WSP09503

• File Number: 8278.400
• Description: Title I - Mexican Treaty
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 5/10/1962
• Author: CWCB - D. Hamburg
• Title: Mexican Water Treaty Negotiations Pertaining to the Colorado River
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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make a similar study of the Tia Juana River subject to Mexico's
concurrence. Three commissioners were appointed by each country,
and the commission made an investigation of the three inter-
national streams, though unable to reach an agreement.

with respect to the Colorado River, Mexico demanded an
allocation of 3,600,000 acre-feet a year, whereas the offer of
the American section was limited to an allocation to Mexico of
75,000 acre-feet per annum to be delivered according to a schedule.
The American section was also willing to add an additional amount
to compensate for losses in the main canal and also Mexico would
receive certain return drainage and other excess flows from the
United states.

The negotiations having failed, the American section of
the International Boundary Commission was abolished by the Act of
June 30, 1932, and its powers, duties and functions transferred to
the American section of the International Boundary and Water Com-
mission, united states and Mexico.

From that time developments in both countries proceeded
steadily, particularly after placing in operation Boulder Dam, and
it became increasingly apparent, in the light of the rapid Mexican
developments, that some agreements should be reached between the
two countries with regard to an allocation of the water supply.
It was felt by most of the Basin states that the consummation of
such a treaty was highly desirable in order to place some limit
upon Mexico's expansion, which would in turn make developments in
the united states more secure. Consequently the Department of
state renewed its investigations of the situation.

COMMITTEE OF FOURTEEN AND SIXTEEN

The Committee of Fourteen and Sixteen was created in
1938. The immediate occasion for their formation was the consid-
eration of the Boulder Canyon Project Adjustment Act. In that
case the states did agree and passed resolutions supporting the
formula which later ripened into the passage by Congress of the
Boulder Canyon project Adjustment Act.

The Committee of Fourteen was made up of two members
from each of the seven Colorado River Basin states. The Committee
of sixteen is the same as the Committee of Fourteen except where
matters of hydroelectrical generation are involved there are two
additional members representing the power interests.

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