The shrinking of the Colorado River will disrupt the nation’s food supply

The shelves and prices at your local grocery store may look a little different soon. The Colorado River, which provides water for about 15% of our country’s agriculture, is shrinking, and the current water sharing agreement expires in 2026.

I The Imperial Valley in Southern California relies 100% on the Colorado River for its water. The valley receives less than three inches of rain a year, but still produces about two-thirds of the country’s winter produce.

Farmers in this valley say that the depletion of water and competing interests regarding the use of rivers will have a negative impact on the nation’s food supply.

“A lot of people say that the Colorado River and the decline in water supply is an issue that affects 40 million people, because they are the ones who depend on it. I think this number is very small. I think 100 million people depend on water from the water supply. Colorado,” said the fourth generation farmer -Andrew Leimgruber.

“When you’re between November and March, most of your lettuce, broccoli, carrots, all your winter vegetables come from the Imperial Valley or across the Colorado River from us, in Yuma, Arizona,” Leimgruber said. .

Leimgruber tests sprinklers in his irrigation system. (Sunny Tsai/FOXBusiness)

The Colorado River is divided between seven states and Mexico. Farmers in the Imperial Valley are major users of river water.

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If the village cannot produce enough crops, it can lead to long-term problems.

“So, the biggest problem for us in California is the increase in labor costs, but also the ability to resist pest pressure and things like that. Another problem with the lack of water is the lack of diversity in plants. Having that diversity allows us to control pests,” said the manager of Benson Farms, Stephen Benson.

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Due to water scarcity, some farmers in the village are paid not to grow certain crops or use less water. However, that is not always enough.

“I would say that it doesn’t always cover our costs. For example, if I’m going to install drip irrigation, I need to have $1,000 an acre. I’m nowhere near that in compensation. And that’s something we need. We need to learn more, because as we go forward, conservation is more expensive. ,” Benson said.

Workers on a farm are chopping broccoli. (Sunny Tsai/FOXBusiness)

The Imperial Irrigation District says it is collaborating with farmers in different efforts to save water to help part of this problem.

“We’re providing more money so they can buy drip systems and sprinkler systems, tap water recovery systems, all kinds of new technology and field laser measurement that allows them to continue farming the way they’ve always farmed, but just. you use less water,” said Imperial Irrigation District Water Manager Tina Shields.

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If the seven states and Mexico can’t reach an agreement on how to use Colorado River water by the 2026 deadline, the Bureau of Reclamation will step in and make the decisions.