The Coconino sun., 1924-08-22

structed as far as the Williams River
reservoir. / am thoroughly convinced
that such plan of development Is in
feasible. Unquestionably, the better
plan would be that of constructing a
tunnel direct from the Bridge Canyon
dam site to the Williams River res
ervoir site. However, the tunnel
scheme is also infeasible on account of
high cost and inadequate water sup
ply.
During the past 7 months, / have
been working on the preparation of
report which is to show the value
of every known dam site between
Green River, Utah, and Parker, Aiz-
ona. In connection with this study, |
have made thorough analysis of the
stream flow records in order to de-
termine the the water supply avail
able at all points below Lees Ferry,
and under all stages of development.
AS has been explained above, | have
obtained considerable additional in
formation on the Colorado River since
the report of the Arizona Engineer
ing Commission was prepared.
In view of all the facts now avail
able, have but one change to suggest
in connection with the conclusion
reached by the Arizona Engineering
Commission. | mthoroughly con-
vinced that it is infeasible to divert
the Colorado River at any point above
Topock, Arizona, to reclaim two or
three million acres in the Gila Valley
Therefore | would not at this time rec
mend that $4,000 be appropriated
for further study of the so-called
High Line Canal project. / will agree
that possibly 3,500,00O acres of land
not now irrigated may be available,
but in my opinion 1T is not possible to
work out a plan by means of which
the waters of the Colorado River can
be brought to these lands at reason
able cost Furthermore, if it we're
possible, the water supply of the Colo
RADIO River is insufficient to irrigate
so large an area. 1t might be of in
terest to call attention to the fact that
with ultimate development in the up
per basin, the annual supply of the
lower Colorado will be less than ten
million acre-feet The 3,500,O00 acre
project would require at least 40
acre-feet per acre, or 100000 acre
feet. It is thus seen that if the irri-
cation system could be constructed at
a reasonable cost, the water supply
would be insufficient, even If all irri-
gated lands below Parker in the Palo
Verde Yuma, and Imperial valleys in
the United States and Mexico were to
go back to the desert.
T,n y~,.or,. 4loic. cfo I boun
followed but one plan, that is to des-
cribe as accurately as possible the
physical conditions as | have found
them in the field, whether these con-
d:tions are favorable or unfavorable
to any particular plan of development.
| believe | have described the con-
ditions as they exist and no amount
of money spent on surveys can change
the topography of the country.
The facts thus far available indicate
that Arizona's best chance for the re-
clamation of large area, using the
waters of the Colorado River, is that
described IN the report of the Arizona
Engineering Commission, under the
heading, "Parker-Gila Valley Project"
The feasibility of this project, which
| if developed, would bring the irrigat-
ed area on the Arizona side up to
about one million acres, may be de-
termined by an expenditure Of about
100000. Without doubt this project
has sufficient merit to justly the ex-
penuiture. of considerable sum of
money to determine definitely its
feasibility.
With ultimate development in the
upper basin, with 100000 acre issi-
gated in Mexico and with water sup
piled to all irrigable lands on the Cal
ifornia side, including a domestic sup
ply for the coast cites, there will be
no water available for the Parker
Gila Valley project.