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

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Reclamation. In 1961, for 77,525 acres, 935,500 acre-feet of water

was diverted and 555,100 acre-feet returned to the river.

F. Colorado River Indian Reservation

The first attempt to practice irrigation was in 1870, but failure

of the headgate structure resulted in flooding of a large section of

the valley and the formation of several deep washes. Later efforts

to supply irrigation water included the drilling of wells and the

construction of water wheels. Subsequent efforts were made with

well pumping by use of windmills and even horsepower rigs. The first

successfUl irrigation supply installation was a steam-powered rig,

which in 1914 delivered water to about 587 acres of land. By 1920

irrigation had resulted in loss of much of the developed land,

owing to drainage problems. By 1936 the distribution system consisted

of about 60 miles of canals and the drainage system of about 15 miles

of open drains. It was possible to serve a total of 7,500 acres, of

which only about 5,000 acres were actually irrigated. Tbe Bureau of

Reclamation was authorized to design and construct a new dam and

diversion structure. Construction was completed and the first water

diverted in June 1942. At the present time there are about 30,000

acres irrigated, and adequate drainage for this area has been

provided.

G. Mexico

The early history of Mexican irrigation f'ran the Colorado River

is closely related to initial irrigation development in the Imperial

Ve.1ley of California.

On April 26, 1896, the California Development Company was

incorporated under the laws of New Jersey for the irrigation

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