Imperial Valley press., 1919-09-10
BOND ISSUE VITAL
Continued From Page ~

at each flood two sheets of open
water, clear of any trees or
brush, each one probably loco
acres in extent. This gave good
sweep for the wind and as a re-
suit, high waves were raised and
the levee was literally worn down
by the water being blown over 1t.
As result the water swept thru
filled the Paradones Basin, and
after filling the low ground
swept across it and attacked the
Volcano Lake leNec at point east
of Tortuoso which, prior to that
time, had been always consider
ed as high ground and ignored III
any calculations concerning floodS
short of a general failure of our
main levee system along the Coio-
rado River.
"It must be borne in mind,
however, that only part of the
Colorado or Bee River passed thru
these breaks, the greater part of
the flow continuing down the
channel into the Volcano Lake
basin and reaching the Volcano
Lake levee as backwatCr.
New Condition Arisen.
To-day, however, we have an
entirely new condition. In 1913
the river, after an unsuccessful cf-
fort lasting for five years, sue
ceeded in cutting through what is
known as the Big Bend and drop
ping into the Volcano Lake levce.
The word drop has an unusual
significance when you realize that
the high water mark at the Big
Bend in 1918 was siXty-one feet
above the sea level, or eleven feet
higher than the top Of the Volcan-
no Lake levee at point opposite
this Bend.
"The result has been that, in
stead of the river following its
channel to the west, it is hitting
the Volcano Lake levee 'headon'
and of course turning sharp to
the west and following the toe of
the lcvcc for Il distance of some
four miles.
The land next to the levee is
for the greater part of this dis
ance devoid of brush and in fac:
Is occupied by the borrow pits dug
when the original 1908 levee was
built. The land to the south is
covered with a Jungle of brush
and trees. Therefore | think we
may assume that the deepest and
swlftest channel will be in close
proximity to the foot of the levee.
What velocity we will ultimately
have Is hard to decide.
-huSl improve system.
"To sum up. If we succeed in
holding the Ockerson levec, and |
believe we will, then | believe we
can feel easy as to the Saiz levee
and again if nothing happns to the
Salz levee, or, | will say, nothing
worse than took place in 1917, then
our principal fight on the Volcano
Lake levee will be against erosion
or undermining of the toe of the
levee."
Mr.. perry's report is easily under
'tandable and carries a strong me.
age to Imperial Valley. Not only mu,
he levee system be maintained, but
must be improved. The Volcano LAX
eVee must eventually be raised to
)olnt where the highest flood, flown
'ver continued silt deposits, will
laturaly turned south and eat towar
he Gulf of California. Mr.. Perry ha
)een Tor years connected with the va
ey water systems and there is no ma
n the wo.ld who can speak with grea
n knowledge of the problems an
heir solution.
' Ote for Bonds
TO sum up the situation, a vote fc
he bonds is vote for greater Ian
'alueS, greater security for loan
safer water supply. and cheaper wate
greater economy in maintai,
ng the system. A vote against I'll
ponds means higher taxes, for the di,
;rlct must pay it's bills; greater di
-iculty in securing loans and highe
interest; less water at times of Wit;
import to valley crops; and create,
and foremost, hampering of the
1ancing Of the all-American canal.
A STAY at home voter is a vot