WSP01908

• File Number: 8278.300
• Description: Title I - Merxican Deliveries
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 2/1/1963
• Author: USDOI/BOR
• Title: Special Studies - Delivery of Water to Mexico
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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Reservoir now under construction. The quality of water delivered to

Mexico at Morelos Dam will be comparable to that delivered f'S a

result of Phase 2 construction.

As a supplemental and additional plan, a change in cropping

pattern from alfalfa, Bermuda grass, etc., to cotton on 30,000 to

35,000 acres in the Wellton-~bhawk District would materially reduce

the amount of water applied and also the amount of drainage water to

be evacuated. This change in cropping pattern would make more con-

venient and more effective an immediate improvement in the quality

of water to be delivered to Mexico during the critical winter months

of 19/53 in the event there might be some delay in completion of the

construction proposed in Phase 1. In conjunction with immediate

construction of Phase 1 features, such a cropping pattern would be

of material assistance in improving the quality of water delivered

to Mexico in the winter months of 19/53 and following years.

At the present stage of the investigations, it does not appear

that Wellton Mesa drainage water can be collected in tile drains

and utilized for dilution of water delivered to Mexico in t:lJDe to

be of material aid in the present problem. Apparently, the ground-

water levels are stabilizing in some areas beneath the resa, and

part of the deep percolation waters are moving to the Wellton-Moha\/lt

aquifer. Further observations and investigations are needed before

the water table characteristics and future behavior can be forecast.

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