Water Committee Tour of the Lower Colorado River

David RobertsCo-Chair, Water Committee

Manager, Water Rights & Contracts DepartmentSalt River Project

Arizona-Mexico Commission – Comision Sonora-ArizonaNovember 2007

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Objective

Action Item from Summer PlenaryTo pursue consensus-based solutions to the

complex ecological and water management issues along the Colorado River, the Water Committee will conduct an executive binational tour of infrastructure and sensitive habitats in the delta region including the Ciénega de Santa Clara.

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Lower Colorado River and Delta

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ParticipantsArizona/Northwest Mexico RegionGovernment leaders, water managers,

environmental leaders, tribal officials, and business executives.

Sponsors

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Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area

Active Restoration ProjectRemoving Salt Cedar and other invasive

plants

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Yuma Desalting PlantYuma Area Reclamation OfficePlant just completed trial run, exploring

new operational models

Area Manager Jim Cherry 007: Jack Simes

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Yuma Desalting Plant

Research into desalinationYuma Desalting Plant home to research on

water qualitymaking advances in desalination.

Touring the research facility

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The Desalting Plant Water Quality Improvement Center

The pretreatment process Jack Simes explains the desalination process

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North American Development Bank

Funding border infrastructure projectsNADBank helping the Yuma Water Users

Association line their canals.

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Morelos DamUS delivers water to Mexico at Dam

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Cocopah Nation

Nation lives on both sides of the Colorado River

River central part of their culture

The seal of Cocopah shows the importance of the River Tribal elders use Colorado River plants

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Cocopah Restoration ProjectThe Cocopah are leading a restoration

projectInvasive species and border-related crime

make the restoration project difficult.

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Km 27Visited the CNA control facilityDiscussed water sources and uses, as well

as challenges in Sonora.

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Importance of technology

Remote monitoring key to water management on both sides of the border.

CNA Facility Yuma Desalting Plant

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La Ciénaga de Santa ClaraVisited the WetlandsWater has created habitat and ecotourism

site.

Boating in the wetland Hearing the perspective of the residents of the Ejido

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Lower Colorado River TourSummaryTour provided foundation for Water

Committee’s work.RelationshipsCommon experiences and facts