Utah exhibits [of the] State of Arizona, complainant, v. State of California, Palo Verde Irrigation District, Imperial Irrigation District, Coachella Valley County Water District, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, City of Los Angeles, City of San Diego, and County of San Diego, defendants, United States of America and State of Nevada, interveners, State of New Mexico and State of Utah, parties

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AGRICULTURE UNDER IRRIGATION IN BASIN OF VIRGIN RIVER. 221 without other capital than muscle and determination, of 5 miles of canal along the precipitous and rocky cliffs' of Virgin River Canyon, directly above La Verkin Bench, and 3 miles of canal whose construction has been less difficult. This work was begun in the winter of 1893-94, after discussion extending over a period of thirty years. If the intention of the builders is carried out, it will be so far completed by the spring of 1903 as to permit of the beginning of irrigation and cultivation on Hurricane Bench. Construction work has been carried on each winter and continued into each summer, as those interested could leave their small farms in the surrounding settlements. On October 1, 1902, $54,000 had been expended, of which about $50,000 was in labor". On that date the total stock subscribed was $64,450. Prior to February 1, 1902, the builders of the canal had received no assistance from anjT source, but on that date the authorities of the Mormon Church subscribed for $5,000 in stock, which is being paid in cash to those working on the canal. The total cost of the canal is estimated at $65,000, which will make the cost of water on Hurricane Bench fully $50 per acre. This undertaking has been carried on, not as an investment, but solely to create homes for the sons and daughters of the early settlers in the upper Virgin River towns. The power of these towns to support increased populations was exhausted, and without the new homes which Hurricane Bench or some similar tract would supply the younger generation would have been compelled to seek a livelihood outside the chosen valle}\s of their fathers. As in any undertaking of this magnitude, discouragements have been encountered from the beginning. Although the land to l>e watered was not tiled on until two years after work on the canal was begun, it was found impossible to meet the conditions of the desert-land act, under which the filing was made, and get water to the land within the required four years; whereupon the land and the first payment of $500 reverted to the Government. Fees to the United States Land Office and to attorneys to the extent of $200 were also lost. Since construction began, from thirty to forty of those interested have become discouraged and have sold their credits for labor for whatever they would bring. These credits have been purchased by the few men of some means connected with the enterprise, who were expected, instead, to hire their shares worked out by those stockholders who needed financial assistance. Losses have also resulted from faulty surveys of the land to be watered. Besides, those" who were working out the price of their shares have suffered through frosts in their home settlements, and have consequently been compelled to seek work with a cash rather than a credit income. As already stated, Hurricane Canal heads in Virgin River 4 miles above La Verkin Bench. Directlj- at the mouth of a box canyon, whoso sides and l>ottom are of solid rock, a dam of logs and rock has been placed across the river (PI. XVI, fig. 1). Beginning a short distance from the dam, heavy construction was encountered for 5 miles. The formation passed through is principally conglomerate and lime rock. Gypsum has been encountered in only one short section. Nine tunnels, with a total length of 61 rods, and a number of rods of flume, have carried the canal through or around the most precipitous cliffs. In some cases rock fills (PI. XVI, fig. 2), whose permanence is at best doubtful, have been substituted for costly excavation, not because they were deemed satisfactory, but because of the limited means of the builders. For the first 4 miles the canal has a grade of one-fourth inch, and below