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<br />'" r, C) ??i <br />_ _ .....J.... <br /> <br />THE GUNNISON RIVER DIVERSION PROJECT <br /> <br />267 <br /> <br />Meanwhile, Whitman Cross of the U. S. Geological Survey, <br />on October 17 and 18, made an examination of the geology of <br />the region to determine the rock formations through which <br />the proposed tunnel would pass in its course from the Gunnison <br />River to the Uncompahgre Valley "by the shortest possible <br />line.'" <br /> <br />Thomas R. Hannihan was selected as state superintendent <br />for the tunnel construction, and the initial excavation was <br />started from the Uncompahgre Valley side in late fall of 1901. <br />The rock formation here was shale; consequently, it was nec- <br />essary to timber the tunnel as work progressed to prevent <br />cave-ins, with the anticipation that eventually the wooden <br />shoring would be replaced by a lining of concrete or brick." <br />By one estimate the cost of the tunnel would run about $20 <br />per foot, with a total of $880,000 for the completed, lined bore.' <br />In addition, there would be the expenditure of $200,000 for a <br />dam, "controlling works, engineering and contingencies." The <br />total cost, including the distribution system, would run to <br />about $1,500,000.8 <br /> <br />The tunnel, as originally proposed, would be about three <br />miles long, emptying water into a twelve-mile ditch which in <br />turn would carry the water to the mouth of the Montrose <br />CanaL More than 100,000 acres of land would be reclaimed, <br />enough for 1,200 families, with an increase in value of 5 million <br />dollars." <br /> <br />It was hoped that convict labor, provided by the state, could <br />be used in construction work. With respect to this, the Mont- <br />rose Enterprise had commented, "The question of convict labor <br />to aid in the work is one of vast importance, as it not only <br />makes toward the building of the tunnel, but it solves another <br />problem that of what to do with the idle convicts. Keep push- <br />ing this matter."'O About sixteen convicts would be involved, <br /> <br />Ii U. S. Geological Survey, First Annual Rcport~ loco cit. <br />e Colorado State Engineer, loco cit. <br />'I' U. S. Geological Survey, First Annual R6port~ op. cit., 139. <br />sIbid.,147. <br />"Ibid. The Delta Laborer observed that "While the enterprise is gigantic, <br />and will cost an immense sum yet the aggregate cost will not be over $3 per <br />acre for the land to be watered-advancing it from worthless class to the value <br />of at least $20 per acre, and under improvement to from $50 to $100. It also <br />means additional room for at least 10,000 people in the next ten years."-The <br />Gunnison People's Cham.pion, December 6, 1900. <br />10.Montrose EnterlJriseJ August 4, 1900. The "State Canal No.3" bill author- <br />ized the use of able-bodied convicts in the construction work.-Session Laws <br />of Colorado, 13th Session (1901), 370-371. A Denver reporter commented on <br />the employment of penitentiary inmates: "I believe It best for us to make <br />provisions for the employment of the convicts, and that the funds .be drawn from <br />the penitentiary fund, as that is a preferred fund, and further because any bill <br />drawn from the general fund would be an empty affair. Also your people should <br />consider what disposition the state should make of the water when the tunnel <br />shall be completed. I think it best for the state tb sell the ,vater at reasonable <br />rates to preferred purchasers, and that the bill provide for an issue of script <br />payable in water, which would assist the state materially, and enough of thIs <br />script could be placed to. feed and clothe the convicts. I would advise that the <br />cantonment be made a part of the penitentiary and the operations be under the <br />penitentiary board. . . ."-The Gunnison People's Champion, December 6, 1900. <br /> <br />, '.' <br /> <br />, <br /> <br />'. <br /> <br />.....'... ,. <br />..,' , <br />::r:::'=!:,::;:'::\:;,;, <br /> <br />~;:f'>:':':~;g,;</: <br />i~ : :{: ~:-::~: t :;~;:; ~ ::~: ; :_~::;.:: <br />::::~ <~<;:'~'\,:i ~~,:\' <br />'~':"':::;:. ~\<..~'..,: <br />, ....,-.. .'..".' <br /> <br />..., ..~ <br /> <br />~'::~?~;,::<;,:;A~i:: <br />~.~~ ;.~\/~~:~_:~::::><::~. <br />i;";Ii;:;~;;'}'\,. <br /> <br />~:.~:: .:::;~ :.:..:. .(.)~.:!.:, <br />:.';........'. '.- ." <br />...' ~: :,~,>,'....;:~~:' ~,' <br />.', .:. <br />.., '.'." <br />" ~ .. <br />'F,?:'::f.~;;{'~ <br /> <br />>..''',.<., '-:::'::. <br />'..:.\.:-:./:~:<.. <br /> <br />~,. "'::". .-:;: <br /> <br />~>'..~... /: '.. ~'''.' <br /> <br />);j;';f~: <br /> <br /> <br />~>:;'~::'.::..,. . '''..:. <br />.'. ,...... 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