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Show __3__ PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF THE COLORADO RIVER, ARIZONA, BETWEEN THE MOUTH OF THE VIRGIN RIVER AND YUMA. United States Engineer Office, San Francisco, Cal., December 12, 1895. General: I have the honor to submit the following report of the preliminary examination of the Colorado River, between the mouth of the Virgin River and Yuma, Ariz., made in compliance with river and harbor act of August 17, 1894: As already stated in letter of November 8, 1895, I attempted to reach the head of navigation at the mouth of the Virgin River, but failed, and returning to the Needles, took the trip from there to Yuma in a skiff. From information obtained from other sources than personal observations, I learn that the river above Needles as far as El Dorado Canyon is the same as below, being flat and spread out over wide areas, with sand bars and a channel shifting from one side to the other. Above this is the Black Canyon, about 20 miles long, and Devils Gate Canyon, about 9 miles long, in which the river is narrow and the walls steep. In these canyons are several rapids, which make the river navigable only at the highest stages of water. Between these canyons the river is again flat and broad. Above the Needles the only points to be supplied are the Indian school at old Fort Mohave and the mines at the lower end of Black Canyon (El Dorado Canyon). A few mining camps and the Senator Mills are above the head of navigation, and their supplies are hauled from King-man, Ariz. |