Blow up the Dam!

Problem Solved – Part 2 WW Editorial

Read “Part 1: Baja Faces Water Cuts” here…

Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit, and as vital to our lives as water and good bread.” Edward Abbey

While my water research has been ongoing for decades, I have focused for years on the flow of the Colorado River to Baja California. It was an especially intense time during the drought year in 2022. Water being the primary reason that we can live in comfort in this northern state makes it essential to everyone. The water issue for Baja has infinite unforeseen factors andit is extremely complex. What we don’t consider is that having water in our state along the Pacific coast is a man-made solution to advance development and agriculture. It is simple math,like a bank account. Water is deposited if it rains and we can draw it out, however we run into trouble if we require more than what has been saved. Water can be delivered by the municipalsto households and business if there is water in Lake Mead. Nature is the unknowable source of water. Nature does not give us credit to use more. Nature is no longer providing what it did 100 years ago when a few thousand Native Americans lived along it shores. Today’s focus has to untangled the power struggle over water between the seven basin states. By 2026 they have to decide how to decrease their allotments so that the river can survive.

There are those who care more about the wellbeing of the river than further developmentand city growth. The Native American tribes, environmentalists, sports fishing and recreational folks want to maintain a healthy river. Many say that draining Lake Powell would also restore the Glen Canyon ecosystem and the natural beauty of the Grand Canyon.  A question might be what is a “legitimate” need for the water? There is an unhealthy loop that has been established by thoughtless development: more water brings more people and this cannot be sustained by the current river system. This massive water delivery system begins in Colorado, the headwaters of the river. Baja is the last spigot to receive its allotment. 

Since my early research I have had to go further up river in order to understand how vulnerable water users are. This led me to Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon dam. This Lake serves the upper basin states. Water managers then release water allotments down to Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam. However, my most current research has exposed big problems with Glen Canyon dam. It’s old, poorly built structure threatens the ablity to deliver water downstream. The outflow pipes are filling with silt and other pipes so old and rusted that they could not hold up under high pressured water released to Lake Mead. 

Research shows that a huge about of water is lost yearly from Lake Powell. In 2013, the Glen Canyon Institute commissioned a study of Fill Mead First. Hydrologists found that Lake Powell loses enough water each year to supply Nevada’s annual share of Colorado River water.In 2016, journalist Abrahm Lustgarten wrote in The New York Times that Fill Mead First offered “a solution hard to ignore.” The late Edward Abbey, author of The Monkey Wrench Gang had hischaracters plotting to blow up the dam to free the Colorado. Everyone who has read Abbeyknows he probably really wanted to blow it up as he wrote about the encroachment of theconsumer culture into America’s natural environment. 

John Berggren, a regional policy manager for Western Resource Advocates reported,“Mandatory cuts and emergency water releases are “reactive.” If we are going to be able to have a sustainable Colorado River and not just be responding to crisis after crisis, we need large amounts of flexibility built into this new set of guidelines.”

The pending 2026 report calls Mexico to cut 80,000 acre-feet, or 5% of its annual allotment. This might not seem like much, but do we actually know what acre-feet means andwho or what that 5% loss impacts? There are many who know the true size and cost of this problem. Berggren said, “If the states don’t get their sh*t together it’s a huge “hot mess. If statescan’t reach a deal ahead of a 2026 deadline, the federal government can step in and make those decisions itself.

The Colorado Sun reported in August of this year, “The basin needs to be looking at the minimums,” said John Fleck, a former science journalist, “The reservoirs, the big ones Powell and Mead, are not going to recover, they’re actually going to decline to pretty scary elevation levels,” Voices for change are coming from all the sources in the know. The politicians seem to be the only positive voices suggesting it can be handled by a desal plant or two. 

Desal Plants take years to build. The Department of the Interior’s Acting Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Scott Cameron said, “We cannot afford to delay. The health of the Colorado River system and the livelihoods that depend on it are relying on our ability to collaborate effectively and craft forward-thinking solutions that prioritize conservation, efficiency, and resilience.” Cameron’s thoughts could be called idealistic given the current heat in US politics. It is man’s inability to agree that has disrupted a perfectly flowing Colorado River.And it still is.

