Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1927-10-07

The river lands in both Cameron and Hidalgo
counties are developing rapidly, largely as a result of
the flood control system which has to a great extent
removed from the "first lift" lands the menace Of dis
astrous floods. The completion Of the flood control
channels, which will divert from the Bio Grande a ire
mendous>volume Of flood water above the Mission dist
rict and ut Hackney lake south Of McAlen, and dis
charge it into the Laguna Madre through the Arroyo
Colorado and the artificial ~floodway through northern
Cameron and southern Willacy counties. will virtually
assure these lands protection. This protection will be
further enhanced by the levees which have been con-
structed along the entire river front.
Millions of dollars will be expended in the de-
velopment Of these "first lift" lands. The Llano
Grande district, now being developed by Houston and
Valley capitalists, and which promises to be one Of the
most productive developments in the Valley, lies Who'll
ly within the river area. All Of the Santa Maria dist
riot also adioins the river, and each Of the major ir-
afkation systems has thousands of acres on the "first
lift" which prior to the erection Of the flood con-
troll system was subject TO overflow during the major
floods Of the Rio Grande.
Aside from the fact that the development under
way and proposed in the river lands Of the Valley Is
more than sufficient TO justify the pavement Of the
military highway which extends through the heart Of
the river section from Brownsville northwestward, tie
fact that this pavement would prove q tremendous fac
tor in fighting abnormal floods should also be taken
into consideration. Old residents Of the Valley have a
vivid recollection of those years when thousands Of
acres of valuable crops were flooded merely because
the roads were in such condition that il was impossible
to get work crews and materials to danger points when
IL was apparent that a levee break was imminent.
Those who resided in the Valley in 1919 and 1922 real
ize how seriously the Valley was handicapped by rea-
son that good highways were not available.
II Is true that the diversion Of part Of the flood
waters above the irrigated section will remove much Of
the pressure from the river levees and that the river
levees have also been materially strengthened and are
now in better shape than at any time in the Valleys
history to Withstand abnormal floods. But no one can
foresee what condition may arise, and il is essential
that every possible means be taken to supplement the
flood control system. The pavement Of the military
highway, which at no point is far distant from the
river levees, would in time Of danger prove invaluable.
Work crews, materials, traetors-everything necessary
10 prevent levee bresks-could be modified ut danger
points in a few hours and In any kind Of weather, and
the pavement Of this highway would virtually be an
insurance against flood loss in that section Of the VAL
ley which will eventually be highly developed.
This Is q feature every water district and water
User should take into consideration. A break on any
part of the river levee may result in disastrous damage
70 the irrigation systems, as well as to lands. and it is
manifestly to the interest of the entire Valley to
utilize all means possible to prevent such breaks and TO
be prepared to meet any emergency that may arise.
Very few breaks have occurred in recent years
which could not have been checked had the assembling
Of workers and equipment promptly at danger points
been possible. The danger Of such breaks is now very
remote, but the development Of the river lands makes
il essential that the Valley take steps to make breaks
of the river levee virtually impossible.