AZ vs. CA:24 California Exhibits, Vol. XXIV; Miscellaneous

page 54

54 PROBLEMS OF IMPERIAL, VALLEY AND VICINITY. poses" (act Apr. 21, 1904, ch. 1402, 33 Stat., 189). The portion authorizing the diversion of water reads as follows: That in carrying out any irrigation enterprise which may be undertaken under the provisions of the reclamation act of June 17, 1902, and which may make possible and provide for, in connection with the reclamation of other lands, the reclamation of all or any portion of the irrigable lands on the Yuma and Colorado River Indian Reservations in California and Arizona, the Secretary of the Interior is hereby authorized to divert the waters of the Colorado River and to reclaim, utilize, and dispose of any lands in said reservations which may be irrigable by such works in like manner as though the same were a part of the public domain. Storage required.-On the assumption of complete development of lower Colorado River lands storage will be required for the use of the Parker project for the undeveloped area of, say, 103,000 acres. PRESENT STATUS. There1 is a pumping plant installed by the United States Indian Service, as above described, with a capacity for the irrigation of about 7,500 acres. This pump is located on the bank of the river at the head of the valley. The water is pumped from a sump, into which the water enters from the river through five 7-foot gatewavs equipped, with flashboards to keep out all but the top water. The lift of this plant is about 21 feet. Near the pumpnouse a large settling basin has recently, been constructed, with provision for sluicing the silt back into tne river by means of a by-pass. The canal system consists of about 10 miles of canal of more than 50 second-feet capacity and 43 miles of laterals. The area under the present canal system is about 6,000 acres. Nine miles of drainage canals have also been constructed. IRRIGATION PLAN. Plan of C. A. Engle, engineer in charge, for gravity system (Report of June 30, 1920).-A diversion weir is planned at a point locally known as Headgate Rock, which is a short distance above the railroad crossing of the river. This weir is of the floating type oh a sand foundation. The length is 1,600 feet, with a height of 14 feet above mean low water. At the end of the weir a by-pass or diversion channel is planned, to have a clear width of 200 feet and a depth of 22 feet below the weir crest. There will be five by-pass gates (Stoney type), 23 by 41$ feet. A desilting basin and sluiceway similar to the one at Laguna Dam is planned on the land side of the by-pass structure. The clear width of this basin is 160 feet, and depth 14 feet. The main canal to the head of the valley where the first division is made is 2\ miles in length. This will be mainly in a rather porous gravel, and it is planned to be concrete lined. It has a capacity of 1,600 second-feet. The total length of canals, including the principal branches, is 46 miles, and the total length of distributaries is 184 miles. A protective levee is provided. This is planned to be constructed near the bank of the river, with a section consisting of a 12-foot crown and a height of 5 to 6 feet above mean high water. A coarse gravel blanket 12 inches thick is to be placed on the entire surface of the levee, and the river slope is to be provided with a rock revetment containing an average of 1\ cubic yards per linear foot. The total length of levee planned is 45 miles.