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<br />the Gulf, we would indeed have Utopia in this Lower Rio Grande Valley. But this
<br />is not th(3 case.
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<br />We know that Falcon Reservoir c~ot ,supply even all present diversions. Some
<br />diversions have been operating for m~ decades--others, are of recent years. Col-
<br />lecti vely they can dry up the 1\merican share of Fal'con Reservoir long before all
<br />lands now under our ditches are adequately watered. This condition, of course,
<br />will not always exist. The big noods will come, the reservoir will, fill,and the
<br />river will again flow abundantly--for a time.
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<br />Successful irrigation requires that water be available when needed, every year,
<br />wet or dry. We, always start from .this premise in the irrigation business. Only on
<br />such a,basis , can you,afford investments to reap the full benefit of your fertile
<br />1 ands.
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<br />Perhaps some, of you can ride out recurring' water shortages. ' PeI'hap,s you can
<br />wait, while your neighbOr~oes bankrupt, h~s ditches crumble, and he no longer seeks
<br />his share of water. Then perhaps you 1rould get 'water enough for your mm land.
<br />That would be doing it the hard way. ' .
<br />
<br />This is not a solution to your problems. Let us examine the (lurrent situation
<br />in the Valley in order to determine how to proceed.
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<br />First, and foremost, you have a water supply problem. Our Mexican neighbors
<br />now use their share of the river yield. The water problem, t,Oday, th(3rElfore, starts
<br />with the United States share, approximately SS percent, This is a sharp ,r(3duction
<br />from the quantity of water the Valley has heretofore taken. To partially offset
<br />this, there are now the regulatory features of Falcon Resl'lrvoir. Opposed to this
<br />advantage is the presence of nearly 700 thousand acres of land under existing
<br />ditches and diversions on the United States side. Few are so misinformed as to
<br />believe that the United States share of Falcon water will, support full irrigation of
<br />700 thousand acres of land. \oJhat will it support? " ,
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<br />A decade ago theBtu>eau of Reclamation c9Jllpleted a water supply ,study here and
<br />(loncluded that FaJ.conEese:rvo~r, plus additionaJ. reservoir space to b~constructed
<br />upstream, could furnish a full water supply for perhaps 6S0 thousand1\merioan acres.
<br />This figure) however, was based uPon a canal system, appropriatelY lined, for ~ximum
<br />conservation that would divert reservoir releases far upstream. :
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<br />Since then you have suffered the unwelcome adversity of a, drouth of long and
<br />unusual severity. Today no, onllis sure as to exactly what Falcon Reservoir and ..
<br />additionaJ. upstream storage will support in the way of irrigation. , It is doubtful,
<br />however, if Falcon by itself can be expected to fully support, muchinore than 350 to
<br />400' thousand acres of irrigated land. Further evaluation is required of this dis-
<br />tressing qecade of drouth and its impact upon Valley water supplY. '
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<br />In addition: to irrigation probl~s,your growing municipalities are demanding
<br />water at even greater rates than their inc~ase in population. Also, within your
<br />grasp, there is the opportuni tyror industrial developnent. It should be noted
<br />that under Texas statutes, municipal and industrial water requirements are legally
<br />superior to irrigation needs. ' These potential new water requirementa"will not be
<br />brushed aside casually"',r lightly by those on the land.
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