Water

La Lagunita, Ensenada—Once a thriving coastal wetland, now showing troubling signs of drought.
 Water, Water Watch

Two Rivers One Problem Secrets Behind Closed Doors

Water Watch Editorial

Lake Mead is dropping again and this is a reminder that we are fast approaching 2026. Freelance reporters with boots on the ground say that the water levels have dropped ten feet in the last couple of weeks. There is no rain in sight until next winter. To refresh the memories of those following the water crisis in 2022, it is important to remember that Baja receives 80% of its water from the Colorado River stored in Lake Mead. The 100-year-old agreement expires in five short months. And at this time the seven Basin States and Mexico have not reached anagreement. For months the different parties have met in secret behind closed doors. The talks have not been made public. It is imperative water distribution be understood by all users which includes we who live in Baja California. It is good to be aware during a drought period that the United States can reduce deliveries to Mexico. There definitely will be cuts in the 2026 new agreement.

In 2019 a Drought Contingency Plans was established between the United States and Mexico following the 1944 Water Treaty in the Utilization of Waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande. Most recently we heard that President Trump was demanding water from Mexico’s Rio Grande which could not be provided due Mexico’s own water problems. It seems this story has disappeared from the media because of wars in the Middle East. We do not know if the second river issue has been resolved, however the Rio Grande situation is a different story and does not affect us here in Baja at this time.

Current information about the problems heading into 2026 is not found in mainstream media. It takes some research. However, what does appear in the media is their blaming the dwindling river water on climate change. This distracts from the true problem; over population in desert communities fueled by the fact that water has become a commodity bought and sold on Wall Street. In late 2020 Water Futures trading opened a new gambit for privatization. Why is this an issue? It takes the control out of the people’s hands and gives it to people who are not accountable. It has been stated that this change “will threaten our human right to clean, affordable water.”

Here are the three things to watch for as the 2026 new agreement goes into place:

  1. Water futures allow farmers, utilities, and other water users to hedge against price fluctuations and ensure a supply of water at a predetermined cost. 
  2. Investors can now participate in the water market, creating a new avenue for investment and potentially influencing water pricing and allocation. 
  3. Some experts and organizations raise concerns about the commodification of water, fearing it could lead to increased water scarcity and exacerbate inequalities in water access. 
Map of the Colorado River basin

The CME Group in July 2021 explained how the Water Futures market works. In their overview they stated, “With nearly two-thirds of the world’s population expected to face water shortages by 2025, water scarcity presents a growing climate-related risk for business and communities around the world. Particularly in the state of California.” California is the largest water user of all the Lower Basin states and Mexico facing the 2026 new allocations.

In a ludicrous article, A New Future for Water, in the June 3, 2025 Voice of San Diego, written byScott Lewis stated, “San Diego country has abundant water.” Sound like good news? Not if you look more deeply into where their water comes from. Southern California receives 60% of its water from the Colorado River. Less than a quarter of the water is pulled from each the Owens River Valley and Sacramento/ San Joaquin River Delta. The amount is governed by winter snow pack and the pipelines from the north. Actual water on site is less than a quarter of the reserves from desal and aquifers. The damage to the aquifers is for another story. However, in an agreement with the Water Authority they will be allowed to sell water out of state. The question appears to be is this a “futures trading” with Colorado River water? Will California “speculate” the future prices to sell water to the dry Basin states and Mexico?

The “traders” have little concern about the effect of this trading on you and me. Development is their aim and we see is everywhere happening at a frenzied pace. To developers and governments sustainability is a word never to be spoken. Even in the face of the facts of decades of warnings, about water becoming the major concern like oil was to the 21st century. Water is now being played and will one day be more valuable than gold. Can we trust political transparency that water will actually be delivered to us at a price we can afford? One freelance reporter stated that we probably won’t see the results of this year’s dry winter until next summer. Development rushes on while the new desal plant in Rosarito is breaking ground, one desal plant in the future is a pipe-dream savior.

