Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-12-28
VALLEY SAFE
FROM FLOODS
Rises Have Not Strained
Protection Works On
Rio Grande

Heavy rises Of the Rio Grande
during the past three years have
shown residents Of this section that
all danger OF damage from floods
OF the Rio Grande is past and that
the S3.500O00 flood control system
Of the Valley will work effectively
IN handling any rise that comes
down the river.
In past years. before the flood
control system was constructed
there we're heavy rises which do
considerable damage. The damage
Vas confined to property IN all i'm
stances. as the Rio Grande never
assumes threatening proportions
such as other rivers. always rising
slowly and never cndangering PEI
SON
But the river has been effective
n tanned and its floods now arr
merely n means Of furnishing q
supply OF irrigation water for many
Lex districts which fill their res
e.veirs during rises OF the river IN
the spring and fall.
state Aid Given
This flood control system. which
was paid FOR almost entirely ny
state funds. consists or several Ilocd-
eavs. which carry off part Of the
waters of the Rio Grande. One OF
these. the main floodway, leaves the
Rio GTzTsde proper at q point iust
above Mission. There the river,
when II reaches a high enough
stage. overflows along a stretch Of
almost a mile. the water being
Kicked up by the tvo big levees
and carried off through ON low
lands.
These levees are a quarter mile
apart and viii carry a tremendous
volume of water
The water runs on Gown near
MERCEDES. where the levee system
divides. part Of the water going ont
through the north floodway INTO
Icwlands in Willacy county and 2
remainder being carried OF through
the Arroyo Colorado, near Hariin-
gen.
tn ADDITION 10 these two main
focdUays. there are a number OF
smaller ones. such as the Rancho
yieio reSaca. near Brownsville.
These smaller ones are merely re-
sacas. or old beds OF the Rio
Grande. which are used 10 carry
eff surplus waters OF the no
Crance.
Kept In Bounds
In this way. the river is kept
- a.. slHU~-Ir vx~Ffhn#a4 tho nnr-
essity OF building leveeS along the
banks. other than 10 keep the
height uniform.
An extensive program Of building
levees on both sides Of the Rio
Grande would have but result
that Of causing the river TO silt UP.
until higher and higher levees
'wculc be necessary. endangering
property still greater. Hence the
present system Of control is used.
The Rio Grande is considerably
wider and larger at Mission than
at Brownsville. which accounts for
the necessity of a flood control sys-
r 1.-The extra flow at Mis-
f.on is carried off By these Hood
control works and the river remains
It's banks Al bIoN lSN-+C-
Y Water Easily Handled
Heavy rises. which would have
oyerflowed thousands OF acres OF
Valley lands in the past. are nov
fandled without difficulty. the
water being carried off easily IN
these floodworks.
Plans are now under way for ad-
ditional use OF these flood waters,
which are OF great value. since the
waters arc full OF sit, 20 enrich the
sell
one Valley development company
the American Rio Grande Land q
Irrigation company. contemplateS
tho use OF flood waters Of the flood
control system for ~irrigating thous-
snds OF acres of land north and
wrist OF Harrington.
Tho Mexican sidc " The river rs
ncca iouallF overflowed with DAM
age 20 crops
However, a plan Of flood control
Is being worked out there nov With
the utilization Of arroyos and re-
sacas IN That section
Tins Will relieve the pressure on
tho American side StMl more and
viii render dCubiy sure the lack Of