Rio Grande Project
The Rio Grande Project furnishes a full irrigation water supply for about 178,000 acres of land and electric power for communities and industry in the area. Drainage water from project lands provides a supplemental supply for 18,330 acres in Hudspeth County, Tex. Project lands occupy the river bottom land of the Rio Grande Valley in south-central New Mexico and west Texas. About 60 percent of the lands receiving water are in New Mexico; 40 percent are in Texas.
Physical features of the project include Elephant Butte and Caballo Dams, 6 diversion dams, 141 miles of canal, 462 miles of laterals, 457 miles of drains, and a hydroelectric powerplant. The project is operated as two divisions: The Water and Land Division, and the Power and Storage Division.
Plan
Storage for the project is provided in the Elephant Butte and Caballo Reservoirs. Water used for winter power generation at Elephant Butte is held in Caballo Reservoir for irrigation use during the summer. Diversions for project irrigation are made at four points on the Rio Grande below the storage reservoirs.
Elephant Butte Dam, Reservoir, and Powerplant
Elephant Butte Dam and Reservoir (originally called Engle Dam) on the Rio Grande, 125 miles north of El Paso, Texas, can store 2,220,610 acre-feet¹ of water to provide irrigation and year-round power generation. This is a concrete gravity dam 301 feet high and 1,674 feet long including the spillway. It contains 629,500 cubic yards of concrete. The dam was completed in 1916, but storage operation began in 1915.
The power system consists of a 24,300-kilowatt hydroelectric powerplant at Elephant Butte Dam. A transmission system consisting of 490 miles of 115-kilovolt transmission line and 11 substations totaling 81,750 kilovolt-amperes, which was developed and operated by the Rio Grande Project until 1977, was sold to a generation and transmission cooperative.
¹1974 silt survey correction.
Caballo Dam and Reservoir
The Caballo Dam and Reservoir are on the Rio Grande 25 miles downstream from Elephant Butte Dam. The dam is an earthfill structure 96 feet high and 4,558 feet long, and has a capacity of 343,990 acre-feet of water. Water discharged from the Elephant Butte Powerplant during winter power generation is impounded at Caballo Dam for irrigation use during the summer.
Percha Diversion Dam and Canal System
Percha Diversion Dam is on the Rio Grande, 2 miles downstream from Caballo Dam. It diverts water into the Rincon Valley Main Canal. The dam is a concrete ogee weir with embankment wings. The Rincon Valley Main Canal carries water for the irrigation of 16,260 acres in the Rincon Valley, is 27.1 miles long, and has an initial capacity of 330 cubic feet per second. The canal crosses over the Rio Grande in the Garfield Flume and under the river in the Hatch and Rincon Siphons.
Leasburg Diversion Dam and Canal System
Leasburg Diversion Dam, on the Rio Grande 62 miles north of El Paso at the head of Mesilla Valley, is a concrete ogee weir with embankment wings. This structure diverts water into the Leasburg Canal for the upper 31,600 acres of the Mesilla Valley irrigation system. Leasburg Canal, which conveys irrigation water to Mesilla Valley, is 13.7 miles long and has an initial capacity of 625 cubic feet per second. Picacho North and Picacho South Dams provide flood protection to part of the Leasburg Canal system by blocking two arroyos northwest of Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Mesilla Diversion Dam and Canal System
Mesilla Diversion Dam, on the Rio Grande 40 miles north of El Paso, is a low concrete weir, radial gate structure, 22 feet high, flanked by levees. This structure diverts water into the East Side and West Side Canals for the lower 53,650 acres of the Mesilla Valley irrigation system. East Side Canal is 13.5 miles long and has an initial capacity of 300 cubic feet per second. West Side Canal is 27.9 miles long and has an initial capacity of 650 cubic feet per second. Near its terminus, the West Side Canal system crosses under the Rio Grande in the Montoya Siphon.
American Diversion Dam and Canal System
American Diversion Dam, on the Rio Grande 2 miles northwest of El Paso and immediately above the point where the river becomes the international boundary line, diverts irrigation water to El Paso Valley. The 18-foot-high dam is a radial-gate structure between earthfill dikes. It is operated by the American Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission to regulate delivery of water to Mexico in accordance with treaty provisions.
