IBWC VII

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IBWC VII

American Dam 1937

Note under image: 5-29-37, 1:30pm, El Paso, Texas. American Dam; View E. from Pier No. 9 For centuries the Rio Grande River has been used as a source of irrigation water for agriculture in the El Paso – Juarez area. In 1889 the governments of the United States and Mexico established the International Boundary Commission (IBC), in 1944 renamed the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC). One of its early actions was to discuss delivery of Rio Grande water to Mexico. In 1906, the two countries agreed to deliver 60,000 acre-feet of water annually to Mexico at the main irrigation Canal in Ciudad Juarez, known as Acequia Madre. The canal's mouth is two miles downstream from the international border. The remainder of the water would be used by American farmers in the ninety-mile-long El Paso valley. In times of drought both Mexican and American shares would be reduced on a percentage basis. The system did not provide a way for the United States to allot Mexico its rightful portion and keep the rest. As a result, Mexico took its share first and channeled the remainder into the Franklin Canal for the farms in the El Paso valley. According to some American estimates this permitted Mexico to siphon off up to three times its portion of irrigation water. Responding in 1935, Congress authorized two diversionary projects, the American Dam and the American Canal. The dam caught the water in New Mexico short of the international border, measured Mexico's share and allowed it to continue to the Acequia Madre, and diverted everything else into the American Canal, a two-mile feeder leading to the Franklin Canal. The American Canal parallels West Paisano Drive (US Highway 85) and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad track. The project has proved a successful solution to the problem of dividing the waters. Sources: http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/rua03 http://www.ibwc.gov/Files/EnvironmentalAssessment.pdf

Area: Central / Smeltertown

Source: IBWC

Uploaded by: El Paso Museum of History

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Construction of American Dam 1937

Note: 5-29-37, 1:00pm, El Paso, Texas. American Dam; View from N.W. For centuries the Rio Grande River has been used as a source of irrigation water for agriculture in the El Paso – Juarez area. In 1889 the governments of the United States and Mexico established the International Boundary Commission (IBC), in 1944 renamed the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC). One of its early actions was to discuss delivery of Rio Grande water to Mexico. In 1906, the two countries agreed to deliver 60,000 acre-feet of water annually to Mexico at the main irrigation Canal in Ciudad Juarez, known as Acequia Madre. The canal's mouth is two miles downstream from the international border. The remainder of the water would be used by American farmers in the ninety-mile-long El Paso valley. In times of drought both Mexican and American shares would be reduced on a percentage basis. The system did not provide a way for the United States to allot Mexico its rightful portion and keep the rest. As a result, Mexico took its share first and channeled the remainder into the Franklin Canal for the farms in the El Paso valley. According to some American estimates this permitted Mexico to siphon off up to three times its portion of irrigation water. Responding in 1935, Congress authorized two diversionary projects, the American Dam and the American Canal. The dam caught the water in New Mexico short of the international border, measured Mexico's share and allowed it to continue to the Acequia Madre, and diverted everything else into the American Canal, a two-mile feeder leading to the Franklin Canal. The American Canal parallels West Paisano Drive (US Highway 85) and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad track. The project has proved a successful solution to the problem of dividing the waters. Sources: http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/rua03 http://www.ibwc.gov/Files/EnvironmentalAssessment.pdf

Area: Central / Smeltertown

Source: IBWC

Uploaded by: El Paso Museum of History

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Construction of American Dam 1937

Note: 5-29-37, 12:50pm, El Paso, Texas. American Dam; View from S.E. For centuries the Rio Grande River has been used as a source of irrigation water for agriculture in the El Paso – Juarez area. In 1889 the governments of the United States and Mexico established the International Boundary Commission (IBC), in 1944 renamed the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC). One of its early actions was to discuss delivery of Rio Grande water to Mexico. In 1906, the two countries agreed to deliver 60,000 acre-feet of water annually to Mexico at the main irrigation Canal in Ciudad Juarez, known as Acequia Madre. The canal's mouth is two miles downstream from the international border. The remainder of the water would be used by American farmers in the ninety-mile-long El Paso valley. In times of drought both Mexican and American shares would be reduced on a percentage basis. The system did not provide a way for the United States to allot Mexico its rightful portion and keep the rest. As a result, Mexico took its share first and channeled the remainder into the Franklin Canal for the farms in the El Paso valley. According to some American estimates this permitted Mexico to siphon off up to three times its portion of irrigation water. Responding in 1935, Congress authorized two diversionary projects, the American Dam and the American Canal. The dam caught the water in New Mexico short of the international border, measured Mexico's share and allowed it to continue to the Acequia Madre, and diverted everything else into the American Canal, a two-mile feeder leading to the Franklin Canal. The American Canal parallels West Paisano Drive (US Highway 85) and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad track. The project has proved a successful solution to the problem of dividing the waters. Sources: http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/rua03 http://www.ibwc.gov/Files/EnvironmentalAssessment.pdf

