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, The International Diversion Dam is an enlargement of the old Mexican Diversion Dam that existed on the Rio Grande prior to the development of the Rio Grande Project. It is located 2 miles downstream from the American Dam. At the present time, the International Dam is used to divert water into the Acequia Madre for use in Mexico. Prior to the construction of the American Diversion Dam, the International Dam was used to divert water into the Franklin Canal. The Franklin Canal transports water for the irrigation of 18,500 acres in the upper portion of the EI Paso Valley. It was constructed in 1889-90 by a private irrigation company and was acquired by the USBR in 1912. Parts of the Franklin Canal were enlarged in 1914. It is 30 miles long and has an initial capacity of about 325 cfs. The Franklin Canal also (1) receives water from the Riverside Canal through the Franklin Feeder Canal, (2) supplies the Riverside Canal through the Southside Feeder Canal, and (3) supplies the Riverside and Riverside Extension Canals through the Island Feeder Canal. The first 13 or 14 miles of the Franklin Canal extend through portions of EI Paso that are highly urbanized. The American Canal Extension Project is under construction by the American Section of the IBWC and should be completed this year. It will involve more than 15 miles of concrete- lined canal to allow water for the Riverside Canal to be carried through the American Canal- Franklin system rather than in the river. Sections of the existing Franklin Canal are being replaced and 12 miles of new canal are being constructed to make a direct connection between the Franklin and Riverside Canals. IBWC has estimated that the American Canal Extension will save 20,000 to 30,000 acre-feet of water that is currently lost to seepage, evaporation, and transpiration. Evidently, some of the savings will occur by eliminating unauthorized Mexican diversion from water intended for the Riverside Canal. The Riverside Diversion Dam is located 17 miles downstream from the American Diversion Dam and used to divert water into the Riverside Canal. The Riverside Diversion Dam is a concrete weir with radial control gates and is the lowest project point of diversion on the Rio Grande. These facilities provide water for the irrigation of up to 39,500 acres in the lower part of the EI Paso Valley, and it also carries .surplus' water to the HCCRD. The Riverside Canal is 2 -16 r - "'" .,", L .::-:~-.zt{.:"Jt"". ,;"...,,-~:t:,;Iil;rL!:..