Mexico Opens Dams for US Water Treaty Amid Chihuahua Drought

Mexico and the United States have reached an agreement to release water resources, prioritizing the state of Chihuahua amid a prolonged drought.

In a context of tensions over water resource management, Mexico and the United States formalized an agreement that establishes the opening of dams in Mexican territory to comply with the obligations of the 1944 Water Treaty. This agreement seeks to address the water deficit destined for Texas and guarantee supply for farmers and ranchers in both countries, at a time when drought has worsened the situation in several Mexican regions, especially in Chihuahua.

Since 2020, Chihuahua has faced a deep water crisis that has led to social and military confrontations over water management in reservoirs such as La Boquilla, El Granero, and Las Vírgenes. The resistance of local communities and state authorities has made it difficult to open these reserves to comply with the international agreement. However, recent advances indicate a willingness in the negotiations, with Governor Maru Campos prioritizing a balance between resource protection and the needs of the population.

This agreement was signed amid a scenario where the water crisis in northern Mexico has emerged as a crucial challenge for the country’s sustainability and food security policies. The ecological problem, added to competition for increasingly scarce resources, reveals the importance of coordinated and sustained management, involving both federal authorities and local actors and affected communities. The decision to open the dams, although controversial, seeks to safeguard compliance with an international treaty and mitigate the impact of the drought in vulnerable regions.

As of December 2023, Chihuahua maintains low levels in its main reservoirs linked to the Rio Grande, highlighting the urgency of joint action to avoid greater crises that compromise the agricultural economy and the well-being of communities in the area.