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Show 109 thence to the LosPinos agency ; thence over the head of the Los Pinos to the Cebolla; thence via the headwaters of the western tributary of this stream, effecting a junction with the Antelope Park and Lake City road near the summit of the range, and over its road- bed to Lake City. Of this route there will be required to be built 16 miles of mountain road from Puncho Creek to the Tumichi Valley, and about 30 miles of road from the Saguache and Lake City road, above the old agency, to the summit, or in all about 36 miles of new road. The rest of the links already exist, or else the country is level gravel which requires only a wagon to be drawn over it to make a road. By this route the long detour by Puncho Pass around by Saguache and the Coohetopa Pass to the old Los Pinos agency, and also that to the Lake Fork of the GnnniBon, 20 miles to the north of the point aimed at, will be avoided and a direct route gained, shorter by fonr days' teaming from railroad communication than any existing line. There will be one steep pitch on the west side of the range at the head of the Tumichi, a quite difficult descent to the Cebolla, and considerable work in rock- blasting in the upper cafion of the Cebolla; but taking everything into consideration, it seems to me from a cursory examination that this route is at least worthy a close survey and study on the part of the business men of the two places mentioned. Now that it is conceded that the mines of San Juan, La Plata, and Hinsdale counties are valuable, rich, and extensive, this problem of routes of communication must touch these towns, which are at present ( and who wish to preserve this status) the principal points of supply, very nearly in their business relations, and make for them and for the transportation companies the prospective traffic of this rich mining and producing region an alluring prize. All hypsometrioal data collected by my party bearing upon this subject is attached hereto. Respectfully submitted. W. L. MARSHALL, First Lieutenant of Engineers. Lieut. G. M. WHEELER, Corps of Engineers, in charge. APPENDIX B. PRELIMINARY REPORT UPON THE OPERATIONS OP PARTY NO. 3, CALIFORNIA SECTION, SEASON OP 1875- 76, WITH A VIEW TO DETERMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF DIVERTING THE COLORADO RIVER FOR PURPOSES OF IRRIGATION, BY LIEUTENANT ERIC BERG-LAND, CORPS OF ENGINE bRS. Los ANGELES, CAL., February 1,1876. * SIR : I have the honor to submit the following preliminary report with regard to the operations of party No. 3, California section, Geographical Surveys West of the One hundredth Meridian, daring the field season of 1875- 76: DUTIES OF THE PARTY. The following extract from letter of instructions will explain the object and extent of the investigations with which I was charged: " UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, " GEOGRAPHICAL SURVEYS WEST OF THE 100TH MERIDIAN, " San Francisco, Cal., June 10,1875. " SIR : You are hereby assigned to the charge of a party specially organized for the purpose of making a preliminary examination with a view to a further and more complete investigation as to the feasibility of the diversion of the Colorado River of the West from its present channel, for the purposes of irrigation. Your present survey will be confined to that portion of the river embraced between the foot of the Lower Grand Canon and the vicinity of the Needles, the results of prior examinations made by parties of the survey under my charge during the past few years having shown the impracticability of turning the river from its present course at a point near the confluence of the Green and Grand, or between that point and the foot of the Grand Canon, to direct its waters to portions of its western basin. The following route to and from the scene of your labors is suggested: From Los Angeles direct to Point of Rocks, in the Mohave Valley, thence to station at Black's Ranch, thence via Ivanpah to Cottonwood Island, on the Colorado. In returning, your line may leave the river near the Needles, running thence to the lower end of Coahuila Valley along the line of least profile. A reconnaissance- line duly checked by astronomical determinations and leveled barometrically will be measured, and as much mountain topography adjacent to this and other lines necessary to be traversed in the prosecution of your labors as time and means will permit, should be gathered. |