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Show 174 -PROBLEMS OF IMPERIAL, VALLEY AND VICINITY. means of longer tunnels than yet seriously-considered, to intercept a large run-off from a comparatively low altitude. All diversions present and proposed are in Colorado (see map following) or in Utah. None of any considerable size in other parts of the watershed is likely to be proposed because of local conditions, which practically prohibit such enterprises. In Wyoming the climate of the territory surrounding Green River Basin, especially the northern part, makes it impossible to make the large expenditures per unit of yield necessary for any noteworthy transmountain diversion. Farther south, in Wyoming, on the east, the Continental Divide is low, precipitation small, and stream run-off erratic, while the flat divide would make necessary so long a diversion ditch as to be out of the question. On the west in the southern part, if diversion is practical, yet use of the water in Green River Basin itself would be better. At about the Colorado State line the Continental Divide rises from the low plateau in Wyoming abruptly to the crests of the lofty Gores Range. The Yampa River rises on the western slope of these. To the east is what is called North Park at the headwaters of the North Platte River. The streams into the park have heavy run-off, the valley floor all lies above 8,000 feet, and the rigorous climate is not favorable to large expenditure for water. South of this the headwaters of the Grand make a large bay in the outline of Colorado Basin, extending well to the east. The runoff from the high mountains is very heavy and to the east of the northern part lie Denver and the fertile South Platte Valley. This valley has a favorable climate and large areas of good land easily reached by canals, far in excess of what can be supplied from local sources which are now quite intensively although not fully developed. Denver also must look for a water supply within a few years to sources outside the South Platte or purchase South Platte water now used on agricultural land in the vicinity, thereby losing one of its assets. (From statement of W. F. R. Mills, manager of the board of water commissioners of Denver, Colo.) Of the diversions listed in the preceding table those from the Fraser, Williams, and Blue rivers, aggregating 260,000 acre-feet annually, are proposed by the city of Denver in accordance with a plan somewhat similar in its economic features to that undertaken and put through by the city of Los Angeles, when Owens River water was diverted for use of that city and also for irrigation of adjacent land. South of the South Platte conditions in the Arkansas Valley are similar, and while it may be that fewer opportunities for diversion exist one which will divert 40,000 acre-feet annually from the Eagle is proposed. In the Colorado Basin the Gunnison, which is the main tributary of the Grand and lies to the south of the main stem, is contiguous on the east to the Arkansas River headwaters and also to the Rio Grande. No plans are known to divert this water to the Arkansas, but to the Saguache, a tributary of the Rio Grande, one diversion has been constructed from Cochetopa Creek. (Ranges 1 and 2 east, townships 43 and 44 north.) The first irrigable land on the Rio Grande is the San Luis Valley. Although the irrigable acreage in this valley is large, it is probable that local run-off will take care of it, and no pressure of need for water exists as in the South Platte and Arkansas valleys. |
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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] : |