The shelves and prices at your local grocery store will soon look a little different.
The shelves and prices at your local grocery store could soon look a little different. The Colorado River, which supplies water for about 15 percent of our nation's agriculture, is declining, and the current agreement that divides water use expires in 2026.
particle for direct object Imperial Valley in Southern California relies 100% on the Colorado River for its water. The valley receives less than three inches of rain annually, yet still produces about two-thirds of the country's winter crops.
A farm worker carries boxes in a broccoli field. (Sonny Tsai / FOXBusiness)
Valley farmers say Lowering the water level And competitive interests over the use of the river will have a bad effect on the country's food supply.
“A lot of people say that the Colorado River and the declining water supply is an issue that affects 40 million people because those people rely on it. I think that number is very low. I think 100 million People rely on Colorado water,” said fourth-generation farmer Andrew Limgruber.
“When you're between November and March, most of your lettuce, broccoli, carrots, all your winter greens come from either the Imperial Valley or right across the Colorado River from us in Yuma, Arizona,” Limgruber says. .
Leimgruber inspects the sprinklers in his irrigation system. (Sonny Tsai / FOXBusiness)
The Colorado River is divided between seven states and Mexico. Farmers in the Imperial Valley are the largest consumers of river water.
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If the valley fails to produce enough crops, it can lead to Long term problems.
“So the big problem for us in California is increasing our labor costs, but also being able to withstand pest pressure and things like that. One of the problems with water scarcity is the lack of diversity in crops. Having that diversity enables us to Keep pests under control, said Stephen Benson, manager of Benson Farms.
Due to low water levels, some valley farmers are paid not to grow certain crops or to use less water. However, it is not always enough.
“I can say that it doesn't always cover our costs. For example, if I'm going to install drip irrigation, I have to have $1,000 per acre. I don't approach that as compensation. And that's something “We have to study more, because the further we go, the more expensive it is to protect,” Benson says.
Workers on a farm chopping broccoli. (Sonny Tsai / FOXBusiness)
Shahshahi Irrigation District says it is working with farmers in various fields Trying to conserve water To help with part of the problem
We provide supplemental funding so they can purchase drip and sprinkler systems, piped water return systems, a variety of new technologies and precision laser field leveling that will allow them to farm the way they've always farmed. They continue. By using less water, said Imperial Irrigation District Water Manager Tina Shields.
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If the seven states and Mexico can't agree on how to use Colorado River water by a 2026 deadline, the Bureau of Reclamation will step in and make the decisions.