Colorado River progress flows from cooperative spirit

The Colorado River is an extraordinary river whose currents flow not just in one direction, but in many directions across landscapes and borders, meeting many needs and demands.

Last month, the Colorado River began to flow once again toward the Gulf of California as part of an unprecedented agreement to improve the riparian environment of the river and the Colorado River Delta. But even more important than the riparian-area restoration and scientific studies that will result from this effort is that the action is part of a new and historic agreement between Mexico and the United States. This partnership — crafted under a 1944 treaty — demonstrates what can be achieved when neighbors work together.

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Photo: Mark Henie, The Republic

We have been thrilled by the widespread coverage of the successful pulse flow in the Colorado River. That event, and the all the conservation efforts that will follow, are a direct result of a binational agreement between the United States and Mexico called Minute 319. We hope that as more of us rally around successful agreements like these, governments on both sides of the border see how much we want more Minute 319 agreements in the future.