THE YUMA RECLAMATION PROJECT. 



The combined capacities of the two sluiceways with the river at flood 

 is 31,000 second-feet. These sluiceways will be used for clearing the 

 settling basin of silt deposits. 



The headgates of the canals are arranged so as to take water from the 

 surface of the reservoir. By this means only the lighter portions of the silts 

 are taken into the canals. The velocity in the latter is sufficient to carry 

 through the light silts and prevent the canals from being silted up. 



On the California side there will be one main canal of 200 second-feet 

 capacity, and 10 miles long, with 3 main laterals. Total length of canal and 

 laterals 22 miles. On the Arizona side there will be one main canal of 1300 

 second-feet capacity, and 16 miles long, with two branch canals 21 and 

 15 miles long, respectively, and 26 main laterals with an aggregate length of 

 80 miles. Total length of canal and main laterals, 132 miles. 



The Valley lands will be protected from inundation during flood sea- 

 sons by means of dikes. These will be constructed on both sides of the 

 Gila River, and on the Colorado from the Laguna Dam to the Mexican 

 Boundary. These dikes will be of earth 8 feet wide on top, with side 

 slopes of 3 horizontal to 1 vertical on the land side. The average height of 

 these dikes is about 7 1-2 feet. Total length in California 141-2 miles, and 

 Arizona 59 miles. In addition to the above flood protections, a complete 

 system of drainage is contemplated to prevent the low lands becoming 

 water-logged and alkaline. 



Both the reports of the Department of Agriculture and past farming ex- 

 perience show that the soils of the Yuma Valley are very fertile. The 

 silts of the Colorado River have high fertilizing properties, and as not all 

 of them can be removed at the headworks, will be a constant factor in 

 maintaining the present high standard of quality of the soils. The valley 

 lands are suitable for the growth of staples, and particularly forage plants. 

 The climate is such that crops grow throughout the greater portion of 

 the year. 



The contract for the construction of the Laguna Dam has been 

 awarded to J. G. White & Co. of New York, and work on this dam has 

 been begun. Proposals for the building of 12 miles of dikes have been 

 asked for by the Secretary of the Interior, to be opened August 17th. 



Final plans for other portions of the work have been prepared, and 

 definite locations for portions of the main canals have already been made. 

 It is proposed to carry on other portions of the work abreast with the con- 

 struction of the Laguna Dam, in order that water may be delivered to por- 

 tions of the lands at an early date after the completion of that structure. 



The work of the Yuma Project is being carried on under the supervision 

 of Mr. J. B. Lippincott, Supervising Engineer, Mr. Homer Hamlin, District 

 Engineer, having direct charge of the work. 



The Sacramento Valley Project 



5. O. BENNETT, Esq., Entfaaar, U. f. Reclamation 5ervlce 



THE largest body of arable land in California is usually termed "The Great 

 Valley of California," though it has recently been called the "heart 

 of California." This valley is 400 miles in length and has an average 

 width of 40 miles. The entire basin, including mountains and valley, 

 has an area of 58,000 square miles. The Sacramento, or northern 

 portion of the Great Valley, is 140 miles in length and 40 miles in 

 width, and contains 2,661,120 acres, exclusive of the Sutter Buttes and the 

 channel surface of perennial streams. 



Taken as a whole the Sacramento Valley may be said to be of un- 

 surpassed fertility, though its productive capacity for cereals has been 

 greatly reduced by the long continued growth of this crop. To restore 



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