U.S.-Mexico deal ensures water supply for Texas agriculture

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, announced that the Mexican government will meet Texas farmers' and ranchers' water needs as part of the 1944 Water Treaty.

According to a news release from the USDA, the Mexican government has agreed to transfer water from international reservoirs and increase the U.S. flow in six of Mexico's Rio Grande tributaries through the end of the current five-year water cycle.

"After weeks of negotiations with Mexican cabinet officials alongside the Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, we secured an agreement to give Texas producers the water they need to thrive. While this is a significant step forward, we welcome Mexico’s continued cooperation to support the future of American agriculture,” said Secretary Rollins.

The agreement between both countries has solidified a plan for immediate and short-term water relief that will meet the needs of Texas farmers and ranchers during the growing season.

The plan will include water releases and continued commitments through the end of this cycle, which will end in October.

According to a news release from Monica De La Cruz, the newly accepted proposal to increase water deliveries will fluctuate between 340,000 to 420,000 acre feet between April and October.

The water delivery will depend on the amount of rain Mexico will receive during the July through October rain season.

The total water delivered for a five-year cycle period will be between 854,000 and 950,000 acre-feet.

Mexico's agreement also includes an immediate transfer of 56,750 acre-feet of water at the Amistad Dam, followed by monthly transfers at Amistad and Falcon Dam reservoirs.

The U.S. share will also increase from one-third to one-half of flows in six of Mexico's Rio Grande tributaries designated in the 1944 U.S.-Mexico water treaty.

Additional deliveries of San Juan River water will be made, which are subject to U.S. acceptance when they can be put to beneficial use.

Both parties will meet in July to assess the hydrology conditions and follow up/evaluate the action taken. The parties will also hold ongoing meetings to agree on a plan that Mexico will make up for its shortfall from this five-year cycle, the release added.