American Canal, also constructed and operated by the American Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission in connection with the American Diversion Dam, carries water 2.1 miles from the dam to the head of Franklin Canal. The canal capacity is 1,200 cubic feet per second. Franklin Canal, which conveys water to El Paso Valley, is 30.5 miles long, has an initial capacity of 325 cubic feet per second, and serves 17,000 acres in the upper porion of the valley. It was privately constructed about 1889, and was acquired by the Bureau of Reclamation in 1912 to become one of the project's main canals.
Riverside Diversion Dam and Canal System
Riverside Diversion Dam, the southernmost project diversion point, is on the Rio Grande 15 miles southeast of El Paso, and diverts water into the Riverside Canal. This 17.5-foot-high, radial-gate concrete structure has a flood bypass weir and is flanked by river levees. Riverside Canal is 17.1 miles long, has an initial capacity of 900 cubic feet per second, serves 39,000 acres in the lower portion of the valley, and carries any available surplus through to the Hudspeth District. Tornillo Canal, a continuation of Riverside Canal, is 12 miles long and has an initial capacity of 325 cubic feet per second.
Development
Early History
There is evidence that the mild climate, rich soil, and easily accessible irrigation water of the Rio Grande Valley have attracted human habitation for many hundreds of years. When the Spanish explorers arrived in the valley in the first half of the 16th century, the Pueblo Indians were irrigating crops, using primitive methods which continued until the early part of the 20th century. Between 1840 and 1850, various areas of the valley were irrigated by constructing canals and simple diversion structures at strategic points along the Rio Grande. These structures could not withstand the river in flood, and were a source of continual annoyance until they were supplanted by more modern diversion structures.
Investigations
About 1890, extensive settlement and irrigation development in southern Colorado, in addition to that which had already taken place in central New Mexico, depleted the normal summer flow of the Rio Grande, causing the river to be dry at El Paso for more frequent and longer periods. Several small and local storage developments were proposed, but conflicting interests, including Mexico's claims for loss of water based on ancient prior right, prevented the culmination of any of them. These conflicting interests were resolved in 1904 when it was reported that a reservoir could be created by construction of a dam at Elephant Butte which would provide sufficient water to meet all requirements. The Rio Grande Project was among the first to receive attention after the passage of the Reclamation Act in 1902. Investigation surveys were begun on the project in 1903 and a feasibility report was made in 1904.
Authorization
Construction of the Rio Grande Project was authorized by the Secretary of the Interior on December 2, 1905, under the provisions of the Reclamation Act, and funds were allocated to initiate construction of the first diversion unit. The Reclamation Act was extended to the entire State of Texas on June 12, 1906, following a partial extension for Engle (Elephant Butte) Dam in 1905.
Congress authorized the construction of Elephant Butte Dam on February 25, 1905. and on May 4, 1907, $1 million of nonreimbursable funds were appropriated as the State Department's share for allocation by treaty of 60,000 acre-feet of water annually to Mexico. Additional project works authorized under congressional action included Caballo Dam, a combined flood-control and power reglating structure, and the Elephant Butte power development.
Construction
Construction was begun in 1906 on Leasburg Diversion Dam and Canal. The dam and 6 miles of canal were completed in 1908. Construction of Elephant Butte Dam was begun in 1908 but progress was delayed when difficulty in obtaining reservoir land developed. Construction of the dam began again in 1912 and was completed in 1916; storage operation began in January 1915.
The Franklin Canal was constructed in 1889-90 by El Paso Irrigation Company, was purchased by the Bureau of Reclamation in 1912, and was enlarged in 1914-15. Additional project works, consisting of Mesilla Diversion Dam and the East Side and West Side Canals, Percha Diversion Dam and Rincon Valley Canal. and an extension of Leasburg Canal were constructed during 1914-19.
In 1917-18, contracts were entered into for the construction of distribution laterals and a drainage system in addition to storage and diversion works. A crtical seepage condition had developed because of the rising ground water table, and construction of the drainage system, which was begun in 1916, was expedited. During 1918-29, reconstruction and extension of old community ditches, and construction of new laterals to form a complete irrigation distribution and drainage system were in progress. Improvements have been added from time to time since 1930.
