The United States has denied a request for a special water delivery from the Colorado River to Tijuana. This decision, announced by the State Department on Mar. 20, 2025, is a first and highlights the growing strain on the Treaty of 1944 which governs water sharing between the two nations.
The Treaty of 1944 outlines the utilization of waters between the US and Mexico for the Colorado, Tijuana, and Rio Grande Rivers. It mandates that the US deliver 1.5 million acre-feet of Colorado River water to Mexico annually and stipulates that Mexico deliver 350,000 acre-feet per year to the United States into the Rio Grande on the Texas–Mexico border. However, drought conditions in northern Mexico have led to shortfalls in their deliveries, causing significant concern among US farmers, particularly in the Rio Grande Valley.
Mexico is allowed five years to deliver the entire amount of 1.75 million acre-feet. The current five-year period ends on October 24, 2025, but Mexico has delivered only 550,000 acre-feet as of March 1, 2025.
This denial of Colorado River water comes amidst a backdrop of already tense US-Mexico relations under the Trump administration. Water disputes add another layer of complexity.
As of now, Mexico has not issued an official response to the US decision. The situation remains fluid, and has potential for further escalation. The Trump administration's firm stance signals a willingness to hold trading partners accountable, raising questions about the future of US-Mexico relations and the long-term viability of the Treat of 1944.
Looking for more information? The April issue of The Water Report features an article about Tijuana transboundary pollution problem in relation to this 1944 Treaty. Subscribe today to learn more.
