WSP08285

• File Number: 8221.108
• Description: Holbrook Project
• State: AZ
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 3/1/1950
• Title: Report on Joseph City Unit - Holbrook Project Arizona
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF RECLAMATION
Washington 25, D.C.

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August 8, 1950

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The Secretary

of the Interior

Sir:

I submit herewith the proposed report of the Bureau of
Reclamation on the Joseph City Unit, Holbrook Project, Arizona,
dated March 1950.

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The Joseph City Unit of the Holbrook Project is located
in central Mavajo County, Little Colorado River Basin, northeast
Arizona. The projec~ area comprises about 7,600 acres of land on
the gently sloping alluvial fans and first benches along the north
bank of the Little Colorado River in and around Joseph City. Irri-
gation water is presently furnished to the area by the Joseph City
Irrigation Company.

The problems of the area are (1) a periodic shortage of
water during the early part of the irrigation season caused by the
widely fluctuating flow characteristics of the Little Colorado
River, and (2) serious soil and cultural problems caused by the use
of heavily silt-laden water from the Little Colorado River.

Several plans for correcting those problems were investi-
gated. The most feasible plan was found to be one which involved
continued use of the unregulated flow of the Little Colorado River,
desilting the water, rehabilitating the existing upper canal, and
providing supplemental water supply by additional ground water
pumping.

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On the basis of the preliminary results of our investiga-
tions, the Joseph City Irrigation Company undertook to solve the
problem itself and contracted for the conBt~ction of an earthen
desilting basin and for the drilling of a 12-inch well and the in-
stalling of pumping equipment.

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