OCR Text |
Show -30- phates, when present in certain quantities, makes of the soil when saturated, an effervescent flowing mud. It is this condition without doubt, that caused the failure of the levee. At the points where failure occurred, the water stood comparatively low on the levee and up to the time that the failure occurred there was nothing to indicate any weakness in the bank. The first water passed thru near the base of the levee, and as the breach rapidly widened thru the action of the inpouring water, the original ground surface under and near the levee was eroded in some places to a depth of ten feet, forming irregular holes with vertical banks. Under such circumstances, it would seem virtually impossible to construct at a cost less than prohibitive, a dependable levee. In September of 1914, an examination was made by Superintendent of Irrigation, Mr. C. R. Olberg, with a view of making repairs to the Ft. Mojave levee but because of the bad condition in which it was found, and the great difficulties and expense to be encountered in making any adequate repairs, it was deemed inadvisable to do any further work at this place. Practically the entire Mojave Valley is subject to overflow to a considerable depth. The river channel throughout the valley is ceaselessly shifting its position and constitutes a serious menace to any protective work that might be put in at a reasonable cost. Then there is the problem of diverting water into the canal which also presents great difficulties. At the present canal heading, which is the only one available within reasonable cost, the river is not confined to a regular channel; but continually meanders about over the low alluvial bottom lands of the valley, which are at this point about 3 miles in width. The water must therefore be conducted across |
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. |