Imperial Valley press., 1922-04-12

L
lustrating the condition Of lands that
had become water-legged and alkaline
through u rise of ground water; also
many views showing the condition of
these same lands after their reclama-
tiOn had been effected through drain
age. These views, which were taken
| over several States Of the Northwest
| were intended to show that seepags
and alkali conditions similar to those
| which now prevail in the Imperial Val,
ley, have developed and have been
| successfully solved in other sections
of the country
The local experiences referred to by
Prof. Weir show in q very striking
| manner that there is high n ground wat,
cr table in Imperial Valley and gave
| force to his remarks that drainage If
| necessary for the reclamation and pro.
lection Of lands over a large portion Of
| the irrigated area.
Prof. Weir expects to continue his
demonstrations on soils and soil mois
ture throughout various portions of the
Valley during the remainder of the
week.
bASAAOCA ANuApAy 0HOseSSo
Mr.. d. w. Murphy, of Los Angeles,
Consulting Drainage Engineer for the
District spoke briefly relative to con-
ditions in Imperial Valley and com.
pared these conditions with those Of
other large irrigated areas throughout
the arid region. Reference was made
to some examples OF ground water hay
ing risen 100 feet or more within
period of ten years or less after irriga-
ton was started. Mr.. Murphy said
that the data which has SO far been
collected in the Imperial Valley shows
that there has been q constant rise in
the water table since irrigation was
begun, and that there are now about
100000 acres in the valley over which
the water table is 10 #. or less below
the surface and about 10000 acres over
which the water table is 8 #. or les
below the surface. Over u large portion
Of this area the water table is no"
lalld has been for sometime high enough
to- render the lands unfit for irriga
tion through water logging and 'accumn
lation of .alkai on the surface. Mr.
Mnfpix talle,t attention to the neees-
ATTY for drainage works, not only to re-
claim the lands which have become
non-productive, but to protect the en-.
tire valley against additional lands
becoming water, logged and unfit 'foI
should be comprehensive enough to
provide outlets and to care for excess
ground waters that may develop in
every part Of the Valley, and that
surveys and Investigations were now
being made leading to tho preparation
Of such plans. A reference was made
also to the drainage works which are
now under construction on the east
side of the valley. The results which
are being obtained in this area are
such as to lead to the conclusion that
drainage of the soils in the valley is
feasible. 4
Not Impossible
In this regard Mr.. Murphy also called
attention to the fact that drainage in
Imperial Valley does not present any
more difficult problems than have been
met and successfully solved i'll other
portions of the arid region.
The Reason for Seepage
Reference was made by Mr.. Murphy
to the question rs to why sccpage has
occurred in this valley. He stated that
this is due to the fact that water has
been brought into it for irrigation and
that the responsibility for it rests with
every farmer who receives water for
his lands. The excess water Of tho
soil cannot be charged to any one cause
it is the result of losses from canals
and underground wastes in irrigation,
II was shown that the excess applica.
ton Of water to lands may contribute
to the underground water supply at o
more rapid rate than losses from
canals
A Community Proposition
Relative to the payment for drain
age works, Mr.. Murphy stated that
since the farmers who receive, water
for irrigation are as community re-
sponsiblc for the seepage, they are also
responsible for drainage Of the lands.
1t was pointed out that it is impossi.
bic for any land owner in the valley to
escape this responsibility. II the lands
are not drained, payment must be made
in the form of decreased crop produc-
ton on lands that are affected by
seepage, and an increase in charge for
water and other Improvements on the
lands which arc not affected. If, for
example, il was stated, 20 per cent OF
the lands become non.productive, the
other Is per cent must bear the burden
of maintaining the irrigation works aud
bringing water into tho valley. The
productive areas must also pay the
taxes for roads and orher improve
,uouts ag tha nan r,rodnctive nra.a will