Amistad Dam and Reservoir

Although flood control is a critical need of the area, it is not the only benefit to be gained from such a project.

The next most important need is a stabilized supply of water for agricultural, industrial, and domestic uses. Illustrating the water supply need in the western part of the State, the heaviest rainfall in Texas occurs on the Sabine River at the Louisiana border where 60 inches of rainfall per year is noted. In contrast, in El Paso County in the Rio Grande River Basin less than 10 inches per year is recorded. It is the only county in the State with less than 10 inches of rainfall a year. Thus, the rainfall declines 1 inch for each 15 miles you travel in Texas from the eastern border, from 60 inches to 10 inches in El Paso, Tex.

In view of the great population increase that is expected in the western counties of the State, water will be needed for irrigation, industrial, and domestic purposes in ever-increasing quantity in all of the seasons of the year.

A most persuasive provision of this bill is the good benefit-to-cost ratio of 1.55 to 1. It is easy to see, from the data presented in that report that the project is more than justified for the U.S. Government in terms of direct benefits alone.

In addition, the self-liquidation features of this project will have a strong appeal for the taxpayer.

The development of power will pay so well that you will get a considerable amount of revenue from this source. Hence, from these various sources you will have a means of paying out the entire Federal investment in this project.

Although this is a multiple-purpose dam which is useful for irrigation, power, and flood control purposes, the flood powers alone make the plan feasible. As Í have outlined in the foregoing paragraphs, the cost of the permanent dam is about equal to loss on one big annual flood.

Other benefits include the possibilities of developing recreational facilities, which would benefit citizens in both countries. Plans have been made for stocking the lakes and for the breeding of various forms of game. Boating and fishing facilities are also planned.

Various requests have been received relating to the need for public access to this project for recreational purposes.

The proposed plan of the Diablo Reservoir with its irregular shoreline will be suitable for many recreational uses not presently available in the area. In this connection, it is my recommendation that all shorelines acquired in fee and all lands upon which the flowage easement is acquired should remain available for public access and recreational use within limitations of project operation and administrative requirements. I am advised by the survey teams that five large areas have been recommended for public access. These areas would be generally accessible from U.S. Highways 90 and 277. Generally speaking, the Diablo Reservoir would likely draw visitors from local, regional, and national areas. prevailing climate would be a factor in drawing visitors from various areas of the United States.

The

In conclusion, this dam is believed to be both necessary and beneficial by the governments of the United States and Mexico. It is necessary in terms of flood control, irrigation, power, and industrial and domestic uses. It is self-liquidating financially. It is expected to have a benefit-to-cost ratio of 1.55. Power development is another source of income.

I would again like to thank the committee for the opportunity of appearing here today in behalf of this bill.

INDEX

Acreage to be protected by dam.......

Page
10, 12

26, 27, 28, 32, 33, 34, 35
31-32

Aiken, Senator George D: Examination of witness: Hewitt, Leland
H