Area: Central / Smeltertown

Source: IBWC

Uploaded by: El Paso Museum of History

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Construction of American Dam 1937

Note: 5-24-37, 2:45pm, El Paso, Texas. American Dam; Erecting elevator-gear over pier No. 7. For centuries the Rio Grande River has been used as a source of irrigation water for agriculture in the El Paso – Juarez area. In 1889 the governments of the United States and Mexico established the International Boundary Commission (IBC), in 1944 renamed the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC). One of its early actions was to discuss delivery of Rio Grande water to Mexico. In 1906, the two countries agreed to deliver 60,000 acre-feet of water annually to Mexico at the main irrigation Canal in Ciudad Juarez, known as Acequia Madre. The canal's mouth is two miles downstream from the international border. The remainder of the water would be used by American farmers in the ninety-mile-long El Paso valley. In times of drought both Mexican and American shares would be reduced on a percentage basis. The system did not provide a way for the United States to allot Mexico its rightful portion and keep the rest. As a result, Mexico took its share first and channeled the remainder into the Franklin Canal for the farms in the El Paso valley. According to some American estimates this permitted Mexico to siphon off up to three times its portion of irrigation water. Responding in 1935, Congress authorized two diversionary projects, the American Dam and the American Canal. The dam caught the water in New Mexico short of the international border, measured Mexico's share and allowed it to continue to the Acequia Madre, and diverted everything else into the American Canal, a two-mile feeder leading to the Franklin Canal. The American Canal parallels West Paisano Drive (US Highway 85) and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad track. The project has proved a successful solution to the problem of dividing the waters. Sources: http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/rua03 http://www.ibwc.gov/Files/EnvironmentalAssessment.pdf

Area: Central / Smeltertown

Source: IBWC

Uploaded by: El Paso Museum of History

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Construction of American Dam 1937

Note: 5-24-37, 2:35pm, El Paso, Texas American Dam; View S.W. from Pier No 9; Barber-Greene conveyor depositing rock for downstream dyke, for Units 4 and 5 For centuries the Rio Grande River has been used as a source of irrigation water for agriculture in the El Paso – Juarez area. In 1889 the governments of the United States and Mexico established the International Boundary Commission (IBC), in 1944 renamed the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC). One of its early actions was to discuss delivery of Rio Grande water to Mexico. In 1906, the two countries agreed to deliver 60,000 acre-feet of water annually to Mexico at the main irrigation Canal in Ciudad Juarez, known as Acequia Madre. The canal's mouth is two miles downstream from the international border. The remainder of the water would be used by American farmers in the ninety-mile-long El Paso valley. In times of drought both Mexican and American shares would be reduced on a percentage basis. The system did not provide a way for the United States to allot Mexico its rightful portion and keep the rest. As a result, Mexico took its share first and channeled the remainder into the Franklin Canal for the farms in the El Paso valley. According to some American estimates this permitted Mexico to siphon off up to three times its portion of irrigation water. Responding in 1935, Congress authorized two diversionary projects, the American Dam and the American Canal. The dam caught the water in New Mexico short of the international border, measured Mexico's share and allowed it to continue to the Acequia Madre, and diverted everything else into the American Canal, a two-mile feeder leading to the Franklin Canal. The American Canal parallels West Paisano Drive (US Highway 85) and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad track. The project has proved a successful solution to the problem of dividing the waters. Sources: http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/rua03 http://www.ibwc.gov/Files/EnvironmentalAssessment.pdf

