Water Wars: The Tensions Over Scarcity Between the US and Mexico Escalate

As the drought worsens and water levels at Mexico's Lake Toronto plummet, farmers and officials on both sides of the US-Mexico border face rising tensions. The decades-old water-sharing treaty is showing cracks, revealing challenges in managing cross-border resources amid climate change and agricultural demands.

After two and a half years without rain, the townsfolk of San Francisco de Conchos gather along the shores of Lake Toronto, once a thriving reservoir in northwestern Mexico but now a bed of exposed rocks due to devastating drought. With the heat soaring to 42C (107.6F) and water levels critically low, local farmers and a priest have taken to praying for divine intervention. Rafael Betance, who has dedicated decades to monitoring the La Boquilla Dam, expresses despair: "This should all be underwater. We’re currently at 26.52 metres below the high-water mark."

For eight consecutive years, the dam's water levels have dropped, and local leaders are beginning to feel the repercussions of a long-standing water-sharing agreement with the US that dates back to 1944. Under this arrangement, Mexico is required to send 430 million cubic meters of water annually from the Rio Grande to the US. However, with Mexico facing an acute water shortage, it has struggled to meet its commitments and owes over 1.5 billion cubic meters.

The political climate has intensified. Former President Donald Trump claimed that Mexico has been “stealing” water and threatened tariffs unless the country adheres to the treaty. Although current Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has acknowledged the shortfall while promising to remedy the situation, she faces an uphill battle. In April, Mexico released only 75 million cubic meters of water, leading to further disputes.

The arguments extend beyond mere figures; emotions run high in farming communities. Texas farmer Brian Jones is frustrated that he has only been able to plant on half of his land due to lack of irrigation and believes that Mexican farmers are hoarding water instead of honoring their treaty obligations. In contrast, Mexican farmers argue that due to ongoing drought, they do not have excess water to share.

Moreover, the traditional practices of irrigation pose additional criticism. Many Mexican farmers flood their fields, while some are adopting more efficient sprinkler systems that can significantly reduce water wastage. However, economic constraints on smaller farms make it difficult for all to implement these sustainable practices.

As both sides grapple with the implications of the treaty, there is widespread belief in the Mexican farming community that it is outdated, failing to reflect current conditions exacerbated by climate change and population growth. Nonetheless, US farmers, such as Jones, emphasize the importance of adhering to agreements established by past generations.

The drought’s impact is far-reaching. With Lake Toronto’s levels dipping into concerning territory, local ecosystems face dire consequences, including marine life deterioration, which could further threaten a once-booming tourism sector reliant on the reservoir’s health.

As Rafael Betance poignantly summarizes, "Praying for rain is all we have left," reflecting the desperation felt across the region as the water wars intensify in both reality and rhetoric.