In conclusion, scientists have provided a rare, uncomfortable dose of certainty to Colorado River talks: “The planet is getting warmer, the Colorado River is losing water, and cutbacks to water demand are unavoidably necessary.” Development cannot be sustained without water. We might need more than hope for Mother Nature’s good intentions to provide and the one new desal plant to sustain Baja’s future. The Water Future speculation will be based on who has the water and how much will it cost.

Editor’s Note: Martina is a freelance writer who has been tracking Baja’s water issues since 2005. See all the back issues ggnorth.com/category/water-watch and Martina is the author of Dust in My Sandals, Tales from a Baja Traveler. Order today!

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 Ensenada, Nature, Video, Water, Wildlife

Estero La Misión: Where Nature, History, and Drought Collide

Just a short drive south of Rosarito and 35 kilometers north of Ensenada, tucked between the waves of the Pacific and the rush of the transpeninsular highway, lies a coastal gem many travelers zoom right past: Estero La Misión. It may not have the celebrity status of Bahía de los Ángeles or the Instagram sparkle of La Bufadora, but what it does have is something far more rare these days—life. Wild, migratory, riparian life.

This natural estuary is one of the last of its kind on the Baja California peninsula. It’s a permanent mirror of water flanked by reeds, salt-tolerant shrubs, and low riparian growth, home to an astonishing diversity of species. More than 90 kinds of birds either stop here during their long migrations or live here year-round. Some are casual visitors; others, like the black-necked stilt or the snowy egret, consider it home base. Beneath the water’s surface live fish, amphibians, and a long list of invertebrates, while mammals and reptiles lurk in the surrounding brush.

A modest but well-maintained hiking trail runs along the estuary’s northern edge, tracing the water’s path through private ejido lands and into what’s becoming increasingly suburban development. Locals and nature lovers walk the trail with their leashed dogs, binoculars, and cameras in hand, hoping to catch a glimpse of something wild before the tide—or progress—takes it away.

But the estuary isn’t just a haven for birds and fish. It’s also an archaeological site and a historical waypoint. Long before modern Baja homes dotted the cliffs or RVs pulled into beachside parks, this was sacred ground for the Kumiai people, whose cultural ties to the area go back over a thousand years. Around 2010, archaeologists unearthed the remains of “La Mujer de Humo,” or the Woman of Smoke, a pre-Hispanic skeleton that added new depth to the story of the peninsula’s earliest inhabitants.

In the late 18th century, Dominican missionaries arrived and established Mission San Miguel Arcángel right next to the estuary, taking advantage of the fertile lands and fresh water. Though the mission buildings are now mostly adobe ruins, they serve as a reminder that this area has always depended on its wetlands—not just for biodiversity, but for survival.

That dependence is now on shaky ground. Baja California has long struggled with drought, but in recent years, it’s become a full-blown crisis. Between the irregular rainfall and over-extraction of water upstream, Estero La Misión is under pressure. Less fresh water flows in from inland sources, altering the delicate salinity balance that many species depend on. The estuary becomes more saline, more stagnant, and more vulnerable to invasive species. Its natural ability to filter pollutants, buffer against coastal erosion, and mitigate flooding weakens as water levels drop.

It’s a quiet emergency. You won’t see news crews camped out by the reeds, but the signs are there: smaller flocks, shrinking shoreline, fewer frogs singing at dusk. The ripple effects are subtle at first, but they stretch wide—from marine health to agriculture to the spiritual connection many locals feel to the land.

Community groups like Pro Esteros A.C. and Terrapeninsular have stepped in, advocating for the wetland’s protection and monitoring its health. There’s growing interest in turning the trail and surrounding area into a stronger ecotourism attraction, which could bring both visibility and funding. But the long-term survival of Estero La Misión depends on something far more boring than guided bird tours: water policy. Sustainable urban growth. Responsible farming upstream. Actual rain.

In the end, the estuary is a litmus test. If we can’t protect a place so biologically rich, historically deep, and spiritually meaningful—what does that say about the rest of our coastal treasures?

So next time you’re headed down the coast, slow down near kilometer 35. Walk the trail. Listen to the birds. And remember: the real magic of Baja isn’t always in the headline spots. Sometimes, it’s quietly rustling in the reeds.

