Memorandum on Colorado Salinity Problem

Memorandum: From J.F. Friedkin, Commissioner, "Colorado Salinity Problem, Question: Would tile drains in the Wellton-Mohawk District provide a solution to the international problem?" August 23, 1964 (photocopy), page 4-4- Most important, it seems to me that the United States would be in a strong defensible position, in that: 1) A tile drain solution would reduce by approximately one half the quantity of salts delivered to Mexico from the Wellton-Mohawk District in 1963, over and above the quantity required for salt balance. 2) This country, by installing tile drains, would be doing everything reasonably possible to effect direct return flows from the Wellton-Mohawk District, which is what Mexico requested. 3) This country certainly has every right to use its water as it best sees fit, so long as it acts reasonably in respect of the downstream user, which we would be doing if tile drains were installed. 4) The increase in degree of Mexico's problem is not so serious that Mexico cannot live with it. It could essentially maintain its agricultural output from the Mexicali Valley at approximately 95 to 97 percent of the rate which would otherwise obtain with perfect salt balance operations in the Wellton-Mohawk District. 5) The United States might assist Mexico financially in alleviating it with a substantial loan for drainage improvements. Conclusion The foregoing seems to support the conclusion that: Tile drains in the Wellton-Mohawk District would provide a solution to the international salinity problem with Mexico on the Lower Colorado River. J. F. Friedkin Commissioner Attachments: Exhibits A and BEpson Perfection 4870 Photo, 400 dpi, 8 bit, 3,101,812 byte