International Diversion Dam
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| International Diversion Dam | |
|---|---|
  Location of International Diversion Dam in Mexico | |
| Country | Mexico |
| Location | Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico |
| Coordinates | 31°45′40″N 106°30′35″W / 31.761022°N 106.509752°W |
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Diversion dam |
The International Diversion Dam (or simply the International Dam) is a diversion dam on the Rio Grande in Ciudad Juárez. The dam is operated by the International Boundary and Water Commission, and diverts water into the Acequia Madre for use in irrigation in Mexico.[1] Water is diverted under the terms of the 1906 treaty on usage of Rio Grande water between the United States and Mexico.[2]
The dam has its origins in the 21 May 1906 treaty between the United States and Mexico for "an equitable distribution of the waters of the Rio Grande." This guaranteed Mexico up to 60,000 acre-feet (74,000,000 m3) annually, with the Americans taking the rest, except in time of drought when the shares would be reduced on a percentage basis. The Mexicans would withdraw their water from the Rio Grande at the Acequia Madre about 2 miles (3.2 km) downstream from the point where the river starts to form the international border.[3] The International Dam at the head of the Acequia Madre was completed in 1918, and improvements to the dam were completed in 1941.[4]