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<br />..~ <br />'0<.1 <br /> <br />.~ <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />The distribution of streamflows in the lower Rio Grande during the year <br />reflects both hydrologic influences and reservoir operations, Irrigation <br />diversions from the River are made periodically throughout the year; however, <br />the major releases from Amistad and Falcon Reservoirs for downstream diversion <br />are made during the late spring and early summer months. This streamflow <br />pattern is illustrated on the mean monthly flow histogram in Figure 3 for the <br />Rio Grande below Falcon Reservoir in WAU 130800. Historically, high flows <br />have occurred during the late summer and fall months as a result of intense <br />rainfalls associated with tropical storms and hurricanes which move inland <br />from the Gulf. The monthly distribution of streamflow for the Rio Grande <br />near Brownsville (Figure 3) exhibits this trend, and also reflects the loss <br />of water from the River as a result of upstream diversions in the lower <br />valley. <br /> <br />~; <br /> <br />;. <br /> <br />RESERVOIRS <br /> <br />Numerous dams and reservoirs have been constructed in the Region for a <br />variety of purposes, including flood control, water supply for irrigation, <br />conservation, municipal and industrial water supply, recreation, and hYdro- <br />electric power generation. These projects have been developed by the Corps <br />of Engineers, WPRS, the International Boundary and Water Commission, state <br />agencies, local and regional irrigation and water supply districts, and <br />private industry. Reservoirs in the Region with greater than 50,000 acre- <br />feet of storage capacity are listed in Table 3 along with their pertinent <br />features, The locations of these reservoirs are indicated in Figure 5, <br /> <br />There are five major reservoirs on the mainstem of the Rio Grande; three <br />in New Mexico and two in Texas. Elephant Butte (WAU 130202) and Caballo <br />(WAU 130301) Reservoirs in southern New Mexico function as integral storage <br />units of the Rio Grande Project which provides irrigation water to about <br />160,000 acres of farmland in the Rincon, Mesilla, and El Paso Valleys in New <br />Mexico and Texas. Deliveries of surface water to these reservoirs are pro- <br />vided for by the Rio Grande Compact which was agreed to by Colorado, New <br />Mexico and Texas in 1939 for annual allocation of uncommitted Rio Grande <br />waters above Fort Quitman, Texas. Administration and operation of the Rio <br /> <br />-, .-\ f' r ,...... <br />U'~ t:....:...... d <br /> <br />18 <br />