Gila River Indian Community Secures $107 Million for Vital Colorado River Conservation Efforts

The Gila River Indian Community is advancing its role in Colorado River conservation in Arizona, thanks to funding from the Inflation Reduction Act. This financial support will facilitate the launch of new water conservation projects starting in October.

Governor Stephen Roe Lewis stated that these initiatives are expected to enhance water efficiency on their farms, translating to annual savings of over 7,400 acre-feet. The Bureau of Reclamation has awarded the community nearly $107 million for three critical infrastructure projects aimed at improving water management.

Lewis expressed enthusiasm about these infrastructures, emphasizing their benefits not only for the tribe but for the broader region. He noted that as the largest entitlement holder of Colorado River water through the Central Arizona Project (CAP), the Gila River Indian Community’s water savings could significantly reduce overall consumption, reinforcing their commitment to sustainable resource management.

According to the Bureau of Reclamation, these agreements represent the first long-term pacts signed, with the potential to conserve over 73,000 acre-feet of water in the next decade. The allocated funds will support various projects: $64 million for upgrading irrigation systems on Gila River Farms, $26 million for concrete lining more than 7.5 miles of earthen canals in the Blackwater area, and $17 million for constructing a regulating reservoir.

Lewis mentioned that two of the projects are set to begin in early October, with the third starting in November, all slated for completion before the Post-2026 guidelines take effect. He emphasized the importance of these savings in preparing for anticipated cuts to Arizona’s Colorado River allotment.

The existing guidelines that safeguard the Colorado River are set to expire at the end of 2026. The river, currently facing severe drought conditions exacerbated by climate change, is critical for over 40 million people and serves as a vital resource for 30 tribal nations and two states in Mexico.

U.S. Representative Ruben Gallego underscored the importance of Arizona’s tribes in ensuring water security, highlighting his role in securing funding for the Gila River Indian Community. The community expressed gratitude for the efforts of Gallego and the Arizona delegation in advocating for drought and conservation funding included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act.

Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton described the new agreements as a foundation for long-term investments that will improve the sustainability of the Colorado River. “We are proud to announce these agreements that will support the long-term health of the Colorado River System,” Touton stated.