708 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Service. There is appended a partial directory of members, with records of their 

 training and experience, and a list of technical papers by engineers in the Reclama- 

 tion Service. 



Development of underground waters in the Eastern Coastal Plain Region 

 of southern California, W. C. Mendenhall ( U. S. deal. Survey, Water-Supply and 

 Trrig. Paper Xo. 137, pp. 140, pis. 7, figs. 6). — A brief history of the irrigation com- 

 panies diverting water from streams is first presented, with brief notes on drainage 

 districts. The source of underground water supply is then discussed, data being 

 given to show that the draft by pumping has materially decreased the former arte- 

 sian area. Five maps are presented, showing present and past artesian areas, hydro- 

 graphic contours, irrigated lands, canals, location of wells, and the usual topographic 

 and other data. The larger part of the paper consists in a list of nearly 2,800 wells, 

 giving owners, location, description, depth, and water elevation, solids in solution, 

 temperature, method of lift, cost of well and machinery, use of w r ater, and estimated 

 discharge. 



The same method of treatment is followed in the second and third of this series, 

 dealing with the Central Coastal Plain Region of Southern California (Water-Supply 

 and Irrig. Paper No. 138, pp. 162, pis. 5, figs. 5) and Western Coastal Plain Region 

 of Southern California (Water-Supplv and Irrig. Paper No. 139, pp. 105, pis. 8, 

 fig. 1). 



Observations on the ground waters of Rio Grande Valley, C. S. Slighter 

 ( U. S. Geol. Survey, Water-Supply and Irrig. Paper Xo. 141, pp. 83 + III, pis. 5, 

 figs. 32). — An investigation of the underflow of Rio Grande near El Paso, which was 

 popularly supposed to be enormous, showed a probable flow of only 50 gals, per 

 minute, the water being too salt for any use whatever. 



Data regarding the supply below El Paso and in Mesilla Valley are presented, 

 showing the small amount of water contributed by the river. A detailed study of 18 

 pumping plants is given, with cost data, which shows a variation in cost of water 

 delivered of from $2.21 to $13.20 per acre-foot, the fuel cost varying even more — from 

 $0.70 to $5.80 per acre-foot. In eight cases the wells are lowered over 20 ft. by 

 pumping, usually indicating too large power for the capacity of the well. Larger 

 strainers and deeper wells are recommended. 



Analyses of water samples from El Paso are given in an appendix. 



The hydrology of San Bernardino Valley, California, W. C. Mendenhall 

 ( U. S. Geol. Survey, Water-Supply and Irrig. Paper Xo. 142, pp. 124, pis. 12, figs. 16). — 

 "This report is one of a series on the underground waters of southern California. 

 In this valley, where irrigation practice has attained a high degree of perfection, the 

 underground waters are of very great importance, two-thirds of the irrigated acreage 

 being dependent upon them either wholly or in part. The author has had in mind 

 the practical irrigator and questions w r hich arise concerning title to percolating 

 waters." 



After a preliminary discussion of the valley, its settlement, irrigation develop- 

 ment, rainfall, soil, and runoff, the author devotes about 40 pages to a treatment of 

 San Bernardino artesian area, its geology, water supply, and particularly the decline 

 of the waters in the past ten years. The conclusion is reached that " it is obviously 

 unwise to increase present drafts upon the basin," and that better methods in irriga- 

 tion practice and a "fully supported policy of forest conservation and restoration are 

 essential." 



Yucaipe and Riverside basins are also briefly discussed, and miscellaneous data on 

 temperature, water analyses, and stream and canal gagings are given. A list of about 

 500 wells, with depth, cost, and other data is given. 



Wells, M. Ringelmann (lour. Agr. Prat, n. ser., 9 {1905), Xo. 23, pp. 734-736, 

 figs. 6).— A cheap portable machine for driving wells by hand, with notes on its use. 



