Imperial Valley press., 1923-08-02

w AFNIIi-NN io-Ns y W. - 1 ne
problem Of developing the waters
OF the Colorado River for irrigation
anl power aad to lessen danger
from floods in Imperial Valley, is
arousiug great general interest. The
first thing needed in connection
with any such development is a sur
vcv, but q 300-mile stretch Of this
1900 mile river. including the rug
gcdcst part of the Grand CANYON
has not vet been surveyed i'm any
detail The surveying and mapping
of this stretch, which includts the
dangerous gorgeS of the Marble and
Grand Canyons was started yester-
day.
This part of the rivers course.
which is crowded with bad rapids
that swirl between steep rock
banks, has been travef>ed on only
six previous occasions. Il was first
explored in 1869, by Major John
W. Powell. later Director Of the
Geological Survey. The present
party of engineers and biologists
Of the Geological Survey will make
o trip by boat from Lees Ferry
through the CANYONS 70 the mouth
Of the Virgin River in Arizona.
distance Of about 500 miles and viii
make records Of the slope Of this
entire streach Of the river and Of
the topography.
Drain Great Area
The Colorado, one of the great
rivers of the country. is often call
ed the Nile of America. 1t drains
nearly 100000 square miles, an
area eWIal to that of the Atlantic
Coast States from Main to Georgia. I
The highest points in its basin are
the peaks of the Continental Divide /
which stand more than 1900 feet
above sea level, and a part of its
water finds its way into Salton Sea /
in southern California. which lies T
moro than 250 feet below sea level. !
Stretches aggregating about 1900 !
miles on the Colorado and its prin- /
cipal fork, Green River, and several /
hundred miles on other tributaries /
already have been surveyed and
mapped by the Geological Survey
and these stretches, together with /
the 500 mile stretch to be SURVEYED /,
this year, extend continuously from /.
the town Of Green River. Wvo.. on
Green River, and from Grand June !
tion. Colo. on Colorado River. to
the Mexican boundary. The results (
Of these surveys are shown on q ,
continuous river map in sheets of
convenient size generally on q
scale of . inches to the mile.
Wild Rapids and Radio
Detailed examinations are to be !
made of possible dam sites. which +,
viii be considered from both the |
engineer 5 and the geologist 5 point
Of view. -Four boats Of special type {
have been constructed to stand the
rack and strain Of the work in the
canyons, and each member of the
party viii be equipped with lifa
preservcrs. The boats viii be man
ned by skilled boatmen. all of
whom had experience in the rapids |
of the Colorado. The rapids in this4
800 mile stretch from some of the !
widest water in the United States /
and the members Of the party are /
prepared for thrilling experiences. :
Every preoaution has been taken F.
for their safety and for the protec-
tion of the surveying ani photog-a-
phic apparatus.
Part Of the outfit includes n
special radio receiving euuipment
and arrangements have been made
with Los Angeles paper and "a
salt Lake paper TO broadcast items
of interest to the party, which in
turn viii send ont bulletins bv
courier AZ the trail crossings. The
radio outfit consists Of - tandard
receiver with two step.
Of amplification, modified in the
instrument shop Of the geological
survey to meet conditions which
may be expected in the canyon.
The autenna wire $50 feet i'm
length is carried By the Iarty Oh