OCR Text |
Show [13] The irrigation of the lands of the Colorado Indian Reservation and the utilization of the waters of Colorado River is one of the largest economic problems with which the Indian Office has to do. We have examined the irrigable land with a view to reclaiming it on a large scale, but this involves a large expenditure. As Mr. Holt has stated, about 1867 a small appropriation was secured, and a tunnel was driven from the river, and an irrigation system laid out. Not enough money was expended at that time to perfect the system, and subsequently the tunnel was injured. Then, in order to supply water, a pumping plant was erected, simply as a temporary expedient, and upward of 200 acres are now under irrigation. The expenditure now under discussion is for a pumping plant, which is still a temporary expedient. It is not to complete any irrigation project. When the pump is installed it immediately begins to depreciate, and it is only a question of time when it must be renewed. Such construction is not justified excepting on the ground that these Indians must have water for domestic supplies and for irrigation purposes. We are justified in making a relatively large expenditure per acre simply to keep the agriculture from going backwards. The only proper and economic way to handle the project is to start out on a large and comprehensive scale, build a dam across Colorado River, and then dispose of a sufficient quantity of irrigable land to repay the Government for the investment in the dam and works. That is the economical, feasible, and desirable thing to do. The Chairman. Would not that have this effect upon Mexico, also, that we would have exercised the prior use of the water? |
Source |
Original book: [State of Arizona, complainant v. State of California, Palo Verde 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, defendants, United States of America, State of Nevada, State of New Mexico, State of Utah, interveners] : California exhibits. |