El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-04-22

4 PLAN TO DRAIN THE VALLEYS.
la Union, n. NJ. April IT,
Editor FL Paso Herald:
There is no problem more worthy the
attention Of the water users than that
of draining the land In fact. II some
thing is not done very soon, our lands
VIII be likely 10 be ruined with alkali.
The nearer the underflow comes to the
surface tie worse off we are
1t behOoves all Of the water users to
interest themselves I'm this all-import-
ant question, for, if it continues with
out some remedy being applied for two
years more, we viii not be able to raise
any crops.
As the reclamation service seems to
be unable and unwilling to help us at
the present time, We must try 10 help
ourselves.
have a plan TO submit that I believe
IS practicable and feasible, and which
will not cost more than 81 per acre
TO complete and perfect and il can be
put in next winter. I will take the
Mesilla valley, in describing my plan.
because I have lived here 40 years, and
know the conditions here, as they
have existed and now exist better than
7 do in the lower valley I am not
theorizing with this plan, because had
quite a bit Of practical experience in
this same line OF Work-though not for
drainage purposes-and I feel sure that
what j shall propose can be accom-
plished.
The site for the drain should be as
near the center Of the valley as possi-
BILE, and with the fewest curves prac-
ticable. Starting at the Leasburg dam,
and terminating at a point near the
COurchesne bridge, rightofway so or
20 feet wide will be ample. All the !
team work needed will be TO eXcavate
a canal Of sufficient size 70 carry 200 !
second feet of water. Roughly est- |
bic yards. After this work is done, plow /
tho entire bottom 30 feet wide, as deem /
as il can be ploWed. Then turn in the |
water, and without any drops or other 4
distractions in the canal the current 1
will be so swift that il will carry off i
the plowed soil in a very short time. /
Then turn the water out and plow |
sgain- By this process the canal can be I
deepened TO were IL becomes DOGGY
three or four foot cuts-and IL will also /
carry a vast amount OF water. BY 4
keeping the center Of the canal the 4
deepest the center current will also be 4
the strongest, thus eliminating the dan
ger Of side Cavlng. Then We will have
to resort 10 motor boats, with agitators /
thereto, for deepening the cut /
as deep as We want IL. BY thus utiliz-
ing the water. we may do the work Of
deep and expensive excavation, at mini
mum cost
The cost Of putting in the passes for
roads. canals and laterals and the river,
would not be very great They can be
made by means OF large pipes or tubes. !
and the drainage canal filled level with
earth. over the pipes.
This work can be done i'm the winter
time, when Il will not interfere with
irrigation, and when the farmers have
time TO do the work Of excavation. II
each farmer will do his pro rata Of team
work, which viii not be a great hard
ship on him, the eXcavating necessary
10 run water through can be done i'm
very short time, and before spring
comes, the cut will have been made, and
by rushing the work of the passes and
So forth. we can have the whole thing
n shape for spring irrigation.
The problem Of drainage being OF vi
al Importance, it should attract the in
.ercst OF every one Of the settlers. So
81 us start the ball rolling, now, and
rear comments and suggestions on this
plan and other plans
I should like 10 hear from our project |
engineer as TO the feasibility and prac-
Liability OF this plan
Humboldt Casad