Memorandum of Meeting on Colorado River Salinity

Memorandum of Meeting: From Louis F. Blanchard, "Colorado River salinity," September 3, 1964, page 4-4- c) Bureau of Reclamation's view - that Ph : Pv would be more nearly 1:1 and that the effluent from tile would approach that from wells - initially about 5000 ppm. decreasing with time. d) U. S. Geological Survey's views - heterogeneous character stratification and lenses - Ph : Pv - conservatively 10:1 and the effluent would be initially 4000 ppm. or less and decreasing with time. It is the personal opinion of the Science Adviser to the Secretary of the Interior that the effluent would initially be about 4000 ppm. e) Tile effluent data to date: (1) Tile - 4000 ppm. Underlying wells - 11,000 ppm. f) If the tile effluent is 4000 ppm. - the salt balance would be about 1.6:1. Survey believes this to be conservative and will be less, but there is uncertainty. Commissioner Friedkin also mentioned that a distinction should be made between the Mesa lands and the Valley lands in providing for drainage of the Wellton-Mohawk District. He again emphasized the United States preference for a bypass channel solution based on approximately 1.5:1 salt balance ratio, and assuming 150 days of minimum flows. However, in view of Mexico's response to a bypass solution, and again stressing the uncertainty of a tile drain solution, the United States is now considering tile drains. Finally, he informed the Mexican Commissioner that pursuant to instructions he could advise the United States now contemplates installation of tile drains in the Wellton-Mohawk District as a permanent and effective solution of the problem, subject, of course, to the approval of Congress and subject to Mexico's prior acceptance of the proposed tile drain solution as a permanent and effective solution of the salinity problem. He noted Mexico's approval is needed before any steps can be taken to obtain the approval of Congress for the expenditure of $29 million to accomplish that solution. Commissioner Herrera Jordan replied that he clearly understood all the features of Commissioner Friedkin's statement, referring only to a few matters concerning detail, with which he did not agree. Setting these details aside as inconsequential, however, he went on to express the opinion that a tile drain solution, as explained by Commissioner Friedkin, would be acceptable to Mexico, although he would need a couple days for further consideration of the matter before giving a firm reply. He expected that Mexico's definite response could be given on Monday next, September 7. In the meantime, he had a few questions on which he needed clarification, as follows:Epson Perfection 4870 Photo, 400 dpi, 8 bit, 1,949,088 byte