Blowing up the dam might a bit dramatic, however insiders say that retooling the dam to deal with low water levels would cost upwards to 3 billion dollars. Many say that “a more benign action would be to drain Lake Powell into Lake Mead; decommission the dam, and create a water policy that works with nature and not against it.” 

Editor’s Note: For indepth coverage, see our webpage for more Water Watch reports from Martina. Also don’t miss Martina’s book signing at Tempest Trading, October 11, 11:00 to 2:00. First person receives a free book signed by the author.

Baja Faces Water Cuts

High-stake Negotiations Faulter

Water Watch Editorial, Part 1

Time is running out for Baja and the seven states that are depending on the Colorado River water allotments. An agreement must be made by 2026 to cut water use. The precious supply has been in constant jeopardy for years due to poor management. The truth is how does anyone presume to manage the unknown? Somehow the politicians have made us believe that they know what they are doing. The government agencies have been constantly in debates for several years; some more hostile the than friendly.

Again, this is a reminder that whatever happens in these negotiations happens to us locally from Mexicali, Tijuana, Ensenada and the wine country. Baja has depended on 80% of its water from the Colorado that once flowed freely into the Gulf of California. If there is no agreement President Trump’s administration has the final word. We will remember this yearwhen the United States refused Baja a special request for water. The Colorado River has faced persistent drought since 2000. The old Colorado River Compact allocated basin states more water than the watershed could sustainably deliver. For decades there has been overly optimistic estimates about weather and usage.

It always amuses me when I dive into more water research to find an authority trying to sell the public that they are actually doing their best. Mr. Hamby, chairman of the Colorado River Board of California, said without all the measures that have already been tried, “the river would be in a very bad place,” It would have been more honest to inform us that we the water users would be in a very bad place. Without humanity the river will restore itself. Without water humanity cannot say the same. Of all the measures thus tried water users are one severe drought away from our 2022 crisis.  Water saving measures have included 15 dams on the main stem of the Colorado River and hundreds more on the river’s tributaries in an attempt to store water. Like a bank we have to deposit before we can withdraw. No human measures have solved the water issues. Einstein once said, “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” Few talk about the true problem; over development in an arid region. 

Still the water war is ongoing behind closed doors. Lake Powell governed by the upper basin states and Lake Mead governed by the lower basin states of which Baja is included. Fact: The current level of Lake Mead is about 165 feet below what’s considered full. Lake Powell is just 48 feet above minimum level to produce power through the turbines. Conservation groups are calling for changes to the management of Lake Powell after the discovery of damaged plumbing within the Glen Canyon dam.

Why is Lake Powell important to Mexico? If the problem is not fixed or the water drops too low, the river cannot flow through Glen Canyon dam to be stored in Lake Mead for our allotment. Eric Balken, executive director of the Glen Canyon Institute said, “I think it’s really important for people to recognize how much of a threat this is to our water delivery system. This is a really big infrastructure problem. Projections for the end of water year 2025 and into 2026 show continued low levels, with the possibility of falling below the minimum power pool elevation by late 2026.  The reservoirs’ water levels have only slightly recovered from our 2022drought, when they reached historic lows. John Berggren, a regional policy manager for Western Resource Advocates said, “We need to be thinking closely about the risks of a very bad year and thinking about what we’re going to do in the case of a very, very bad year.” As of this writing the Glenn Canyon dam has not been repaired.

Editor’s Note: Martina is a freelance journalist who has been reporting on the water issues facing Baja since 2007. Many years of Water Watch articles have been archived and found on our website, ggnorth.com

La Lagunita, Ensenada—Once a thriving coastal wetland, now showing troubling signs of drought.

Two Rivers One Problem Secrets Behind Closed Doors

Water Watch Editorial

Lake Mead is dropping again and this is a reminder that we are fast approaching 2026. Freelance reporters with boots on the ground say that the water levels have dropped ten feet in the last couple of weeks. There is no rain in sight until next winter. To refresh the memories of those following the water crisis in 2022, it is important to remember that Baja receives 80% of its water from the Colorado River stored in Lake Mead. The 100-year-old agreement expires in five short months. And at this time the seven Basin States and Mexico have not reached anagreement. For months the different parties have met in secret behind closed doors. The talks have not been made public. It is imperative water distribution be understood by all users which includes we who live in Baja California. It is good to be aware during a drought period that the United States can reduce deliveries to Mexico. There definitely will be cuts in the 2026 new agreement.

