Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1923-05-11
COMPREHENSIVE
SURVEY MADE0N
FLOOD CONTROL
All Details Of Valleys Prob
lens Presented in Report
By u. S. Reclamation En-
gineers

The report on the survey recently com.
pleted by the u. s. Reclamation Ser
vice on the flood control problems of
the Valley, copies Of which were re-
eeived by several Valley engineers this
week, is pronounced one IF the most
complete and comprehensive surveys in
this connection ever made in the South
west. The report was submitted by En-
gineer Pease to the chief engineer in
February, and has been accepted and
approved. and is generally regarded by
Valley engineers ms the basis upon which
flood control work will be carried out
by the proposed reclamation district. IL
the synopsis and conclusions of the re-
port the situation in the Valley is clear
ly defined, and the technical sections
Of the report are typical Of the thor
cugh manner in which the Reclamation
Service handles all matters under its
supervision. Through the courtesy OF
c. H. pease Of McAllen the Herald has
been enabled to secure copies Of che
synopsis and conclusions, which are as
follows:
SYNOPSIS
The Rio Grande rises in southwestern
Colorado and flows in a general south
easterly direction to the Gulf Of Mexi-
GO. From the southern boundary line Of
New Mexico to its mouth Il forms the
dividing line ba ween the United States
end Mexico.
During the summer months the Rio
Grande is subject to floods Of varying
magnitude, caused by torrcntial rains
that usually follow tropical storms strik-
ing the Gulf Coast in thc Vicinity Of
the rivers mouth. These overflows are
confined to narrow valleys ard canyons
above the San Juan below which the
delta begins to widen out into terraces
and broad bottoms th(: further down
merge into the coastal plain. These low
subject to overflow.
Twenty years ago, when there were
but few inhabitants and the principal
indw stry was cattle raising, these in
undations were more beneficial thar
harmful, causing abundance OF grass
for pasturaee and filling all deprcssions
with an ample supply of water for stock.
Most of the surplus soon found outlets
TO the Gulf through the numerous re-
saeas and arroyas in Texas and by way
Of Arroyo del Tigre and Arroyo de Pita
in Mexico.
Rapid Development. i. !. !.
Owing to the rapid agricultural de-
velopment that has taken place. princi-
pally on the Texas side of the river.
during the last fifteen years conditions
have been reversed and the floods thal
now occur endanger human lives and
cause great financial loss by the des
truction Of crops, buildings and other
property.
Following the cony'ruction of the ST.
Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Ra lroad
in 19e4-O6, promoters and spectators
purchased many Of Ehe "porciones" and
large Spanish grants north OF the river
in Hidalgo and Cameron counties. at
low prices generally from 50 to $40 an
aere) and installed irrigation works to
give the land an agricultural value. All
Of these projects depend upon the Rio
Crande for their wster supply which is
taken from the river by means Of nn-
merous pumping plants. II is essential
that present canal systems on the Texas
side will serve 500, 900 acres of land and
that approximately 100000 acres now
are under cultivy ion. Most Of the land
under these irrigation systems has been
sold in tracts of forty acres or more.
Numerous towns having populations of
from 800 to 5000 have spri ag IN along
the lire of the railroad.
Investment1 are Heavy
Many millions Of dollars have been
invested, ,he security of which, as well
CONTINUED on Page Five)