Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1917-06-12
Utilization of Colorado River.


River and its tributaries is for many rea-
sons of intense interest to the people OF
the United States. Here was the home
Of that forgotten people of which there
Is now almost no record except the hero
glyphics on the rocks, the ruins OF their
irrigation systems, and the cliff dwellings
by which they are most widely known
here were Spanish missions whose history
extends back nearly to the days Of Balboa
and Cortez; here is the Grand Canyon,
whose sublimity was first fully disclosed
by Maj. J. W. Powell and his associates,
who navIgared 1t from end to end In 1885
aud 1872.
The high valleys OF the region contain
valuable forests, and In Its mountains are
extensive deposits Of minerals. At many
points within its borders prosperous sgri.
cultural communities have been estab-
lished, of which perhaps the best known
are Moutrose, Grand Junction, Farming
ton, Phoenix, and Yuma. The basin is
crossed by four trunk-line railroads,
which give promise that transportation
facilities will keep pace with develop.
meut.
Without the water afforded by Colorado
River and its tributaries, however, this
immense region would remain forever a
barren desert. These rivers make pos.
sible not only the construction OF large
irrigation systems and the growth OF
towns, cities, and prosperous agricultur'
al communities, but also the generation
of hydroelectric power for lighting, heat.
ing, and industrial uses and the tran.
portation of freight and passengers.
The United States Geological Survey
began to study the water resources of
this region In 1889 and has since collect
ed, alone and In cooperation with the
Reclamation Service, the Indian Office,
the Forest Service and the Weather
Bureau, many records of river discharge.
Each OF these Federal bureaus has also
made independent Investigations OF GER
tain problems pertaining to the water re.
sources. Much exploratory work has
been done by private persons and COR
porations, irrigation and power projects
have been examined, railroad routes have
been surveyed, and the Grand Canyon
has been traversed several times since
Major Powell made the pioneer trip.
The diversion of water outside OF the
basin to irrigate nearly half q million
acres In the Salton Basin, the breach 10
the river banks and the diversion OF the
whole flow of the river to the Sslton Sink
With the resulting loss OF valuable prop
erty In Imperial Valley, the spectacular
struggle and final success OF the Southern
Pacific Co. In closing the breach and re-
storing the flow of the river to the Gull
OF California, and the international ques'
tions involved in the joint use of the
river by the United States aud the Re.
public OF Mexico have brought to the
attention OF the people Of the country, aa
we'll as to State and Federal officials,
first one and then another phase Of the
MANY problems involved In the utiliza-
tion of Colorado River.
E. G. La Rue, Of the United States
Geological Survey, has attempted the
pioneer work of assembling the informa.
tion relating to the water resources of this
region, with broad view Of the possible
utilization of the whole river and with
special reference to the methods OF con'
trolling the flow BY means OF storage
reservoirs to avoid further danger Of over.
Gov into Salton Sink, and the Survey has
just published the results OF the investi'
CATION az Water-Supply Paper 1906. The
report docs not, OF course, contain the last
word on the utilization Of Colorado River,
but It 10 hoped that foundation has been
laid for future comprehensive discussion
and treatment that will not ignore the
effects produced on the present or future
utilization Of the river by developments 10
other parts Of the basin. The importance
of Colorado River to the prosperity OF 90
area extending over seven States warrants
broad consideration and perhaps Federal
assistance not only In the construction Of
large irrigation systems and incidental
storage works, but also in the important
phases Of river control.