CORONADO, Calif. ? The governments of the United States and Mexico signed an agreement on Tuesday to overhaul how the two countries share and manage water from the Colorado River, which provides water to more than 33 million people in seven states and Mexico.
Under the agreement, the two countries will share in both surpluses and water shortages. During drought years in the United States, less water will be sent to Mexico. In exchange, during years of plenty, Mexico will be allowed to store some of its water north of its border.
In addition, the countries will allocate some water to restore the ecological health of the river?s delta in Mexico.
Speaking at the signing of the agreement here, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar called it the most important adjustment to rules on the Colorado River since the 1944 treaty between the two countries that set the terms for use of the river?s water.
Mr. Salazar said he hoped the new agreement would be the end of ?water wars,? which in times of drought have pitted those who rely on the river against each other. The 1,450-mile river runs from the Rockies to the Gulf of California.
?The Colorado River, in so many ways, makes us one people, and together we face the risk of reduced supplies in years ahead,? he said. ?More than ever, we are working together in times of drought as well as in times of abundance. We will cooperate to share, store and conserve water as needed.?
Until now, the United States has sent 1.5 million acre-feet of water from the Colorado to Mexico every year, regardless of rainfall. With more dry years recently, however, American officials wanted to reduce the amount it shares with Mexico when the river?s level was low.
In return, Mexico, which had little storage capacity, will be allowed to store some of its surplus water in Lake Mead, which straddles Nevada and Arizona. That will keep the water level there more predictable. Lake Mead supplies water to the Las Vegas area.
In addition, the United States will help finance improvements to Mexico?s water infrastructure, which was badly damaged by an earthquake in 2010.
Finally, the agreement will reconnect the Colorado River with the Gulf of California. Currently, it peters out about 60 miles short of the sea. That will help to restore the river delta, which experts said had become desertlike.
The United States and Mexican governments will each supply 5,000 acre-feet of water a year to the delta, as will a coalition of environmental organizations. Native plants from the delta will also be restored, which will provide a habitat for migratory birds.
?This agreement is a model for how we need to be doing water management in the future,? said Taylor Hawes, the director of the Colorado River Program for the Nature Conservancy, one of the nongovernmental organizations that will help supply water to the delta. ?This is our hope for how we can manage rivers in a way that works for multiple parties and multiple interests in the future.?
The agreement runs for five years, after which, officials on both sides said, they hoped to reach a new agreement that would extend its principles.
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