It’s a critical time for the drought-stricken Colorado River, and researchers want to make sure the next president does not abandon key efforts to keep it flowing.
Arizona got off lucky this year — there will be no cutbacks in the state’s share of Colorado River water in 2017. But the forecast for 2018 is close to 50 percent.
Under the current agreement, Arizona is not only one of the first to lose water during a shortage declaration, but also the state will suffer the biggest reduction. That’s not the only challenge facing the next administration. There’s already more water promised than the river can deliver, the so-called "structural imbalance." Southwestern states are hashing out a deal to voluntarily give up some water to fix that problem.
And then there’s Mexico.
Anne Castle is one of the authors of the study from the Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy, and the Environment at the University of Colorado.
She says the two countries are trying to extend an existing agreement, called Minute 319, that allows Mexico to store water in U.S. reservoirs, while also requiring it to give up some during a shortage.
“If, for example, we are reluctant to deal with the country of Mexico because of things like immigration or drug trafficking, then that could mean we pull back from those discussions entirely and that would be a mistake and a real shame," Castle said.
She said not that much is known about either candidate’s plan for the Colorado River, although Hillary Clinton has proposed a partnership to deal with some of the issues.
