Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1922-10-03
MEXICO SHOWS
Much INTEREST
IN RECLAMATION
Board Of international Work
ers Will Complete Survey
Of Irrigation Possibilities
in January

The Mexican government l. taking
great interest ia TIE development Of ir-
rigation projects on tire Mexican side 81
the river. arcordin:. "a Amanda Santa
cruz. engineer % the Mexican Board %
international Workers. d federal org T.
ization operating Upon much the same
plan as the l.. ). Reclamation Service.
with the exception Idol its operations
are chiefly corfiL.l to international
streams.
"Mcxico has wonderful opportunities
for irrigation developments, Nh san
tacruz stated. land the government is
determined TO develop projects ~ rap
idly as possible. The greater part of
the waters flowing into the Rio Graadc
originate on the Mexican SIDE Of the
river. and those tributaries to the Rio
Grandc offer even greater opportunities
for reclamation work than the RIO
Grande. Mexico has millions of acres
nov lying idle. practically every acre
OF which can be irrigated and the time
IL comi-g when those acres VIII be
made to produce rs bountifully as this
beautiful Rio Grandc Valley"
The board with which ..ir Saniacruz
is connected has its headquarters at
Juarcz. and It's Investigations extend
the entire length Of the border. inciud-
inr the Colorado river project in the
Imper al Valley of California rs well a
the Rio Grandc. Five months have ni-
ready been devoted to the invcstigat ions
aud the board will have its report ready
10 submit to the Mexican government
by January |.
Mr.. SantacruZ pointed out that the
government had taken steps TO enlarge
the irrigated area in the State Of Chi
hushua by the purchase Of the irrira-
tion rights for the waters conserved by
the Boluilla dam on the Conchas river.
tho dam having been constructed by "a
Canadian company for the purpose of
generating hydro-clectric power. Other
irrigation projects on the COnchas and
tributaries of the Conchas and Rio
Grandc in chihuahua are being consid-
cred by the government. and favorable
action is considered certain
Tho San Juan river also offers the
Mexican government an unparalleled
opportunity for reclamation work. Mr..
Santaeruz stated. Al present there is
some irrigation along that stream. most
Is Of primitive type. but the river
offers no serious engineering problem
in connection with conservation. The
San Juan carries an immense amount
cf water on its overflows. water which
could bc easily conserved by the utili-
zation OF the natural dam sites and
natural reservoirs provided in the re-
gion IL travcrses. and the water from
the San Juan and the Rio dc las Coz
chas. which flows about fifty miles
south of Aatamoros. il properly con
served and distributed could watc- the
great alluvial region of northern Ia
maulipas.
The work Of the board with which Mr.
Snntacruz is connected il hamnrrcd To
n great extent by reason Of the fact that
the United States has no similar organ
iiza,ion with which II can work. All of
its conferences with American rccl1ma-
tion officials are necessarily uaoffic al,
hut notwithstanding this fact they have
found in the reclamation service val
uable assistant. All mans and data Sc-
cured by the reclamation and other
governmental departments have been
placed at the disposal Of the Mexican
Board Of International Workers. and
they have been of material assistance
in advancing the work of the board
"four reclamation service IL won
dcrful organization, Mr.. Santacduz
stated when discussing the relations OF
his board with that service. Few 20
pie realize the scope and value OF the
work they have accomplished. or the
great service they are now rendering
for future generators They cvincc
much interest in our plans for develop
mcnt on the Mexican side of the river,
and we greatly appreciate the assist
ancc they have rendered.
THE Board of international Workers
is cndeavering to work out plan which
VIII permit the equal distribution of all
waters Flowing into the Rio Grsnir.
The day will come whc1 practically NIL
of the flood waters will bc utilized.
and we hope TO arrange with the United
States department some definite plan
whereby there will be no waste. OF
course both countries are entitled TO
the waters in the tributaries on their
respective sides Of the river. In this re-
spcct Mexico has an advantage, but |
am confident the Mexican government
viii he willing TO evolve some plan for
equal distribution through the Rio
Grandc.
Mr.. Santacruz has made an extensive
survey of the Lower Rio Grandc Valley.
making special note or the irrigation
systems and pumping plans. and has
been greatly Impressed with the eff
cheney of some of the plants and the
wonderful production which has been
developed in the irrigated areas.
"Thc Lower Rio Grande Valley is
wonderful" was his comment. I'VE
have an equal opportunity on the other
side Of the river for similar develop
mcnt, and I believe that the time is no;
fa- distant when il will be accomplish
ed"