Colorado River drought impacts the local ag industry

CBS 13's April Hettinger addresses water conservation habits for residents and farmers

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The desert is known to be a dry place, but our nation's food source relies heavily on the water from the Colorado River. If the drought continues, we could see a domino effect locally.

Wade Noble, Yuma Irrigation attorney with Noble Law Office says the drought is nothing new; however, areas along the Colorado River haven't seen much rainfall and that could have a dramatic effect on agriculture.

"It's not going to impact us, but that doesn't mean we aren't worried. We are quite worried because we recognize that next year it could even be worse," Noble said.

This means Yuma County will need to start bracing now because in the future, we could have to scale back in our most precious industry.

Other parts of Arizona will be hit first.

"In central Arizona, that agriculture is going to lose 300,000 acre-feet of water plus," Noble stated.

One method in Yuma already practices water conservation.

"Agriculture, including the communities of the cities, has contributed a great deal of water back to the river," Noble explained.

The International Boundary and Water Commission anticipates Arizona to be in a Tier 1 shortage by 2022 resulting in substantial water cuts.

Almost all of our local ag relies on water from the Colorado River.

"It's easy to say agriculture uses a lot of water, but our agriculture has been reducing the amount of water that it uses, and it has never used even close to the full entitlement," Noble explained.

Executive director of Desert Premium Farms, John Boelts, says Yuma has been doing its part to reduce water consumption in ag.

"Over the last 30 to 40 years, we've been able to improve our practices, improve our growing techniques and through the help of the seed industry, improve varieties to where we can grow the same crops that we've been growing for generations and use about 30% less water," Boelts said.

Water to residents will never be denied, but you can help by conserving water in your home or switching to water efficient appliances.

Tonight, 13 On Your Side's April Hettinger talks about the best ways to conserve water and help Arizona get out of a drought.