At the border between Mexico and the United States, the Colorado River delta is facing a struggle to survive the drought and intense exploitation of water resources.
This river, which originates in the Rocky Mountains and flows through the southwestern United States before reaching Mexico, loses most of its flow along the way due to human and agricultural consumption in the United States. As a result, what reaches Mexico is insufficient to supply the border cities like Tijuana, as well as the agricultural areas.
Fifteen years of scarce rainfall have depleted the reservoirs in the United States, intensifying the water dispute between both countries. Recently, this conflict escalated when the United States rejected Mexico’s request to receive more water than stipulated in the binational treaty.
Delta Recovery Efforts
Despite this adverse context, environmentalists have been working for two decades to revitalize the Colorado River delta. The project includes removing invasive shrubs and planting cottonwoods and native willows in dry areas of the tributary.
In 2014, water flow was allowed through a border dam, stimulating the germination of natural species in the area. Currently, a 260-hectare forest has been formed, becoming a refuge for many wildlife species, including migratory birds like the redstart, the vermilion flycatcher, and the yellow-billed cuckoo, the latter being endangered.
Additionally, habitat rejuvenation has led to the return of the beaver, a species that had disappeared from the region. Enrique Villegas, director of the Colorado River delta program at the Sonoran Institute, told AFP that while the beaver’s return is a positive indicator of the ecosystem’s state, it also poses a challenge: “The beaver is cutting down the trees we planted over 15 years.”
The Oasis of Laguna Grande
Among the project’s most visible achievements is Laguna Grande, an oasis surrounded by arid lands and considered the jewel of restoration efforts.
Here, the wetlands have become a vital point for wildlife, attracting waterfowl and other species. The contrast with the nearby dry agricultural lands is evident. Growers now face increasingly harsh conditions.
Necessary Changes and Environmental Awareness
Environmentalists emphasize that to restore the health of more parts of the delta and similar regions, a change in water consumption habits will be necessary. Villegas highlights the importance of raising collective awareness: “We can all improve our awareness of water consumption. Drought is just a warning.”
These efforts not only seek to save a key ecosystem but also to preserve a vital resting point for migratory birds and protect the communities dependent on the Colorado River. However, the challenge lies in finding a balance between water demand and the environment’s capacity to sustain life.
Cover photo: Guillermo Arias / AFP
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