The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-19
ROOSEVEL! DAMS OFFICIALLY OPENED Largest Artificial Lake in
 the World GREAT POWER CANAL Correlated Works Add Interest to Enormous Reclamation Scheme. Colonel Roosevelt Makes an
 Inspiring Address

Roosevelt Arz., March 1S.-The Roose- welt dam reclamation project. which was officially opened by Colonel Roose- welt today, Is situated a half milo below the confluence of Tonto creek and upper Salt river, at the head of a can yon through which Salt river flows for many miles. It is the most imposing fea- ture of the Salt river project, the first one undertaken by the United States reclamation service under the provisions of the reclamation act approved by Pres ident Roosevelt June F, 1902, and after whom the town at the dam site is named. It is 76 miles east of Phoenix, which is situated in the center of a valley of which 24o,0O0 acres is signed to the Salt River Valley Water Users association. This corporation represents the farmers in their dealings with the government, guaranteeing payment of the construc- ton cost of the project.
 The dam creates a'reservoir extending 12 miles up Tonto creek and 13 miles up Salt river, nearly to what is known as the intake dam, 400 feet long. The capaci- ty of the reservoir is 1,2S4205 acre feet, the largest artificial lake in the world. Though the dam is not the largest In the world it is among the largest The foundation rests on bedrock 40 feet below river level
 The scene from the dam was a striking one. The motor cars in which the many persons beside the Roosevelt party made the 75-mile journey from Phoenix were parked along the road above the artificial lake, each with it's roll of bedding strapped upon 1t as the guests must spend the night here. On the hills hun. dreds of saddle horses grazed
 Along the top of the tower several hundred persons were crowded and when MT. Roosevelts machine came in sight in the twisting road the tremendous salute of dynamite greeted the former President.
 The ceremonies were opened by Pres ident Orme of the Salt River Valley Users association. After Mir. Roosevelt had mounted the stand and Mrs. Roose- welt, Archie and Miss Ethel Roosevelt had grouped themselves below, President Orme introduced Governor Sloan as the chairman and the latter in turn presented all speakers.
 Those who spoke besides MT. Roose- welt were Lewis Hill, engineer of the project; c. J. Blanchard of the reclama- tion service, who read a. letter from Di- rector Newell, and B. A. Fowler, presi- dent of the national irrigation congress
 In the course of his address MT. Roose- welt lauded the men who had labored un- ceasingly to complete the work and said that within a few years the great bar ren lands of the west and south would be reclaimed for cultivation.
 Along the top of the dam standard bearings electric globes had been erected and Miss Roosevelt set these alight by touching a button, concluding the features of the day.
 It is 235 feet long between the canyon walls and TO feet wide. From the river level to the crest of the spillways at eith- CT end of the dam, the height is 20 feet, that being the greatest depth Of storage possible. The spillways are bridged and over the bridges and the top of the dam runs the only highway In that region connecting the mountain country on the north and south sides of Salt river This roadway is 20 feet above the highest storage and a coping four feet high protects the roadway. From the bottom of the foundation to the top stone of the coping is 2S4 feet.
 The dam is curved, arching upstream