Area: Central / Smeltertown

Source: IBWC

Uploaded by: El Paso Museum of History

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American Dam 1937

Note: 5-15-37, Noon; El Paso, Texas. American Dam; View from N.W. For centuries the Rio Grande River has been used as a source of irrigation water for agriculture in the El Paso – Juarez area. In 1889 the governments of the United States and Mexico established the International Boundary Commission (IBC), in 1944 renamed the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC). One of its early actions was to discuss delivery of Rio Grande water to Mexico. In 1906, the two countries agreed to deliver 60,000 acre-feet of water annually to Mexico at the main irrigation Canal in Ciudad Juarez, known as Acequia Madre. The canal's mouth is two miles downstream from the international border. The remainder of the water would be used by American farmers in the ninety-mile-long El Paso valley. In times of drought both Mexican and American shares would be reduced on a percentage basis. The system did not provide a way for the United States to allot Mexico its rightful portion and keep the rest. As a result, Mexico took its share first and channeled the remainder into the Franklin Canal for the farms in the El Paso valley. According to some American estimates this permitted Mexico to siphon off up to three times its portion of irrigation water. Responding in 1935, Congress authorized two diversionary projects, the American Dam and the American Canal. The dam caught the water in New Mexico short of the international border, measured Mexico's share and allowed it to continue to the Acequia Madre, and diverted everything else into the American Canal, a two-mile feeder leading to the Franklin Canal. The American Canal parallels West Paisano Drive (US Highway 85) and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad track. The project has proved a successful solution to the problem of dividing the waters. Sources: http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/rua03 http://www.ibwc.gov/Files/EnvironmentalAssessment.pdf

Area: Central / Smeltertown

Source: IBWC

Uploaded by: El Paso Museum of History

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Construction of American Dam 1937

Note in image: 5-10-37, 9:30 am, El Paso, Texas American Dam; Unit I; Transit Mixer No. 6 (com. 52-206); View from N.E. For centuries the Rio Grande River has been used as a source of irrigation water for agriculture in the El Paso – Juarez area. In 1889 the governments of the United States and Mexico established the International Boundary Commission (IBC), in 1944 renamed the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC). One of its early actions was to discuss delivery of Rio Grande water to Mexico. In 1906, the two countries agreed to deliver 60,000 acre-feet of water annually to Mexico at the main irrigation Canal in Ciudad Juarez, known as Acequia Madre. The canal's mouth is two miles downstream from the international border. The remainder of the water would be used by American farmers in the ninety-mile-long El Paso valley. In times of drought both Mexican and American shares would be reduced on a percentage basis. The system did not provide a way for the United States to allot Mexico its rightful portion and keep the rest. As a result, Mexico took its share first and channeled the remainder into the Franklin Canal for the farms in the El Paso valley. According to some American estimates this permitted Mexico to siphon off up to three times its portion of irrigation water. Responding in 1935, Congress authorized two diversionary projects, the American Dam and the American Canal. The dam caught the water in New Mexico short of the international border, measured Mexico's share and allowed it to continue to the Acequia Madre, and diverted everything else into the American Canal, a two-mile feeder leading to the Franklin Canal. The American Canal parallels West Paisano Drive (US Highway 85) and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad track. The project has proved a successful solution to the problem of dividing the waters. Sources: http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/rua03 http://www.ibwc.gov/Files/EnvironmentalAssessment.pdf

Area: Central / Smeltertown

Source: IBWC

Uploaded by: El Paso Museum of History

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American Dam

April 22, 1937 11:40 AM El Paso TX. American Dam Insley Excavator handling structural steel.

Area: Central / Smeltertown

Source: IBWC

Uploaded by: El Paso Museum of History

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Construction of American Dam, 1937