In 2019 a Drought Contingency Plans was established between the United States and Mexico following the 1944 Water Treaty in the Utilization of Waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande. Most recently we heard that President Trump was demanding water from Mexico’s Rio Grande which could not be provided due Mexico’s own water problems. It seems this story has disappeared from the media because of wars in the Middle East. We do not know if the second river issue has been resolved, however the Rio Grande situation is a different story and does not affect us here in Baja at this time.

Current information about the problems heading into 2026 is not found in mainstream media. It takes some research. However, what does appear in the media is their blaming the dwindling river water on climate change. This distracts from the true problem; over population in desert communities fueled by the fact that water has become a commodity bought and sold on Wall Street. In late 2020 Water Futures trading opened a new gambit for privatization. Why is this an issue? It takes the control out of the people’s hands and gives it to people who are not accountable. It has been stated that this change “will threaten our human right to clean, affordable water.”

Here are the three things to watch for as the 2026 new agreement goes into place:

  1. Water futures allow farmers, utilities, and other water users to hedge against price fluctuations and ensure a supply of water at a predetermined cost. 
  2. Investors can now participate in the water market, creating a new avenue for investment and potentially influencing water pricing and allocation. 
  3. Some experts and organizations raise concerns about the commodification of water, fearing it could lead to increased water scarcity and exacerbate inequalities in water access. 
Map of the Colorado River basin

The CME Group in July 2021 explained how the Water Futures market works. In their overview they stated, “With nearly two-thirds of the world’s population expected to face water shortages by 2025, water scarcity presents a growing climate-related risk for business and communities around the world. Particularly in the state of California.” California is the largest water user of all the Lower Basin states and Mexico facing the 2026 new allocations.

In a ludicrous article, A New Future for Water, in the June 3, 2025 Voice of San Diego, written byScott Lewis stated, “San Diego country has abundant water.” Sound like good news? Not if you look more deeply into where their water comes from. Southern California receives 60% of its water from the Colorado River. Less than a quarter of the water is pulled from each the Owens River Valley and Sacramento/ San Joaquin River Delta. The amount is governed by winter snow pack and the pipelines from the north. Actual water on site is less than a quarter of the reserves from desal and aquifers. The damage to the aquifers is for another story. However, in an agreement with the Water Authority they will be allowed to sell water out of state. The question appears to be is this a “futures trading” with Colorado River water? Will California “speculate” the future prices to sell water to the dry Basin states and Mexico?

The “traders” have little concern about the effect of this trading on you and me. Development is their aim and we see is everywhere happening at a frenzied pace. To developers and governments sustainability is a word never to be spoken. Even in the face of the facts of decades of warnings, about water becoming the major concern like oil was to the 21st century. Water is now being played and will one day be more valuable than gold. Can we trust political transparency that water will actually be delivered to us at a price we can afford? One freelance reporter stated that we probably won’t see the results of this year’s dry winter until next summer. Development rushes on while the new desal plant in Rosarito is breaking ground, one desal plant in the future is a pipe-dream savior.

In conclusion, scientists have provided a rare, uncomfortable dose of certainty to Colorado River talks: “The planet is getting warmer, the Colorado River is losing water, and cutbacks to water demand are unavoidably necessary.” Development cannot be sustained without water. We might need more than hope for Mother Nature’s good intentions to provide and the one new desal plant to sustain Baja’s future. The Water Future speculation will be based on who has the water and how much will it cost.

Editor’s Note: Martina is a freelance writer who has been tracking Baja’s water issues since 2005. See all the back issues ggnorth.com/category/water-watch and Martina is the author of Dust in My Sandals, Tales from a Baja Traveler. Order today!