Caballo Dam was included as a flood control unit in the Rio Grande Rectification Project and part of its cost was allocated to that purpose. It made year-round power generation at Elephant Butte Dam possible and part of the cost was allocated to that purpose, but it also provided replacement for storage lost at Elephant Butte due to silt deposition. This dam was built in 1936-38, followed by construction of the Elephant Butte Powerplant in 1938-40. Construction of the power transmission system, begun in 1940, was completed in 1952.
Operating Agencies
Operation and maintenance in the New Mexico portion of the project is directed by the Elephant Butte Irrigation District. The Bureau of Reclamation as represented by the Rio Grande Project directs operation and maintenance in the Texas portion of the project. El Paso County Water Improvement District No. 1 assumed the direction of the Texas portion of the project in time for the 1980 irrigation season.
Benefits
Irrigation
The project is divided into many small farming units. Principal crops are cotton, alfalfa, vegetables, pecans, and grain.
Recreation
Elephant Butte Reservoir has a surface area of 36,521 acres. Located midway between Albuquerque, New Mexico, and El Paso, Texas in scenic semidesert mountain terrain, it is popular throughout the entire Southwest for boating, fishing, and swimming. Cabin sites, boat rental, and fishing tackle are available. Caballo Reservoir has a surface area of 11,500 acres. In rough desert terrain 17 miles south of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, it provides an all-year recreation program of picnicking, boating, and fishing.
Project Data
Land Areas (1977)
- Irrigable area:
- Full irrigation service - 177,992 acres
- Supplemental irrigation service provided from project drainage water under Warren Act contract - 18,546 acres
- Total - 196,538 acres
- Number of irrigated farms - 4,736
| Area Irrigated and Crop Value | ||
|---|---|---|
| Area Irrigated | Crop Value | |
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
| 1968 | 147,512 | 41,077,177 |
| 1969 | 152,369 | 38,958,946 |
| 1970 | 155,416 | 35,112,513 |
| 1971 | 148,650 | 38,442,856 |
| 1972 | 139,956 | 42,005,232 |
| 1973 | 148,270 | 59,410,412 |
| 1974 | 150,723 | 62,409,624 |
| 1975 | 151,162 | 66,879,431 |
| 1976 | 152,727 | 88,025,016 |
| 1977 | 147,012 | 86,560,215 |
Facilities in Operation
- Storage dams - 2
- Diversion dams - 6
- Canals - 141 miles
- Laterals - 462 miles
- Drains - 457 miles
- Powerplants - 1
Climatic Conditions
- Annual precipitation - 7.8 inches
- Temperature:
- Maximum - 111 °F
- Minimum - -16 °F
- Mean - 64 °F
- Growing season - 247 days
- Elevation of irrigable area - 3500-4100.0 feet
Settlement
- Number of persons served with project water (1977):
- Farm irrigation service - 19,113
- Municipal water service (est.) - 365,000
- Other water service² 32,378
- Total 416,491
- ²Urban and suburban, residential, commercial, and industrial lands.
| Power Generation, Elephant Butte Powerplant | |
|---|---|
| Fiscal Year | kWh |
| 1968 | 45,935,670 |
| 1969 | 47,097,560 |
| 1970 | 68,094,700 |
| 1971 | 53,871,190 |
| 1972 | 20,850,580 |
| 1973 | 44,992,490 |
| 1974 | 81,818,480 |
| 1975 | 58,636,220 |
| 1976 | 73,154,370 |
| Transition Qtr. | 19,509,950 |
| 1977 | 33,816,030 |
| 1978 | 30,109,580 |
| 1979 | 61,235,780 |
| 1980 | 91,760,950 |
Engineering Data
Water Supply
Rio Grande
- Drainage area at San Marcial, New Mexico - 24,760 square miles
- Elephant Butte Reservoir - 25,960 square miles
- Caballo Reservoir - 27,260 square miles
- Annual discharge at San Marcial. New Mexico:
- Maximum (1941) - 2,831,000 acre-feet
- Minimum (1951) - 114,100 acre-feet
- Average - 905,700 acre-feet
- Average annual diversion, 1938-78 ³ - 617,000 acre-feet
- ³Normal annual release from Caballo Reservoir in accordance with Rio Grande Compact is 790,000 acre-feet.
