Texas Relies on 1944 Treaty Water

Minutes from IBWC Meetings

1944 Treaty Overview

The Mexican waters of the international Rio Grande Basin are vital to ensuring that Texas water right holders can irrigate crops, supply water to municipalities, and conduct industrial operations along the Rio Grande. Under the 1944 Treaty , Mexico has an obligation to deliver to the United States 1,750,000 acre-feet (AF) of water over a five-year cycle, at an average of 350,000 AF annually for that cycle. The United States International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), oversees the 1944 Water Treaty for the United States and helps settle differences that arise.

The United States continues to meet their annual obligation of providing 1.5 million AF from the Colorado River. Without the required Treaty waters, Texas must decrease allocations of water from the international reservoirs (Amistad and Falcon ) to Texas water right holders. Allocations are made by TCEQ’s Rio Grande Watermaster Program.

Lack of water along the Rio Grande river negatively impacts many different stakeholders. Without the Treaty deliveries, Texas water users are forced to secure alternate sources of water, change crops, and reduce operations. As the manager of state (surface) waters, TCEQ understands the importance of Treaty waters to Texas water right holders. Find more information about the Treaty and TCEQ’s position on it below.

Treaty Deliveries

• See the volume of water Mexico delivered during the current 5-year cycle .
• Mexico has had multiple years where they have not met their Treaty requirements. See the history of Treaty deliveries .
• Current estimated ownership can be seen on a weekly basis through the IBWC’s Reservoir Storage Report .

Letters Relating to the 1944 Treaty

The Rio Grande is a shared resource between the United States and Mexico. As shown in the letters below, Texas and United States leaders recognize the importance of Mexico meeting their Treaty obligations each cycle, as well as Mexico helping preserve and manage the river properly.

Correspondence per 5-year Treaty Cycle

Cycles begin and end in October.

Resources

• Learn about the economic impact of irrigation water shortages on agriculture in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.
• Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and Texas Department of Agriculture outline Mexico's Water Deficit to the United States.
• The Rio Grande Regional Water Planning Group works with state agencies and local stakeholders to develop and update a Regional Water Plan.
• Mexico’s National Water Commission (CONAGUA) administers national waters, manages and controls the country's hydrological system, and promotes social development.