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