Lower Rio Grande Flood Control ProjectThe Lower Rio Grande Flood Control Project covers 180 miles of the Rio Grande from Penitas, Texas to the Gulf of Mexico. The project provides a high degree of protection against Rio Grande floods for the lands and the population on both sides of the river. There are two diversion dams located on the river. Anzalduas Dam is located south of Mission, Texas and is used to divert the U.S. share of floodwaters into the U.S. interior floodway, to divert water into Mexico’s main irrigation canal, and to release water downstream for users in both countries. Retamal Dam is located south of Donna, Texas and is used to divert Mexico’s share of floodwaters into Mexico’s interior floodway and to regulate flood flows downstream. Another project feature is the Morillo Drain Project. This project consists of a pumping plant and a conveyance channel used to convey highly saline flows from the Morillo drain directly to the Gulf of Mexico. These flows are kept from entering the Rio Grande thereby reducing the salinity of the river. Functions of the LRGFCP include:
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