Note under image: 5-6-37, 1:30 pm, El Paso, Texas. American Dam; "Moretrench" pump, Unwatering Units 2 and 3 For centuries the Rio Grande River has been used as a source of irrigation water for agriculture in the El Paso – Juarez area. In 1889 the governments of the United States and Mexico established the International Boundary Commission (IBC), in 1944 renamed the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC). One of its early actions was to discuss delivery of Rio Grande water to Mexico. In 1906, the two countries agreed to deliver 60,000 acre-feet of water annually to Mexico at the main irrigation Canal in Ciudad Juarez, known as Acequia Madre. The canal's mouth is two miles downstream from the international border. The remainder of the water would be used by American farmers in the ninety-mile-long El Paso valley. In times of drought both Mexican and American shares would be reduced on a percentage basis. The system did not provide a way for the United States to allot Mexico its rightful portion and keep the rest. As a result, Mexico took its share first and channeled the remainder into the Franklin Canal for the farms in the El Paso valley. According to some American estimates this permitted Mexico to siphon off up to three times its portion of irrigation water. Responding in 1935, Congress authorized two diversionary projects, the American Dam and the American Canal. The dam caught the water in New Mexico short of the international border, measured Mexico's share and allowed it to continue to the Acequia Madre, and diverted everything else into the American Canal, a two-mile feeder leading to the Franklin Canal. The American Canal parallels West Paisano Drive (US Highway 85) and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad track. The project has proved a successful solution to the problem of dividing the waters. Sources: http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/rua03 http://www.ibwc.gov/Files/EnvironmentalAssessment.pdf

Area: Central / Smeltertown

Source: IBWC

Uploaded by: El Paso Museum of History

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American Dam, Steel Reinforcement, 1937

Note in image: 5-6-37, 9:00 am, American Dam; Steel Reinforcement Basket for Abut. No. 1; El Paso, Texas For centuries the Rio Grande River has been used as a source of irrigation water for agriculture in the El Paso – Juarez area. In 1889 the governments of the United States and Mexico established the International Boundary Commission (IBC), in 1944 renamed the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC). One of its early actions was to discuss delivery of Rio Grande water to Mexico. In 1906, the two countries agreed to deliver 60,000 acre-feet of water annually to Mexico at the main irrigation Canal in Ciudad Juarez, known as Acequia Madre. The canal's mouth is two miles downstream from the international border. The remainder of the water would be used by American farmers in the ninety-mile-long El Paso valley. In times of drought both Mexican and American shares would be reduced on a percentage basis. The system did not provide a way for the United States to allot Mexico its rightful portion and keep the rest. As a result, Mexico took its share first and channeled the remainder into the Franklin Canal for the farms in the El Paso valley. According to some American estimates this permitted Mexico to siphon off up to three times its portion of irrigation water. Responding in 1935, Congress authorized two diversionary projects, the American Dam and the American Canal. The dam caught the water in New Mexico short of the international border, measured Mexico's share and allowed it to continue to the Acequia Madre, and diverted everything else into the American Canal, a two-mile feeder leading to the Franklin Canal. The American Canal parallels West Paisano Drive (US Highway 85) and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad track. The project has proved a successful solution to the problem of dividing the waters. Sources: http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/rua03 http://www.ibwc.gov/Files/EnvironmentalAssessment.pdf

Area: Central / Smeltertown

Source: IBWC

Uploaded by: El Paso Museum of History

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Construction of American Dam 1937 - El Paso, Texas

Note under image: 5-8-37, 11:30 am, El Paso, Texas. Sanitory Sewer Manhole #1, 17ft. high; Checking grade of forms, Abut #1 For centuries the Rio Grande River has been used as a source of irrigation water for agriculture in the El Paso – Juarez area. In 1889 the governments of the United States and Mexico established the International Boundary Commission (IBC), in 1944 renamed the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC). One of its early actions was to discuss delivery of Rio Grande water to Mexico. In 1906, the two countries agreed to deliver 60,000 acre-feet of water annually to Mexico at the main irrigation Canal in Ciudad Juarez, known as Acequia Madre. The canal's mouth is two miles downstream from the international border. The remainder of the water would be used by American farmers in the ninety-mile-long El Paso valley. In times of drought both Mexican and American shares would be reduced on a percentage basis. The system did not provide a way for the United States to allot Mexico its rightful portion and keep the rest. As a result, Mexico took its share first and channeled the remainder into the Franklin Canal for the farms in the El Paso valley. According to some American estimates this permitted Mexico to siphon off up to three times its portion of irrigation water. Responding in 1935, Congress authorized two diversionary projects, the American Dam and the American Canal. The dam caught the water in New Mexico short of the international border, measured Mexico's share and allowed it to continue to the Acequia Madre, and diverted everything else into the American Canal, a two-mile feeder leading to the Franklin Canal. The American Canal parallels West Paisano Drive (US Highway 85) and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad track. The project has proved a successful solution to the problem of dividing the waters. Sources: http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/rua03 http://www.ibwc.gov/Files/EnvironmentalAssessment.pdf

