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<br />I <br />'I <br />I <br />I <br />j <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />'I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />Of\?r::, 'J <br />U '"' J \;t " <br /> <br />bottom an average of about 5 feet. This has resulted in complaints from local farmers that <br />the elevated river bottom resulted in groundwater problems in the area. <br /> <br />Due to the flooding of the Gila River in 1993 and high water releases from Painted Rock <br />Dam in 1995, there exists a good probability that dredging will be required. The sediment <br />load in the river channel increased by about 10 million plus cubic yards during the 1993 <br />flood, and with the present Gila flows, that will increase even more. This sediment needs to <br />eventually be removed to increase the capacity of the river channel to prevent overtopping <br />the levees during large floods and to lower the water table in the Yuma valley. Should the <br />funding and permits to do the work be made available, this work will probably be done in <br />the next 10 years. Separate consultation under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act <br />would be conducted for this project. The area to be dredged is located from the confluence <br />of the Colorado River and the Gila River west to Morelos Dam. Should surplus flows on the <br />Colorado River occur in the next 5 to 10 years, these flows may be used to sluice the <br />sediment through the system in lieu of dredging. <br /> <br />Dredging of the river channel between Morelos Dam and the NIB, to relieve the sediment <br />load to Mexico's irrigation system, was completed April 12, 1995. Unless a major flood <br />event occurs or a general dredging project below the Gila confluence is undertaken, it will <br />most likely be necessary to maintain this part of the channel periodically. <br /> <br />Reclamation has an ongoing planning project for the rehabilitation of the river from <br />Laguna Dam to Yuma. <br /> <br />Limitrophe Division <br /> <br />The Limitrophe Division extends from Morelos Dam near Yuma, Arizona, to the SIB near <br />San Luis, Arizona. The river channel in this Division is essentially dry during normal water <br />years, due to the diversion of water for Mexico at Morelos Dam. The United States and <br />Mexico are currently working on plans to relocate the river's channel and increase its flow <br />capacity in this Division to handle conditions such as the flooding during 1983-1985. Severe <br />property damage occurred to Mexico during that time. <br /> <br />Appendix C - 10 <br />