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city of Los Angeles has a second right on half of it, and the Southern California Edison Co. has a second right on the other half of it.

Mr. LEAVY. This dump power is seasonal, and, due to the flow of floodwaters and you can almost calculate, or you can calculate, with a reasonable degree of certainty about when it is to come!

Mr. PAGE. Yes.

Mr. LEAVY. And at the time when it does come is there not a substantial amount of power used for irrigation pumping in that territory!

Mr. PAGE. Yes; the dump-power production fits almost exactly the irrigation pumping load.

Mr. LEAVY. Is that true of Coulee, too?

Mr. PAGE. Yes, sir; the pumping at Grand Coulee contemplates the use of all, or practically all, of the dump power and none of the firm power.

Mr. LEAVY. I do not know whether I asked this question previously or not, but does the Boulder Canyon project, as it is operating now, indicate that it is going to pay for itself?

Mr. PAGE. Oh, yes. The firm-power contracts will repay the Boulder Canyon investment with interest at 4 percent and will create a great surplus.

Mr. LEAVY. How does it involve reclamation?

Mr. PAGE. The water is used in irrigation downstream.

BOULDER CANYON PROJECT (ALL-AMERICAN CANAL)

Mr. SCRUGHAM. That brings us to the All-American Canal, which is as follows:

Boulder Canyon project (All-American Canal): For continuation of construetion of a diversion dam, and main canal (and appurtenant structures) located entirely within the United States connecting the diversion dam with the Impe rial and Coachella Valleys in California; to acquire by proceedings in eminent domain, or otherwise, all lands, rights-of-way, and other property necessary for such purposes; and for incidental operations, as authorized by the Boulder Canyon Project Act, approved December 21, 1928 (U. 8. C., title 43, ch. 12A) ; to be immediately available and to remain available until advanced to the Colorado River Dam Fund, $1,000,000, which amount shall be available for personal services in the District of Columbia (not to exceed $5,000) and in the field ani for all other objects of expenditure that are specified for projects included in the Interior Department Appropriation Act for the fiscal year 1938 under the captain “Bureau of Reclamation, Administrative provisions and limtitations", without regard to the amounts of the limitations therein set forth.

Mr. PAGE. The justification in support of this item is as follows:

Construction:

Estimate of appropriation, 1938.
Funds available:

Public Works allotments ...

Emergency Relief allocation (1935)

General Fand appropriation, fiscal year 1937

Amount necessary to complete after fiscal year 1938

$1,000 000

9, 000, 0006 11 300

6.0 10 000.

38,000,0

Estimated cost Authorization The construction of the All American Canal is authorized by the Border Canyon Project Act of December 21, 1928 (US C, title 43, ch 1A). Section 1 of the act authorized the Secretary of the Interior to con struct, operate, and maintain a main canal and appurtenant structures low test entirely within the United States connecting the Ligma Dam or ether witch an diversion dam, if deemed necessary or advisable upon engineering of ecotove

onsiderations, with the Imperial and Coachella Valleys in California, the exje antires for said main canal and appurtenant structures to be reimbursable, as provided in the reclamation law. Section 3 of the act authorized appropriaLots, not exceeding $165,000,000 in the aggregate, for the construction of AllAzerican Canal and the Boulder Canyon Dam, power plant, and incidental

Location.—The canal is located in the extreme southern portion of California a Imperial and Riverside Counties. The Imperial diversion dam is being constracted across the Colorado River in Imperial County, Calif., and Yuma County, Ariz.

The primary purpose of the All-American Canal is to provide a route entirely thin the United States for the diversion of water from the Colorado River to the 500,000 acres of land in Imperial Valley now receiving water from the perial Canal, which for the greater portion of its length runs through Mexico. In addition it will provide a water supply for lands not now under rrigation and for lands in Coachella Valley which now obtain water from wells. De eventual irrigated area will be approximately 1,000,000 acres.

Description. The main canal will have a length of about 80 miles. It starts at Imperial diversion dam, 15 miles northwest of Yuma, Ariz., and follows near the river to Laguna Dam, 5 miles downstream, from where it cuts through the thills at the edge of the mesa to Pilot Knob, following a course generally railed to the present Yuma main canal, which it will replace, as far as Siphon Do After passing Pilot Knob, the general direction of the canal is parallel ' the Mexican boundary, being in places within a few hundred feet of it and ving it in other places, as through the sand hills, by as much as 3 miles. The canal ends at the west side main canal of the Imperial irrigation district, at 10 miles west of Calexico.

From Imperial Dam to Siphon Drop the canal will have a capacity of 15,000 sund-feet. At Siphon Drop 2,000 second-feet will be diverted for the Yuma rigation project. From Siphon Drop to Pilot Knob, where 3,000 second-feet be made available for power in a drop to the Colorado River, the capacity a 13000 second-feet. After passing the sand hills there will be a diversion of 20 second-feet into the Coachella branch. Crossing Imperial Valley, diveres are made to the existing irrigation system at various places, reducing the city at the end to 2,600 second-feet. Between the sand hills and Calexico *** are five drops in the canal, aggregating about 130 feet, available for power development.

