Arizona Water Reductions Impact Agricultural Region

Why it matters locally: While North Dakota does not directly rely on the Colorado River for agriculture, a significant reduction in winter salad green production from Arizona could influence national food supply chains and prices, potentially affecting consumers and food distributors in the state.

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Yuma County, Arizona, supplies 90% of the winter salad greens consumed in the United States. This agricultural production relies on water from the Colorado River. Arizona is preparing for reductions in its Colorado River water allocation. Water from the Colorado River supports extensive farming operations across Yuma County. These operations cultivate various salad greens during the winter months. The anticipated water cuts will affect how farmers manage their irrigation practices and crop production.