AZ vs. CA:04 California Exhibits, Vol. IV; Nos. 151-192

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8 COLORADO RIVER, CAL. AND ARIZ. Corps of Engineers, on preliminary examination of Colorado River, Cal. and Ariz., with a view of developing and improving navigation, called for by the river and harbor act approved March 4, 1913. 2. Sections of the Colorado River fonn the boundary lines between the States of California and Arizona, and between Nevada and Arizona. It empties into the Gulf of California in Mexico. Below Yuma the channel is unstable and can not be made permanent at reasonable cost. The Laguna Dam, 11 miles above Yuma, constitutes a barrier to navigation which could bo overcome only by the construction of a lock. The waters of the stream are used for irrigation purposes, and such usage would conflict more or less with navigation. There is practically no river commerce at the present time, and the district officer is of opinion that the stream is not worthy of improvement by the United States. The division engineer concurs in this opinion. 3. This report has been referred, as required by law, to the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors, and attention is invited to its report herewith, dated July 14, 1914, concurring with the view of the district officer and the division engineer. 4. After due consideration of the above-mentioned reports, I concur with the views of the district officer, the division engineer, and the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors, and therefore report that the improvement by the United States of Colorado River, Cal. and Ariz., with a view of developing and improving navigation, is not deemed advisable at the present time. Dan C. Kinoman, Ohiefof Engineers, United States Army. REPORT OP THE BOARD OF ENGINEERS FOR RIVERS AND HARBORS. Third Indorsement The Board of Engineers fob Rivers and Harbors, July 14, 1914. To the Chief of Engineers, United States Army. 1. The following is submitted in review of the district officer's report on preliminary examination of Colorado River, Cal. and Ariz.f with a view of developing and improving navigation, called for by the act of March 4, 1913. 2. The T'ftg""* Dam, located 11 miles above Yuma, closes the river at present to possible navigation. To pass the dam would require tne construction of a lock. Below Yuma the river flows through a delta country and the channel is unstable in position. The district officer states that it could not be fixed at reasonable cost. There is little water in the river below the Imperial Canal at low stages, and it seems probable that this condition will become more pronounced through the more extensive us? of the watars of the river for irrigation purposes in the future. From the Laguna Dam to Eldorado Canyon tne navigability of the river is dependent upon the stage. At certain points it is not navigable at low water. 3. There is no commerce on the river at present. The principal source of prospective commerce is the produce of the adjacent