The Colorado Desert 115 



during seasons of flood. The eroding and cutting power of the 

 accelerated current in times of high water is almost inconceiv- 

 able. The river broke its bounds and went wildly on its way 

 over its old delta plain. For centuries the river had discharged 

 alternately to the Gulf of California on the south and to the 

 basin of Lake Cahuilla on the north. The silt deposits of the 

 delta are very erodable and the flooded river, having left its 

 original channel, rapidly cut terrific gashes in the soft earth. 

 The river resumed its old channels of New and Alamo rivers 

 by which it had delivered water to Lake Cahuilla. The basin 

 of Salton Sink began to fill with water. The shores of Salton 

 Sea were pushed outward. The tracks of the Southern Pacific 

 railroad which skirted the shores of Salton Sea had to be relaid 

 on higher ground. The salt works which had been in operation 

 on the flat bottom of Salton Sink were submerged and had to 

 be abandoned. Farm lands that had been improved under the 

 irrigation system were inundated and valuable fields destroyed 

 by erosion. The great irrigation system by which the Imperial 

 Valley had been a productive garden seemed doomed. 



Despite overwhelming difficulties and obstacles, by the de- 

 termined efforts of engineers and the persistent outlay of capital 

 by the Southern Pacific railroad, the river in 1907 was brought 

 under control and returned to its former channel leading to the 

 Gulf of California. By successful adjustment of out-takes 

 from the river and the further construction of canals this great 

 desert irrigation project has been brought into successful opera- 

 tion, and the river goes on its way to the gulf. 



Lake Cahuilla 



Salton Sea increased in area due to the incursion of the Colo- 

 rado River, till in 1907 it was 45 miles in length, with a maxi- 

 mum width of 17 miles, having at its deepest point a depth of 

 83 feet, and covered an area of about 410 square miles. It 

 extended from Imperial Junction nearly to Mecca. The 

 evaporation due to the high temperatures is very great. The 



