Special Studies: Delivery of Water to Mexico

United States Department of Interior, Stewart L. Udall, Secretary, Bureau of Reclamation, Floyd E. Dominy, Commissioner, Region 3, A.B.West, Regional Director, "Special Studies, Delivery of Water to Mexico", February, 1963, page 851. Phase 1. This portion of the overall plan utilizes the existing Wellton-Mohawk drainage conveyance channel (outlet capacity 300 cfs) and about 67 existing drainage wells in the Wellton-Mohawk area. An additional 25 new drainage wells would be constructed for the purpose of supplementing periodic pumping from selected wells. Basically, the wells would be pumped at such times and in such a manner as to vary the quality of drainage water in accordance with the quantity of dilution water available. The new wells would be located in areas of both high- and low-salinity water in order that pumping of low-salinity water could be increased during the winter months when only a small amount of dilution water is available and pumping of water with a higher salinity content could be increased in the other months when larger quantities of dilution water are available. Orderly plans of selective pumping by the District will be worked out from time to time in cooperation with the officials of the Wellton-Mohawk Irrigation and Drainage District. In general, the less saline waters in the Wellton-Mohawk aquifer are found on the south side of the area, and the more saline waters on the north side. Salinities vary from about 1,600 to 18,000 ppm. The present works, comprising 67 wells and a 300-cfscapacity conveyance channel, are adequate to provide drainage in the area even under ultimate development except for possible future localized areas and the Wellton Mesa area. At the present time, full capacity is being used to accomplish a much-needed lowering of the water table, and precludes an effective manipulation of the pumps for salinity control. Installation of 25 additional pumps 85Epson Perfection 4870 Photo, 400 dpi, 8 bit, 1,886,403 byte