Imperial Valley press., 1916-08-07

started driving piles across Salt
slough, with view to increasing the
discharge into the canal:
The canal yesterday had been wet
about half its length before the
breaks occurred, and it cannot be stat
ed how soon it will be possible to re-
open the gate.
Mr.. Mcbride went over the entire
Cerro Prieta system and reported that
the breaks were not of serious ma
ture and that later yesterday the gate
was again opened.
| Water had reached the West Side
main last night, but the cut had not
been made to let the water through.
1t will be available by tomorrow.
Mr.. Mcbride estimates that at the
present level of the lake the canal will
carry 250 to 800 feet.
/ 1t is impossible as yet to form any
idea as to what degree of help the
farmers may get from this canal,
! though the coming of higher water in
the Colorado is favorable to some as
sistance being given.
Higher Water in River.
Nature is doing everything possible
to relieve the water shortage. Late
last week there was a squirt Of the
river up to 1876, the river quickly
falling back to 18 feet, which point
was marked Saturday night. Tele-
graphic advices to the Press. however,
give the height of the river Sunday
night at 1879, showing another rapid
rise. This quick fluctuation in the
river is due to local showers through
out Arizona.
There was 3,341 second-feet entering
the canal this morning and the work
of dumping rocl' is progressing rap
idly under the direction of Tom Hind.
! Today the farmers are getting some
benefit from the rise reported from
Yuma Friday, Water Company No. l
today having 572 second-feet. or near
| ly so per cent service. This is an
increase of 1875 feet over yesterday.
President Baker and some of the
directors of No. were in town yes
terday to interview President Hamilton
of the Irrigation District. but were
unable to meet him, as he had gone
to Salton sea on a fishing trip.
They reported that No. was get
ting but 20 per cent service, and
they had come here to register a Wig
orous protest. They say the crops in
that district are fast being destroyed
and that the loss will be great.
Similar reports of losses are coming
in more rapidly now than ever, as the
extent of the damage is becoming more
apparent. No portion Of the valley
has a monopoly of the losses. which
extend everywhere, though the last
fields to have a good irrigation nat
urally show the effects Of the short
age least.
Indications are that some increase
will be made in the deliveries from
this time on, and in another week there
should be about normal supply OF
water. though the remainder of the
month will be consumed in catching up
with back orders.
Nothing to Boast OF.
Defenders of the management Of the
Irrigation District are boasting that
at last an increase in the water sup
ply is in sight, and they are pro-
claiming this as a great discovery
Of course, everybody has expected the
shortage to end some time. The West
Side was promised water through Ger
70 Prieta canal July I. and might have
had the relief if the District had not
taken time to build an irrigation sys
tenn for vast body of Mexican land
M. w. Conkling's estimate Of loss OF
100000 a day is probably not fal
from correct, with the damage running
for thirty days. This may b taken
~ . conservative estimate.