Bisbee daily review., 1907-04-14
NEW MEXICO TO
 HAVE CELEBRATION

New Mexico is preparing for a unique celebration to take place July 3rd, 4th, and 5th at Carlsbad. This celebration was authorized by the leg islature, and the expense will be borne by the territorial treasury, it's purpose being to commemorate the beginning of Government irrigation in the ter ritoTy
 In authorizing the celebration the New Mexico legislature passed resolu- tions carrying a vote of thanks to F. H. Newell the Director of the Recla- nation Service. to the Supervising Engineer, B. M Hall, whose faithful and efficient services have peen all important factor in bringing about the desired results. and to other officials of the service in the territory. It is expected that the Secretary of the Interior, the Governor of the Terri tory, the Director of the Reclamation Service and other prominent officials and citizens will be present at the celebration.
 The Territory of New Mexiio has been especially fortunate in the amount of work and attention devoted to it under the terms of the Reclama- ton Act, three projects having been approved, and two practically com pleted in the past three years.
 The Rio Hondo project near the city of Roswell has been completed at cost of about S350,600 dollars, and water is available for the irrigation of 12,00O acres of fertile land during the present season.
 The Carlsbad project in the south eastern part of the territory is now nearing completion, and a telegram received at the Washington office recently stated that the first water was turned into the main canal Ihis project was primarily undertaken bf the government at the urgent request of the settlers to save their property and homes which were threatened with destruction by drouth, as the re- suit of a flood which washed away a portion of the Avalon dam, on which their canal system depended for it's supply. Acting upon the advice of eminent consulting engineers a core wall of reinforced concrete was built from bed rock to the crest of the dam. There is no possibility of any flood ever washing away this structure On the lower side of the dam is rock fill which would prevent erosion in case flood waters should sweep over the dam. The reinforced concrete conduit which was constructed across the Pecos River blythe former owners of the system has been strengthened and the foundation carried to bed rock. Across Dark Canyon is a si- phon, circular in form, and of suffi- cient size for six-foot man to walk through standing upright The canal has been widened and deepened and built on scientific pricipies, so as to carry the greatest amount of water with the least excavation. The thor oughness of construction is subject of congratalation among the settlers of the valley, and they feel that their lands and orchards are assured to them forever, and that dry seasons are now reIegated to the past. This work when completed will cost more than s600,000 and will supply 25,000 acres with water.
 Over in the Mesiila Valley work is being rushed on six hundred-foot di- version dam for the purpose of supply ing water to one unit of the Rio Grande project. the Leasburg diver sion. The headworks will be connect ed with the old Las Cruces system by a canal six miles long. Before this project is finished gigantic dam will be constructed across the Rio Grande near Engle. forming lake 40 miles inland and storing water for the irrigation of 1s0.e00 acres of land lying in New Mexico, Texas, and old Mexico. It will cost s7.20o, GOO.