Imperial Valley press., 1938-02-18
DISTRICT
REPORT
CONTINUED
10th Installment)

y
these surface drains have been
deepened, and in others erosion has
been permitted to take place so
as to deepen them naturally until
they actually function as drain
age bitches. Again, however, the
effect is very limited on account
of the tightness of the soil and
subsoil comprising the valley.
The district has planned for the
extension of the system of lateral
drains to serve substantially all of
the irrigated area and for the deep
ening of existing shallow drains
in order to improve conditions To-
cally and to provide suitable outlets
for farm drains.
Farm Drains
Several thousand acres of land
in Imperial Valley have been drain
ed by the installation of lines of
! drainage tile. This is a relatively
expensive procedure but one ap-
parently justified by the benefits
obtained. The drainage tile must
i be placed on lines from 100 to 200
feet apart to be effective. THESE
/ drain lines are then connected to
an outlet into an open drainage
channel, usually one of the lateral
drains which has been deepened.
We are informed that the dis
trict has adopted the policy of
assisting the landowners in the
construction of tile drain systems.
IL makes surveys of conditions,
particularly as to the character of
the soil, the depth to grOundwater,
and the most feasible point of out
/ let of the water to be collected by
! the drains. Designs are then pre-
pared in the office of the district
and the landowner is given an esti-
to proceed with construction, we
understand that the district CO.
operates further by furnishing the
labor equipment, and materials at
| cost. The value of this work to
/ the individuals and to the COM
munity is so great that the dis.
trict is TO be commended for its
policy.
Future Requirements
Imperial Irrigation district must
/ thus face the extension of its deep
outlet drainage system, the deepen
ing of its present lateral drains,
! and construction of many others.
Provision must also be made for in
stallation of farm drains through
out a large part of the valley.
A plan has been prepared by the
district to accomplish the first two
of these requirements. The cost is
estimated at roughly $2,000,000, of
which about one-third is needed
Immediately and the balance with
in a few years. We have not stud
led this plan in sufficient detail
to state that it is adequate for the
purpose, but We are satisfied that
this amount of money could be well
spent.
Provision for installation of farm
drains upon which must ultimate
ly depend the continuance of irri-
cation agriculture in Imperial Val
ley is a problem not SO easily to
be met Even if this work were
acres per year, capital expendi-
ture OF roughly $350,000 would be
required each year. AS a minimum
the expenditure of S5,000,000 should
be anticipated, and perhaps double
that amount will be needed before
the farms in Imperial Valley are
are drained effectively. Presump-
lively, this should be done by the
individual landowners at their own
expense; practically, most of the
landowners will have to be financ-
ed and the work will have TO be
done for them at cost. Establish
ment of a large revolving fund
therefore, seems desirable.
IRRIGATION WORKS
Throughout practically the entire
history of irrigation in Imperial
Valley, all water has been diverted
directly from Colorado river at a
point in the extreme southeastern
ly corner of California. Except
! during years of low flow, the water
+ has been diverted without use of a
+ division dam, and even then only
temporary brush Weirs were built.
The district has diverted more than
three million acre feet in many
years, and as much as 5000 cubic
feet per second have been taken
into the canal system at times.
The canal from the heading
passes into Mexico almost imme-
diately and follows the general
route of the old Alamo channel to
Sharp's Heading, a short distance
below the International boundary
east OF CaleYicn