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, , 17 miles in length and has an initial capacity of about 900 cfs. The Riverside Diversion Dam was constructed in 1928. The Riverside Canal was constructed during 1927-40; the initial 10 miles were constructed during 1927-28, and the Riverside Extension Canal was constructed afler the Rio Grande Rectification. The original purpose of the Riverside Canal was to divert water around two unauthorized Mexican diversions on the Rio Grande below the Riverside Diversion Dam. The Riverside Diversion Dam was severely damaged by flooding in June 1987. The Tomillo Canal presently functions as an extension of the Riverside Canal and serves part of the lower EI Paso Valley. It begins at the end of the Riverside Extension Canal at Fabens and extends downstream 12 miles to near the EI Paso-Hudspeth county line. It has a conveyance capacity of about 325 cfs. Prior to the rectification of the Rio Grande in the late 1930s, the Tomillo Canal had a separate heading on the river. The drainage facilities in the EPCWlD in the EI Paso Valley comprise more than 200 miles of drains in five systems. The Mesa System, the Middle System, the Island System, and the Tomillo System all involve a main drain and several smaller feeder or spur drains constructed through irrigated areas. In addition to these systems, the drainage facilities include a series of "intercepting" drains constructed along the rectified channel of the Rio Grande and sections of the distribution canals. The Playa, Riverside, and Border Intercepting Drains have been constructed along the rectified channel; the Island Feeder Intercepting Drain has been constructed along the Island Feeder Canal; and the Franklin Intercepting Canal has been constructed along a short section of the Franklin Canal. The Mesa Drain discharges into the Fabens Wasteway. The Middle Drain discharges into the River Drain, which can either supply the Riverside Extension Canal or discharge into Fabens Wasteway. Water in the Fabens Wasteway can either be diverted into the Hudspeth Feeder Canal for delivery to HCCRD or discharged to the Rio Grande. The Island Drain discharges into the Tomillo Drain. Water in the Tornillo Drain can either be delivered to the HCCRD or discharged back to the Rip 9ral\Cl~i \) ..... '- , li '-'0 The City of EI Paso began to use Rio Grande Project water in the 19405 and is currently a major user. For example, it used more than 50,000 acre-feet in 1994. It operates two treatment plants to treat Rio Grande Project water. The Robertson plant was constructed in : it is located just east of the Franklin Canal about 3 miles downstream of the 2 -17