Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1927-11-27
Martin Project
on RIO SaIUdO WIZ
SeYUe 10000 Acres

The Don Martin project, designed
to impound the waters Of the Rio
Salado and Rio Nadldores in the ex-
tremc northwestern part Of the Mex
lean state Of Tamaulipas, will irri-
gate approximately 10000 acres, ac-
cording 70 NJ. Yepez Soiorzano, engi-
ncer OF the Mexican reclamation de-
partmcnt, who IS now IN the Valley
studying irrigation systems and prac-
tices.
Inc Don Martin project will be the
second largest in the southern re-
public. TIE engineer stated, being
surpassed only BY the Yaqui project
on the Mexican west coast about ESQ
miles below Nogales.
Mexico now has seven large prof.
ects underway. including the extern
sion OF the La Boquilla system on
the Conchas In Chihuanus, which Is
designed 10 irrigate approximately
3 5000 acres. Other projects include
he Yaqui on the Ya1ui river. 100000
acres; the Sauceda on the Nazzs riv-
er in Durango, which will iirigate
10000 acres; the Gales project on
the Rio Verde in Aguas Caliente, 10
serve 100000 acres; the Mantle on
the Tamasi river in Tamaulipas.
about 80 miles above Tampico. where
over 10000 acres will be irriRatcd;
the Requena on the Rio lula in Hi
dalgo. which viii irrigate 10000
acres: and the Tepuxlepcc hydro
electric project on the Lerma river,
which is designed 10 supply current
for Mexico City. the federal district
and the states Of Michoacan and
Guanajuato.
Will Not Affect valley
As the Don Martin project IS de-
signcd TO utilize the flood waters Of
the Rio Salado and Rio Nadadores. it
will prove beneficial TO the Valley
irrigation interests. was the opinion Of
Senior Soloranzo. The huge dam which
will be erected on the Rio Salad0
about two miles below the ~conflu-
ence Of the Dadadores and Rio Sa-
hinas. will effectually prevent the
flood waters from entering the lower
reaches Of the stream. These floods
come at a time when the lower Rio
Grande country could not utilize the
water. and the Mexican irrigation
project will serve 70 regulate the
flow as tho La Boauilla propect has
regulated TO a great extent the Rio
Grande flow below the mouth Of the
Conchas.
The town Of Rodriguez on the
Mexican National Lines about 60
miles south Of Laredo and 125 miles
north OF Monterrey, will be near the
center Of the project. The area 20 be
irrigated extends about so miles
along the Salado. about so per cent
being on the north side Of the stream
above Rodriguez and the remainder
the south side below Rodriguez.
Two main canals are now under ron
struction. one following the foothills
along the south bank Of the Salado
20 q point near Rodriguez where the
river Valley widens sui on the south
side, and the other running northeast
from the dam 10 irrignte the valley
on the n~ortheide Of the stream above
Rodriguez.
According to present plans the pro-
jet will he sufficiently completed 70
open 10000 acres for irrigation by
October 4. 1928. The government has
secured all lands within the project,
and they will be sold In 10 and 90
acre tracts on easy terms, final pay
ment 70 be made in 20 to 80 years.
The best class Of farmers in Mex
leo viii be settled on the land, gov
eminent officials state.
Pour Concrete on Dam
Pouring Of concrete on the huge
ence Of the Nadndorcs and Rio Sa-
structure viii be over half a mile in
length. stretching from the high land
on the north bank 70 the hills on the
south, the most narrow part of the
valley. Most Of the dam will be Of
earth construction, the point where
concrete Is used being In the deep
part Of the channel. The dam will
be $50 feet In height nc it's highest
point, with a crown 20 feet In width.
The foundation IA over 200 feet wide.
Plans for this structure were CON-
pleted over a year agc. and work was
started Immediately. Thousands az
lahorers are employed, and consider
able progress has been made on both
the concrete and earthen sections.
President Gales and American AM
hassador Dwight ". Msrrew ara sx-
pected to inspect the structure early
in February.
The first land 10 be irrigated will
be In the immediate vicinity Of Ro-
driRuez. where preparations have al
ready been completed for colonixa-
ton. Several years viii Ne required
tn complete the project. and ultimate
IN between 10000 and i3n,nnn acres
will be placed under irrigation.