The American Rio Grande Land and Irrigation System
N 26° 09.004 W 097° 54.768
14R E 608669 N 2892757
The story of how this area was first developed.
Waymark Code: WM9KM4
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 08/30/2010
Views: 5
The irrigation canals in the lower Rio Grande Valley are still in use today. It all started in 1905 by B.F. Yoakum. In 1930 the Hidalgo and Cameron County Water Control and Improvement District took control of the system.
Marker Number: 5285
Marker Text:
Land Developer B. F. Yoakum saw agricultural potential along the Rio Grande and found investors in 1905 for an irrigation project. They purchased 250,000 acres and the townsite of Mercedes for business headquarters. The pump station began operating in 1908. The system had grown by 1920 to three large canals, miles of branches, and five pumping plants. In 1930 the Hidalgo and Cameron County Water Control and Improvement District took over the system which continues to serve the farming area of the lower Rio Grande Valley. (1979)
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