The Arizona sentinel., 1906-08-29
The Yuma Project.


 The Yuma Project.
 The lower Colorado valley, which is
 now almost commonly known as the
 'Nile of America" and of which Yuma
 is the central point, is being very much
 talked of all over the nation. At Wash
 ington the Reclamation officials and
 other persons who are watching the
 progress of reclamation, take the Yuma country ani the big Laguna dam as their favorife theme. This example is followed in many other parts where any interest is manifested in irrigation 1 projects, or wherever people are great ly interested in acquiring an agricul- tural home. It is said that great;many of the clerks in the Reclamation service have made application to be transferred | to Yuma, so great is their interest in the LGghna project. Strange to say, that while so much interest is being taken in this great enterprise in other parts of the United States, the people of Yuma look upon it in matter of fact way, displaying very little enthu- siam in that which is expected to shower upon their town and vicinity great prosperity.
 The United States government is spending millions of dollars to water the fertile land of the Colorado valley, which is blessed by more natural agri- cultural advantages than another DOT tion of the country. That the land under this great project will ''bIoom as the rose" and bring great prosperity there can be no doubt.
 It is claimed by good authority, that the Laguna dam and diverging canals will be completed and ready to furnish water for the crops of 1908. Since the high water started in the summer work On the dam has not been rushed, but force Of about 200 men have been employed and they have been used mostly for the purpose of protecting the constructed work from the floods, and putting every rything in shape for the large force which will go to work about September 18th. At that time it. is proposed to nave some eight hund- red men employed and by the first of next May it is expected to have every thing completed to the river. With the three concrete walls, which will measure 5000 feet each, completed to the river at this time, it will require but about three months to cross the river with this concrete work. This distance will be 1000 feet, and since the floods will be coming in the Colorado again at that season of the year the finishing work will not be undertaken until after the food season. With this flood passed work will begin about the first Of August to imbed the cement in the river and by the first of Novem- Der the great I,aguna dam will be com- pIeted and the canals will be built in time for the early crops in 1908.
 Officials cf i. G. White 6 Co.,, includ- l ing Superintendent Peppard, who, by the way, has an international reputa- tion as constructor of irrigation pro- jects, have recently held consultation | with Lhe Reclamation officials in Los | Angeles. No statement has been given | out fer publication, but it is understood | that plans fer hurriediy completing the dam and canals were agreed upon by both sides, and that the coming Of low water will bring great rush Of work on the projects.
 Those who have desire to view the work already accomplished at the dam should take a trip up there. < choice of two routes by stage is open t" pros Dective visitors, one oa each side of he river, and they each traverse broad, rich valleys which will soon be yielding inc harve5ts.