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. ...... .Lv\J_ 1:\ T H 1IIlI":T [(1:\ s Colorado River Aqueduct The Colorado River aqueduct is essential to the continued pros- perity and J<l"rowth of Southern California. Without it, material and widespread retrogression is inevitable. The first serious water shortage would cause property losses greatly in excess of the entire cost of the project. The supply of water now available from the Colorado River will not only maintain the present basin develop- ment but will make possible its expansion and the creation of new wealth in the years to come. Ordinarily a p,'oject of this maJmitude never could have been undertaken by any community that might have developed solely upon the natural stream flows of Southern California; but by draw- inK upon prehistoric underJ<l"round water reserves, the wealth rc- quire<1 to IW first to the Owens River for Los An~eles, and now to the Colorado River for Southern California, has been accumul<lted. This aqueduct draws its supply from an area totally different from the present sources, and protected as it is by Lake )'lead, the huge reservoir formed by Boulder Dam, it is not likely to fail co- incidentally with the local sources. The thirteen cities which at this time constitute the District, undertook this project to inslIre their own future development, and can bear the cost. It is believed, however, that the common interests of Southern California will best be served if the henefits of the aqueduct are distributed to all communities in need of additional wllter. This can he accomplished by membership in the District and by sharinf,!' in the advantaf!es and responsibilities of what is now a going concern, able to supply wholesale water to the coastal basin communities. . - Colorado Ri1:rr