Palatka daily news., 1922-06-21
Imperial Valley Is in
Fear of Menace of
Mountain Waters
HEAVY MOUNTAIN SNOW
Responsible for Rising
Waters Sweeping
Down River
by United Press.)

Ell Centre, Cal, June 21.-The
most serious flood threat of years
hangs over the $4,000 residents and
$73,0OO,OOO in property of Imperial
Valley as the Colorado river rises to-
ward the critical stage expected
June 90 to 30.
The peril is due TO an exception
ally heavy winter snowfall in the up
per river region. The snow thus far
has been slowly liberated, but a pro-
tracted warm spell would send it
down upon the delta country in de-
structiye deluge.
Despite new flood defenses, consid-
cradle preliminary run-off and fail
ure Of early waters to reach the
stage officially forecasted, the valley
is uneasy and is preparing for an
emergency.
Dread Of being wiped out haunts
Imperial Valley, largest and richest
reclaimed area in America.
1t is to eliminate this annually re-
curing menace that Southern Cali
forria first urged the flood-control
dam at Boulder canyon. Until that
lis erected, the valley insists, there
can be TO permanent security.
Build Empire From Desert.
The reclamation ard settlement Of
this area, once a blazing desert, q
death trap and declared uninhabit.
able by the government, is one of the
worlds pioneering epics. Dauntless
spirit ard engineering genius by tbs
magic Of diverted water here Great
ed ar empire Of the size Of Connecti
cut,
Thirst, fierce heat, Sand blasts
loneliness. life in tents by men ant
women who would not be beaten
that was the picture two decades ago
But always these people have livet
below the level of the river that sea
sonally threatens to engulf them.
! For centuries the river has beel
building up its bed on silt until, en-
circl;ng the valley, it rides in place
like a skyscraper-high above ada
cent ranches and towns, seeking
weak spots to break through levees
Valley Menaced in 1865.
1866 it went through, gashing
new channel into the heart Of the val
LEV ard for weeks threatened to con
vert Imperial Valley into an coca
urtil it was literally lifted back int
its bed by the Herculean efforts o
The Southern Pacific railroad organi
zatior and an army Of men at cos
Of more than $2,0OO,90O.
Last year there were breaks qaus
ing considerable damage. This sprin
further IN the river freshets inlndai
cd 10000 acres and caused ar est
mated damage Of more than $1,000
900.
| Working feverishly aag;rst tn
menace Of heavy SHOWS in Coiorad
and Wyoming, Imperial Valley r:
Gently completed the Pescadero c.
which at present is diversing tWt
thirds Of the river flow away fro1
the valley.
Unbroken Dyke Defense.
Besides, an unbroken line Of dys
defense for the first time has bee
constructed covering weak spots o
the Leyee.
The government ftooi predictio
sat at June 23 anticipates high W;
+.r stage Of 81 feet at Yuma, with
! discharge Of 10000 second feet {
water or less than half the ToIun
.iiearIier predicted because OF sio
m5untair rln-off.
The danger mark at Yuma is
feet. reached last year with less sno
but quicker discharge. The dang
seems somewhat mitigated, but In
perial Valley people don't count t.
much on the expected, for they ha'
100 often faced the unexpected,
The Southern Pacific railros
, savior of the valley in 1905, is pr
pared for an emergency call as w
as other large concerns ara ranene
: ard tovr folk. banded in defensr
organizations.
! When call is broadcasted by q