Arizona slashed its water allocation for the Colorado River last year as a historic drought continues across the Southwest. Now, Senator Mark Kelly is calling for the U.S. Department of the Interior to support conservation efforts by river communities in Arizona.
Kelly last week wrote to Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland requesting that a portion of the $4 billion in drought relief funds under the Inflation Reduction Act be used to support farming communities along the Colorado River. The funds will be used to invest in gravity-based micro-irrigation systems, water supply automation, water reclamation, and other projects to improve water conservation in Colorado River farmlands. Members of the Mojave County Steering Committee have offered their own thoughts on continued conservation efforts this week.
“Even before being elected to the board two years ago, Mojave County Supervisor Travis Lingenfelter led efforts to protect the Colorado River water rights in Mojave County communities. increase. “Conservation must play a major role in stabilizing the entire Colorado River system.”
According to Kelly’s letter, the introduction of gravity-based micro-irrigation technology to just a fraction of the 6 million acres of flood-irrigated farmland in the Colorado Valley state could save as much as 2.5 acre-feet per acre of land annually. I have. This technology has the potential to increase yields by 33% while halving greenhouse gas emissions.
“Given the significant benefits of changing the way farmers use water in the drought-stricken West, recycling is a substantial opportunity to test the implementation of innovative improvements in water efficiency for farmers. We need to provide incentives and adopt them where appropriate.”
Kelly said these improvements could reduce water demand on the Colorado River in the immediate and long term.
Additional water savings could come from additional federal programs that voluntarily reduce the use of Colorado River water by local farmers in exchange for federal payments, Lingenfelter said.
“The Home Office says $250 million out of that $4 billion could save 10 feet of water at Lake Mead,” Lingenfelter said.
The County recently joined this effort under the U.S. Reclamation Service’s Colorado River Special Conservation Plan, a deliberately created surplus implementation program, with the participation of the Mojave Valley Irrigation and Drainage District.
“Every drop helps,” said Lingenfelter. “I think the Colorado River community is going through a difficult time. Lake Havasu City and Bullhead City are sending out a message to be water smart and stay aware of how much water you are using. We are all committed to ensuring a safe water supply and are doing everything we can to be part of the overall Seven Basin State solution.”
Reductions Deepen as Drought Continues
In September, Arizona volunteered to cut 21% of its annual water use on the Colorado River ahead of tougher water limits proposed by federal officials last year. And for Mojave County officials, federal support to increase efficiency and future protection would be welcome.
“I don’t know if I should beg the federal government for money. The federal government is bankrupt,” said supervisor Ron Gould. “But if they want to transfer that money here, that’s good.”
California, Arizona, and Nevada are tasked with reducing their overall dependence on the Colorado River by 4 million acre feet this year. And while Arizona has been willing to make sacrifices, Gould says California isn’t. can be part of
“Havasu has been pretty water-sparing over the years,” says Gould. “One of the best things for cities is to collect rainwater. One of the best things we can do is use reservoirs. , if it could be used for irrigation, that would also help.”
According to supervisor Gene Bishop, the county would be happy to accept federal aid for Colorado River conservation projects.
“The pioneers have deeper pockets than we do,” said Bishop. “To make a difference, we need to put a lot of money into these projects, and that’s the money we don’t have.”
But without such funding, Bishop said the county will do what it can to conserve water and reduce the strain on the Colorado River.
“There are many things money can do,” said the bishop. “But if not, pick the most important, easiest project and go from there.”
