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Show COMPACT-STATEMENT BY SLOAN----ARIZONA A67 some of the facts bearing upon this assumption. Taking the average flow of the Colorado river at Yuma for a period of twenty years and adding thereto the amounts known to be diverted and consumed in irrigation in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, and California, the run-off from the entire watershed will be found to be approximately 21,000,000 acre-feet per annum. Dr. Hoyt, of the geological survey, estimates that not less than 15,000,000 acre-feet annually flows to waste in the Colorado river after all the lands now under irrigation are supplied. Excluding the Gila river and its tributaries, it is estimated that the mean annual flow at Lee's Ferry, the point of division between the two divisions, is 16,400,000 acre-feet. The consumption of water above Lee's Ferry is estimated at 2,400,000 acre-feet annually. Therefore, the mean average run-off of the watershed above Lee's Ferry approximates 18,800,000 acre-feet. There is irrigated in the upper basin at present something in excess of 1,500,000* acres. From the estimates made by the state engineers in the upper states the maximum number of acres that are possible of irrigation in these states is 5,000,000. If the duty of water shall remain as at present, although after the lands become saturated the consumption will necessarily decrease, the maximum needs of the upper basin for agriculture and domestic uses approximate 6,000,000 acre-feet. Certain intermountain diversions are proposed-one for Denver and its vicinity amounting to about 300,000 acre-feet, and certain diversions in Utah amounting in the aggregate to 200,000 acre-feet. The total consumptive use in the Upper Basin will be approximately 6,500,000 acre-feet. This maximum, according to the present rate of increase, will not be reached short of 75 years. Taking, therefore, the mean annual run-off of the river above Lee's Ferry as the basis for calculation and deducting the maximum consumption for agricultural and domestic uses, including intermountain diversion, we have left for the lower basin and its uses 12,300,000 acre-feet per annum. Now what are the probable needs of the states of the lower basin? None of the water that flows in the main stream may be used for agriculture and domestic purposes in Nevada. At present there is irrigated in California a total of 450,000 acres with a water consumption of 2,250,000 acre-feet. This area may not be increased until what is known as the Ail-American canal is built, which will cost at least $30,000,000; but, when built, there is a possible increase to the present acreage of 490,000 acres, making in all 940,000 acres, with a total water consumption of 3,790,000 acre-feet. This acreage includes lands that are of extremely doubtful feasibility and lands that may only be irrigated by pumping. Deducting this maximum consumptive use in California, we have left of the water flowing at Lee's Ferry 8,510,000 acre-feet. The number of acres now being irrigated in Arizona from the waters of the Colorado river proper are 58,000 with. |
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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] : |