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RELEASE OF COLORADO RIVER WATER”5 CALENDAR YEAR 1961 After considering the slight reduction in Lake Mead storage on December 31, 1960, as compared to December 31, 1959, the gradual increase in annual downstream deliveries in the United States, the amount of water that would be released under reduced energy schedules, and the extremely poor April-July inflow forecast, the decision was reached in early 1961 to advise the U.S. section IBWC that Mexico should be limited to 1,500,000 acre-feet for calendar year 1961. For additional information we are enclosing copies of the minutes of the integration meetings from October 31, 1957, through September 14, 1960. You will note that a summary of "Colorado River streamflow and Lake Mead operation data" is attached to and is a part of the minutes of each integration meeting. You understand, of course, that after all of the complex hydrologic studies have been made each year, and even with the latest runoff forecasts available, the decisions made also involve an element of judgment by individuals based on long operational experience on the Colorado River. We appreciate the opportunity to furnish you this additional background information and will be pleased to discuss this subject with you at your convenience if we can be of additional assistance. Sincerely yours, STEWART L. UDALL, Secretary of the Interior. [For release Feb. 11, 1962] U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY. JOINT ACTION BEING CONSIDERED TO ALLEVIATE SALINITY PROBLEMS ON LOWER COLORADO RIVER Joint and complementary action on both sides of the international boundary could greatly assist in alleviating salinity problems associated with the delivery of Colorado River water to Mexico under the Mexican Water Treaty of 1944, according to Secretary of the Interior Stewart L. Udall. "Only by joint and complementary action by Mexico and the United States can the limited water resources of the Colorado River be fully utilized and a permanent irrigated agriculture economy be sustained along the lower Colorado River in both countries," he said. Under the treaty, Mexico is allocated a guaranteed annual quantity of 1,500,000 acre-feet of the waters of the Colorado River from any and all sources. It was estimated in 1944 that, under ultimate conditions of development in the United States, more than half of this water would consist of return and drainage flow and other waste waters. Each year Mexico submits a schedule to the United States indicating the amounts of such water it desires by months. Within Mexico's guaranteed annual quantity it may schedule deliveries during the winter months that include sufficient stored water to dilute the more saline return flows. This was not done in the 1961 scheduling, possibly because the degree of salinity was not anticipated by Mexico. However, in January 1962, Mexico increased its normal schedule for the first 25 days so that the wheat and alfalfa in the Mexicali Valley could all be irrigated with the better quality water that resulted from the increased flows. While Mexico has not yet scheduled increased flows for February, it has been mutually agreed that Mexico may modify its February schedule on shorter notice than the 30 days and by more than the 20 pcrcent which are mentioned in the treaty, if Mexico considers this necessary for irrigation of crops in the Mexicali Valley this winter. Both Governments reserved for the time being their legal positions under the treaty. To resolve the domestic water supply problem for the city of Mexicali, the Imperial Irrigation District in California has offered to transport water through the All-American Canal if proper arrangements could be worked out, but this offer has not been accepted. Mexico is using nearby wells for the city's water supply. Pointing out that the entire matter is now before the International Boundary and Water Commission for thorough study and recommendations, Secretary Udall said the Bureau of Reclamation has suggested several programs the United States might undertake for the long-range alleviation of the salinity problem and for increased conservation of the Colorado River water supply. He added that any such program should be complemented by a long-range program in MexicoEpson Perfection 4870 Photo, 400 dpi, 24 bit, 6,103,552 byte