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 Articles, Baja Norte, Breaking News, Mexicali, Safety, San Felipe, Water, Weather

Fighting the Heat with Heart: Baja’s Response in Action

The numbers are grim—46 lives lost in Baja California this year to heat-related causes, with nearly 250 others suffering serious effects. In response, the state has rolled out its “Verano Seguro” campaign, a life-saving effort to prevent more deaths as temperatures continue to climb.

On Friday, state health secretary José Adrián Medina Amarillas confirmed what many feared: 2024 has already broken records for heat fatalities, and summer hasn’t even peaked. “The first two deaths were agricultural workers,” Medina said, “which is why we’re getting ahead of this now.”

The state is deploying 300 hydration stations across Mexicali, the Valle, and San Felipe—strategically placed where they’re needed most: near agricultural zones and places where people experiencing homelessness gather. These mobile hubs will provide water, electrolytes, and a moment of relief for those enduring the furnace-like sun.

This isn’t just about numbers. It’s about the lives of people who work under the sun for hours without shade, and those with nowhere to sleep but the streets. Health teams will also be visiting packaging centers and job sites across the valley, hoping to intercept dehydration before it turns deadly.

Medina made it clear: recognizing heatstroke symptoms can make the difference between life and death. These include extreme body temperature, chills, confusion, and seizures. “It starts with internal overheating,” he explained, “and can spiral into system-wide collapse, brain damage, or worse.”

If you’re working outside, walking long distances, or even just stuck without AC, take this seriously. This is no ordinary summer—it’s a scorching, relentless gauntlet. And for some, hydration could be the only thing standing between them and tragedy.

Water isn’t just refreshing anymore. It’s survival.

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 Articles, Baja Norte, Beaches, Breaking News, Charities, Rosarito, Water

Waves of Love: Kids With Disabilities Ride in Rosarito

Rosarito’s most heartwarming tradition is making its way back to shore. After weeks of uncertainty, the beloved surf therapy sessions for children with disabilities are officially returning to Raul’s Beach starting May 31—and they’re bringing big smiles and even bigger waves.

The nonprofit behind this feel-good project, Olas Para Todos (Waves for Everyone), has been giving kids the chance to catch waves and confidence for over a decade. Spearheaded by Carlos Luna, the group pairs children and teens with expert volunteers who guide them safely into the ocean for what many call life-changing therapy.

Although Raul’s Beach, located near Kilometer 42 in Primo Tapia, has been closed off to the general public, the landowners have graciously agreed to open it for these monthly sessions through November.

Photo: Example of activities in the event

The first event will accommodate 40 participants, ages six and up. And here’s the kicker—it’s all free. From wetsuits to boards, everything is provided. Parents only need to sign up through the association’s social media pages.

This year, the organization is stepping up its safety game with help from a local paramedic school, ensuring more support both on land and in the water. And now that Olas Para Todos is officially registered as an association, it can receive donations—helping expand a program that already touches the lives of 350 to 400 kids annually.

Luna says the group is also hoping to rally support from the local government, including councilman Fidel Ortiz Mendoza, who heads up the Disability and Inclusion Committee.

With a fresh wave of backing and plenty of heart, Rosarito’s surf therapy program isn’t just back—it’s stronger than ever.

Want to donate, volunteer, or register your child? Look up Olas Para Todos on Facebook and be part of the magic.

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 Articles, Water

Treaty Troubles, Again: Water Deal Update 2025

How Baja plans to stay hydrated

If you’ve been following our ongoing coverage of the 1944 Water Treaty, here’s your latest update. Mexico has agreed to send between 400 and 518 million cubic meters of water to the U.S. between May and October 2025. That’s a lot of agua—especially when our own taps are starting to worry.

This move aims to patch up a growing deficit in water deliveries from the Río Bravo (a.k.a. the Rio Grande), and let’s just say our friends in Washington weren’t exactly feeling generous. Just last month, the U.S. flat-out denied Mexico’s request for extra water from the Colorado River—the same river that helps keep Tijuana and the rest of Baja breathing.

That decision was, let’s say… not refreshing.

What does this mean for Baja?

