By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Proposed cuts to Arizona’s share of Colorado River water have local farmers bracing for what could be a significant blow to crop production across the state.
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The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s proposal said Arizona, California and Nevada could together be forced to reduce their use by up to 3 million acre-feet annually through 2036, which is about the amount that Arizona and Nevada receive and enough to serve more than 25 million people a year.
Nancy Caywood, a third-generation farmer at Caywood Farms, said her land has already been largely fallowed following 2021 water cuts that caused her farm to lose its share of Central Arizona Project water from the Colorado River. Fallowed means that while the land may have been plowed, no seeds have been planted,
“You know, we have no choice. We have to fallow our land,” Caywood said.
To keep up with crop production and avoid losing the farm, Caywood and her son have begun leasing farmland that still receives CAP water. But she said even that option is becoming strained.
“He’s already hit his allocation this year so he can’t grow anything out there and with this cut back, it means that, you know, less will be grown on that farm,” Caywood said.
Caywood said the cuts threaten Arizona’s broader agricultural potential.
“We have a 365-day growing season in many parts of Arizona, and that means that we can put out food and fiber for the world, you know, just by our climate,” she said.
Still, these impacts might not be as drastic for farmers in other areas of the state.
The town of Marana’s water department said it has been preparing for cuts for years by increasing water conservation campaigns and expanding water sources.
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“We recharge all of the effluent that is generated at the Marana Water Reclamation facility, and so we’re doubling in capacity at that recharge facility, so for every gallon of water we pump out of the ground, we have to put another gallon of water back in the ground,” said Mike Osborne, Marana Water deputy director.
Marana Mayor Jon Post, a lifelong farmer himself, said that while adapting to the cuts will be difficult, the conservation that follows is necessary.
“Arriving at this decision has been — is very important and will make the difference in whether we have water for the future or not,” Post said.
The proposed cuts to Arizona’s CAP water allocation are not yet finalized. Arizona politicians are pushing back on the plan, and changes are still being lobbied for.
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