THE YUMA RECLAMATION PROJECT. « 



By J. T.. LiPPiNcoTT, Siiitcrri.siiui Enijinccr. 



ITndcr the provisions of the Kechiiuatioii Act of 1902 ^ all the 

 public lands along the Colorado River from the Grand Canyon to 

 the Mexican line were withdrawn, pending a general investigation. 

 Surveys were at once begun of this district and data are now in the 

 possession of the Secretary of the Interior relative to all projects 

 therein. It is estimated that there are betAveen 300,000 and 400,000 

 acres of irrigable valleys between the points named, immediately 

 adjacent to the river and exclusive of irrigable lands in interior 

 valleys removed from the river. There are also 92,000 acres of mesa 

 lands near Ynma suitable for the production of citrus fruits, that 

 may be reached by pumping from the valley canal systems. 



It has been decided that the proper point of beginning for tlie 

 reclamation of this vast area is in the immediate neighborhood of 

 Yuma. This enterprise does not include or interfere with the irriga- 

 tion of private lands by individuals and corporations in the vicinity 

 of Imperial, and there is no apparent reason Avhy there should be any 

 friction between these irrigation systems and those resulting from the 

 construction of this Federal work. 



During the winter season of 1903-4 the reclamation service made 

 surveys for the irrigation of the valley lands of the Colorado and 

 Gila rivers in the immediate vicinit}^ of Yuma, Ariz., and the Yuma 

 Indian Reservation in California, looking toward the utilization 

 of the Colorado River for their water supply. These surveys in- 

 cluded the making of a topographic map, on the scale of 100 feet 

 to the inch, at the Laguna dam site and soundings for bed rock and 

 foundations at that point. On the California side of the river, along 



a Reprinted, by permission, from Outwest, San Francisco, June, 1904. 



6 It is provided among otiaer tliinj-'s in this act that water may not be fur- 

 nished by the Depju-tinent for the irrigation of more than IGO acres belonging 

 to any one indivicUial. ^Yhether tlie lands are filed ui)()n suhsecjuent to their 

 withdrawal under the Reclamation Act or are in private ownership under 

 previous filings. Also, that water so supplied can be furnished only to parties 

 residing on the lands or hi their immediate neighborhood. 



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