The postulated channelization with concrete, if accomplished,
will convert 3.01 hm3 annually to the surface water. This
is 22 percent of the annual groundwater extraction in
the Tijuana river basin.
The pertinent authorities should select the appropriate return periods for design purposes.
According to current regulations, for the delineation of federal zones, the Comisión Nacional del Agua
will have to select a return period greater or equal to 10 yr, for which the design discharge will not be less
than 680 m3/s.
The Instituto Municipal de Planeación (IMPlan) of Tijuana, pending consultation with
the pertinent technical authorities, should select an appropriate return period for the design of the
channelization project.
The interpretation of current regulations permits to establish a return period
between 50 and 200 yr for populated agricultural zones. Therefore,
in this case the design discharge will not be less than 1140 m3/s and could be as high as 1420 m3/s.