OCR Text |
Show 152 PROBLEMS OF IMPERIAL VALLEY AND VICINITY. Conclusion.-The Nelson ditch unit of this project requiring practically only the addition of storage for its completion would put it in the class of projects which may be completed very soon if it could be split from the balance of the project. This the controlling interests do not care to do. The San Miguel ditch unit requires a large investment before any land may be watered, with present conditions for obtaining capital unfavorable. LILYLANDS PROJECT. Present irrigated area, 1,000 acres; additional irrigable area, 15,000 acres. Mean annual temperature, 44°. Mean annual precipitation, 18 inches. Mean precipitation in growing season, 10 inches. Elevation, 6,500 to 7,500 feet. Interval between killing frosts (summer), 110 days. Transportation, Denver & Rio Grande narrow gage; nearest station, Tlacerville, 45 miles from heart of project. Irrigation plan.-A diversion canal from Naturita Creek and other small creeks at elevation 7,800 has been constructed for a length of 32 miles. Land available for this project far exceeds the available water supply. Long extensions of the feeder canal to Beaver and Fall creeks nave been considered and then rejected on account of relatively small amount of water available after other projects develop. The project includes 1,000 acres of land having old rights which nave been acquired for the project. Storage of 6,900 acre-feet is to be utilized for distribution of available supplies which come mostly in early summer. Duty of water.-Tne duty of water for this project will be less than the average for the Dolores drainage area owing to higher altitude, greater precipitation, and shorter growing season. A diversion duty of 1.5 acre-feet per acre will probably be sufficient. Water supply.-The supply from Naturita Creek and other streams intercepted by the proposed 32-mile canal, after deduction for prior rights of the Cone ditch, is estimated at 30,000 acre-feet annually, with a requirement of 24,000 acre-feet if a 1.5 acre-foot diversion be permitted. The small surplus available in an average year indicates probable heavy shortages at frequent intervals, but the reduction in crop returns would not be in the same prpportion owing to rainfall and temperature conditions. The project may be expected to develop to this acreage. The promoters of this project have intended including 25,000 acres, but the lack of water supply has at all times been apparent, and the acreage adopted is probably the maximum that could be supplied. Storage.--Storage is required for the distribution of the seasonal flow, and a site of 6,900 acre-foot capacity is available. For seasonal distribution 8,000 acre-feet may prove sufficient and fully 15,000 acre-feet would be required to provide a reasonable hold-over. Conclusion.-This project* owing to its distance from transportation, short growing season, and doubtful water supply, if" expanded as intended, will not develop readily and can at most be placed in Class B with the reduced acreage. |
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] : |