Storage Facilities
Elephant Butte Dam4
- Type: Concrete gravity
- Location: On the Rio Grande 4 miles east of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.
- Construction period: 1912-16. Spillway channel below dam added in 1921 and modified in 1947, service outlet deflectors added in 1944, powerplant added in 1940.
- Date of closure (first storage): 1915
- Reservoir, Elephant Butte:
- Average annual inflow, 1895-1955 - 905,700 acre-feet
- Total capacity to Elevation 4,407 5 - 2,109,423 acre-feet
- Active capacity - 2,109,423 acre-feet
- Surface area - 36,521 acres
- Dimensions:
- Structural height - 301 feet
- Hydraulic height - 193 feet
- Top width - 18 feet
- Maximum base thickness - 228 feet
- Crest length - 1,674 feet
- Crest elevation - 4,414.0 feet
- Total volume - 629,500 cubic yards
- Spillway: Uncontrolled concrete ogee weir and concrete-lined chute at right end of dam, with four 10-foot-diameter circular openings through base of weir, each controlled by one cylindrical gate.
- Crest length - 295 feet
- Crest elevation - 4,407.0 feet
- Capacity at Elevation 4,415:
- Weir - 26,000 cubic feet per second
- Conduits 8,750 cubic feet per second
- Outlet works: All located through dam near left abutment.
- Service: Four conduits, each controlled by one 60-inch balanced valve.
- Sluicing: Two conduits, each controlled by one 47- by 60-inch slide gate.
- Power: Six penstock openings leading to 73-inch steel penstocks that join in pairs at the face of the dam to form three 96-inch penstocks leading to powerplant.
- Capacity at Elevation 4,407:
- Service - 5,300 cubic feet per second
- Sluicing - 3,100 cubic feet per second
- Power - 2,400 cubic feet per second
- Foundation: Hard, sound, fissured sandstone in irregular beds, containing pockets and interbedded strata of friable shale and numerous small springs throughout foundation area.
- 4All elevations refer to project datum; add 43.3 feet for sea level.
- 5 Original total constructed capacity 2,634,800 acre-feet.
- Special treatment: Cement grout curtain beneath upstream cutoff trench, special grouting of fissures and springs.
- Mass concrete: Crushed rock and rock screenings blended with sand for aggregate; cement a blend of portland (52%) and pulverized sandstone (48%); natural temperature control; quarried stones amount to 15% of total volume.
- Volume excluding spillway - 605.200 cubic yards
- Maximum size aggregate - 3.5 inches
- Massive rock, maximum weight 8 tons per piece placed in green concrete.
- Average net water-cement ratio by weight:
- Interior concrete - 0.80
- Exterior concrete - 0.65
- Cement content:
- Interior concrete - 1.0 bbl/cubic yards
- Exterior concrete - 1.4 bbl/cubic yards
- Contraction joints: Transverse joints spaced at 80- to 160-foot intervals below and 35 to 56.5 foot above elevation 4,312; faces coated with heavy oil, alternate blocks poured after initial cooling of adjacent blocks.
Caballo Dam4
- Type: Zoned earthfill
- Location: On the Rio Grande 17 miles south of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.
- Construction period: 1936-38
- Date of closure (first storage): 1938
- Reservoir, Caballo:
- Average annual inflow, 1938-55 - 739,340 acre-feet
- Total capacity to elevation 4,182 - 343,990 acre-feet
- Active capacity - 343,990 acre-feet
- Surface area - 11,613 acres
- Dimensions:
- Structural height - 96 feet
- Hydraulic height - 78 feet
- Top width - 35 feet
- Maximum base width - 660 feet
- Crest length - 4,558 feet
- Crest elevation - 4,190.0 feet
- Total volume - 1,244,000 cubic yards
- Spillway: Concrete-lined open channel in left abutment, controlled by two 50- by 22.5-foot radial gates.
- Elevation top of gates (includes 1.5-foot splash plate) - 4183.5 feet
- Crest elevation - 4161.0 feet
- Capacity at elevation 4,182 - 33,200 cubic feet per second
- Outlet works: Concrete-lined tunnel through left abutment controlled by two 6- by 7.5-foot high-pressure slide gates. A 30-inch-diameter steel pipe located below tunnel invert and extending from gate chamber, controlled by one 30-inch gate valve, serves the Bonita Lateral.
