, 1935-08-04

request Of Mr.. z. A. Rosenthal, City
Manager Of Brownsville, Texas,
that Boundary Commissioner Law
son be authorized to investigate
the accumulation OF silt in the Rio
Grande in the vicinity Of Browns
vile. and proceed with the con-
Struction Of such protective works
as may be found necessary.
"A report date July 10, 1885. has
low been received from Mr.. Law
sen concerning this matter, in which
he states that the photographic
work which his commission has
been carrying on along the Lower
Flo Grande during the past several
years and especially the detail
studies OF flood heights made in
connection with the Lower Rio
Grande flood control project have
brought out forcibly the need for
lever river flow correction. The
Commissioner observes that the
situation has been aggravated to a
considerable degree during the past
year or two by the building Of
leveeS on the Mexican side Of the
river, which have tended TO raise
flood heights by preventing over
flow of Mexican lands and thus
limiting the available flood storage.
"Mr. Lawson estimates that II
would require the sun Of $4,000 to
make a survey and report on the
feasibility Of stabilizing the bound
airy line and providing flood protec-
ton through the r~ectification OF
the Rio Grande between Penitas.
Texas, and the Gulf of Mexico. but
that such an investigation could be
carried on only In full cooperation
with the Mexican Section OF the
Commission.
while the Department appreci-
ates the situation confronting the
residents Of your district and Is
disposed TO seek the cooperation OF
Mexico in the investigation and
study Of the problem, / regret to
inform you that there r no funds
available to defray the cost Of such
ar investigation and study"
In transmitting the correspondence
to Rosenthal, Congressman West
stated that he was using every eff
fort TO secure the necessary funds
as outlined by the Department OF
State.
Need Of scme action to control the
Rio Grande In the vicinity OF
Brownsville has been apparent for
some time as SoundingS taken b u
E Anderson. San Benito river
authority and engineer. and others,
have indicated that the river has
silted up here more than 6 feet in
the last 80 years and that the rate
OF sitting up has increased in the
last few years.
Members CT the Mexican Section
Of the International Boundary Com
mission have assured Valley people
and the United States section Of the
commission Of their desire to work
with the American side CT the VAL
ley in the formulation Of a compre-
hensive program Of flood control that
would be fair to both sides CT the
river.
The Boundary commission has in
dictated its belief that by strength
ening the river at a few strategic
curves and the construction Of Jet
ties at the mouth. the sitting prob
lem viii be practically eliminated
because Of increased rate Of flew.
BY building jetties at the mouth OF
the Rio Grande, the sand bar that
now stretches across the mouth Of
the river would be eliminated. This
bar IS responsible for slowing flow OF
the river as ii approaches the Gulf,
and causes a backing UP which ef-
fectS the flow OF the river at points
as far distant as Brownsville.
In years past the territory ada
cent 70 Brownsville has not been af-
fected by rises Of the Ric Grande 70
any great extent. but recently. as
pointed out by the Department OF
State. construction Of new levees
has CONSTRUCTED the channel OF the
river here and given rise to appre-
hension as to possible cverflows in
case OF real high water.
Taking congniZance Of the situa-
ton. the city commission Is endeav-
oring TO secure further work on the
part cf the boundary commission to
correct the situation before another
big rise comes.
The city is working with Congress
man West in an effort to secure the
appropriation of 10000 needed by
the commission for the survey. M
Rosenthal stated Saturday after
noon. with WPA funds being al
located for many projects not OF pc
lasting benefits as this survey would
be, 1t appears possible that we vii
be able to get the appropriation" h
stated. especially In view OF the
fact that emnlnvment would be fnr.