Estero La Misión: Where Nature, History, and Drought Collide

Just a short drive south of Rosarito and 35 kilometers north of Ensenada, tucked between the waves of the Pacific and the rush of the transpeninsular highway, lies a coastal gem many travelers zoom right past: Estero La Misión. It may not have the celebrity status of Bahía de los Ángeles or the Instagram sparkle of La Bufadora, but what it does have is something far more rare these days—life. Wild, migratory, riparian life.

This natural estuary is one of the last of its kind on the Baja California peninsula. It’s a permanent mirror of water flanked by reeds, salt-tolerant shrubs, and low riparian growth, home to an astonishing diversity of species. More than 90 kinds of birds either stop here during their long migrations or live here year-round. Some are casual visitors; others, like the black-necked stilt or the snowy egret, consider it home base. Beneath the water’s surface live fish, amphibians, and a long list of invertebrates, while mammals and reptiles lurk in the surrounding brush.

A modest but well-maintained hiking trail runs along the estuary’s northern edge, tracing the water’s path through private ejido lands and into what’s becoming increasingly suburban development. Locals and nature lovers walk the trail with their leashed dogs, binoculars, and cameras in hand, hoping to catch a glimpse of something wild before the tide—or progress—takes it away.

But the estuary isn’t just a haven for birds and fish. It’s also an archaeological site and a historical waypoint. Long before modern Baja homes dotted the cliffs or RVs pulled into beachside parks, this was sacred ground for the Kumiai people, whose cultural ties to the area go back over a thousand years. Around 2010, archaeologists unearthed the remains of “La Mujer de Humo,” or the Woman of Smoke, a pre-Hispanic skeleton that added new depth to the story of the peninsula’s earliest inhabitants.

In the late 18th century, Dominican missionaries arrived and established Mission San Miguel Arcángel right next to the estuary, taking advantage of the fertile lands and fresh water. Though the mission buildings are now mostly adobe ruins, they serve as a reminder that this area has always depended on its wetlands—not just for biodiversity, but for survival.

That dependence is now on shaky ground. Baja California has long struggled with drought, but in recent years, it’s become a full-blown crisis. Between the irregular rainfall and over-extraction of water upstream, Estero La Misión is under pressure. Less fresh water flows in from inland sources, altering the delicate salinity balance that many species depend on. The estuary becomes more saline, more stagnant, and more vulnerable to invasive species. Its natural ability to filter pollutants, buffer against coastal erosion, and mitigate flooding weakens as water levels drop.

It’s a quiet emergency. You won’t see news crews camped out by the reeds, but the signs are there: smaller flocks, shrinking shoreline, fewer frogs singing at dusk. The ripple effects are subtle at first, but they stretch wide—from marine health to agriculture to the spiritual connection many locals feel to the land.

Community groups like Pro Esteros A.C. and Terrapeninsular have stepped in, advocating for the wetland’s protection and monitoring its health. There’s growing interest in turning the trail and surrounding area into a stronger ecotourism attraction, which could bring both visibility and funding. But the long-term survival of Estero La Misión depends on something far more boring than guided bird tours: water policy. Sustainable urban growth. Responsible farming upstream. Actual rain.

In the end, the estuary is a litmus test. If we can’t protect a place so biologically rich, historically deep, and spiritually meaningful—what does that say about the rest of our coastal treasures?

So next time you’re headed down the coast, slow down near kilometer 35. Walk the trail. Listen to the birds. And remember: the real magic of Baja isn’t always in the headline spots. Sometimes, it’s quietly rustling in the reeds.

Fighting the Heat with Heart: Baja’s Response in Action

The numbers are grim—46 lives lost in Baja California this year to heat-related causes, with nearly 250 others suffering serious effects. In response, the state has rolled out its “Verano Seguro” campaign, a life-saving effort to prevent more deaths as temperatures continue to climb.

On Friday, state health secretary José Adrián Medina Amarillas confirmed what many feared: 2024 has already broken records for heat fatalities, and summer hasn’t even peaked. “The first two deaths were agricultural workers,” Medina said, “which is why we’re getting ahead of this now.”

The state is deploying 300 hydration stations across Mexicali, the Valle, and San Felipe—strategically placed where they’re needed most: near agricultural zones and places where people experiencing homelessness gather. These mobile hubs will provide water, electrolytes, and a moment of relief for those enduring the furnace-like sun.

