Riverside Canal (El Paso) facts for kids
The Riverside Canal is a special waterway in El Paso County, Texas. It helps bring water to farms in the area. This canal gets its water from the Rio Grande river, using a structure called the Riverside Diversion Dam. This dam is located about 15 miles (24 km) southeast of El Paso.
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The Riverside Canal: A Lifeline for Farms
The Riverside Canal is very important for farming in the region. It helps turn dry land into fertile fields where crops can grow.
How the Canal Works
The canal collects water from the Rio Grande. This water is then sent through a network of smaller canals. This system makes sure that farms get enough water, especially in places where it doesn't rain much.
Who Manages the Canal?
The US Bureau of Reclamation is in charge of the Riverside Canal. This government agency helps manage water resources across the United States. They make sure that water is used wisely for farming, cities, and other needs.
Size and Capacity of the Canal
The Riverside Canal is quite long, stretching for about 17.2 miles (27.7 km). It can carry a lot of water, up to 900 cubic feet (25 cubic meters) of water every second. That's like filling a small swimming pool very quickly!
Watering the Land
The water from the Riverside Canal helps irrigate, or water, a large area of farmland. It provides water to about 39,000 acres (160 square kilometers) of land. This allows farmers to grow many different crops.
Part of a Bigger System
The Riverside Canal and its dam are the southernmost part of a much larger irrigation project. This project helps water farms all along the Rio Grande, from New Mexico down into Texas. The canal also feeds into a wider network of waterways throughout the Upper Rio Grande Valley. This network ensures water reaches many different farms.
