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Minute 320
On October 5, 2015, the International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico signed into place Minute 320 of the 1944 treaty. This minute recognized that in the Tijuana River Basin, there are various transboundary issues that require binational coordination, including flood control, capture and beneficial use of surface and groundwater, sediment and solid waste deposition in the transboundary channels, water quality and the control of wastewater discharges, environmental protection and restoration, comprehensive and sustainable management of the basin, climate change, and civic participation, among others. The commission noted the common interest of both countries to improve conditions along the border related to these issues.
To address the issues, the IBWC formed three work groups; water quality, sediment, sand solid waste. Each work group is made up of stakeholders from both countries who have an interest and expertise in those areas. To oversee the activities of all three work groups, a core group comprised of leaders from the community was formed to direct the work groups and to forward their findings and recommendations.
The IBWC has developed a newsletter that provides the public with updates on the Minute 320 work groups activities. Newsletters are available for download.
Water Quality
On February 1, 2017. A section of the 48-inch diameter “Insurgentes” Sewer Collector collapsed near the confluence of the Rio Alamar and Tijuana River, in Tijuana, Baja California causing untreated wastewater to be released into the Tijuana River flowing through Mexico and the United States. The IBWC initiated an investigation to determine the causes and to make recommendations to address future issues through the water quality work group.
The final report and recommendations are available in the publications link. Also available is some of the documentation resulting from the recommendations such as protocols and scope of work for additional studies.
Note: These Documents are in .PDF format
10/2020 - IBWC Binational Study of the Tijuana River and Adjacent Canyons and Drains [1 MB]
09/2020 - Complete U.S. Data Set (requires Microsoft Excel) [441 KB]
09/2020 - Complete Mexican Data Set (Requires Microsoft Excel) [194 KB]
08/2020 - Binational Water Quality Study of the Tijuana River and Adjacent Canyons and Drains [9 MB]
11/2017 - Binational Tijuana River Spill Notification Protocol [94 KB]
10/2017 - Cila Pump Station Operations and Notification Protocol [434 KB]
08/2017 - Emergency Notification Protocol in Mexico [607 KB]
04/2017 - Report of Transboundary Bypass Flows into the Tijuana River - Final Report [17 MB]
Sediment
Soil in the basin naturally creates high levels of sediment contribution and is highly erodible, especially when disturbed. Rainfall carries significant sediment to the Tijuana River estuary, where runoff converges from the entire basin, including the Tijuana River and its tributaries, which are primarily located in Mexico, as well as the Cottonwood Creek (Alamar River) and Campo Creek (Tecate River), the contributing areas of which are mainly located in the United States.
The sediment work group is analyzing the hydrology and sediment transport of the watershed in order to determine the best solutions to addressing sediment loading in the watershed.
Note: These Documents are in .PDF format
08/2017 - Feasibility Study for Sediment Basins [139 KB]
Solid Waste
Storm water flows in the basin transport large quantities of trash and other debris that flows across the canyons and river system into the estuarine section of the watershed and eventually into the ocean.
The Solid Waste Work Group analyzing trash programs and to locate the point sources with the largest contribution of solid waste on both sides of the border. The work group is also developing studies to identify infrastructure that can capture solid waste in the storm water flows.
Note: These Documents are in .PDF format
05/2017 - Solid Waste Trap Feasibility and Conceptual Design Study [42 KB]