This isn’t just about numbers. It’s about the lives of people who work under the sun for hours without shade, and those with nowhere to sleep but the streets. Health teams will also be visiting packaging centers and job sites across the valley, hoping to intercept dehydration before it turns deadly.

Medina made it clear: recognizing heatstroke symptoms can make the difference between life and death. These include extreme body temperature, chills, confusion, and seizures. “It starts with internal overheating,” he explained, “and can spiral into system-wide collapse, brain damage, or worse.”

If you’re working outside, walking long distances, or even just stuck without AC, take this seriously. This is no ordinary summer—it’s a scorching, relentless gauntlet. And for some, hydration could be the only thing standing between them and tragedy.

Water isn’t just refreshing anymore. It’s survival.

Waves of Love: Kids With Disabilities Ride in Rosarito

Rosarito’s most heartwarming tradition is making its way back to shore. After weeks of uncertainty, the beloved surf therapy sessions for children with disabilities are officially returning to Raul’s Beach starting May 31—and they’re bringing big smiles and even bigger waves.

The nonprofit behind this feel-good project, Olas Para Todos (Waves for Everyone), has been giving kids the chance to catch waves and confidence for over a decade. Spearheaded by Carlos Luna, the group pairs children and teens with expert volunteers who guide them safely into the ocean for what many call life-changing therapy.

Although Raul’s Beach, located near Kilometer 42 in Primo Tapia, has been closed off to the general public, the landowners have graciously agreed to open it for these monthly sessions through November.

Photo: Example of activities in the event

The first event will accommodate 40 participants, ages six and up. And here’s the kicker—it’s all free. From wetsuits to boards, everything is provided. Parents only need to sign up through the association’s social media pages.

This year, the organization is stepping up its safety game with help from a local paramedic school, ensuring more support both on land and in the water. And now that Olas Para Todos is officially registered as an association, it can receive donations—helping expand a program that already touches the lives of 350 to 400 kids annually.

Luna says the group is also hoping to rally support from the local government, including councilman Fidel Ortiz Mendoza, who heads up the Disability and Inclusion Committee.

With a fresh wave of backing and plenty of heart, Rosarito’s surf therapy program isn’t just back—it’s stronger than ever.

Want to donate, volunteer, or register your child? Look up Olas Para Todos on Facebook and be part of the magic.

Treaty Troubles, Again: Water Deal Update 2025

How Baja plans to stay hydrated

If you’ve been following our ongoing coverage of the 1944 Water Treaty, here’s your latest update. Mexico has agreed to send between 400 and 518 million cubic meters of water to the U.S. between May and October 2025. That’s a lot of agua—especially when our own taps are starting to worry.

This move aims to patch up a growing deficit in water deliveries from the Río Bravo (a.k.a. the Rio Grande), and let’s just say our friends in Washington weren’t exactly feeling generous. Just last month, the U.S. flat-out denied Mexico’s request for extra water from the Colorado River—the same river that helps keep Tijuana and the rest of Baja breathing.

That decision was, let’s say… not refreshing.

What does this mean for Baja?

While the treaty technically applies to the Río Bravo basin, the political pressure affects all border states. And yes, that includes Baja California. Remember: Tijuana gets a big slice of its water from the Colorado. When Washington sneezes, Baja needs to bring an umbrella.

#Visualizing water being sent for today’s mega simulacro (AI-generated)

The Mexican government is trying to make good with quick transfers and promises of more once the rains come. There are high-level talks going on, and rumors of desalination projects and water rights reforms are making their usual rounds.

So what’s next?

We’ll keep you posted. But if you really want the deep dive, check in with Martina Dobesh, our water correspondent and resident flow-watcher. She’s been tracking this story long before the politicians got thirsty.

This isn’t just a treaty story. It’s about how Baja plans to stay hydrated in the years to come. And if you missed our previous coverage, scroll back—our archives are as full as Lake Mead isn’t.


💧 Water’s political. Thirst is personal. For more, see Martina’s reports right here in the Gringo Gazette North.