- Capacity at elevation 4,182 - 5,000 cubic feet per second
- Foundation: Gorge cut in compact red clay-bound conglomerate refilled with river deposits.
- Special treatment: Cement grout curtain beneath cutoff walls; supplemental grouting of abutments.
Picacho North Dam
- Type: Zoned earthfill
- Location: On the North Branch of Picacho Arroyo about 5 miles northwest of Las Cruces, New Mexico.
- Construction period: 1953
- Reservoir, Picacho North:
- Total capacity - 790 acre-feet
- Dimensions:
- Height above original ground surface - 42 feet
- Top width - 20 feet
- Maximum base width - 209 feet
- Crest length - 1,610 feet
- Crest elevation - 3,942.0 feet
- Total volume - 149,000 cubic yards
- Spillway: Open cut spillway, emergency only, about 500 feet west of south end of dam.
- Crest length - 200 feet
- Crest elevation - 3,938.0 feet
- Outlet works: Uncontrolled concrete conduit through base of dam.
- Capacity at elevation 3,938 - 283 cubic feet per second
Picacho South Dam
- Type: Zoned earthfill
- Location: On the South Branch of Picacho Arroyo about 5 miles northwest of Las Cruces, New Mexico.
- Construction period: 1953-54
- Reservoir, Picacho South:
- Total capacity - 460 acre-feet
- Dimensions:
- Height above original ground surface - 29 feet
- Top width - 15 feet
- Maximum base width - 145 feet
- Crest length - 1,624 feet
- Crest elevation - 3945.0 feet
- Total volume - 86,920 cubic yards
- Spillway: Emergency spillway consists of uncontrolled, riprap-lined open channel in right end of dam.
- Crest length - 100 feet
- Crest elevation - 3,942.0 feet
- Outlet works: Uncontrolled concrete conduit through base of dam.
- Capacity at elevation 3,941 - 170 cubic feet per second
Lucero Dike
- Type: Random earthfill
- Location: On the Lucero Arroyo 14 miles north of Las Cruces, New Mexico.
- Construction period: 1951
- Capacity - 475 acre-feet
- Dimensions:
- Height above original ground surface - 19 feet
- Top width - 12 feet
- Maximum base width - 93 feet
- Crest length - 4,845 feet
- Crest elevation - 3,934.0 feet
- Total volume - 102,000 cubic yards
- Spillway: Rectangular chute at west end of dike.
- Crest length - 10 feet
- Crest elevation - 3,930.0 feet
- Outlet works: Uncontrolled concrete conduit through base of dike.
- Capacity at elevation 3,930 - 140 cubic feet per second
Diversion Facilities
Percha Arroyo Diversion Dam6
- Type: Rock-faced earthfill
- Location: On Percha Arroyo, 1 mile west of Caballo Dam.
- Year completed: 1939
- 6 Dike constructed to divert storm runoff into Caballo Reservoir; in connection with irrigation system.
- Dimensions:
- Structural height - 29 feet
- Hydraulic height - 19 feet
- Total crest length - 2,489 feet
- Crest elevation - 4,200.0 feet
- Volume - 193,000 cubic yards
- Spillway: None
- Headworks: Flood diversion channel, no gates, highway bridge and drop chute into Caballo Reservoir.
- Diversion capacity - 30,000 cubic feet per second
Percha Diversion Dam
- Type: Concrete ogee weir, embankment wings
Location: On the Rio Grande, about 2 miles south of Caballo Dam. - Year completed: 1918
- Dimensions:
- Structural height - 18.5 feet
- Hydraulic height - 8 feet
- Weir crest length - 350 feet
- Total crest length - 2,720 feet
- Crest elevation - 4,103.0 feet
- Volume - 43,200 cubic yards
- Spillway: Overflow weir, 2 radial sluice gates, each 20- by 8-feet.
- Headworks: Rincon Valley Main Canal headworks at west abutment: 8 slide gates, each 4.3 by 3.75 feet.
- Diversion capacity 350 cubic feet per second
Leasburg Diversion Dam
- Type: Concrete ogee weir, embankment wings.
