Engineering Wonders of the World
Volume I

IRRIGATION WORK IN THE UNITED STATES. 95 THE UNCOMPAHGRE PROJECT, COLORADO. The most spectacular of the large works of the Reclamation Service is located in South- western Colorado, and is known as the Un- compahgre project. Its name is derived from that of the valley which is to be irrigated. Less than a quarter of a century ago this part of Colorado belonged to the Ute Indians, and was practically uninhabited by the white man. About twenty years ago Need for J ' ° , the Government purchased the more Water. r lands of the Indians, who moved elsewhere, and the country was then opened to settlement. The region being attractive and healthful, the lands were taken up rapidly. During the first few years the Uncompahgre River, which traverses the valley, met all needs. Irrigation systems were enlarged and extended until fully 80,000 acres were watered. Then came a period of dry years when the stream-flow proved quite inadequate to supply the require- ments of any save the earlier settlers. The irrigated area decreased, orchards perished, and many settlers finally abandoned their farms and left the country. It became ap- parent in time that the safe limit of irrigation year after year from this stream would not exceed 20,000 acres. For every acre irrigated there were thirty just as good which it seemed must always remain desert. The diversified crops, enormous yields, and the perfection and flavour of the fruits grown would serve to keep alive the public interest in this region. Investigations and surveys for storage reser- voirs were made by many engineers, but actual construction was not undertaken until 1903, when tho Reclamation Service took up the work. The problem before the engineers was to increase the water supply in the valley. To understand that problem one must take note of the peculiar character of the country, and understand its principal drainage systems. A careful study of the Uncompahgre River made it apparent that it could not be depended upon to furnish, the necessary sup- ply. Ten miles to the east of Tough the Uncompahgre River, and f>r°blem« following a nearly parallel course for thirty- five miles, is the Gunnison River. During all those years of drought and suffering in the Uncompahgre valley, the ample Gunnison River rushed futilely on its way in tantalizing nearness. Engineers, dreaming of conquest, came and studied, shook their heads, and passed on. The Gunnison, flowing for miles in a profound gorge more than half a mile deep, mocked them from its trough of granite. To determine the feasibility of diverting the waters of the Gunnison into the valley of the Uncompahgre involved some of the most difficult and daring surveying and topographic map-work ever attempted. It was apparent that the diversion, if possible, could be effected only by a tunnel with one end in the canyon and the other on the Uncompahgre side, driven through the intervening Vernal Mesa, 2,000 feet high. To add to the difficulties, this particular portion of the Gunnison canyon had never been explored, at least not by any one who lived to tell the story. Attempts had been made, it is true, but no man had ever succeeded in passing through the gorge alive. Two men, Government Engineer A. L. Fellows and his assistant, W. W. Torrence, decided to prepare the necessary outfit to make the dangerous trip. The outfit in- cluded an inflated rubber mattress, as it was easily seen that no boat could live in that foaming, Wonderful ° Surveying. roaring torrent of waters. On this mattress they loaded provisions, instru- ments, and photographic materials. Through the exciting days which followed they literally took their lives in their hands. Nearly every moment was filled with heart-breaking hard- ship. For a part of the trip a party followed along the top of the canyon-—a useless expe-