1 8 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 



along the rim of the desert, and in the southern part there are about 

 300 acres covered with mud volcanoes or geysers that spout forth mud 

 of various colors and consistency, containing rare minerals which some 

 day may become of importance. Oil-bearing rocks are found along 

 the west side, forming a belt at the foot of the mountains and extend- 

 ing into the area lying below sea level, from which ooze heavy asphaltic 

 oils, and which will some time develop into a rich oil-producing dis- 

 trict. South of the California line, in Mexico, and lying below sea 

 level, there are also valuable and extensive deposits of sulphur; and 

 then in the surrounding mountains, which, however, would not suffer 

 from the lake, are found large deposits of gold, silver and copper and 

 mines of kunzite and tourmaline gems. 



Altogether, this is an interesting country. It offers many realities, 

 and as many, or more, possibilities. At present it is battling with an 

 unusual problem, and we are assured by engineers that it stands on 

 the eve of victory — at last. It has met defeat bravely six times, and 

 therefore let us hope that the seventh attempt will be crowned with 

 reward. 



Author's Note. — About the first of last November, shortly after this article 

 was written, the dams and headgates constructed to shut the Colorado River 

 out of Salton Sink were put into use. Up to this time the Southern Pacific 

 Company, after finishing the headgates mentioned, had continued work until 

 it had practically diked the river for a distance of more than ten miles, and 

 had expended upon the work a sum in excess of $1,500,000. The test of the 

 completed work at that time seemed to assure the successful capture of the 

 runaway river, and there was general rejoicing. A month later, however, the 

 river rose to flood tide, and on the night of December 7, last, it again broke 

 through its natural channel bounds and is again pouring into Salton Sink. 

 The condition to-day is as bad as it was six months ago, and the possibilities of 

 a permanent ' Salton Sea ' are now more pronounced than ever. The river 

 must be controlled within six months, or the Imperial Valley will suffer greatly. 

 The Southern Pacific Company, at present, hesitate to again fight the river, 

 and it is probable that the United States government will be asked to lend 

 assistance. The recent break occurred just below the new dike, and has already 

 eroded a canyon-like channel. As pointed out by the writer, the banks of the 

 Colorado River in this vicinity are low and of a very loose material, conse- 

 quently easily eroded, and to assure a lasting solution to the problem about 

 twenty more miles of dike will be necessary. This, too, must be built soon — 

 before the river channel above the break is cut much deeper. 