Location: On the Rio Grande. about 15 miles northwest of Las Cruces, New Mexico. - Year completed: 1907. Crest raised 1.25 feet in 1919.
- Dimensions:
- Structural height - 10 feet
- Hydraulic height - 7 feet
- Total crest length, dam, including weir - 2,865 feet
- Weir crest length - 600 feet
- Weir crest elevation - 3,922.25 feet
- Volume - 22,500 cubic yards
- Spillway: Overflow weir, 3 slide sluice gates, each 5 by 8 feet.
- Capacity 7 17,000 cubic feet per second
- Headworks: Leasburg Canal headworks at abutment; 7 slide gates 5 by 6.75 feet.
- Diversion capacity - 625 cubic feet per second
Mesilla Diversion Dam
- Type: Concrete weir, radial gate structure
- Location: On the Rio Grande, 6 miles south of Las Cruces, New Mexico.
- Year completed: 1916. Crest raised 1.66 feet in 1940.
- Dimensions:
- Structural height - 22 feet
- Hydraulic height - 10 feet
- Weir crest length - 303 feet
- Crest elevation 3819.83 feet
- Volume - 2,900 cubic yards
- Spillways: Nine radial gates, each 21.58 by 6 feet; 4 radial gates, each 21.58 by 8.42 feet.
- Capacity:715,000 cubic feet per second
- Headworks: Canal headworks at each abutment. 8 slide gates, each 4.33 by 3.75 feet at west end; 6 slide gates, each 4.33 by 3.75 feet at east end.
- Diversion capacity:
- West side - 650 cubic feet per second
- East side - 300 cubic feet per second
American Diversion Dam 8
- Type: Radial gate structure between river levees
- Location: On the Rio Grande at El Paso, Texas.
- Year completed: 1938
- Dimensions:
- Structural height - 18 feet
- Hydraulic height - 5 feet
- Weir crest length - 286 feet
- Crest elevation - 3683.5 feet
- Volume - 2,900 cubic yards
- Spillway: Thirteen radial gates, each 20 by 7.5 feet
- Capacity7 12,000 cubic feet per second
- Headworks: American Canal headworks at east abutment; 2 radial gates, each 20 by 11 feet.
- Diversion capacity - 1,200 cubic feet per second
Riverside Diversion Dam
- Type: Concrete weir, radial gate structure Location: On the Rio Grande, 15 miles southeast of El Paso.
- Year completed: 1928
- Dimensions:
- Structural height - 17.5 feet
- Hydraulic height - 8 feet
- Weir crest length - 267 feet
- Crest elevation - 362l.07 feet
- Volume - 2,500 cubic yards
- Spillway: Six radial gates, each 16 by 8.17 feet. overflow weir.
- Capacity7 11,000 cubic feet per second
- Headworks: Riverside Canal headworks at east abutment; 5 radial gates, each 16 by 6 feet.
- Diversion capacity - 900 cubic feet per second
7 These are the flood discharges which the International Boundary and Water Commission is using for the Rio Grande Channelization Project at the indicated points and are not necessarily the maximum which the dams will pass safely, nor which they were designed to pass.
8 American Diversion Dam and Canal constructed and operated by American Section, International Boundary and Water Commission, United States-Mexico, for the diversion and allocation of water in accordance with treaty between the United States and Mexico.
Carriage Facilities
Rincon Valley Main Canal
- Location: From Percha Diversion Dam generally southeast along Rio Grande.
- Construction period: 1916-19
- Length - 27.1 miles
- Diversion capacity - 350 cubic feet per second
- Typical maximum section in earth:
- Bottom width - 22 feet
- Side slopes - 2:1
- Water depth - 4.2 feet
- Typical maximum section, concrete lined:
- Bottom width - 14 feet
- Side slopes - 1.5:1
- Water depth - 4.2 feet
- Lining thickness - 4 inches
Garfield Flume (Rincon Valley Main Canal)
- Location: Rio Grande. about 4 miles south of Percha Diversion Dam.
- Description: Steel truss structure carrying twin barrels.
- Construction period: 1917-18
- Length - 800 feet
- Diameter: No. 156 Hess flume
- Capacity - 320 cubic feet per second
Hatch Siphon (Rincon Valley Main Canal)
- Location: Rio Grande. about 13 miles south of Percha Diversion Dam.