The Coachella branch will leave the main canal at station 1907 and run in a Artwesterly direction along the edge of the sand hills to a point east of the wn of Coachella, where there is an 80-foot drop. From the drop the canal cases Coachella Valley to the southwest side, down which it continues, to end 1 'he Riverside County line. The capacity at the head will be 2,300 secondIn addition to lands in Coachella Valley, this canal will furnish water to «nds on East Mesa. Its total length will be 130 miles.

Imperial Dam, the diversion point for the canal, is being constructed as part of the All-American Canal project. It will be located on the Colorado River 5 ** upstream from Laguna Dam and 15 miles northeast of Yuma. It is to be a concrete structure 2,990 feet long with a hollow or "floating" type overflow tot 1.20 feet long and 31 feet high from foundation to crest. The desilting As which are being constructed in connection with the dam will remove at of the silt before it enters the canal. Fituated cost and funds available.—The estimated cost of the project is Funds available consist of Public Works allotments of $9,000.000, *+mergency-relief allocation of $11,500,000, and an appropriation of $6500,000; $27 000,000,

P wyment contracts.--The cost of construction of the dam and canal will be i under contracts with the Imperial irrigation district and the Coachella Vasey county water district, whereby the districts repay the total cost without Sterest over a period of 40 years, beginning 1 year after the completion of the

The United States will retain operation and control of the diversion Zard the main canal to Siphon Drop. Below Siphon Drop the United States Na turn over to the districts the operation of the canal on 60 days' notice after tripletion, but reserves the right to resume operation at any time on 60 days'

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Repayments by each district for construction will be for the works exclusive *hat district and in proportion to capacity in the common works. Intal irrigation district will operate the "common works."

The United States will not construct any power plants on the Canal. By the terms of the Boulder Canyon Act the districts may develop the power if they choose. The power rights on the "common works" are in proportion to the capacity provided for each district in the canal except at Pilot Knob where the Imperial irrigation district has all power rights. Power rights, on a part of the system used exclusively by one district, belong to that district.

Construction program.-Contract for construction of Imperial Dam and desilting works was awarded on December 14, 1935. Construction was started early in 1936 and by June 30, approximately $1,500,000 had been expended principally for excavation for the dam abutments and desilting works, driving of concrete, steel, and timber piling, placing of compacted embankments in the desilting works, and commencing the pouring of concrete. Work will be continued during the fiscal year 1937 and the dam and appurtenant works completed in the fiscal year 1938. The contract work is being financed by Emergency Relief Administration funds and it is expected to be practically completed with funds from this source.

Construction of transmission lines, telephone lines, and the Government camp for engineering forces, was started early in 1935 by Government forces with Public Works Administration funds. This work is completed. The estimated cost of the dam and desilting works is $7,903,000.

The main canal from the desilting works to station 3090+75 is being constructed under several contracts. Excavation contracts have been awarded for this length of canal and good progress is being made. Numerous large canal structures, as railroad and highway bridges, siphons, storm water inlets, and power drops are being built under contract and designs and specifications for similar works are being completed ready for advertisement for bids. This work is being financed with Public Works Administration and Emergency Relief Administration funds, and from the appropriation for the fiscal year 1937. Work will be continued throughout this length of canal during the fiscal year 1938. The total estimated cost of the canal from the desilting works to station 3090+75 is $15,298,000.

The main canal from station 3090+75 to the end was excavated primarily by Government forces with farmer-owned and driven teams and tractors. The excavation by machine work in this section of the canal will be done under contract. The All-American Canal in this reach generaly parallels the international boundary and cuts the existing canals of the Imperial irrigation district as these canals come out of Mexico. A large number of structures, including turnouts, checks, siphons, and bridges are, therefore, required here. Designs for these are being prepared. Work has been financed from Emergency Relief Administration funds and the fiscal year 1937 appropriation. The total estimated cost of this section of canal is $3.832,000.

To the end of November 1936. excavation had been completed on 55 miles of canal. The main canal and dam are expected to be completed in 1938. It is planned to begin surveys and designs for the Coachella main canal and. if possible, start construction of this feature.

Mr. PAGE. As further answer to Mr. Leavy's last question: In addition to the Boulder Canyon Dam and power plant, the AllAmerican Canal is made possible by the storage of water at Black Canyon. This canal is under construction by the Bureau of Reclamation for the benefit of lands in the Imperial Valley of California.

PURPOSE OF ALL-AMERICAN CANAL AND VALUE TO THE IMPERIAL VALLEY

Mr. LEAVY. I think it would be well to explain to the committee, and for the record, what this All-American Canal is. It is very important.

Mr. PAGE. The All-American Canal is the main supply canal for the irrigation of the entire Imperial Valley.

Mr. LEAVY. In California?

