Mexican and US government representatives will hold a meeting on April 9 to discuss plans to build an international dam and reservoir on the border near Nuevo Laredo, the municipal government’s public works head, Mario Salinas Falcуn, told BNamericas.

Mexico’s state water authority Conagua, the US International Boundary and Water Commission and the Texas environment commission will also attend the meeting.

US firm Dannenbaum Engineering is expected to complete technical, financial and environmental studies for the project in early April, after being awarded a consultancy contract at end-2009.

The feasibility studies consider four different proposals for the dam wall, ranging from 9-18m in height. Initial estimates indicated a price tag of US$80mn for a 5Mm3 reservoir.

The bi-national work group expects to define the size of the project by end-April, after which it will begin a tender process, according to Salinas Falcуn.

As well as increasing the area’s water storage capacity and potable water reserves, the dam is expected to encourage tourism and fishing in Tamaulipas state, which has one of the lowest levels of water per capita in Mexico.

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