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

development of Imperial Valley. This ccmpany found it necessary to

form a Mexican corporation to acquire rights-of-way and hold lands

in Mexico which were essential for their purposes. By contractual

arrangements the California Development Company delivered water to

its Mexican counterpart and in turn received it, less Mexican

deliveries and losses, at the international boundary in California.

In 1904, after a failure in its efforts to secure satisfactory

water rights from the United States Congress, the California

Development Company, through its Mexican corporation, secured a

concession from President Diaz, which was ratified by the Mexican

Congress. This concession for carriage of 10,000 cfs through Mexico,

was secured with the provision that sufficient vater, not exceeding

one-half the total volume, should be delivered to Mexico by gravity

for lands susceptible to irrigation.

In August 1905, during the highest noed stage of record, the

control at the canal heading failed and the total flow of the

Colorado River was diverted down canal into the Salton Sink. Efforts

to return the river to its natural course were fUtile until

February 1907, when the Southern Pacific Railroad vas successful in

closing the breaks.

With control of the river assured, arrangements were made to

rehabilitate the Alamo Canal in Mexico and the main distribution

system in the Imperial Valley. In 1909 and 1910 the closure dikes

were nearly breached by the Colorado River during flood stages.

In 1910 the United States Congress appropriated one million dollars

for protection of land and property in Imperial Valley and in Mexico,

where proper.

II'

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