Area: Central / Smeltertown

Source: IBWC

Uploaded by: El Paso Museum of History

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Construction of American Canal 1937

Note in image: 5-5-37, 1:00pm, El Paso, Texas American Canal; "Northwest", Drag-line at Sta. 78+50 "Lifting high", View from Sta. 77+85 For centuries the Rio Grande River has been used as a source of irrigation water for agriculture in the El Paso – Juarez area. In 1889 the governments of the United States and Mexico established the International Boundary Commission (IBC), in 1944 renamed the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC). One of its early actions was to discuss delivery of Rio Grande water to Mexico. In 1906, the two countries agreed to deliver 60,000 acre-feet of water annually to Mexico at the main irrigation Canal in Ciudad Juarez, known as Acequia Madre. The canal's mouth is two miles downstream from the international border. The remainder of the water would be used by American farmers in the ninety-mile-long El Paso valley. In times of drought both Mexican and American shares would be reduced on a percentage basis. The system did not provide a way for the United States to allot Mexico its rightful portion and keep the rest. As a result, Mexico took its share first and channeled the remainder into the Franklin Canal for the farms in the El Paso valley. According to some American estimates this permitted Mexico to siphon off up to three times its portion of irrigation water. Responding in 1935, Congress authorized two diversionary projects, the American Dam and the American Canal. The dam caught the water in New Mexico short of the international border, measured Mexico's share and allowed it to continue to the Acequia Madre, and diverted everything else into the American Canal, a two-mile feeder leading to the Franklin Canal. The American Canal parallels West Paisano Drive (US Highway 85) and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad track. The project has proved a successful solution to the problem of dividing the waters. Sources: http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/rua03 http://www.ibwc.gov/Files/EnvironmentalAssessment.pdf

Area: Central / Smeltertown

Source: IBWC

Uploaded by: El Paso Museum of History

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Construction of American Canal 1937

Note on image: 5-4-37, 3:00pm, El Paso, Texas American Canal; Blastat Sta. 70+50, View from Sta. 72+30 For centuries the Rio Grande River has been used as a source of irrigation water for agriculture in the El Paso – Juarez area. In 1889 the governments of the United States and Mexico established the International Boundary Commission (IBC), in 1944 renamed the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC). One of its early actions was to discuss delivery of Rio Grande water to Mexico. In 1906, the two countries agreed to deliver 60,000 acre-feet of water annually to Mexico at the main irrigation Canal in Ciudad Juarez, known as Acequia Madre. The canal's mouth is two miles downstream from the international border. The remainder of the water would be used by American farmers in the ninety-mile-long El Paso valley. In times of drought both Mexican and American shares would be reduced on a percentage basis. The system did not provide a way for the United States to allot Mexico its rightful portion and keep the rest. As a result, Mexico took its share first and channeled the remainder into the Franklin Canal for the farms in the El Paso valley. According to some American estimates this permitted Mexico to siphon off up to three times its portion of irrigation water. Responding in 1935, Congress authorized two diversionary projects, the American Dam and the American Canal. The dam caught the water in New Mexico short of the international border, measured Mexico's share and allowed it to continue to the Acequia Madre, and diverted everything else into the American Canal, a two-mile feeder leading to the Franklin Canal. The American Canal parallels West Paisano Drive (US Highway 85) and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad track. The project has proved a successful solution to the problem of dividing the waters. Sources: http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/rua03 http://www.ibwc.gov/Files/EnvironmentalAssessment.pdf

Area: Central / Smeltertown

Source: IBWC

Uploaded by: El Paso Museum of History

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J.B. White, Project Engineer 1937

