Operations Department

The primary function of the Principal Engineer, Operations is to guide and direct all field activities of the USIBWC. The Principal Engineer of the Operations Department occupies a position established by treaty between the United States and Mexico and is responsible for guiding, directing, coordinating managing all USIBWC hydrographic, hydrologic, and water accounting activities, project planning and development, field operation, boundary monumentation, realty functions, safety and health activities, and operations and maintenance. The Office is also responsible for extensive negotiations, discussions, agreements, and joint operations involving other U.S. Federal agencies, domestic state and local governments, congressional offices, public interest groups, the Mexican Section and related Mexican agencies.

The Principal Engineer provides technical and policy advice to the United States Commissioner and monitors field activities of the USIBWC to assure adherence to treaty requirements.  Contact the Operations Department

Functions for which this office is responsible include, but are not limited to, the following:

  1. Development and issuance of management policy statements, guidance, and procedural manuals for all field activities and Headquarters’ engineering activities;
  2. Directing flood control activities;
  3. Providing assurance that USIBWC Headquarters engineering and field activities conform to the laws, rules and regulations which regulate all activities of the USIBWC;
  4. Serving as the USIBWC’s technical expert for the review and preparation of reports and recommendations regarding water accounting at all levels;
  5. Coordinating the project O&M and Hydrographic planning and development activities of the USIBWC;
  6. Assuring the development and issuance of the policy statements, guidance, and procedures for water operations and all field activities throughout the USIBWC; and
  7. Assuring the application of environmental regulations to all project activities including both construction and operation and maintenance functions.

Operations & Maintenance Division
Visit the O&M web page to view information about operations and maintenance activities currenltly ongoing within the U.S. IBWC

Water Accounting
Visit the U.S. IBWC's Water Accounting office to find Rio Grande water flows and other water quantity data collected by the U.S. IBWC.

Boundary & Realty Office
Visit the boundary & Realty office web page to get information about Presidental Permits and available project maps

Occupational Safety & Health
View the latest information from our Occupational Safety & Health office.

Field Offices
Find more information about the U.S. IBWC's field offices located throughout the border region.

Office of the Commissioner
Visit the Commissioner's hom page to find more information about the Presidential appointee.