Hidalgo Irrigation Pump Plant
Posted by: Groundspeak Regular Member JimmyEv
N 26° 05.806 W 098° 15.702
14R E 573827 N 2886609
The steam pump here was built in 1909, pumping water from the Rio Grande north and east to irrigate 40,000 semi-arid acres.
Waymark Code: WM2K42
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 11/14/2007
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member QuesterMark
Views: 39
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Marker Number: 2471

Marker Text:
The semi-arid Lower Rio Grande Valley was productive only for cattle grazing until several steam-powered irrigation systems were established in the early 20th century. In 1909, a steam pump was built here to channel Rio Grande water to about 40,000 acres of land. The Louisiana-Rio Grande Canal Company installed additional equipment in 1911-12 to increase production to the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo area. Sold to the Hidalgo County Water Improvement District in 1920, the pump plant continued in operation until 1983, when an all-electric plant opened downstream. (1989)
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scotian visited Hidalgo Irrigation Pump Plant 04/02/2014 scotian visited it