El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-05-26
PAJARITA PROJECT
SITE rs INSPECTED
Gov. Mills and Territorial
Engineer Miller Visit
Proposed DaInsite.

Tucu1cari, \ NJ, May 26.-Governor
William J. Mills. with Charlie Miller.
territorial engineer, inspected the site
Of the proposed Pajarita. irrigation
dam. west of Tucumcari, Wednesday
The two arrived here early in the
morning A committee, appointed from
the chamber of commerce. arranged
for the trip TO the dam, and this was
made during the day, the party OF
business men from this city accom-
panying the governor and engineer.
five automobiles being engaged for
the purpose
The trip OF Is miles to the site was
made with but few .mishaps. Here
after lunch a thorough inspection was
given the lay of the land, the question
of the feasibility of the dana being
considered from every viewpoint. AS
the initial outlay will approximate
$750.000. this being one of the largest Of
the 500 similar projects in the territory
for which application is now said TO
have been made, both the territorial
officers and the promoters were anx-
ious for the matter to be thoroughly
considered.
The only doubt as to the practicable
ity of the plan was finally decided TO
be the quantity OF water obtainabie,
and this question was met with affi-
dayits from some of the Oldest settlers
in the neighborhood to the effect that
during some Of the hardest rains the
basin had been known to nearly fill
with back water. although no dam ex-
listed except the natural narrow can
yon at the mouth.
According to the surveys already
made the retention dam will stand
Tcrh nd 81 01Tr
60 feet at the other, this retaining
body OF water about two by five miles
in area, or so, 600 acre feet, a. sufficient
quantity to irrigate easily 10000 acres
of land. According TO statements OF
Mr. Miller this acreage may be doubled
as time develOpes the full power of
the dam. it having been discovered
that the amount OF water originally
thought necessary to irrigate given
area was often excessive.
On his advice it was decided to in
vestigate the loose rock riff-raff for
the dam. instead Of the solid concrete,
as had been proposed. thus allowing
for the natural settling Of the soil
Thus the danger of leakage would be
largely overcome and the expense cut
down. The walls on either side Of the
dam were found to be exceptionally
strong being OF solid rock formation
OF the strongest nature.
The area drained by the system ex-
tends a distance Of 25 miles in one
direction and a number Of miniature
rivers drain into the basin There
seems to be little doubt that the water
can be supplied in plenty to keep the
reservoir full The governor. who has
spent a great many years Of his life
in the west, and has seen many such
plans developed, considered the idea
we'll worthy OF success. and promised
to do all in his power to assist in
the undertaking.
Mr.. Miller also gave his promise to
faithfully consider the proposition.
and stated that If nothing developed
before the 18th Of July, the date set
for the hearing OF the application
for the water rights, he would be
glad to approve the application OF the
company.
The promoters Of the plan. who are
nearly all residents of Tucumcari,
have done much toward perfecting the
preliminary arrangements. All but
two or three Of the small landholders
in the basin have been bought out and
these lands will be condemned by legal
procedure should this become neces-
sary. Blue prints already made show
two bitches 20 feet wide and four feet
deep reaching Tucumcari, one on the
north and the other on the south side
OF town.
A banquet at night at the newly
completed Vorenberg hotel was the
first banquet ever given in this hotel