10 The central RIO GRANDE VALLEY 



ditch an abundant and dependable water supply and at a cost that is in- 

 finitesmal when the abundance and value of the crops produced are 

 considered. Without a single extension of the present canals the 

 Central Rio Grande Valley can and will be brought to the highest 

 state of cultivation. Modern methods and improvements are merely 

 serving to increase efficiency and extend the area. 



The Rio Grande is essentially a torrential, or flood water stream. 

 From the mouth of White Rock Canyon south through New Mexico it 

 possesses all the characteristics of a typical desert stream, having its 

 flood time and its period of low water. Fortu- 

 WATER SUPPLY nately, however, there is always an abundant sup- 

 ply of water for irrigation during the growing 

 season. The vast snow drifts which pile up in the Rio Grande's enormous 

 watershed during the winter, melt gradually during the spring and 

 early summer, maintaining* a large volume of water until practically all 

 crops are matured. Recent expenditure of large sums in dyke con- 

 struction has averted all danger of floods which in past years have done 

 some damage to lands immediately adjacent to the river during the 

 spring freshets. 



Another source of water supply in this valley, which will eventually 

 become an impca'tant adjunct to the gravity irrigation canals, is by 

 means of pumping from the underflow. A very large portion of the 

 flow of the Rio Grande passes through the loose sand strata beneath its 

 bed. Water is encountered at from seven to ten feet throughout prac- 

 tically the whole of the valley and while at times the water in the river 

 may be very low there has never been any noticeable diminution of the 

 volume of this underflow, which is encountered in the successive water 

 strata at depths from seven to one thousand fleet, the latter being the 

 greatest depth to which drilling has been done. A number of pumping 

 plants are now in operation, the water being raised by windmills or small 

 gasoline pumps, inexpensive of operation. The water is stored in small 

 reservoirs, also easy and inexpensive of construction. By this means a 

 very large area upon higher levels, not to be reached by gravity canals 

 will eventually be brought under cultivation. The extensive market gar- 

 dens of Herman Bleuher, one of the most successful truck farms near 

 A11:)uquerque, is irrigated from a reservoir thus supplied. 



stock Vards at Albuqueriiue 



