The Mexican Army found a 120-hectare plot used for growing marijuana in north Mexico, the largest such plantation ever discovered in the country. The plantation, equivalent to almost 300 acres, was found near Rosario, a small town in Baja California, roughly 225 miles south of the border, on Thursday.

The Rio Grande is experiencing a severe water shortage due to a combination of factors, including unsustainable water use (particularly for agriculture), historic droughts, and declining reservoir and groundwater levels. A recent study indicates that the basin is using 52% more water than it can naturally replenish, which has already led to some river stretches drying up completely and risks pushing reservoirs to empty. This crisis threatens millions of people, impacting agriculture, municipal supplies, and the economy of the region. 

Causes of the water shortage

• Unsustainable water use: The basin uses 52% more water than is naturally replenished, with agriculture accounting for the vast majority of this usage.
• Historic and ongoing droughts: The region has been impacted by severe droughts, with some areas receiving as little as 25% to 50% of normal precipitation.
• Declining water reserves: Groundwater reserves are dropping, and reservoirs are at historic lows. For example, New Mexico’s largest reservoirs were only 13% full by late 2024.
• Inefficient infrastructure: Existing water delivery infrastructure needs improvement to become more efficient. 

Impacts of the shortage

• Agricultural impact: Farmers have faced water shortages that limit planting capacity and have led to major farmland losses, the closure of businesses like the last sugar mill in Texas, and significant economic impacts.
• Threat to other sectors: Continued water scarcity poses a risk to industrial growth and development, as well as potential restrictions on residential construction.
• Environmental impact: Long stretches of the river are drying up, with the “Forgotten Reach” having been dry for decades and the river in Big Bend National Park running dry in 2022.
• Community impact: Millions of people in the U.S. and Mexico are facing worsening water insecurity, and some cities are projecting dangerous water level declines within the next year. 
• 
  The Rio Grande basin is experiencing a severe and ongoing 
  water crisis, with recent studies indicating that the system uses 52% more water than can be naturally replenished. This unsustainable overuse, exacerbated by drought and climate change, threatens water security for millions of people and critical ecosystems in both the U.S. and Mexico. 
  
  Key Details of the Water Shortage
  Unsustainable Consumption: The basin provides drinking water to 15 million people and irrigates nearly 2 million acres of cropland. However, only 48% of the water consumed is replenished naturally, meaning that reservoirs and aquifers are being overdrawn.
  Drying River: Stretches of the Rio Grande, including areas in the Big Bend and near Albuquerque, now run completely dry for months at a time.
  Reservoir Levels: International reservoirs crucial for supply, such as Amistad and Falcon, are at dangerously low capacities, currently around 19% and 12%, respectively.
  Impact on Agriculture: Irrigated agriculture accounts for 87% of direct water use in the basin. Water shortages have led to shorter irrigation seasons, significant farmland losses (up to 49% in some areas since 2000), and an estimated nearly $1 billion economic impact in the Lower Rio Grande Valley in 2023 alone.
  Ecosystems at Risk: The reduced water flow and disappearing habitats are putting numerous species at risk, including at least 75 freshwater fish species and various migratory birds. 
  
  Contributing Factors
  Climate Change: More prevalent drying conditions, increased temperatures, and changes in rainfall patterns are all driven by climate change and reduce water availability.
  Overuse: Decades of excessive water consumption, particularly for irrigated cattle-feed crops like alfalfa and grass hay, have depleted the river and its aquifers.
  Transboundary Disputes: Mexico currently owes water to the U.S. under a 1944 binational treaty, which has strained relations and exacerbated the crisis for downstream Texas farmers. There are also ongoing legal disputes between Texas and New Mexico over water management.
  Infrastructure Issues: Outdated infrastructure contributes to the loss of billions of gallons of water annually, and significant investment is needed for efficiency and storage.
  Invasive Species: Thirsty invasive plants like salt cedar line the riverbanks (bosques) and consume large amounts of water through evaporation and vegetation uptake, which accounts for more than half of overall basin consumption. 
  
  Potential Solutions and Actions
  Policymakers and researchers are exploring a range of solutions to address the crisis: 
  Conservation Programs: Solutions include implementing “rotational fallowing” programs that pay farmers to temporarily stop planting crops to reduce water use and allow aquifer recharge.
  Infrastructure Investment: There is a strong call for significant investment in water infrastructure to improve efficiency, add new storage capacity, and explore new water supplies like desalination.
  Treaty Modifications: The International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) is in talks with Mexican officials to amend the 1944 treaty, aiming to ensure more reliable water deliveries.
  Riparian Restoration: Efforts to clear invasive species and replant native vegetation are underway in some areas to improve ecosystem health and reduce water losses.
  Policy and Regulation: Water managers in different states are considering tougher regulations, such as shutting off groundwater wells in Colorado if aquifers are not stabilized.