Arizona republican., 1921-04-29
ENGINEERS START SURVEY OF LOTUS
 VALLEY PROJECT

BOTSE, Ariz., April 2s.-Engineers or the Lotus Valley Water Users as- soeiation have arrived in Rouse to take up the surveys for the big reser- Noir on the Williams river and the canal system to bring irrigation wa Ter to the Lotus valley. The work is In charge of Engineer Robert H. Will Hams of Phoenix, who made the pre- hminary survey and initial report on the project several months ago.
 Consulting engineer A. L. Harris of Los Angeles, who for the past two years has had charge of the engin- eering work of the Paradise Verde Irrigation district, was here recently and made detailed examination of the principal features of the project. His report is now in the hands of the association and a copy has been filed with the state water commissioner in connection with the application for the water rights
 Engineer Harris. who is regarded as an irrigation authority, After a careful review of all data available rom government and other sources, and personal observations on the ground reports an exceptionally good dam site, with a storage basin of large capacity and an available wa ter supply for a large acreage, and says that the project can be con- structed within reasonable cost linn its. No separate diversion dam will be necessary, as the canal will be taken directly out of the reservoir at a height sufficient for the water to be carried on the mesa westward to the vicinity of Swansea. From .Os- borne Pass, where it leaves the Will had ho S.on extend southeast across the Cactus plains and enter Lotus valley through the hills about six miles to the east of Rouse
 The lands of Lotus valley lie prac- tically at the same elevation as the lands of the Salt River valley, and are traversed by two highways and the Santa F'e railroad. Excellent well water for livestock and domestic pur- poses is available. Nearly all the lands in the valley are still govern rnent lands, but large areas have been taken up, principally under the desert land laws, since the project was first favorably reported on last July.
 To bring about an early construc- ton of the project, the Lotus Valley Water Users association is encour- aging the complete occupation of all the lTTlEdDle ldIQ ny DOHd lidC SCA tiers or desert entrymen. who will join the association and help boost for the project. Offices have been opened by the association in Rouse. from which the survey work will De directed, and where detailed informa- lion about the lands in the valley will be furnished prospective locaters- A temporary office also has been opened in Phoenix at 313 North First street.
 Surveys to determine the definite limits and to estimate the cost of the project and present it's merits to cap ital will be carried on as rapidly as funds are available from the mem Sership fees. It is believed that costs, according to the officers and di- .ectors of the association, can be met by a bond issue based on the values 10 be created by the completion Of The project For this purpose it is regarded likely that municipal ir- rigation district later will be formed nnder the irrigation laws of the state IS has been done with the Paradise Verde project. The project, if car Tied out as planned, will add to the irrigated area of the state a section greater than any area at present un- der irrigation except the Salt River valley. and will conserve as a per manent asset. to the state the waters from a watershed wo-thirds as large Ss that above the Roosevelt dam.