea will be avaporated and
it will be desert again.