While the treaty technically applies to the Río Bravo basin, the political pressure affects all border states. And yes, that includes Baja California. Remember: Tijuana gets a big slice of its water from the Colorado. When Washington sneezes, Baja needs to bring an umbrella.

#Visualizing water being sent for today’s mega simulacro (AI-generated)

The Mexican government is trying to make good with quick transfers and promises of more once the rains come. There are high-level talks going on, and rumors of desalination projects and water rights reforms are making their usual rounds.

So what’s next?

We’ll keep you posted. But if you really want the deep dive, check in with Martina Dobesh, our water correspondent and resident flow-watcher. She’s been tracking this story long before the politicians got thirsty.

This isn’t just a treaty story. It’s about how Baja plans to stay hydrated in the years to come. And if you missed our previous coverage, scroll back—our archives are as full as Lake Mead isn’t.

💧 Water’s political. Thirst is personal. For more, see Martina’s reports right here in the Gringo Gazette North.

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Screenshot of the Presidential broadcast
 Breaking News, Taxes, Water

Sheinbaum Keeps It Cool While Trump Flirts and Threatens

Sheinbaum responded diplomatically

Donald Trump sent flowers on X—digitally, of course. He called President Claudia Sheinbaum “a magnificent president” and “a very elegant woman.”

Lovely words… but he followed them with a not-so-subtle threat. Trump warned that Mexico could face tariffs and a water shutoff if it doesn’t deliver what’s owed to Texas under the 1944 treaty.

Sheinbaum? She kept it classy. In her own post, she laid it all out: Mexico has already submitted a proposal to the U.S. State Department. It includes short-term actions and technical solutions to make up for water delays—despite three years of drought.

She’s not looking for a fight. “I’m confident we’ll reach a reasonable agreement,” she said. “I don’t think this will turn into a conflict.” But, she added, “if it does, we’ll be ready.”

Among the fixes: a long-awaited desalination plant in Playas de Rosarito and stricter oversight in Mexicali, where farming water sometimes ends up rerouted and sold.

Now we wait to see if Trump’s admiration for Sheinbaum’s “elegance” will be enough to soften his usual hardline style.


Trump Calls Sheinbaum “Fantastic”—But Still Threatens Tariffs

Want to understand the bigger picture behind these water talks?

Check out our columnist Martina Dobesh, who dives deep into Baja’s water politics—minus the fluff and drama.

At the Gringo Gazette North, we keep it cool—because in Baja, every drop counts.

A Stark Warning of Water Cuts: A Water Watch Editorial
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Trump and his taxes
 Articles, Breaking News, Water

Trump Wants to Cut Off Tijuana’s Water


Says Texas Is Thirsty

Just when we thought we’d seen it all, Donald Trump is now threatening tariffs—and yes, even cutting off water to Tijuana.

The reason? He claims Mexico is hoarding water that rightfully belongs to Texas farmers. According to him, 1.3 million acre-feet of water are missing. That’s not just a lot—it’s Texas’s entire sugar crop and citrus farms crying for help.

The 1944 Water Treaty requires Mexico to send water north every five years. Trump says Mexico isn’t keeping up. And now he wants payback: economic sanctions, closed borders, and zero agua for Baja.

His former Agriculture Secretary, Brooke Rollins, chimed in with promises of “escalating consequences.” That’s political code for: “We’re serious. Don’t make us come down there.”

Meanwhile, Texas Senator Ted Cruz jumped in to stir the pot. He called the situation “a man-made crisis” and said Texas deserves better. Of course, he didn’t mention the part about record droughts on both sides of the border.

Created by AI

The U.S. already rejected Mexico’s latest water delivery proposal. That includes water needed for Tijuana. So yes—this could get very real, very fast.

But let’s take a breath. Treaties are tricky, and diplomacy still exists—somewhere. Baja’s not running dry just yet.

At the Gringo Gazette North, we say this: Let’s stay informed, not inflamed. If water’s the next border battle, let’s keep our cool—and maybe a backup jug, just in case.

