Imperial Valley Press

Drainage Called Most Important

Imperial Valley's most important activity today is the development of soil drainage. The Imperial Irrigation District has a total of 1100 miles of drainage ditches, of which 250 miles are deep drains and 850 miles are laterals.

As a result of the refunding modification plan, the way is being cleared for a complete and effective extension of the district's drainage system.

This will total about 40 miles additional deep drains and 250 miles of laterals.

The only serious difficulty encountered in development of the drainage program is refusal of rights-of-way for drainage ditches from farmers who "don't believe in drainage", and obtaining credit for private land drainage by individual farmers.

These are highlights of an explanation of the Imperial Irrigation District's drainage program as presented Rotarians at their Thursday noon luncheon by Roy Breedlove, chairman of the day.

Major J. F. Lamb head of the drainage department of the district and Superintendent M. J. Dowd, principal speaker on the educational program, explained the development of the problem and how the problem of advancing water tables was being met. He utilized charts to demonstrate how strata of salt or hard packed silt tended to obstruct seepage of irrigation water from fields downward into sand strata which will carry off the drainage.

"The district has been deepening present drainage ditches and will continue to do so," Dowd explained "as a part of the regular plan. In addition, extension of the drainage system is vital and can now go forward as fast as land owners in the areas affected will cooperate."

The program was arranged by Breedlove who, before presenting Dowd, asked individual Rotarians pertinent questions relating to the drainage subject. Only half were properly answered.

President J. W. (Pat) Glasgow presided and supervised the annual nominations for directors. Results will be announced next week.