OCR Text |
Show -3- pipe all that portion of territory on both sides of the basin, situated at a higher elevation than the canal, lands formed from the washings from the surrounding mountains, not from the alluvial deposits from the Colorado River or the marine deposits of the Gulf of California, of which most certainly the central and lower portions of the Colorado Basin are composed. Although desirable to build the entire canal upon United States territory, it would be impracticable to attempt it, owing to the heavy excavation and embankments, together with shifting sand hills that would be encountered for a great distance, which would not be only very expensive, but a hindrance of such a character that it may be considered at present impracticable. There is no doubt in my mind that the time will arrive when these lands will become so valuable that an outlay would be warranted for the construction of such a canal from some point on the Colorado River at a sufficient elevation to enter the Colorado Basin at its northeast extremity, branching at that point and running down both sides of the basin to the boundary line, thus irrigating all the lands in the Colorado Basin between the foot-hills, and carrying a sufficient velocity to keep a clear channel. On account of the turbidity of the water, velocity will require serious consideration. Under existing circumstances I would suggest that the Colorado River be taken as a medium to irrigate the greater portion of the lands alluded to, that the matter be made international, that a canal be made (the main trunk) through Mexican territory from the Colorado River to the Cucupah Range of mountains, say a distance of 60 miles, at a point near the Siete Pozos (seven wells), that the canal be tapped with a branch canal, taking it through the sand hills at a natural opening near that point, |