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 Baja Norte, Breaking News, Local Politics, Rosarito, Water

Rosarito’s Desalination Plant Confirmed: A Game Changer for Water Supply and Tourism

Rosarito is set to get its own desalination plant, as confirmed by Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum during her morning press conference. The project, part of the National Water Plan, is moving forward with an estimated investment of 12 billion pesos ($648 million USD).

“Yes, we are going to build it… We will make the desalination plant in Baja California a reality,” Sheinbaum stated.

Rosarito’s Mayor Rocío Adame wasted no time celebrating the news. “The desalination plant is happening! This project will be key to improving water supply in South Rosarito and protecting our beaches,” she wrote on social media.

A Sustainable Future for Rosarito

The plant, classified as a Greenfield project, will have a production capacity of 2,200 liters per second, ensuring a sustainable water supply for the region. According to Proyectos México, the most recent review took place on March 12, 2025, with Banobras and Fonadin backing the initiative.

Beyond water infrastructure, Rosarito is also making waves in tourism and sustainability. Mayor Adame’s administration is actively working toward National Tourism Quality Certification, a seal that guarantees high standards and environmental responsibility for destinations across Mexico.

“This certification is a comprehensive recognition of quality and sustainability in tourism,” explained Paul Corona Rodríguez, president of COTUCO Rosarito.

With major infrastructure investments and a strong focus on eco-friendly tourism, Rosarito is on track to become a national leader in regional development.

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 Baja Norte, Water, Water Watch

What Happens Up River, Happens Here

Water Wars – Water Watch Update Series

Is it really climate change causing Baja California’s water issue? A truth lies beneath the blaming of Mother Nature for the water predicament facing seven US states and Mexico. There has been for a number of years a water-war going on behind closed doors. Not with guns of course, but legal infighting about who get the greater allotment of water from the Colorado River. In fact, it is still much like the old fashion range wars between cattlemen and farmers. Who wins a war? Who decides who wins? All this has to be decided by 2026.

What is the truth? To find out, research sends us all the way back to 1869, and John Wesley Powell, a small bearded man who lost his right arm at Shiloh. He didn’t let his loss inconvenience his desire to discover the truth. He set out with six men and two boats to take a first-hand look into the canyons where the mighty Colorado River ran. It was the first trip of its kind by the European settlers. Of course, the first Paleo-Indians knew this wild arid land because it had been their home for 13,000 years. 

It was Powell who reported what he saw, “an arid region and a land of scarcity.” He made it his life’s work to report, “You have to plan on the scarcity, not on the abundance.” He advocated strict water resource conservation. In 1878 he published Report on the Lands of the Arid Regions of the United States. His book suggested it made more sense to draw state boundaries according to watershed areas. His brilliant ideas became under attack by politicians, scientists, railroad corporations, and a belief that the United States was ordained by God to move westward. This ideology was created by John O’Sullivan and called The Manifest Destiny. There was also included a variety of measures designed to remove or destroy the native population. 

 Powell discouraged the practice of dividing government land into arbitrary rectangular plots for settlement, arguing that this technique ran the risk of concentrating valuable water resources on single plots. In developing the United States, Powell proposed that settlements consist of cooperative communities, similar to those of the Mormons, Pueblos, and Hispanic New Mexicans. This communal lifestyle would allow groups to pool the capital for the irrigation projects necessary to draw water from large rivers. For all his efforts, John Powell, lost even more favor from the American public and vested commercial interests. This conflict made his plans for the scientifically managed developament of the West politically impossible. As a result, Powell’s ideas went generally disregarded with the Homestead Act, large-scale damming projects and water rights up for grabs. He resigned from the USGS in 1894. 

 Mexican nationals who have lived in Baja for generation have seen changes in weather. Many of us who immigrated decades ago have also seen the changes. However, are these weather changes the actual cause of the dwindling water concerns we are facing today? John Powell clearly pointed out that the arid land had to be treated wisely. It would be interesting to know what he would say about the use of his name on Glen Canyon’s, Lake Powell Reservoir, and the urban sprawl in the metropolitan areas of all seven Basin States. If Mr. Powell was still alive, he would probably shake his head thinking that bringing the water to the people simply lacks insight into human nature.

