The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-03-19
SAITON SEA.

Is Salton Sea, that great body of water
that has been created in the Colorado
Desert, below sea level. by the runaway
Colorado river, a blessing or otherwise ?
Should it be abated, or should the Colo
RADIO be allowed to run into it a portion
of the time-long enough to maintain
large body of water there, which
would otherwise be evaporated in a few
years by the fierce heat Of that region ?
More than thirty years ago Dr. ]. P.
Widney, of Los khgeles, argued that,
by the creation of an inland sea in the
great Salton basin, the water would
constantly. evaporate. and lower the
tempera ture in the neighborhood, and
greater rainfall, he predicted, would
result from such conditions. Apparent
ly, the truth of this observation has
been accepted by the Texas legislature,
for in a resolution passed by that body
it is shown that, since the filling of the
Salton basin by the Colorado river over
flow, the rainfall has been increased, as
far east as FL Paso.
1t is stated that, before the sea was
formed, the greatest annual precipita-
ton at Ell Paso, since 1850 was 12 90
inches yet, in the first year following
the flooding of the basin, Ell Paso's rain
fall went to 1880, an increase of about
five inches. Other records of increase,
for towns in New Mexico and Arizona.
are equally striking. The resolution
finally declares:
Whereas, said increased rainfall al
ready has benefited said territory into
untold millions, and many of the
thoughtful men who have studied the
problems. believing that said increased
rainfall was caused by the formation of
said sea; therefore, we most respect
fully request our representa- in
congress and United States senators
from the state of Texas to take such
action as they deem expedient to have
investigated the Salton sea, and the
reference to climatic change. and, If
found that said sea creates said
changes, that the same be not destroy
paid for by the United States under
such terms that will be just to the in
terest therein involvedy
In commenting upon this resolution
the Springfield Republican says the
idea deserves serious consideration,
adding that, if the Salton sea were left
alone. 1t probably would prove to be
the greatest irrigator in the whole
southwest.
This may be true, but Southern Cali
fornia, or at least some Californians,
think the sea is not a benefit to the reg
ion lying between it and the coast but
would injure the famous California
climate. The theory is that the hot air
arising from the basin creates a
vacuum, into which the cool winds from
the Pacific are drawn, giving that sec
ton in summer those delightfully."- cool
nights, and gentle breezes by day. for
which Southern California is so Justly
famed. 1t is a fact that last summer,
with the advent of the huge body of
water in the basin, the humidity was
noticeably greater than in years, and |
climatic conditions not nearly so sa-
lubrious as usual.
But it is also true that the rainfall |
in California has been greater than |
usual the last two winters. a fact which |
Southern California welcomes, and this, |
too, may have been caused by the Sal |
ton Sea, although scientific men gen. |
orally do not accept that theory.