WSP06606

• File Number: 8278.400
• Description: Title I - Mexican Treaty and Minute 242
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 1/1/1996
• Author: IBWC
• Title: Minute 242 Annual Report
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Annual Report

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A REPORT ON SALINITY OPERA nONS
ON THE COLORADO RIVER UNDER MINUTE NO. 242

January 1 - December 31, 1996

This report presents the results of operations from January 1 through December 31, 1996, under the
agreement with Mexico entitled, ''Permanent and Definitive Solution to the International Problem of
the Salinity of the Colorado River", incorporated in Minute No. 242 dated August 30, 1973, of the
International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico. The operations began
on June 25, 1974, immediately following approval of the Enabling Legislation, Public Law 93-320.

This report is based upon records of flows and salinities determined jointly by the United States and
Mexican Sections of the International Boundary and Water Commission, the U.S. Bureau of
Reclamation and the U.S. Geological Survey. Locations and features referred to in this report are
shown on the map, Exhibit 1.

The records show that the United States operations resulted in compliance with the agreement in
Minute No. 242.

The Salinity Differential

Minute No. 242 provides in Point 1 that:

"The United States shall adopt measures to assure that . . . the
approximately 1,360,000 acre-feet (1,677,545,000 cubic meters)
delivered to Mexico upstream of Morelos Dam, have an annual
average salinity of no more than 115 p.p.m. :t 30 p.p.m. U.S. count
(121 p.j>.Iu: -f 30 p.p.in. MeXican count) -over -the annual' average
salinity of Colorado River waters which arrive at Imperial Dam, . . ."

The records show that during 1996:

1) Scheduled deliveries of water of the Colorado River in the quantity of 1,850,234,000 cubic
meters (1,500,000 acre-feet) were made to Mexico in 1996 in accordance with Article 10 of
the 1944 Water Treaty consisting of 1,705,903,000 cubic meters (1,382,990 acre-feet) in the
river bed above Morelos Dam and 144,331,000 cubic meters (117,010 acre-feet) across the
land boundary near San Luis, Arizona and in the limitrophe section of the river below
Morelos Dam.

Other waters delivered to Mexico in the limitrophe section amounted to 6,575,000 cubic
meters (5,330 acre-feet).

2) The annual average salinities of the waters of the Colorado River a) upstream of Morel os

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