452 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE TERRITORIES. 



fore held it to be. It may be said with safety, because with truth, that 

 the entire space of 20 miles on each side of this railway, covered by its 

 grant of lands, is available for human sustenance, so far as its utility 

 depends on supplies of water in springs and streams, or its provision at 

 reasonable cost in wells, cisterns, and tanks. 



The nearest approach to destitution is between Pond Creek and Kit 

 Carson. By reference to a correct map you will see that the Smoky 

 Hill River has its sources (or upper arroyos) east and northeast from 

 Kit Carson, the Republican is at a considerable distance northward and 

 northwestward, while the Big Sandy is westward and south westward. 

 The eye at once appreciates the fact that here is a water-shed, curving 

 round from about Cedar Point, passing north of Eureka Valley and 

 turning southward past First View Station, giving us the swell in the 

 plain which I have noted as existing from Pond Creek westward to 

 First View. Now when the porous character of this region, with drift 

 from 100 to possibly 500 feet in depth, is considered, we readily under- 

 stand that the streams may be small or intermittent; arroyos, with 

 occasional pools, not lasting, and running water only in times of heavy 

 storms, and we are prepared for the phenomena which actually pre- 

 sent themselves : invisible streams finding their way slowly under the 

 earth, and a surface not cheered by brooks or rivers, though verdant 

 with nutritious vegetation. 



But let us consider the beneficence manifested, even where the absence 

 of visible water may to the careless observer suggest desolation. Over 

 this region there is an annual rain-fall, averaging from 15 to 20 inches ; 

 but let us take it to be but 12 inches. This gives 43.5G0 cubic feet 

 of water on an acre in a year ; about 340,000 gallons in the dooryard 

 of the farmer; on each square mile nearly 28,000,000 cubic feet, or 

 nearly 220,000,000 gallons. What becomes of this precipitation 1 If 

 the surface were bare rock or impervious clays it would mainly pass 

 off by floods, and the remnants left in depressions escape by evapora- 

 tion. But the superficial deposits are of such porous character, over 

 extended areas, that a large proportion of the rain -fall sinks into the 

 earth, and is there stored in depressions of the clay sub-strata, ready 

 for man's use as needed. 



IRRIGATION. 



A day will come, no doubt, when streams and wells along the line of 

 this railway will furnish water for irrigation, to nourish such vegeta- 

 tion as will not thrive without it. The Smoky Hill River and many of its 

 tributaries can be used, either by leading out the water from dams or 

 forcing it to a higher level by machinery. It may be said that along 

 or near the railway irrigation to a considerable extent from streams is 

 practicable till we reach the one hundred and second meridian. Thence 

 to about the one hundred and third meridian the water must be sought 

 in wells, or the rain-fall stored in tanks for use as needed. 



West of the one hundred and third meridian the Big Sandy, with a 

 fall of about 17 feet per mile, can be utilized for irrigation up to and 

 beyond the point where the track leaves its valley. Passing the divide 

 at Cedar Point, we have Beaver, Comanche, Kiowa, Bijou, and Bear 

 Creeks, together with springs and lesser streams ; all with supplies of 

 water to be rendered available in the future if required. 



The fall of the streams above named is stated to be about 30 feet to 

 the mile, and their waters can be led out at small cost. The canals at 

 their commencement will partake somewhat of the character of the 

 Afghanistan caureez, but will be less costly. In the sandy beds of the 



