Challenges of the Colorado River without agreement

The seven states through which the Colorado River flows face a critical situation due to overexploitation and climate change. Given the high demand for water and the overexploitation of its flow, as we have reported, there has been no agreement among the states through which its waters flow, but there is hope that they will make progress in addressing the current crisis.

Samuel Sandoval Solís, professor and specialist in cooperative extension at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of California, Davis, comments that the seven states in the basin did not reach a final agreement, but they did secure an extension until mid-February.

Samuel Sandoval Solís, professor and specialist in cooperative extension at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of California, Davis, acknowledges that all the states have a guaranteed or specific amount of water that is insufficient.

The expert believes that one of the obstacles to reaching an agreement is the lack of priorities. Let’s hear from Samuel Sandoval Solís, professor and specialist in cooperative extension at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of California, Davis.

He indicates that there is water, but negotiation is difficult.

What is the impact and damage on the communities, in addition to voluntary agreements to conserve water?

But the benefits of these agreements don’t reach the workers, nor the community that lives there.

Samuel Sandoval Solís, professor and specialist in cooperative extension, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of California, Davis, acknowledges that the agricultural and livestock sectors must also do their part to ration water.

Samuel Sandoval Solís, professor and specialist in cooperative extension, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of California, Davis, insists that there is little water available for fresh food compared to what is used for animal feed, yet they receive the water first.

Samuel Sandoval Solís, professor and specialist in cooperative extension, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of California, Davis

He asks citizens to make decisions, through their legislative representatives, that prioritize the needs of the people.

This report is part of the When the Stream Dries Up series, funded in part by The Walton Family Foundation.