The shelves and prices at your local grocery store may soon look a little different.
The shelves and prices at your local grocery store may soon look a little different. The Colorado River, which provides water for about 15% of our nation’s agriculture, is shrinking, and the current agreement dividing water use expires in 2026.
The Imperial Valley in Southern California is 100% dependent on the Colorado River for its water. The valley receives less than three inches of rainfall a year, yet produces nearly two-thirds of the country’s winter produce.
A worker on a farm carries boxes of broccoli to a field. (Sunny Tsai/FoxBusiness)
Valley farmers say decreasing water level And competing interests over river use would have adverse effects on the country’s food supply.
“A lot of people say that the Colorado River and dwindling water supplies is an issue that affects 40 million people, because those people depend on it. I think that number is too low. I think 100 million. People depend on the water from the Colorado River,” said Andrew Leimgruber, a fourth-generation farmer.
“When you’re between November and March, a large portion of your lettuce, broccoli, carrots, all your winter greens are coming from either the Imperial Valley or across the Colorado River, from Yuma, Arizona,” Leimgruber. Said.
Leimgruber checks the sprinklers on his irrigation system. (Sunny Tsai/FoxBusiness)
The Colorado River is divided between seven states and Mexico. Farmers in the Imperial Valley are the largest users of the river’s water.
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If the valley does not produce sufficient crops, it may result in long term problems,
“So, the big issue for us in California is our increasing labor costs, but also our ability to withstand pest pressure and things like that. One issue with water scarcity is the lack of diversity in crops. Having that enables us to keep pests under control,” said Stephen Benson, manager of Benson Farms.
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Due to low water levels, some farmers in the valley are paid not to grow certain crops or use less water. However, this is not always enough.
“I can say it’s not covering our costs all the time. For example, if I’m going to install drip irrigation, I’ll need $1,000 an acre. I don’t even get close to that in compensation. And that’s something we need to study more, because conservation becomes more expensive as we go forward,” Benson said.
Workers cutting broccoli in the field. (Sunny Tsai/FoxBusiness)
Imperial Irrigation District says it is working with farmers on a variety of issues water conservation efforts To help with a part of the problem.
“We provide supplementary financing so that they are able to purchase drip systems and sprinkler systems, tap water return systems, all kinds of new technologies and precise laser leveling of the field which allows them to continue farming as usual, But just using less water,” said Imperial Irrigation District water manager Tina Shields.
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If the seven states and Mexico cannot come to an agreement on how to use Colorado River water by the 2026 deadline, the Bureau of Reclamation will step in and make the decision.