Screenshot of the Presidential broadcast

Sheinbaum Keeps It Cool While Trump Flirts and Threatens

Sheinbaum responded diplomatically

Donald Trump sent flowers on X—digitally, of course. He called President Claudia Sheinbaum “a magnificent president” and “a very elegant woman.”

Lovely words… but he followed them with a not-so-subtle threat. Trump warned that Mexico could face tariffs and a water shutoff if it doesn’t deliver what’s owed to Texas under the 1944 treaty.

Sheinbaum? She kept it classy. In her own post, she laid it all out: Mexico has already submitted a proposal to the U.S. State Department. It includes short-term actions and technical solutions to make up for water delays—despite three years of drought.

She’s not looking for a fight. “I’m confident we’ll reach a reasonable agreement,” she said. “I don’t think this will turn into a conflict.” But, she added, “if it does, we’ll be ready.”

Among the fixes: a long-awaited desalination plant in Playas de Rosarito and stricter oversight in Mexicali, where farming water sometimes ends up rerouted and sold.

Now we wait to see if Trump’s admiration for Sheinbaum’s “elegance” will be enough to soften his usual hardline style.


Trump Calls Sheinbaum “Fantastic”—But Still Threatens Tariffs

Want to understand the bigger picture behind these water talks?

Check out our columnist Martina Dobesh, who dives deep into Baja’s water politics—minus the fluff and drama.

At the Gringo Gazette North, we keep it cool—because in Baja, every drop counts.

Trump and his taxes

Trump Wants to Cut Off Tijuana’s Water


Says Texas Is Thirsty

Just when we thought we’d seen it all, Donald Trump is now threatening tariffs—and yes, even cutting off water to Tijuana.

The reason? He claims Mexico is hoarding water that rightfully belongs to Texas farmers. According to him, 1.3 million acre-feet of water are missing. That’s not just a lot—it’s Texas’s entire sugar crop and citrus farms crying for help.

The 1944 Water Treaty requires Mexico to send water north every five years. Trump says Mexico isn’t keeping up. And now he wants payback: economic sanctions, closed borders, and zero agua for Baja.

His former Agriculture Secretary, Brooke Rollins, chimed in with promises of “escalating consequences.” That’s political code for: “We’re serious. Don’t make us come down there.”

Meanwhile, Texas Senator Ted Cruz jumped in to stir the pot. He called the situation “a man-made crisis” and said Texas deserves better. Of course, he didn’t mention the part about record droughts on both sides of the border.

Created by AI

The U.S. already rejected Mexico’s latest water delivery proposal. That includes water needed for Tijuana. So yes—this could get very real, very fast.

But let’s take a breath. Treaties are tricky, and diplomacy still exists—somewhere. Baja’s not running dry just yet.

At the Gringo Gazette North, we say this: Let’s stay informed, not inflamed. If water’s the next border battle, let’s keep our cool—and maybe a backup jug, just in case.

Rosarito’s Desalination Plant Confirmed: A Game Changer for Water Supply and Tourism

Rosarito is set to get its own desalination plant, as confirmed by Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum during her morning press conference. The project, part of the National Water Plan, is moving forward with an estimated investment of 12 billion pesos ($648 million USD).

“Yes, we are going to build it… We will make the desalination plant in Baja California a reality,” Sheinbaum stated.

Rosarito’s Mayor Rocío Adame wasted no time celebrating the news. “The desalination plant is happening! This project will be key to improving water supply in South Rosarito and protecting our beaches,” she wrote on social media.

A Sustainable Future for Rosarito

The plant, classified as a Greenfield project, will have a production capacity of 2,200 liters per second, ensuring a sustainable water supply for the region. According to Proyectos México, the most recent review took place on March 12, 2025, with Banobras and Fonadin backing the initiative.

Beyond water infrastructure, Rosarito is also making waves in tourism and sustainability. Mayor Adame’s administration is actively working toward National Tourism Quality Certification, a seal that guarantees high standards and environmental responsibility for destinations across Mexico.

“This certification is a comprehensive recognition of quality and sustainability in tourism,” explained Paul Corona Rodríguez, president of COTUCO Rosarito.

With major infrastructure investments and a strong focus on eco-friendly tourism, Rosarito is on track to become a national leader in regional development.