Hidden in our own Gringo Gazette was a warning, February 10, Que Pasa in Baja; Scientist from the Center for Scientific Research, reported that “Ensenada is experiencing its driest start to the rainy season since 1950. Without significant rainfall in February and March, a critical situation is anticipated. If the trend continues in the upcoming months, we could face severe water shortages in the summer.” And as of this writing we have only had two spats of rain that carried little hope. The record keepers here tell us it is the driest since 1895. And according to the US Drought Monitor, 24.5 million California residents live in this drought area. 

It can be safely suggested that concerns about water allotments are not about climate change. There has been a fundamental error made which Powell foresaw. Of course, no rain and snow fall stress the system, which should mean government cut backs. As Powell pointed out development should not be focused on hoped for abundance. The problem is overdevelopment of arid lands. These lands were never meant to maintain alfalfa for cows, almond groves, mega agriculture and landscaping to name just a few of the mega users. One question to asked; Can consistent migration west with its foreseeable development be truly sustainable? As has been written, “More water means more people,” and it is simply a non-sustainable loop. 

During 2025 there are several important water issues to keep in mind. Baja receives 80% of its water from the Colorado River allotments, however this has already been reduced by approximately 263 million cubic meters, roughly two trillion gallons. Governor Pilar Ávila is the first Baja governor to address this reliance on the Colorado water. But the state is already entering a severe drought pattern. 

The second issue to keep an eye on is what is happening to the north and the political climate. This year is the last opportunity for all the seven states and Mexico to be self-governing in the way they propose to reduce the allotments. For if the states cannot come to an agreement and go to court, the final decisions will fall into Federal hands. The US government was given more power by a recent Supreme court case, “Texas vs New Mexico, if the states cannot come to an agreement, the government has the right to intervene. Tom Buschatzke, Arizona’s top water negotiator, stressed, “I think each state honestly does not want to be in a courtroom rolling the dice regarding how a judge might rule.” We will see how the US treats Mexico’s water rights. Keeping in mind that the massive damming along the river course, stole from Mexico 75 miles of the beautiful Colorado River which use to run into the Gulf of California. 

Water leaders said they do not expect Donald Trump’s return to the White House to shake up the Colorado River negotiation process. However, the president did admit that it would be different than the last administration. Some water users and onlookers say the new administration could impact the future of the river in other ways. What happens up river happens to us. We are all connected by our need for water.

References:

  • drought.gov/states/california
  • KUNC NPR News, Colorado Stories
  • Memorandum from the Secretary of the Interior
  • Arnold & Porter
  • National Park Service
  • Gringo Gazette

Editor’s Note: Martina is a freelance writer, author and columnist for Baja Bound. She has a passion to keep updated on current affairs concerning Baja’s water future. Get her book from Amazon: Dust in my Sandals, Tales from a Baja Travel. It’s time to plan your Baja Adventure! Put on your sandals and visit places you’ve never been.

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 Water, Water Watch

Is Water a Human Right or a Commodity?

Part of our Water Watch Report Series

Eric Faulken the executive director of the Glen Canyon Institute said, “One or two dry winters can put our water supply in a crisis mode like we experienced in 2022, and that is the real story.” But heavy winter rain and snowfall of 2023 bailed us out of a very dire situation temporarily. However, we watched much of the precious liquid flow right out into the ocean. Never the less it did help wells and reservoirs for a time. As a reminder, Baja’s north coastal region receives 80% of its water requirements from the Colorado River.  Baja relies on the water allotments from the US each year. Seven states including California also draw their allotments from these waters. These next two years are critical because the 1922 River Compact Agreement expires, which has protected our rights under the compact.  Heated negotiation has been ongoing for a number of years. The question is who gets what amount of the lifesaving liquid under the new compact in 2026? In reality it would take six consecutive wet winters to fill the Lake Powell and Lake Mead reservoirs. At the moment the Bureau of Reclamation (USBR,) lives in hope of good winters, and its forecasted allotments are based on this hope that nature will provide for our over consumption. 