Mr. PAGE. Yes, sir. A large part of the Imperial Valley is already under cultivation. Originally the water was diverted almost on the

Mexican international boundary, and was, in fact, carried for a considerable distance-50 miles or more-through Mexican territory and then back into the United States. Under the agreement the Mexican lands had the right to approximately one-half of the water which was carried in this canal, because of the position of the canal. The American irrigators were largely at the mercy of the Mexicans for their water supply.

On the representation that this situation was causing heavy losses in the Imperial Valley, the All-American Canal was included and authorized as a part of the Boulder Canyon project. It is to be a canal approximately 80 miles long-82 miles long-and situated wholly within the United States, diverting from the Colorado River at a point farther up the river than the original heading and paralleling the international border. The All-American Canal thus enters the Imperial Valley, where its waters flow into the existing canals, which were constructed there in 1901 and 1902. It thus, in addition to providing capacity for the existing irrigation system, will furnish water for irrigation of new lands on the East Mesa, just east of the territory now irrigated in the Imperial Valley, and for lands in the Coachella Valley, which is adjacent to and north of the Imperial Valley. A branch of the All-American Canal will serve these lands.

Mr. LEAVY. How much land is affected by that, Mr. Page?

Mr. PAGE. About 650,000 acres, which can be served by the present canals, in the Imperial Valley, and 300,000 acres in the Coachella Valley and on the East Mesa, as I remember the figures. The Imperial Valley is under intensive cultivation, as a result of the old canal system. The new All-American Canal is merely a substitute route.

The Coachella Valley is irrigated at the present time in part by pumping from wells which now are proving inadequate for their purposes. There is land also which has never been irrigated heretofore. It is very fine land adapted to the production of dates and subtropical crops. This country's dates are nearly all produced in this area.

Mr. LEAVY. That land that is now under cultivation is very valuable land?

Mr. PAGE. Yes; the land under cultivation is very valuable land, and also highly productive land.

Mr. LEAVY. And the people that live there on that land, insofar as the water supply is concerned, have been dependent upon this water that went down into the Republic of Mexico through that canal and back into the United States?

Mr. PAGE. In the Imperial Valley; yes, sir. The people of the Imperial Valley, 65,000 of them, have been wholly dependent on the water that travels through Mexico for more than 50 miles. They will be dependent on this water until the all-American canal is put in service.

Mr. LEAVY. You say they have experienced difficulties with the Mexicans taking the water out to develop their own projects?

Mr. PAGE. The Mexicans have under cultivation more than 200,000 acres. This is of interest in connection with the whole problem in the Colorado River basin: A water commission was formed which felt that 750,000 acre-feet was sufficient water to take care of the

Mexican demands on the Colorado River. At the present time, because of the storage of the water in Boulder Dam and the lack of use so far in the United States of this water, there is vastly more water than that amount going into Mexico. On the assurance of the supply, or on the assurance that the water would be in the river, the Mexican Government and other interests are making a very large and intensive campaign to colonize the lands immediately below the border. I have heard figures running from 600,000 to 900,000 acres which have been platted for these new Mexican colonies. All the new Mexican facilities are planned immediately to use the waters of the Colorado River which are not now being used in the United States, but which will be required ultimately on this side of the border. Water rights are involved.

Mr. LEAVY. Do we have a treaty with Mexico, or do you know whether we have in reference to the waters of the Colorado River! Mr. PAGE. No; we have no treaty with Mexico on that.

Mr. LEAVY. If we divert the water before the water flows into the Republic of Mexico, do they recognize our right to it?

Mr. PAGE. Well, I think the international law would recognize the beneficial use of the water as the primary right.

Mr. LEAVY. If they put the water to a beneficial use before we do, then they would have a prior right to it?

Mr. PAGE. Well, I do not admit that they would have a prior right, but we would have difficulty getting the water away from them. This is a very serious situation on the Colorado River, because at the present time until the Gila project is completed, and the All-American Canal is completed, and until the upper basin States have made their developments there must be excess water flowing into Mexico.

Mr. LEAVY. Well, the condition existing in the Imperial Valley now is that if the Mexicans should, in any way, cut off the water supply that comes through the canal out of the Colorado River, one season would completely destroy that entire valley, would it not, and also the wealth that is created by reason of the trees, plants. and crops that are growing there?

Mr. PAGE. That is true. Until the All-American Canal is completed, and water for the Imperial Valley can go through this canal wholly within the United States, the people of the valley are dependent on the Mexican canal. That country gets but 3 inches of rain a year. One season without water would destroy the valley. Mr. LEAVY. I think, Mr. Chairman, that covers what I have in mind.

CENTRAL VALLEY AND GRAND COULEE DAM PROJECTS

Mr. SCRUGHAM. The next item is as follows:

For continuation of construction of the following projects in not to exceed the following amounts, respectively, to be expended from the general fund of the Treasury in the same manner and for the same objects of expenditure as specified for projects included in the Interior Department Appropriation Act for the fiscal year 1938, under the caption "Bureau of Reclamation", and to be reimbursable under the reclamation law:

Central Valley project, California, $15,000,000, together with the unexpended balance of the appropriation for this project contained in the First Deficiency Act, fiscal year 1936;

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