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<br />supply are based upon water rights recognized in the "Lower <br />Rio Grande Valley Water Case" (State of Texas et. a1. v. <br />Hidalgo County Water Control and Improvement District No. 18 <br />et. al., 443 S.W. 2nd 728) as approved by the Texas Supreme <br />Court. <br /> <br />i ' <br /> <br />Falcon and AmistadReservoirs, constructed jointly by <br />the United States and Mexico for flood control and water <br />supply, are operated by the International Boundary Commission, <br />with the United States' share of conservation storage adminis- <br />tered by the Texas Water Rights Commission under rules and <br />regulations established pursuant to provisions of the above- <br />described court order. A Water Master, employed by the Texas <br />Water Rights Commission, is responsible for daily allocations <br />of water to diverters holding rights to water from the Rio <br />Grande. Although construction and joint (system) operation of <br />these reservoirs has significantly enhanced the Valley's water <br />supply, channel losses and evapotranspiration losses significantly <br />deplete facilities in the lower Valley. Saline groundwater and <br />irrigation return flows degrade the quality of river flows below <br />Falcon Reservoir. Recent completion of the Morrillo Drain pro- <br />ject in Mexico has partially alleviated adverse impacts of <br />irrigation return. flows from Mexico on river flows; however, <br />inferior water quality remains a critical problem in the Valley. <br /> <br />The Lower Rio Grande Valley suffers severe constraints against <br />reaching its full economic potential due to the quantity and quality <br />of the region's water supply. The principal problems which have <br />plagued the Valley and which will become increasingly severe by 2000, <br />are (1) inadequate ground and surface water supplies to meet current <br />levels of irrigated agriculture during critical drought periods, <br />(2) insufficient water supplies for expansion of industry and irri- <br />gated agriculture or for an expanding population, (3) impaired water <br />quality, and (4) low per-capita income <br /> <br />. -,.. ....;} <br />, . i.. <br />....' ....:.... <br /> <br />61 <br />