 Zack Frankly the executive director of the Utah Rivers Council said, “We are playing with loaded dice. The big winter of 2023 created the misconception that Reservoir levels were going to rebound. But America’s two largest reservoirs are only about 37% full. That is like winning the lottery and still being bankrupt. The Bureau of Reclamation reports that six states and Baja will be under Tier One water shortage, which will be the least severe designation. The State of California is exempt. California does not have to comply until the water crisis enters a tier three condition. A number of conservation groups say that the Bureau keeps overestimating its predictions of its future flows. Yet the Bureau reported that Lake Mead has dropped 15 feet as of July 2024.  To put it into perspective, the level of Lake Mead as of this writing, is just 8 feet above the severe drought levels in July 2022. Hope might not be the best way to prepare for the future.

The Colorado runs through a vast desert on its way to the Gulf of California, however 75 miles of the once mighty river no longer makes it into Baja California. When the River Compact was created in 1922, evaporation loss was not factored. Lake Mead was full and population was very small. It is certainly a major factor today because of the exploding population in the west.  The Bureau now estimates a whopping 10% lost. The allotments must be corrected for the new compact in 2026. These negotiations which will affect 40 million people, agriculture, and Baja California.  The USBR said the lower Basin States plus Baja had finally agreed, but now with this new report of a substantial evaporation loss before allotments, it is back to the negotiations. Upper basin states can draw right from the river, so the fight is that the losses fall to the lower basin states. The lower Basin believes everyone should share equally. 

The US federal government wants the states to agree on one proposal, rather than two, before it installs any new Colorado River water rules. States say they’re working towards consensus, but signs of progress have been few and far between. While the next set of rules won’t go into effect until 2026, the federal government wants to get the ball rolling as soon as possible. The Biden Administration is asking states to agree on one proposal before the end of 2024. Jim Lochhead, one of Colorado’s top water negotiators said, “I think the fundamental lesson is that we’re much better off controlling our own destiny than putting our future in the hands of nine justices on the United States Supreme Court who don’t understand Western water law, and who don’t understand life in the West,” 

 What might not be known by US tax payers is that the states of Arizona, California, Nevada and Baja have been paid to reduce their water usage.  The federal government set aside $4 Billion for Colorado River work, and a portion of that has been directed specifically at programs that help farmers to reduce their water use. The agreement, calls for the federal government to pay about $1.2 billion to irrigation districts, cities and Native American tribes in the three states, if they temporarily use less water. Since 2021 Mexico has been paid $65 million dollars in compensation. 

Water is a “Hot Commodity.” The Colorado River is one of the most valuable resources in the United States. Wall Street sees dollar signs in a future drought crisis, as there are ways ready to make money from the misfortune of others. Water wasn’t always thought of as a commodity that could be bought and sold. Water was at one time considered a human right. The 1992 Dublin Principles declared water an “economic good” for the first time and stated that trading water as a commodity is the most efficient means of managing scarce water resources. However, this directly threatens the fundamental notion that water is a human right, “to be available to all people regardless of their income or economic ability.” 

There are literally billions of dollars at stake and Wall Street sees what was actually seen 20 years ago, that water would become the new oil in the 21st century. They are the largest land owner in the Grand Valley, Colorado which gives them river water rights. If Wall Street is betting that there will be another drought on its way, and is backing their speculation with millions of dollars, it may be wise to stay informed. 

References:

~ Gringo Gazette:, Water Watch Series begins: ggnorth.com/2021/08/august-16-2021-edition

~ Binational Waters  

~ Flow: For the Love of Water- Can you imagine the power of a Water Cartel? Melissa Sevigny, July, 2024

~ KUNC, Western Water News, Here’s what you need to know, Alex Hager, May 9, 2024 

~ The New York Times: Colorado River States Are, Christopher Flavelle, January, 2024

~ Mojo Adventures Youtube channel

Editor’s Note: Martina has researched and authored 13 Water Watch articles since 2021. She is a columnist for Baja Bound as the Baja StoryTeller and is the author of Dust in My Sandals, Tales from a Baja Traveler in which she shares decades of her travels up and down the peninsula. See our ad and order today for a gift that keeps on giving.

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