WSP01896

• File Number: 8278.200
• Description: Title I - Welton - Mowhawk
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 9/1/1972
• Author: C.C. Taybor
• Title: Wellton-Mohawk Drainage and the Mexican Salt Problem
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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thousands of acres of farmland to go out of production in the Mexicali Valley.

Those thousands of acres went out of production due to a decrease in available

water and for one other reason. Look again at Figure 2. The farmed area west of

the Colorado River and outside of the area of irrigation pumping is hard, tight,

silty soil, the same as is prevalent over most of the Imperial Valley. We know

that geologically and geographically it is the same valley. And it has very

little drainage.

Imperial Valley operated from 1902 to 1922 without drainage facilities

and then was forced to provide them or go waterlogged. Now Imperial Valley has

an open drain every half mile and tile drains under more than 60% of her culti-

vated land. The spacing between tile lines varies from 660 feet to 50 feet.

Mexicali Valley operated from 1902 to 1954 without drainage. Some open

drains were established in 1955-59 as indicated by the increase in flow of New

River at the International Boundary in Mexicali. (Figure 19). However, this

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open drain system is now being extended but will not be adequate to serve the area

until.. tile drainage is added. Much of the land that has gone out of production

since 1955 would not produce even if there were excellent quality water to put on

it; there are no facilities to take the water away.

It .is unfortunate for all concerned that three undesirables hit Mexico

at about the same time, - namely, a reduction in water supply, an inadequate

drainage system and Well ton-Mohawk saline drainage water. And the latter gets

charged with having caused it all. Mexicali citizens and press have said that

the inadequate drainage system is none of our business. However, it is some of

our business if we are accused of causing their problem when there would possibly

have been no problem, other than that caused by decreased water, if there had been

adequate drainage. Also, land leveling has been done in a haphazard manner which
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require1fmore irrigation water. In other words, the Mexicali Valley has not been

operating its irrigation and drainage in accordance with worldwide accepted standards.

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