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<br />{ , <br /> <br />on the other hand, reduction in flow has left pumping <br />plants high and dry. The development has been of a spec- <br />ulative, hit and mJss type, not to be compared with the <br /> <br />permanent and costly projects constructed on the American <br /> <br />side of the line. One major reason for this difference <br /> <br />lies in the fact that the class (b) lands 11e under the <br /> <br />menace of total destruction by a heavy flash flood from <br /> <br />the Gila River, which has been recorded at flows in excess <br /> <br />of 200,000 second feet. <br /> <br />~rsion and Use of Water in Mexico <br />vVhen the Imperial Valley irrigation system was con- <br /> <br />structed, it was found most practicable to construct a <br /> <br />diversion intake on American soil, a short distance north <br /> <br />of the California-Mexico boundary and then use as a main <br /> <br />canal an old overflow channel of the river, called the <br />"Alamo River". This channel passed through Mexico for <br /> <br />sixty miles and thence back into California. In 1904 <br /> <br />Mexico required the operating company to procure a <br /> <br />"concessionrl authorizing use of the Mexican section of <br /> <br />the canal. This concession required delivery to <br /> <br />Mexican lands, when demanded, of one-half of the water <br /> <br />being transported through Mexico. It was granted to a <br /> <br />. . <br />, <br /> <br />private Mexican corporation and was not an obligation of <br /> <br />either the state of California or the United States. <br /> <br />- 16 - <br />