THE SALTON SEA—NEWELL. 335 
permanent success. However, there is much to be commended in the 
vigor and energy with which the difficulties were met and the 
obstacles overcome for the time being. Water was actually led from 
the Colorado River around the sand hills which he along the inter- 
national boundary and then distributed to the canals of the irrigators 
covering the desert land below sea level and stretching northerly from 
the Mexican boundary nearly to the Salton Sea. 
The very boldness of the undertaking and the novelty of the situa- 
tion added to the popular interest, which was stimulated by advertis- 
ing. Thousands of settlers came in and took up the land under the 
homestead or desert land acts; the water was applied to the fields and 
thousands of acres were brought under irrigation. The success at- 
tained was from the first notable and the failures were overlooked in 
the general prosperity resulting from the rapid increase in popula- 
tion. 
THE CUT IN THE BANK OF THE RIVER. 
Under the original plans water was to be taken out into the 
United States, conducted in a canal nearly parallel to the course 
of the river, but shghtly diverging from it, until the canal 
reached one of the many natural sloughs or depressions which 
led into the Alamo channel. A second heading was made im- 
mediately below the international boundary, so that water could 
be taken into the canal either in United States soil or in Mexico. 
The rapid development of the country and increasing demand for 
water and the difficulties of keeping open the original heading, 
due to the accumulation of sediment, finally forced the owners of 
the canal to look about for some quicker way of getting the needed 
supply to the agricultural lands. 
About the time that the greatest need of water was felt in the valley 
the California Development Company appears to have reached its 
limits as regards funds, and with the pressure from the farmers for 
more water, it became necessary to make a hazardous move. It was 
finally determined, much against the advice of the engineers, to cut 
into the bank of the river and make what is known as heading No. 3, 
about 4 miles below headings No. 1 and No. 2. This latter heading 
afforded a short, quick descent from the river to the Alamo channel. 
Accordingly, in October, 1904, what is known as heading No. 3, 
this being 40 to 50 feet wide and 6 to 8 feet deep, was cut in the mud 
bank of the river and a small amount of water was allowed to flow 
down, relieving the needs of the farmers. The California Develop- 
ment Company did not have approved plans or funds available to 
build head works in this opening, and it was assumed that, with 
ordinary care and watching, the channel could be kept open just 
sufficient to allow the needed amount of water to pass out from the 
west bank. 
