It assured Mexico water from the upper Rio Grande north of El Paso, and allotted the United States water from Mexican tributaries that feed the river below that point. The treaty allowed the United States to keep one-third of the water from Mexican river basins such as the Rmo Conchos and the Rmo Salado, which flow into the Amistad and Falcon reservoirs. The United States also keeps the water from the few small Texas streams. Specifically, the pact guaranteed the United States an average of 350,000 acre-feet, or about 113.8 billion gallons, of Mexican water each year. An acre-foot is the amount it takes to cover an acre of land with one foot of water.
Valley cities get first priority, with the remainder going to farmers for irrigation.
Water districts downstream divert it and distribute it to users through canals or pipelines. Today, roughly 75 percent of the water irrigates a variety of crops including citrus, vegetables, cotton, grain and sugar cane. It also supports cities with a fast-growing population approaching 1 million. Money in the bank Without water from the Rio Grande, the lush subtropical landscape would resemble dry Texas brush land. If you don't have water, you're in sad shape.