Yuma’s Dependence on Colorado River Water
Yuma County in Arizona is often dubbed the nation’s “salad bowl,” largely thanks to its role in producing about 90% of the greens that Americans consume during the winter months. This agricultural hub covers more than 180,000 acres, but it’s important to note that it only receives about three to four inches of rain annually.
The region’s agricultural success hinges entirely on the Colorado River’s waters.
“We need this water. The water of the Colorado River. We are in the desert. There’s not much rainfall. We need this water to grow crops,” remarked Mat McGuire, a farmer who has been cultivating the land since the 1980s—a time when water shortages weren’t such a pressing issue.
McGuire mentioned, “When I first started, when I was young, the lake was full, lots of snow.” But then, starting in the early 2000s, drought signs began to emerge, particularly north of Lake Mead, which is the largest reservoir in the U.S.
As for Lake Mead, located in Nevada and created by the Hoover Dam, it is entirely fed by the Colorado River and supplies about 90% of the water to Las Vegas.
James Wilson, a local from Vegas, enjoys visiting Lake Mead for various recreational activities, including fishing and hiking. Each time he sees the water levels drop, it’s a stark reminder to conserve water in his apartment. “I am very conscious of the water in my apartment; I use only what I need,” he said.
At Echo Bay, a popular fishing area, Wilson noted how the shoreline keeps shifting. “When I come here, I sometimes find that the water is here,” he said, gesturing toward the receding levels.
Upcoming negotiations are scheduled early next year, which will focus on how Arizona, Nevada, and five other western states will share Colorado River water.
Kyle Roerink, director of the Great Basin Water Network, which monitors resource depletion, commented, “If you were here at the beginning of the 21st century, you could launch a boat from where I stand,” referring to a now-distant waterline.
Evidence of decreasing water levels at Lake Mead is clear through visible “bathtub rings” on the banks. “There are much lighter colors at elevations that were once underwater,” Roerink explained.
A look closer to shore reveals remnants of a boat that sank years ago and shells that were once submerged.
“We see all the signs of change here; it’s something we’ve really only started to notice over the last few years,” Roerink added.
In spite of the declining water levels, communities in the Southwest continue to grow, which further complicates negotiations about the river’s future. Roerink thinks the solution is straightforward: “It’s actually basic mathematics. The system doesn’t have enough water to keep using more. We need to cut back.”
Yuma has become a vital source for winter vegetables, and McGuire expressed concern, saying, “If you cut off the water, where do you feed people winter vegetables?”
Las Vegas has transformed into a notable city, with Wilson noting that “all of these casinos, they will skip water if needed. They’re not going to dry out this place.” The decisions being made this year will impact not just the economy that has sprung up in the Southwest but also the responsible sharing of this critical resource.
Roerink warned, “That’s what brings us together, but it could also be something that tears us apart.” State negotiators are set to gather in Las Vegas this winter for the annual Colorado River Water Users Association meeting, with final plans expected to be shared publicly by February 14th. New agreements are scheduled to take effect on October 1st of next year, but they still need approval from state lawmakers.
