Imperial Valley press., 1919-09-12
IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED FOR
VALLEYS SAFETY DEPEND
ON THE BOND ISSUE
Improved Methods of Cleaning out bitches Advocated
No Improvements Protect or Aid Mexican Lands

vided in the Wistaria and Wardlaw
checks. The original checks We're
built nine years ago and were intend
ed for flow of 400 feet of water,
that being the amount of water which
at that time the Westside companies
required. Today the requirements are
l400 feet and proper service cannot
be insured until the structures are
replaced in more adequate form.
Big Drop in Canal
1t is probable that many people in
the valley do not know that between
Ell Centre and Holtville, the water in
the Rositas canal makes an abrupt
drop of 54 feet. The engineering prob
lem of handling the water at that
point is difficult one. Danger exists
of sudden interruption at any time,
and for safety wastegate exists. Re-
Gently recession of grade in the Ala
mo below this gate necessitated an eX-
tension containing 18 feet additional
fall. Lack of such a protection means
danger that the entire country as far
northeast as Mesquite Lake may be
waterless in case of accident.
Sharpe's heading is the heart of the
canal system. Through it passes all
of the water intended for the main
canals of the valley. The gate was
originally constructed of timber. Time
and use have rendered it a danger
spot"in the system. Twice in 1913 the
entire water supply Of the valley was
cut off by necessity for repairs. The
district is i'm vital need of equipment
Because of war conditions, little new
equipment was purchased during 1914
to 1919 inclusive, and the old machin-
cry and apparatus have outlived their
usefulness in many cases. The dredge
"Delta" is a needed part of the fleet,
and must be given new hull before
it can be placed again in service. Two
dragline dredges are required for
the proper care Of the smaller district
mains.
Equipment is Needed
Locomotives, dump cars and steam
shovels are among the equipment that
must be purchased. Rock must be re-
moved from the quarries, levees must
be raised and strengthened, supplies
must be delivered to all points Of the
system, and the district must be kept
in position to answer any sudden call
for aid at any point of the diversion,
delivery or protective works.
While a great part of the work plan
ned lies of necessity in Mexico it's ne
cessity arises from the needs of the
United States. Under the Mexican tar
if the district builds no laterals in
Mexico nor any structures of diver
sion to Mexican lands. 1t does maintain
the main canal but all structures ne
cessary to the diversion are paid for
and maintained at the expense of the
party desiring water. Not single
item in the improvements can in any
way protect or aid the Mexican
ranches. All are vital to service and
safety in Imperial valley. The board
of directors of the district, Gen. Mgr.
| Perry, and the entire staff of engin-
GERS make strong the statement that
the district cannot be content with the
system as at present; work must be
done to maintain the system, and in
addition to meet the changing condi-
tions. Levees must be raised, canals
must be made to carry more water
greater safety must be secured from
floods, accidents, and lower water in
the Colorado River. The improvements
suggested meet the new conditions.
Bonds are Badly Needed e..
If the district is to carry out the
plans proposed, money must be avail.
able, and the, only source is through
a bond issue. Next Monday, Septem
Der rs, the voters of the district viii
have an opportunity to vote on pro
lposition to issue 100000 in bonds
| for irrigation purposes, among then
the safety measures mentioned above
Approval of the bond issue will per
NIT the water system to be maintained
to be placed more nearly on a self