Mexico recently paid a small portion of the water it owes the United States under a 1944 international treaty. A total of 56,750 acre-feet of water was paid via “a transfer of ownership in Amistad Dam” on April 30, Frank Fisher, spokesman for U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission told Border Report on Wednesday.
Most of the water that courses through the Rio Grande to reach parched farmlands along the border gets its start here, where the Rio Grande is replenished through Mexico’s Rio Conchos. This pocket of the border is known as La Junta de los Rios, where the two rivers meet and irrigate what’s believed to be the oldest continually cultivated farmland in Texas.
The water treaty between Mexico and the United States has been in place since 1944. It has been a fundamental pillar in the shared management of transboundary water resources. However, the realities of the 21st century, marked by climate change, growing agricultural demand, and prolonged droughts, are putting its validity and adequacy to the test.
The United States resumed water deliveries to Mexico after initially denying the request for the emergency transfer from the Colorado River, according to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. Under a 1944 treaty, Mexico is expected to deliver 1.75 million acre-feet of water to South Texas every five years. This five-year period ends in October, and so far, Mexico has delivered 530,730 acre-feet.
Mexico will make an immediate water delivery to Texas farmers in an effort to address its shortfall under a decades-old water treaty that has drawn tariff threats from Donald Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced Friday.
The United States is holding back water payments to Mexico in order to send a message, the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commissioner told Border Report.
Tariffs and immigration crackdowns have taken center stage in recent weeks as President Donald Trump pushes border tougher restrictions. But there has been another issue also playing out: water.
It’s going to take an act of God or some savvy last-minute negotiating for Mexico to liquidate its enormous water debt with the United States by October 24.
