The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-05-15
WATER PROJECT
 MAKES HEADWAY
Development Would Cost $1S8,0OO, ,OO0-Fed-
 eral Aid Sought

Sacramento, Cal, (UP)-A state- wide program of water development, costing $1S8.O00,000 and greater in magnitude than the famous Boulder Canyon dam, may emerge from the present session of the California state legislature.
 Ten years of expert research in which more than million dollars has been spent, eliminated in the definite plan now before the law makers.
 Recently state water commis- sion went to Washington, D. C., to lay before California's engineer president the scheme for a coordi- mated plan of development. They found President Hoover thoroughly in sympathy and members of con- gress willing to learn more about
 Committee Inspection.
 As result, members of the in- terior department subcommittee on appropriations, headed by Con- gressman Frank Murphy of Ohio, will visit California this summer to make an inspection of the pro- jects for which federal aid is sought.
 The main water problem in Cali fornia is a shortage during the summer and fall in many sections, and all year in others. On the other hand, flood conditions and water surplus apparently exisit in certain parts of the state. So the problem is to regulate the avail able supply and distribute it.
 The Southern San Joaquin Val ley offers the best illustration of the problem confronted by the water engineers. Here is one of the most fertile and productive re- gions of the state, slowly going back to desert conditions because of falling water tables.
 Rich Lands Endangered
 Rich orange, olive, dairy and cot ton lands in south Fresno, Madeira, eastern Kings, north Kern and all of Tulcare counties, that have been producing crops on land values of approximately $4,000 to $6,000 an acre, face utter annihilation. Ac- cording to county leaders. assessed values in the single county of Tul- are have decreased $1,000, 900 if nothing is done to remedy the
 
 $3,OOO, 900 to $5.O00, 900 will result.
 At the delta of Sacramento river the summer flow of water has dropped so low that the salty brine from the ocean has worked up the channels into the fertile farm land. Much of this country is en- dangered unless a fresh water sup ply is found.
 So the plan evolved out of the 10-year study is as follows:
 At point above Bedding, known as Kennett, large storage dam is to be erected, costing $s4,000.- 900. This dam would pay for it. self out of electric power de- veloped, and would fill many pur- poses.
 Many Uses
 First it would create great fresh water lake, acting as g. flood control project. It would produce hydro-electric power. It would re- lease enough water in the low period months to prevent the en- croachment of salt water in the delta section. And it would pro- vide a new water supply for the farm lands of the Southern San Joaquin.
 At this point enters an audaci- ous, but practical scheme in water engineering. When this water reaches the delta-opposite the place the San Joaquin river pours into San Francisco bay - it would be picked up by a series of booster dams and pumps, similar to the famous locks of the Panama canal, and sent down the San Joa- quin valley to the thirsty orange, lemon and olive groves.
 Other Projects. Several other projects are part of the great state scheme, includ- ing a fresh-water canal to furnish fresh water to the big industrial plants along San Francisco bay. another large storage dam at Friant. on the San Joaquin river, costing $15.500,000 and operating much after the plan of the Ken nett dam, a $30,O00,000 flood con- trol project on the Santa Ana river in Southern California, and federal aid toward the $200,000, 900 | canal to transfer Boulder dam water from Colorado river to Los Angeles.