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Show (2) Insure that existing highway and road facili- ties should be replaced with others providing equal service and utility. (3) Establish definite water project programs that will enable definitive planning of long-range highway programs. (4) Recognize transportation planners' studies of needs, especially in regard to highway replace- ment programs. 8. International Coordination The Problem Needs for international coordination in water resources development of the river. The Situation The Colorado River enters Mexico in the river's delta section about 110 miles above its mouth in the Gulf of California. For many years Mexico has joined with the United States in the use of the water from the river in this reach. The two countries also have a mutual interest in controlling the river's potential for damage. Failure of the Colorado River levees in Mexico has resulted in flooding Imperial Valley in the United States. Needs for coordination with Mexico arise from water problems involving domestic and industrial uses, irrigation, water power, flood control, and maintenance of satisfactory stream regimen. Pro- vision for the solution of these problems has been made by the treaty between United States and Mexico effective November 8, 1945. The Inter- national Boundary and Water Commission is the agency provided by the treaty to bring about this coordination. Jurisdiction of the Commission covers the limi- trophe 26 section of the Colorado River and extends to works located upon the common boundary of the two countries. The Mexican and United States sections of the Commission each retain jurisdiction over that part of the works located within the limits of its own country that are constructed, acquired, or used in fulfillment of the provisions of the treaty. The program for water utilization and control set forth in the treaty provides that a part of the capacity of the Davis Storage Dam and Reservoir ** Territory within which an international boundary is located. shall be used to make possible the regulation at the boundary of the water to be delivered to Mexico. Provisions are made for the construction or acquisi- tion of necessary works in the United States to con- vey water to the diversion points on the interna- tional boundary. Under the treaty, Mexico has constructed the Morelos Diversion Dam on the river about a mile below the California-Baja California boundary. In conjunction with this dam, levees, interior drain- age facilities, and other works or improvements of existing works necessary to protect lands in the United States are to be constructed. As a part of the solution of the flood problem on the lower Colorado, Congress authorized the con- struction of the Painted Rock flood control basin on Gila River.27 Alamo Reservoir on Bill Williams River was previously authorized. These structures, together with Davis and Hoover Dams and other dams and a levee system on lower Colorado River, combine to solve the water utilization and control problems of the lower Colorado River in the United States. Investigations by the International Boundary and Water Commission to prepare plans for controlling the river in Mexico are in progress. Under the treaty, provision is made for diver- sion by Mexico of a guaranteed annual quantity of 1.5 million acre-feet of Colorado River water. The United States section of the Commission deter- mines water surplus which the United States may undertake to deliver to Mexico in excess of this amount. The total, including the guaranteed di- version and any water surplus, should not exceed 1.7 million acre-feet annually. Information as to the availability of such surplus is supplied by the Bureau of Reclamation. Pro- vision also is made for reducing the volume of Mexican diversion, because of extraordinary events, in the same proportion as consumptive uses in the United States are reduced. Further pro- visions cover places and rates of these diversions. Conclusion The coordination and solution of international water problems are essential on the Colorado River and appear to be handled effectively by established agencies. w Act of May 17, 1950, § 204, 64 Stat. 163, -. 911610-51- -28 403 |