OCR Text |
Show To this point the boats in use on the Colorado can go at any time from the spring rise till the latter part of August or fore part of September; without other obstacles than those interposed by the swiftness of the current. After that Hardyville becomes the low-water head of navigation, and can generally be reached, with more or less difficulty, at all times; though occasionally, in extremely low stages, freight for this place has to be landed at the foot of Pest House Rapid, 4 miles below. It may be safely said, therefore, that if there is freight enough to pay for the trouble, it can be sent to the foot of Pest House Rapid in all seasons, and to El Dorado Canon for from 3 to 4 months in each year. The chief obstacles to the low-water navigation are encountered in the valleys, which may be said to form an almost continuous obstruction, over 200 miles in length, while in the canons there are comparatively few. Above Camp Mojave there is probably quite as much water as below, and the general character of the bars changes from yielding and semi-fluid sand to cobble of constantly increasing size, and steamers are unable to force their way over or through them, as they are continually obliged to do in the river below. The boats in use on the Colorado are from 150 to 170 feet long, 30 to 37 feet beam, and draw slightly more than 2 feet. Their load is carried on board in high stages; but during low water it is placed on a barge and the latter towed astern by a long line, which reaches to a tow post set amidships in the steamer's hull. |
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] : California exhibits. |