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Show UINTA BASIN, UTAH. The Uinta Basin lies in northeastern Utah, and the term as used here includes the area drained by the Duchesne River and Ashley Creek, both of which rise on the precipitous eastern slopes of the Uinta Range and flow eastward to the Green River. Most of the area is included in the Uinta Indian Reservation. The irrigable lands in the basin range in altitude from 5,000 to 6,500 feet. Precipitation on the valley floor is from 8 inches to 10 inches annually, of which from 5 to 6 inches falls during irrigation season. Stock growing is the principal industry, but coal is found and large deposits of minerals derived from asphalt exist, which would, if railroads entered the valley, form a considerable industry. Outlet from the valley is by stage and truck southward about 100 miles to Price and Helper on the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. The Moffatt Road, the Los Angeles and Salt Lake and lately a local line from Salt Lake called the Bamberger Railroad have all surveyed through the valley, and it is to be expected one of these will be built. In 1920 there were 171,000 acres irrigated in the basin and estimates of irrigable land give a total ultimate of 300,000 acres. Consumptive use of water is taken at 1.5 acre-feet per year, because with the exception of the Duchesne bottoms natural drainage is good. The 129,000 acres estimated increase will on this basis decrease the annual discharge 194,000 acre-feet. Agriculture is pursued principally to supplement feed of the open range, so that most of the crop is hay. Climate will permit considerable diversification of crops, however. The mean annual tem-gerature is 44°, with the irrigation season five months-May to eptember. The principal town of the basin is Vernal. Other small towns are Duchesne, Myton, and Fort Duchesne. FUTURE DEVELOPMENT. On the map the total estimated ultimate and present irrigable areas are shown without being differentiated. Only the proposed Castle Peak project is denoted by name. It is not practicable to separate ultimate from present areas as has been done on other maps. No attempt will be made to describe the many small extensions to the irrigated area which, added together, will make the total of 300,000 acres. A large part of this is already under ditch constructed by the United States Indian Service, which covers 79,000 acres, of which 52,000 acres were irrigated in 1920. Complete utilization of the water of the basin is not possible, because the precipitous mountains, where the streams originate, give little opportunity for reservoirs. It is expected that future development will build what reservoirs are possible. There are many small lakes which can be used, although at great expense, and there are a few small reservoir sites. It is also expected that where lands are available for comparatively easy irrigation, ditches will be extended in full expectation of receiving no water after July 1 in any year. 132 |
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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] : |