WSP10867

• File Number: 8278.400
• Description: Title I - Mexican Treaty
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 3/1/1962
• Author: IBWC
• Title: Mexican Water Treaty -Appendix E -Water Supply
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

"Negotiations wiLh Mexico over a division of the waters of the
Colorado River have been carried on intermittently since early in this
century. In 1924 the COi1gress passed an aCe authorizing the Presi-
dent to designate three special Commissioners to cooperate with
representatives of Mexico il. a study regarding the equitable use of
the waters of the RlO Grande below Fort QuiLman, Tex. (Public Law
118, 68th Cong., 43 Stat. 118). Mexico was unwilling to discuss
the Rio Grande unless at the same time the problem of the Colorado
River was also discussed. Accordingly, by Joint resolution approved
March 3, 1927 (Public Resolution No. 62, 69Th Cong., 44 Stat. 1043),
the scope of the investigation provided for by the act of May 13, 1924,
was extended so as to include the Colorado River, and the resolution
specifically provided that the purpose was to secure information on
which to base a treaty with iV,exico relative to the use of the waters
of the two rivers. Permission was also granted to make a similar
study of the Tijuana River, subject to Mexico's concurrence. . . .
"With. respecL 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 allocaUon to Mexico of
750,000 acre-feet per annum to be delivered according to schedule,
and it was suggested that in addition to this amount the American
section would be willing to add an additional amount to compensate
for losses in the main canal in Mexico. It WClS also pointed out that
in addition Mexico would receive certain return, drainage and other
excess flows from the UnitGd States.
"I think it is important at this time to call attention to the details
ofthat offer to Mexico by the former American section of the Commis-
sion. It has great signillcance. Seven hundred and fifty thousand
acre-feet of water was to be del1vered into laterals of the canals in
Mexico ."

Robert L. Lowry, Engineer, American Section, International Boundary Commis-

sion testified in more detail as to the water supply of the Colorado River. On pagG 235

Mr. Lowry, after restating the various estimates of virgin flow of the Colorado River

at Yuma introduced by Mr. Lawson, explained thG latGst estimate as follows:

"Mr. LOWRY. .
"It is significant that thG difference bGtwGen the lowest and highest
of these estimates, based on both early and late figures, as averages
before and after the drought period of the 1930' s, is only about 3 percent
of the total water supply.

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