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

page 29

THE ALL-AMERICAN CANAL. 29 deep. To the southward the water finds its escape from the Volcano Lake region through various channels and over low areas, dropping finally into the Hardy Colorado and its feeders and thus reaching the Gulf. The Imperial Irrigation District is under the necessity of adding constantly and at an ever-increasing rate to the extent and magnitude of the defenses which must be maintained to keep the river from turning to the north. The river has in the last few years deposited so much silt toward the west and south in the Volcano Lake region, over which its water flows, that the obstruction of the higher ground thus formed, together with that offered by the rank vegetation of the southerly delta lands which have been periodically under water, has caused the flood menace in this region to increase from year to year. Based on the information at hand since 1914 it appears that the rise of the flood plane now averages about 1 foot per year. Before the river changed its course in 1909 the annual high-water stage in Volcano Lake was about 37.6 feet. In 1917 it rose to about elevation 44.5 above mean sea level (United States Geological Survey datum). The situation as described is serious, and the menace is growing. The control of the lower river is an international problem. The area to be protected by putting the river upon a direct course to the gulf lies in both Mexico and the United States. No time is to be lost in dealing with the problem, which can not be adequately handled by the Imperial Irrigation district. The construction of an all-American canal, while it may relieve the irrigated areas in California from compliance with the conditions, named in the Mexican concession, will not solve this other problem, which is also of vital importance to Imperial Valley. Should an all-American canal be constructed and the carrying of irrigation water through Mexico cease, there will undoubtedly be some provision thereupon made by Mexico to maintain the productiveness of the Lower California lands by a system of irrigation canals heading at the river upon Mexican territory. New works then established may and most likely would introduce new complications and would create a new menace. All such works should be under more or less supervision and control from our side of the line because their failure would menace property interests in the United States which are, for the time being, far in excess of those in Mexico and will always be of great magnitude. This board, therefore, suggests an arrangement with Mexico which is fully explained at the end of this report. At the river's high stages there will always be an abundance of water. And, when the flood season has passed, those who have not established their claims to an adequate part of the season's