Note under image says: 5-3-37, 4:45pm, El Paso, Texas; American Dam and Canal: J.B. White, Project Engineer For centuries the Rio Grande River has been used as a source of irrigation water for agriculture in the El Paso – Juarez area. In 1889 the governments of the United States and Mexico established the International Boundary Commission (IBC), in 1944 renamed the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC). One of its early actions was to discuss delivery of Rio Grande water to Mexico. In 1906, the two countries agreed to deliver 60,000 acre-feet of water annually to Mexico at the main irrigation Canal in Ciudad Juarez, known as Acequia Madre. The canal's mouth is two miles downstream from the international border. The remainder of the water would be used by American farmers in the ninety-mile-long El Paso valley. In times of drought both Mexican and American shares would be reduced on a percentage basis. The system did not provide a way for the United States to allot Mexico its rightful portion and keep the rest. As a result, Mexico took its share first and channeled the remainder into the Franklin Canal for the farms in the El Paso valley. According to some American estimates this permitted Mexico to siphon off up to three times its portion of irrigation water. Responding in 1935, Congress authorized two diversionary projects, the American Dam and the American Canal. The dam caught the water in New Mexico short of the international border, measured Mexico's share and allowed it to continue to the Acequia Madre, and diverted everything else into the American Canal, a two-mile feeder leading to the Franklin Canal. The American Canal parallels West Paisano Drive (US Highway 85) and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad track. The project has proved a successful solution to the problem of dividing the waters. Sources: http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/rua03 http://www.ibwc.gov/Files/EnvironmentalAssessment.pdf

Area: Central / Smeltertown

Source: IBWC

Uploaded by: El Paso Museum of History

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Construction of American Dam 1937

Note in image: 5-4-37, 2:00pm, El Paso Texas American Dam; Panel No. 9; note hot rivet For centuries the Rio Grande River has been used as a source of irrigation water for agriculture in the El Paso – Juarez area. In 1889 the governments of the United States and Mexico established the International Boundary Commission (IBC), in 1944 renamed the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC). One of its early actions was to discuss delivery of Rio Grande water to Mexico. In 1906, the two countries agreed to deliver 60,000 acre-feet of water annually to Mexico at the main irrigation Canal in Ciudad Juarez, known as Acequia Madre. The canal's mouth is two miles downstream from the international border. The remainder of the water would be used by American farmers in the ninety-mile-long El Paso valley. In times of drought both Mexican and American shares would be reduced on a percentage basis. The system did not provide a way for the United States to allot Mexico its rightful portion and keep the rest. As a result, Mexico took its share first and channeled the remainder into the Franklin Canal for the farms in the El Paso valley. According to some American estimates this permitted Mexico to siphon off up to three times its portion of irrigation water. Responding in 1935, Congress authorized two diversionary projects, the American Dam and the American Canal. The dam caught the water in New Mexico short of the international border, measured Mexico's share and allowed it to continue to the Acequia Madre, and diverted everything else into the American Canal, a two-mile feeder leading to the Franklin Canal. The American Canal parallels West Paisano Drive (US Highway 85) and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad track. The project has proved a successful solution to the problem of dividing the waters. Sources: http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/rua03 http://www.ibwc.gov/Files/EnvironmentalAssessment.pdf

Area: Central / Smeltertown

Source: IBWC

Uploaded by: El Paso Museum of History

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Construction of American Dam 1937

Note says: 5-4-37, 2:00pm, El Paso, Texas American Dam; Insley Excavator handling gate members, panel No 7 For centuries the Rio Grande River has been used as a source of irrigation water for agriculture in the El Paso – Juarez area. In 1889 the governments of the United States and Mexico established the International Boundary Commission (IBC), in 1944 renamed the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC). One of its early actions was to discuss delivery of Rio Grande water to Mexico. In 1906, the two countries agreed to deliver 60,000 acre-feet of water annually to Mexico at the main irrigation Canal in Ciudad Juarez, known as Acequia Madre. The canal's mouth is two miles downstream from the international border. The remainder of the water would be used by American farmers in the ninety-mile-long El Paso valley. In times of drought both Mexican and American shares would be reduced on a percentage basis. The system did not provide a way for the United States to allot Mexico its rightful portion and keep the rest. As a result, Mexico took its share first and channeled the remainder into the Franklin Canal for the farms in the El Paso valley. According to some American estimates this permitted Mexico to siphon off up to three times its portion of irrigation water. Responding in 1935, Congress authorized two diversionary projects, the American Dam and the American Canal. The dam caught the water in New Mexico short of the international border, measured Mexico's share and allowed it to continue to the Acequia Madre, and diverted everything else into the American Canal, a two-mile feeder leading to the Franklin Canal. The American Canal parallels West Paisano Drive (US Highway 85) and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad track. The project has proved a successful solution to the problem of dividing the waters. Sources: http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/rua03 http://www.ibwc.gov/Files/EnvironmentalAssessment.pdf

