AZ vs. CA:25 California Exhibits, Vol. XXV; Nos. 7501-7859

page 9

which are susceptible of irrigation, the average annual rainfall is as follows: In Arizona and California, less than 5 inches; in Nevada, 6 inches; in Wyoming, 7 inches; in Utah and New Mexico, 8 inches; in Colorado, 10 inches. Throughout said basin, in order to grow crops of any kind successfully, irrigation is necessary. Because of differences in soil, climate, rainfall, length ot growing season, and other conditions, the quantity of water required per acre varies in different parts of said basin. The average quantity of water per acre required annually for the purpose of irrigation is as follows: In Arizona and California, 4.5 acre-feet; in Nevada, 3 acre-feet; in Utah, New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming, 1.5 acre-feet. IX Because of the arid character of its land, irrigation is of the utmost importance to the State of Arizona. During the past 20 years the population of said State has increased from 204,000 to 421,000, and the assessed valuation of taxable property in said State has increased from $83,769,000 to $714,945,000. A great part of said increase in population and wealth has resulted from the constantly increasing use of irrigation in said State, and the consequent development of its agricultural land. The present welfare and prosperity of said State are largely the result of irrigation, and its future growth and progress are largely dependent upon the reclamation and irrigation of additional land in said State. In addition to the land now being irrigated, there are more than 2,000,000 acres of land in said State which are not now irrigated, but are susceptible of irrigation from the unappropriated water of the Colorado River and its tributaries, and which cannot be irrigated by any other means or from