WSP04615

• File Number: 8278.400
• Description: Title I - Mexican Treaty
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 2/1/1963
• Author: USDOI/BOR
• Title: Special Studies - Delivery of Water to Mexico
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

water from the Gila Gravity Main Canal was delivered through the
Well ton-Mohawk Canal on April 21, 1952. In 1961, 383,300 acre-feet of
water was delivered to 52,995 irrigated acres. Public Law 272
limits ultimate development to not more than 75,000 irrigable acres.
The original repayment contract, dated March 4, 1952, contained
a provision for expenditure of $1,011,600 for drainage. By 1957,
rising ground-water levels over the eastern half of the valley

indicated a general drainage problem. The repayment contract was

amended September 1, 1959, to provide an additional 14 million dollars
for drainage construction. By July 1961, construction of the drainage
wells and conveyance channel through the Gila Narrows was complete,

and by January 1962 the Main Outlet Drain across the South Gila Valley

was complete. Sixty-seven wells are presently available for pumping

for drainage relief. The contracts for drainage construction contain

a provision that no expenditures shall be made by the Bureau of

Reclamation for drainage purposes within the Wellton-Mohawk Irrigation
and Drainage District without its specific approval.
E. Palo Verde Irrigation District
In 1877 the first diversions from the Colorado River to the
Palo Verde Valley were made under the original filing of Thomas H.
Blythe for 3,800 cfs of water to be used for agricultural and other
purposes throughout the Palo Verde Valley and Lower Mesa. Between

1905 and 1908 an intake structure and gravity canal were constructed

to provide service to the Palo Verde Valley and carriage capacity

for the Lower Mesa area. The Palo Verde Irrigation District was

formed in 1923 under the laws of California. A new diversion

structure was completed December 17, 1957, by the Bureau of

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