Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1915-04-22
To The Herald:

A leading citizen of Brownsville, and a
man deeply interested IN the gravity lrri-
CATION proposition now % much agitated
in this Valley, once asked me if | did not
think that the flow of the Rio Grande was
kept up by springs or water coming up
from the bottom of the stream. lie stated
that it was found to be a fact that the Inn
mense pumps up the river from Brownsville
did not affect the flow az that place.
told him that | was certain no such condi-
ton existed; that there was not a spring
along either bank from the mouth of the
river to Laredo. He then asks, how l. the
flow at Brownsville kept at the same
stagef
That conversation occurred several
months ago, but ii caused me 10 study The
question 10 see II | could discover any
cause of no decrease IN the flow of the
river. This j. a most important question
and one in which every farmer and land
owner should take a deep interest. Some
thing causes il. ! have a theory. II there
be- any man who questions my theory. ANA
can give any reason, II I'M not correct. a.
Ia why the Rio Grande stays at a certain
stage with the many large pumps working.
| hope such n man will he nj the next meet
ing of the Gravity Irrigation association.
the second Tuesday IN May, and sci me
right. a. in M. talk at Mission last Tues
day night gave my theory for the iir~t
time. and in all the arguments ~ congress
and evidence taken before committees "n
the proposed system of gravity irrigation.
and diyerting the flood waters from The
streams making into the river. ! have never
heard such a theory a. mime advanced 90
mentioned. Thus my anxiety 10 know
whether | am right or wrong, and II wrong,
I wish To stop advocating such 4 theory
for in this most important matter ! want
no mistakes made.
Now. here j. my theory While the flood
ruin. they are a blessing. Thi~ seems
naradoxical. We know the floods are con
tinuously changing the boundary line he
tween the United States and Mexico. and
n Judge John W. Gaines, the commissioning
for the equitable distribution of the waters
of the river. says II, i To stay. tx. that
boundary line that the appropriation was
asked bv senator Sheppard"
". know thai such floods, both ~ the
riyer and it, iributarIe~. cause untold
damage 10 the farmer and land owners.
hut are not these floods of untold benefit
and result in keeping up the How OF the
river, That is the question.
But how DO We not know that there
are hundreds Of lakes and old river beds
al along the river in which are stored
these flood waters. T. II not 4 fact that
These flood waters - stored must and do
pour or filter hack into the river ~ II goc~
down. There lies beneath these lakes and
old river beds a loose %alluvial soil or silt
through which these waters can easily
p.rtorate and work into the river. and
thes. are the water. which keep mp the
flow of the river. But some may argu,
that these lakes and old river beds. called
.e,teros." would not hold a sufficient guam
tity of water Ia effect the flow of the river
There j. IN Starr county alone many Of
these lakes and old river beds, some sucl
beds being from a half 10 two or tire,
miles long, and when filled they appear a.
deep and are a wide as the river itself
and | am very much of the opinion that II
the level Of the waters IN the river wer,
taken with that IN these old river beds II