The Ely miner., 1911-06-16

Is posed 10 convert the Granu
81 canyon of Arizona into huge
lake behind a dam 700 feet
high. Over this dam will flow
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 z 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 it 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
point in the canyon which is only
$50 feet wide. Here 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.
The canyon walls are solid rock, as is
the bed, and much blasting will be
necessary in order to get the bottom
Of the dam actually below thea bed
rock Of the stream.
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
the measurement of its 13 miles Of
actual length. These small canyons
are also walled by solid rock, and
therefore there is no danger whatever
from an overflow from any source.
In order to flood surrounding land
the water would have to rise to the
height Of one mile, less 700 feet, end
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 tie
canyon at that point, will bear prac-
tically no weight of the water what
ever.
The effect of the construction of this
dasse cannot well 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 60 per cent
since 1900. Since the census was ta-
ken boards of trade in the territory
report heavier inquiries about the ter
ritory.
Worlds Greatest Chasm.
The Grand canyon Of the Colorado is
the most stupendous chasm in the
world. Standing in the presence of
these precipitous rocks which tower to
heights Of 5000 feet. piercing the
clouds above; the abyss yawning at
his feet, the spectator is overpowered
by the immensely of the spectacle
confronting him. There is probably no
other spot on earth where man is more
impressed with his own insigniflcance
Or more overwhelmed with the majesty
of nature. 1t is the grandest of all the
worlds gorges. It inspires one with
its sublimity; it appalls him with its
heights, its depths. its awful solitude.
The hand of the infinite has chiseled
these rocks into most fantastic forms.
their towering turrets and imposing
minarets standing out boldly in bas
relief against the deep blue of a south
ern sky. And over all is the illusion
Of distance.
One cannot conceive the vastness of
It all and is met by a series of sur.
prises, as it is borne in upon him that
yonder gorge, or rock, or peak, or cape
lies miles IN the distance. At the
bottom of the gorge the river, turbu-
lent and picturesque, madly rushes on
amid its rock environment, lashing It,
self into foam. About the mighty
osaks scars the eagle. and struggling