Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1911-06-29

posed to convert the Grand
canyon Of Arizona into huge
lake behind a dam 700 feet
high. Over this dam will flow
a constant stream Of water at the rate
of 10000 or more cubic feet second,
sufficient to turn all the machinery in
the United States, If not in the world.
In addition to this, the water thus
stored will provide constant and never
failing irrigation for 100000 acres of
land which is otherwise hopelessly
waste. The plans are already on pa
per, and there is plenty of money be-
hind the enterprise. All that is lack
| ing is government consent to ruin in
part the grandest work of nature in
the world, the Grand canyon, and place
at the bottom of the great abyss a
lake 7 miles wide and 35 miles long
The canyon proper is miles wide. 13
miles long and a mile deep, so all of
its scenic beauty will by no means be
destroyed. In fact, one standing upon
the rim and looking at the water be-
low, without previous knowledge, will
be unable to tell that man has in any
way tampered with natures great dis
play.
Three states, California, Nevada and
Arizona are vitally interested in the
project, and in these states there has
already developed a sentiment which
will tend to exclude the private con-
struction of the dam and plant, and
vest 1t entirely in the hands of the gov
ernment At the point in Arizona near
the intersection of the Arizona, Cali
fornia and Nevada state lines, there is
a point in the canyon which is only
$50 feet wide. Here a wing dam can
be constructed at comparatively low
cost, which may be built as high as
one pleases without fear Of securing
too much water pressure behind it.
Once constructed the water will
back within the canyon for 35 miles
Most of this will be cared for by the
smaller canyons leading off from the
big canyon, which are not included in
actual length These small canyons
are also walled by solid rock, and |
there is no danger whatever
from an overflow from any source.
In order to food surrounding land |
the water would have to rise to the |
height of one mile, less 700 feet, Ind
cover an area nine miles wide within
the canyon. The dam will, therefore. |
be absolutely safe for the retaining
wall at the end of the reservoir, owing
to the structure of the walls of the
canyon at that point, will bear prac-
tically no weight of the water what
ever
The effect of the construction of this
dam cannot we'll be grasped by per-
sons unfamiliar with what has been
done by way of development in the
southwest during the last decade The
southwest, in the first place, is pre-
pairing for a vast increase of popula-
ton from Europe once the Panama
canal is finished but It is recognized
that without industries only a certain
amount of increase will be accommo-
dated. Arizona has shown a census
Increase of more than so per cent.
since 1900. Since the census was Ia
ken boards of trade in the territory
report heavier inquiries about the ter
-itory.
Worlds Greatest chasm.
The Grand canyon of the Colorado is
he most stupendous chasm in the
world Standing in the presence Of
.hese precipitous rocks which tower to
heights of 5000 feet, piercing the
clouds above; the abyss yawning at
lis feet, the spectator is overpowered
,y the immensity Of the spectacle
confronting him. There is probably no
,ther spot on earth where man is more
with his own insignihcanee
II more overwhelmed with the majesty
II nature. It is the grandest Of all the
worlds gorges. II inspires one with I
Is sublimity; It appalls him with its
leights. its depths. it's awful solitude. {
he hand of the infinite has chiseled i
hese rocks into most fantastic forms. I
heir towering turrets and imposing {
ninarets standing out boldly in bas
a1Fof ouoFnuf the doon hIuo ~ a auth ! Z