- Description: Reinforced concrete
- Construction period: 1918
- Length - 650 feet
- Diameter - 6 feet
- Capacity - 200 cubic feet per second
Rincon Siphon (Rincon Valley Main Canal)
- Location: Rio Grande, 21 miles south of Percha Diversion Dam.
- Description: Reinforced concrete
- Construction period: 1918-19
- Length - 550 feet
- Diameter - 5 feet
- Capacity 150 cubic feet per second
Leasburg Canal
- Location: From Leasburg Diversion Dam on the Rio Grande about 15 miles northwest of Las Cruces, New Mexico, generally southeast along the river.
- Construction period (first 6 miles): 1906-08. Extended to 11 miles in 1915-16. Constructed to present length and capacity in 1921-22.
- Length - 13.7 miles
- Diversion capacity - 625 cubic feet per second
- Typical maximum section in earth:
- Bottom width - 34 feet
- Side slopes - 1:1
- Water depth - 4 feet
East Side Canal
- Location: From Mesilla Diversion Dam on the Rio Grande about 6 miles south of Las Cruces, generally southeast along the river.
- Construction period (first 10.5 miles): 1914-15. Constructed to present length and capacity in 1918-19.
- Length - 13.5 miles
- Diversion capacity - 300 cubic feet per second
- Typical maximum section in earth:
- Bottom width - 24 feet
- Side slopes - 1.5:1
- Water depth - 3.2 feet
West Side Canal
- Location: From Mesilla Diversion Dam on the Rio Grande about 6 miles south of Las Cruces, generally southeast along the river.
- Construction period (first 14.4 miles): 1914-15. Constructed to present length and capacity in 1920.
- Length - 27.9 miles
- Diversion capacity - 650 cubic feet per second
- Typical maximum section in earth:
- Bottom width - 52 feet
- Side slopes - 1.5:1
- Water depth - 3 feet
- Typical maximum section, concrete lined:
- Bottom width - 52 feet
- Side slopes - 1.5:1
- Water depth - 3 feet
- Lining thickness - 4 inches
American Canal
- Location: From American Diversion Dam near El Paso, Texas southeast along the Rio Grande to beginning of Franklin Canal.
- Construction period: 1937-38
- Length - 2.1 miles
- Diversion capacity - 1,200 cubic feet per second
- Typical maximum section, concrete lined:
- Bottom width - 12 feet
- Side slopes - 1.5:1
- Water depth - 8.75 feet
- Lining thickness - 3 inches
Franklin Canal
- Location: From end of American Canal. near El Paso, generally southeast along the Rio Grande.
- Construction period: Privately constructed in 1889-90. Purchased by Reclamation in 1912 and enlarged in 1914-15.
- Length - 30.5 miles
- Diversion capacity - 325 cubic feet per second
- Typical maximum section in earth:
- Bottom width - 24 feet
- Sideslopes - 1.5:1
- Water depth - 5 feet
- Typical maximum section, concrete lined:
- Bottom width - 16 feet
- Side slopes - 0.5:1
- Water depth - 5 feet
- Lining thickness - 4 inches
Riverside Canal
- Location: From Riverside heading on the Rio Grande near Ysleta, Texas, generally southeast along the river.
- Construction period: 1927-40
- Length - 17.1 miles
- Diversion capacity - 900 cubic feet per second
- Typical maximum section in earth:
- Bottom width - 84 feet
- Side slopes - 1.5:1
- Water depth - 4 feet
Tornillo Canal
- Location: From end of Riverside Canal near Fabens, Texas, generally southeast along the Rio Grande.
- Construction period: 1923-24
- Length - 12 miles
- Diversion capacity - 325 cubic feet per second
- Typical maximum section in earth:
- Bottom width - 26 feet
- Side slopes - 1.5:1
- Water depth - 5.4 feet
Power Facilities
Elephant Butte Powerplant
- Location: At toe of Elephant Butte Dam.
- Year of initial operation: 1940
- Year last generator placed in operation: 1940
- Nameplate capacity - 24,300 kW
- Number and capacity of generators: Three at 8,100 kW each
- Maximum head 203 feet
This web document was created from sections of a Bureau of Reclamation Project Data book dated May, 1981.