Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-06-21

y%zV HERE is a gigantic plan pro-
posed to convert the Grand
canyon of Arizona into a huge
lake behind a dam ZOO feet
high. Over this liam will fow
a constant stream OF watet at the rate
of 10000 or more cubic feet a second.
sufficient to turn all the machinery in
the United States, If not H. the world.
In addition to this, the water thus
stored will provide constant end 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
lake Z miles wide and 80 miles long
The canyon proper is miles wide. 10
miles long and 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, win
be unable to tell that man has in any
way tempered with natures great dis
play.
Three states, California, Nevada and
Arizona are vitality 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
eminent. 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,
The canyon walls are solid rock, as is
the bed, and much blasting will be
necessary in order 10 get the bottom
of the dam actually below the bed
rock Of the stream.
Once constructed. the water will
back within the canyon for 35 miles
Most Of this viii be cared for by the
smaller canyons leading off from the
big canyon which are not included in
the measurement of its 10 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 food 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 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 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 frst place. is pre-
pairing for n vast increase of popula.
ton from Europe once the Panama
canal is finished, but II IS recognized
that without industries only a certain
amount of increase Bill be accOmmo-
dated. Arizona has shown a census
increase of more than 60 per cent.
since 1900. Since the census was ia
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 IL 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 inmensity Of the spectacle
confronting him There is probably no
other spot on earth where man Is more
impressed with his own insignifcance
or more overwhelmed with the majesty
Of nature II Is the grandest Of all the
worlds gorges Il inspires one with
its sublimity; II apIalls him with its
heights. ltg depths. rs awful solitude
The hand of the Infinite has chise!ed
there rocks into most fantastic forms,
Il cir towering turreta and imposing
minsrets Standing out boldly In bias
relief against the deep blue Of a south
ern sky. And over al is the Illusion
Of distance.
One cannot conceiTe the yastness Of
Il all and is met b. series q sur
prises. as # is borne In upon him that
yonder gorge, or roc, or peak, or cape
lies miles IN the distance At the
bottom OF the gorge the river tGrbu-
lent and picturesg-e madiy rushes On
amid it's rock environment. lashing H.
self into foam. About the mighty
peaks soara the eagle. and struggling