Area: Central / Smeltertown

Source: IBWC

Uploaded by: El Paso Museum of History

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Construction of American Canal 1937

Note under image says: 5-3-1937, 3:40pm, El Paso, Texas American Canal; Sta. 70+00 For centuries the Rio Grande River has been used as a source of irrigation water for agriculture in the El Paso – Juarez area. In 1889 the governments of the United States and Mexico established the International Boundary Commission (IBC), in 1944 renamed the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC). One of its early actions was to discuss delivery of Rio Grande water to Mexico. In 1906, the two countries agreed to deliver 60,000 acre-feet of water annually to Mexico at the main irrigation Canal in Ciudad Juarez, known as Acequia Madre. The canal's mouth is two miles downstream from the international border. The remainder of the water would be used by American farmers in the ninety-mile-long El Paso valley. In times of drought both Mexican and American shares would be reduced on a percentage basis. The system did not provide a way for the United States to allot Mexico its rightful portion and keep the rest. As a result, Mexico took its share first and channeled the remainder into the Franklin Canal for the farms in the El Paso valley. According to some American estimates this permitted Mexico to siphon off up to three times its portion of irrigation water. Responding in 1935, Congress authorized two diversionary projects, the American Dam and the American Canal. The dam caught the water in New Mexico short of the international border, measured Mexico's share and allowed it to continue to the Acequia Madre, and diverted everything else into the American Canal, a two-mile feeder leading to the Franklin Canal. The American Canal parallels West Paisano Drive (US Highway 85) and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad track. The project has proved a successful solution to the problem of dividing the waters. Sources: http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/rua03 http://www.ibwc.gov/Files/EnvironmentalAssessment.pdf

Area: Central / Smeltertown

Source: IBWC

Uploaded by: El Paso Museum of History

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American Canal

April 21 1937, American Dam concrete entering floor slab W1/2 of unit 1.

Area: Central / Smeltertown

Source: IBWC

Uploaded by: El Paso Museum of History

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American Canal

April 21 1937, American Dam concrete entering floor slab W1/2 of unit 1.

Area: Central / Smeltertown

Source: IBWC

Uploaded by: El Paso Museum of History

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American Canal

April 19 1937, American Dam pouring pier at No. 4,5,6 mixer at No. 6.

Area: Central / Smeltertown

Source: IBWC

Uploaded by: El Paso Museum of History

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The image shows the hospital at Smeltertown in El Paso in 1894. ...

ASARCO SMELTER CEMETERY #1

Grave in ASARCO SMELTER CEMETERY. Remains of workers & members ...

ASARCO SMELTER CEMETERY #2

ASARCO SMELTER CEMETERY, with smoke stack in background.

Asarco Smelter Cemetery Gate - El Paso, Texas

This is the entrance to the ASARCO Smelter Cemetery, built on ...

ASARCO Stacks, 2012

Main stack at ASARCO refinery, with smaller stack in background, ...

Mt. Cristo Rey

Christ the King sculpture on Mt. Cristo Rey, 2012, view facing ...

Union Pacific Locomotive, Mt. Cristo Rey

UP Locomotive passes through a canyon near Mt. Cristo Rey at ...

Venus at ASARCO - Demolition Eve

Venus enjoying the sunset on ASARCO's Demolition Eve. This ...

El Paso Electric Railway Co. Smelter Line Viaduct 1912

El Paso Electric Railway travels from Smelter town in 1912.

Globe Mills

Cloudy windy day. Walking at the mills. Phone effects used. ...

Ride Along Smelter

Smelter Cemetery summer 2014 Photo taken in El Paso, TX.

American Dam - Rio Grande

American Dam - shot of the Rio Grande from bridge 1000ft. ...

American Canal

A view of the American Canal looking northwards from Highway ...

American Dam - Garage

American Dam - Garage. View from the southeast with a bridge ...

American Canal - cleared right-of-way and debris

The American Canal. Photo shows cleared right-of-way and debris ...

American Dam - Gate tender's house under construction

American Dam -Gate tender's house under construction. View ...

American Dam

American Dam - View of location south; Wuerthman Property in ...

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