160 IRRIGATION INVESTIGATIONS IN CALIFORNIA. 



of Lakeport; Captain Atherton, of Lakeport, and F. M. Porter, of Kono Tayee. 

 The zero line In this diagram is the extreme of low water recorded in these observa- 

 tions. This occurred November 20, 1898. A study of these two diagrams will show 

 how the level of the lake fluctuates in response to the precipitation in the watershed 

 and how the impeded outlet of the lake retards the escape of the water and helps to 

 maintain the flow in Cache Creek after the rains have ceased. The third diagram 

 covers the same period and shows the rainfall reported to the U. S. Weather Bureau 

 by the observer at Woodland, and represents fairly the precipitation on the agricul- 

 tural lands of Cache Creek Basin. 



A study of the third diagram shows that in 1897 the rain practically ceased in 

 Cache Creek Basin before the 1st of April and did not begin again until some time 

 in November, a period of seven months; that in 1891, 1892, 1893, 1895, and 1896 the 

 rain ceased in May; that in the remaining three years, 1894, 1898, and 1899, the dry 

 season began by the close of June. It should be further noted that for three of these 

 j'ears there was no rain that could benefit crops for five months, for another no rain 

 for four months, for two years no rain for three months, and for three others no 

 rain for two months. 



A study of the last diagram, in connection with the first and second, suggests 

 that a remedy for the shortage of water in the Cache Creek Valley lies in the utiliza- 

 tion of the reservoir possibilities of Clear Lake. Here is a great natural reservoir, 

 receiving the precipitation from 500 square miles, and all that is needed to put it into 

 use is the defining and protecting of the rights to the waters of Cache Creek, the 

 rights of the riparian owners on Clear Lake, and the regulation of the flow of the 

 water from the lake. 



POWEE POSSIBILITIES OF CACHE CREEK. 



After leaving Lower Lake there is no irrigable land until Capaj^ Valley is reached. 

 On this part of the stream we have conditions peculiarly favorable for the develop- 

 ment of power. This is especially the case below the junction with the North Fork. 

 This branch and the other streams entering below the lake would furnish a good 

 volume during the rainy season even if the waters of the lake and all that could be 

 stored in other I'eservoirs should be cut off. When these streams fail the accumulated 

 waters would be needed below for irrigation, and storage would thus augment the 

 flow available for power purposes. We have here what too often is impossible to 

 secure, a harmony of interest between the power used and the irrigator. 



Farther down the stream leaves Capay Valley proper and makes a detour behind 

 a spur of the mountains, passing through a deep gorge. It reappears in the valley 

 alx)ut 3 miles above the town of Capaj'. At this gorge and in the vicinitj- of Capay 

 conditions are favorable for the further development of power without serious 

 interference with the use of the water for irrigation. 



SOIL. 



Capay Valley is about 20 miles long and has a width varying from 1 to 4 miles. 

 The land is not of uniform quality. About one-third of the area is a rich, sandy 

 loam made up of the finer sediment washed in from the hills. This is very fine fruit 

 and alfalfa land, and being sheltered from winds and late frosts this region is pecuL 



