Current Events > Arizona Running Out of Water for Farmers

(+) Yeah! (+)

https://www.npr.org/2023/05/18/1176657700/arizona-farms-running-out-water-farmers-climate-change-colorado-river

Cassy England is a fifth-generation farmer in Pinal County, Arizona. For decades, her family has been a part of the vibrant agricultural community in the southern part of the state, growing cotton, alfalfa and grains. But this year, she's facing an unexpected challenge: She has to manage her crops with half of the usual water supply.

Agriculture in this area relies on the Colorado River, and a historic drought is causing severe shortages. Just as she was beginning to plan her planting season, England was notified that her farms would not get any water from the river and would have to make do with available groundwater instead.

"We had to cut back about 50% of our planting, which cuts back on income," England explained. "It'll cut us down at least 30%, probably, of our normal revenue at least. And so that's really going to be an impact." Farmers across southern Arizona are among those in the West facing the brunt of climate change. The drought, worsening fire seasons, temperature swings and monsoons all impact their businesses, food production, utility costs and livelihoods."

Decades-old agreements over water use among the federal government, states and Native American tribes resulted in an unintended overallocation of water. More water is allocated along rivers, streams and canals than the river actually produces, said Robert Medler, manager of government affairs for Arizona with Western Growers, a producer advocacy group. This is especially true with a worsening multiyear drought. About 80% of the Colorado River goes toward agriculture, which means farmers will be among the first to take cuts.

"The solution is going to be hard," Medler said. "Everyone realizes that, and everyone's seemingly willing to come to the table. But everyone's situation is different, and that's where the conflicts arise."
The Interior Department in April released three proposals on how to allocate water. One option includes making no changes."

Don't know what to tell farmers in desert states. You picked the wrong place to farm.

Meanwhile a deal was made for Lake Mead.

https://edition.cnn.com/2023/05/17/us/colorado-river-deal-lake-mead-climate/index.html

"Three Western states and the federal government are nearing a deal to leave millions of gallons of water in the Colorado River's Lake Mead water that would have otherwise been used to irrigate fields or generate hydropower in exchange for at least $1 billion in federal funding for voluntary water cuts,"

It sucks, but why are we trying to grow crops in the desert? Let's move the cows and pigs down there and then grow crops further north.

They farm in AZ?

greenjeans posted...

They farm in AZ?

TONS

the west valley is so humid now from all the irrigation, makes the heat feel even worse

Up until like a month ago they had a deal where they grew alfalfa and shipped it to Saudi Arabia for their livestock. Fortunately that agreement ended but man what a short sighted deal.

Imagine that. It's like climate change and water shortages don't care what part of the political spectrum you're in. On top of that, mismanagement has made matters worse. Location matters, and so does sustainability.

More dams!!! Or, something...