With time, the pulse flow will restore vegetation, bird populations, and other wildlife to the Colorado River Delta. But even before that, this water is bringing local communities opportunities to gather, play, learn, and feel a renewed sense of pride in their homes and land.
Sometimes public policy can seem abstract and far away, but witnessing the human impact of last week’s pulse flow event has been particularly gratifying.
Many of the children in communities along the Colorado have never seen water in the river. This video footage from the Sonoran Institute highlights the benefits of Minute 319’s restoration projects, and the ways it will improve the lives and communities in the Mexcali Valley and San Luis.
Historic water release brings surge of joy to Colorado River Delta
Historic water release brings surge of joy to Colorado River Delta

ALONG THE RIO COLORADO – They came to see the river return, a half-century after U.S. dams kept it from flowing into Mexico.“Since I was a kid, my father told me that long ago there was water, but I do not remember that,” he said.
He stood Thursday next to the San Luis Bridge over the river that links Baja California with Sonora. The Colorado now carried enough water for kids to stand in waist-deep. “I feel great,” Bazua said.
We couldn’t agree with the headline more. Click on the link above to see Dale Turner’s extraordinary before and after shot of the riverbed.
If you haven’t already, make sure to check out Watershed, an incredible documentary about water resources in the American West. Swing by the Redford Center to learn more.
Even the mightiest rivers have to begin as a small trickle. Check out the leading edge of the pulse flow.