Download "Gila Valley Irrigation Ditrht Safford, Arizona"
6 STATISTICS Irrigable area 40,000 acres Now irrigated 32,000 acres Number of farms 890 Average size of farm 36 acres Population of District 14,500 Population of farms 4,450 Annual gross value of crops produced for past 8 years $ 2,050,000 Value of livestock, including sheep, goats, and cattle, poultry and dairy products Estimated valuation of irrigated land, including improvements Annual charge per acre for all water delivered to land, which includes cost of operation and maintenance and betterments $ 3,350,000 13,000,000 $1.50 The canal companies have expended over $400,000 on diversion dams and canals, and these works stand to-day at the mercy of the Gila River when in flood $400, 000 It is unnecessary to provide drainage at this time, as underlying the rich soil is a layer of coarse gravel which permits a return flow of 50% of the water to the river, There is no bonded or other indebtedness against the District.
10 or Desert Act. Water rights were adjudicated by the Arizona state water commissioner and filed with the state. Patents to these lands were granted by the United States. IMPROVEMENT AND UNIT OF OWNERSHIP: The Gila Valley Irrigation District is the largest irrigation project in Arizona, exclusive of the Salt River Valley lands. The early history of the pioneer settlers of the Salt River Valley closely follows that of the Gila settlers save there was no unfriendly interference by the Indians in the Salt River Valley. The thriving towns of Pima, Thatcher, Central, Safford, Solomonville, Fort Thomas and Geronimo grace the valley with paved streets, domestic water supply and electrical distribution, that is only surpassed by communities of much larger population and many years older. Exclusive of the towns, the district shows anappraised valuation of $11,600,000 with improvements totaling $4,500,000, which included houses, barns, silos and farm implements. The livestock industry has an appraised valuation of $2,500,000. The average crop valuation estimates from 1920 show gross return annually of $2,100,000. Eight hundred eighty-five individual farms make an average holding of 36 acres per holding, which is less acreage per unit ownership than that stated by the Salt River project in POPULATION: The entire population of the district including the towns is 14,500 and one-third of this population belongs to the Mormon faith. This religious sect has erected and maintains 13 churches. Schools accommodate an average daily attendance of 2,600 pupils, and Gila College at Thatcher, a non-sectarian institution sponsored by the Mormons, has an enrollment of 300 students.
11 The people who pioneered this valley had to combat the floods of the Gila River coupled with the treacherous activity of the Indians, and much praise is due them for their undaunted courage and perseverence under conditions that would easily have turned back, or exterminated, a less courageous spirit. Mr. Hiram Weach, the oldest pioneer in the Valley, tells a tragic story of his life. Mr. Weach settled near Thatcher in 1869 on the choicest land then in the valley, 160 acres near the stream bed of the Gila, which at that time he describes as a meandering stream of about 140 feet in width, heavily timbered with large cottonwood and willow trees. These trees were cut to provide homes for the early pioneers and shelter for cattle. Floods in the river gradually took his entire 160 acres until today not one acre of his original homestead remains to be cultivated. The kindly old man related this tale with no feeling of animosity toward nature, but rather conveyed a humility that bespoke a faith in the Divine Providence that all things are for the best. His story is but one of many, as it was a constant battle in an attempt to keep the river in its banks during floods. The cutting of these trees removed the barrier which permitted an increased velocity, washing away a channel which is today 2,000 feet wide. With an average gradient of 26 feet to the mile and the channel well defined, this entire valley is subj ect to destruction with a return of a wet year similar to The stream bed today occupies nearly one-half of the entire area of the valley and all this has been done in about five wet years. One flood of January, 1916, washed away nearly 1,200 acres. This was determined by a plane table survey of the Indian Service Department.
12 MARKETS: From an economic standpoint the Upper Gila Valley is highly important, as it has definite markets at either end which are dependent on its agricultural products. The cities of Globe and Miami, employ-. ing thousands of people in the mining industry, and with an estimated population of 19,600, are the outlet for the products of the lower valley. The upper valley serves the towns of Morenci and Clifton, with a population of 7,000. The towns of the valley also supply the outlying ranges, which are used for cattle and sheep. Splendid highways lead from both ends of the valley to these markets. RECOMMENDATION: A survey should be made at once to determine the most strategic points for a dam, or series of dams, to control the flood menace. An investigation should be made to provide storage of sufficient quantity in conjunction with the flood control.
13 CROP YIELD: COTTON--2 bales per acre when water available, maximum yield. WHEAT-4,400 pounds per acre. ALFALFATen tons per acre. A quantity yield that demands a 20 per cent higher price than any alfalfa raised in the Southwest, due to its exceptionally tender fiber and heavy leaf. BARLEY-4,500 pounds per acre. CORN-4,300 pounds per acre. BEANSi, 200 pounds per acre. These are the principal crops raised in the valley.
14 The Gila Ri'er Two Miles West of Saffod.
16 Concrete Highways Serving Well-Developed Farms Street Scene in Soffoid.
19 Sheep Grazing Near Suffoid Southern Pacific StatioR, Sufford. Industry in Saffoid. Typical Giain Field.
20 Giaharn County Court House, Safford Gila Junior College, Thatcher.
THE FIRST KATIOSAL BASK OF PORTLAND PORTLAHD, OREGON December 24, 1956. Mr* A. P* Giannini Chairman of the Board Bank of America, N.?* & S. A* San Francisco, California Dear Mr. Gianninit I sat at Mr.
ATTENDANCE AT TYE reeting OF TFE SEVEN BASIN STATES HELD AT PHOENIX, ARIZONA, JUNE 22nd-23rd, 1938.