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<br /> <br />. <br /> <br />.~ <br />l\j <br />l\j <br />U! <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />HISTORY OF WATER RESOURCE DEVELOPME};"T <br /> <br />the same volume as in 1960, the salinity at the NIB would have been less <br />in 1961. Since the flow in 1961 was less by 800,000 acre-feet than in <br />1960, a larger salinity differential was observed resulting in a water <br />quality of nearly 1400 mg/l at the NIB. The reduced flow was caused by <br />two things. a lower than normal runoff in the Upper Basin and the <br />filling of upstream reservoirs in the anticipation of the closure of <br />Glen Canyon Dam. Approximately 75 percent of the rise In the salinity <br />at the NIB was caused by the Well ton-Mohawk Drainage returns. The <br />remaining 25 percent was caused by the reduction 1n the excess <br />deliveries to Mexico. <br /> <br />The increase in salinity resulted in negotiations between the United <br />States and ~exico. In ~~rch 1965, Minute No. 218 was signed and approved <br />by the two Governments. Beginning on November 16, 1965, Well ton-Mohawk <br />drainage flows were bypassed around Morelos Dam during periods of minimum <br />flow which amounted to about 55,000 acre-feet per year. The minimum flow <br />of 900 c.f.s. at the NIB occurs during the winter months for a period not <br />to exceed 180 days. This agreement was in effect until June 3D, 1972, <br />and reduced the average annual salinity of waters delivered to Mexico to <br />about 1,245 mg/l. <br /> <br />On July 14, 1972, another agreement, Minute No. 241, was entered <br />into. This Minute provided that the United States would increase the <br />bypass of Well ton-Mohawk drainage, without charge against scheduled <br />Treaty deliveries to Mexico. to the annual rate of 118,000 acre-feet and <br />substitute equal volumes of other waters of better quality to be dis- <br />charged to the Colorado River above ~orelos Dam. This would reduce the <br />salinity of waters delivered to Xexico by an estimated 100 mg/l. <br />Minute 241, with three extensions, was in effect from July I, 1972, <br />through December 31, 1972. <br /> <br />Minute ~o. 242 <br /> <br />In keeping with President ~ixon's objective to find a permanent, <br />definitive, and just solution to the salinity problem with Mexico, <br />accord was reached on August 3D, 1973, with the execution of Min- <br />ute 242 of the International Boundary and Water Commission. The <br />Minute was developed following an intensive study of the problem <br />by former Attorney General Herbert Brownell and a federal Task Force <br />appointed to assist him. Participation of the Basin States was sought <br />by Mr. Brownell and representatives of the Governors (identified <br />as the Committee of Fourteen), assisted in defining the solution. <br />The key elements of the agreement were: <br /> <br />"1. Referring to the annual volume of the Colorado River <br />waters guaranteed to Mexico under the Treaty of 1944, of <br />1,500,000 acre-feet (1,850,234,000 cubic meters): <br /> <br />2, <br />