The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1922-06-22
Lining in Peril
By JACK JUNGMEYER.


Ell Centre, Cal. = The most serious
flood threat of years hangs over the
$4,000 residents and S73,00O,000 in
property of Imperial Valley as the
Colorado river rises toward the crit
zeal stage expected June 20 to 80.
The peril is due to an exceptionally
heavy winter snowfall in the upper
river region. The snow thus far has
been slowly liberated but a protracted
warm spell would send it down upon
the delta country in destructive de-
luge.
Despite new food defenses, consid-
cradle preliminary run-off and failure
of early waters to reach the stage Of
ficially forecasted, the valley is I'M
easy and is preparing for an emer-
gency.
Dread of being wiped out haunts
Imperial Valley, largest and richest
reclaimed area in America.
7 It is to, eliminate this annually re-
curing menace that southern Cali
fornia first urged the food-control
dam at Boulder Canyon. Until that is
erected, the valley insists, there can
be no permanent security.
Build Empire From Desert.
The reclamation and settlement of
this area, once blazing desert,
death trap and declared uninhabitable
by the government, is one of the
worlds pioneering epics. Dauntless
spirit and engineering genius by the
magic of diverted water here created
an empire of the size of Connecticut.
Thirst, fierce heat, sand blasts, lone
li1,ess, life in tents by men and women
who would not be beaten-that was the
picture two decades ago.
But always these people have lived
below the level of the river that sea-
sonally threatens to engulf them.
For centuries the river has been
building up it's bed on silt until, en-
circling the valley, it rides in places
skyscraper high above adjacent
ranches and towns, seeking weak spots
to break through levees.
Valley Menaced in 1866.
In 1866 it went through, gashing
new channel into the heart of the
valley and for weeks threatened to con-
vert Imperial Valley into an ocean un-
til it was literally lifted back into it's
bed by the Herculean efforts of the
Southern Pacific railroad organization
and an army of men at a cost of more
than 100000.
Last year there were breaks caus-
ing considerable damage. This spring,
further up the river, freshets mum
dated 10000 acres and caused an esti-
mated damage of more than 100000.
Working feverishly against the men,
ace of heavy SHOWS in Colorado and
Wyoming, Imperial alley recently COM
pleted the Pescadero cut which at pres
emit is diverting two-thirds of the
river flow away from the valley.
Unbroken Dyke Defense.
Besides, an unbroken line of dyke
defense for the first time has been
constructed covering weak spots on
the levee.
The government food prediction set
at June 20 anticipates high water
stage of q feet at Yuma with dis
charge of 10000 second feet of wa
ter or less than half the volume earlier
predicted because Of slow mountain
run-of.
The danger mark at Yuma is 80 feet,
reached last year with less snow but
quicker discharge. The danger seems
somewhat mitigated but Imperial VAL
ley people don't count too much on
the expected for they have too often
faced the unexpected.
The Southern Pacific railroad, savior
of the valley in 1906, is prepared for
an emergency call as we'll as other
large concerns and ranchers and town
folk, banded in defensive organiza-
tions.
When call is broadeasted to tele-
phone, men, machinery and material