OCR Text |
Show 59 tion in that year and a crop value of $20,000,000 exclusive of livestock.43 The irrigation history of the Valley goes back to some time before the turn of the century. One witness observed irrigation in the Valley in 1908 and ground conditions indicated to him that irrigation had been practiced at an earlier date.44 In 1908, when the population of the Valley was approximately 1,100, irrigation water was obtained by direct diversions from the Colorado River, pumping ground water and diversions from sloughs regularly flooded by river overflows.45 The construction of Laguna Dam aggravated two recurring problems: annual flooding, which was worsened by water backing up above Laguna Dam; and a rising water table, which caused serious drainage problems.46 Moreover, construction of dams upstream reduced the level of the Colorado River, causing difficulty with the diversion works.47 The primary water supply for irrigation in the District is the mainstream of the Colorado River, although two areas on the Palo Verde Mesa are irrigated by wells.48 Colorado River water is obtained by orders placed by the District with the Office of River Control, Bureau of Reclamation.40 The principal diversion work serving the District is Palo Verde Weir, a temporary diversion structure on the Colorado River.30 Erected in 1944 and 1945, the Weir was made necessary by the lowering of the River's surface due 43Tr.8715, 8719-8720 (Tabor). 44Tr. 8702-8704 (Seeley). 45Tr. 8673-8676 (Seeley). 46Tr. 8686, 8694 (Seeley). 47Tr. 8695-8698 (Seeley). 48Tr.8751 (Tabor). 40Tr. 8755-S7S6 (Tabor). 50Tr. 8555 (Tabor); see p. 35, supra. |
Source |
Original Report: State of Arizona, complainant v. State of California, Palo Verde Irrigation District, Imperial Irrigation District, Coachella Valley County Water District, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, City of Los Angeles, California, City of San Diego, California, and County of San Diego, California |