Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1927-10-20
Hydro Electric Power and
Irrigation

Should the development Of hydro electric power be
subordinated 10 the prospective development Of irri-
cation projects near the source Of streams is a ques-
tion the committee of twelve. appointed by the Dallas
water conference, will be called upon to solve. The
committee, which represents every part of the state, is
expected to formulate resolutions which will indicate
the future policies Of the state in this respect.
The question is one Of paramount Importance TO
Texas, and it presents features which must have care
full consideration. The committee Of twelve has an
extremely difficult task, and while it will probably
reach an unanimous agreement, il will be virtually i'm
possible to harmonic all interest.
Development Of hydro-electric power is as essen
tial TO the agricultural regions of Texas as to the urban
centers. Texas is an almost purely agricultural state.
Development of industries which will utilize the raw
msterials produced on Texas farms will depend upon
the development of hydro-electric power. The Colo
RADIO, Trinity, Brazos, Guadalupe, Nueees, Rio Grande,
all offer opportunities for power development, but
maximum development of this power would virtually
eliminate further irrigation near the sources Of the
streams, but woald. Of course. have no effect upon
irrigation development on the lower reaches Of the
rivers.
The real question before the committee is: which
IN Of paramount Importance to the interests Of Texas,
development Of irrigation projects in the arid regions
near the heads Of the various streams or maximum de-
velopment OF the power resources of these streams.
Obviously, the streams cannot serve both. Irrigation
destroys the use Of water for power, but establishment
Of power plants has virtually no effect upon the IL
riRation interests lower down. Every acre loot OF
water diverted from a stream near its source destroys
its use for power generation, but the water which pass
e. over the wheels of the power plant can be used on
the lower reaches of the streams where the greatest
areas of irrigable lands are found.
West Texas has proposed that a survey Of the
streams be made and that certain portions Of the nor
NAL flow and flood waters be set aside for future ir-
r~igstion before appropriations are made for power pur-
poses. Internationally West Texas is entitled to some
Of the water for irrigation purposes, but to allocate
large volumes of water for development which is pure
Iy conjectural could serve no useful purpose, especially
such use is made Of the waters and that in the mean
time they could, through generation of hydro-electric
power, create wealth which would represent many times
the value of the lands that await development.
The rivers are the property of the state and should
be made to serve the best interests of the state. II,
through the generation Of power, they can be made TO
develop industries which will manufacture the raw
materials produced on the Texas farms, thereby ere
ating a better and more profitable market for the Tex
rs farmers, they will serve a very useful purpose. De-
velopment of water power would be immediate, and i'm
mediate benefits would accrue to the state, whereas
the withholding Of this water for possible irrigation
deyelopment in the future would mean a tremendous
waste and a serious loss TO the agricultural and indus"
trial interests of the entire state.
The lands near the head Of q stream are undoubt-
eddy entitled to some Of the water. The statutes now
provide that ample quantities must be sllocsted for
domestic and municipal use, which represents only a
ANAL per cent Of the normal and flood flows. How
aver, 10 grant those lands at the heads Of streams
prior rights to such volumes Of water that hydro-elec-
trie development would be seriously curtailed would be
m injustice to the rest Of the state.