On Oct. 22, the Los Angeles Times reported California began construction on a $250 million reservoir to store water from the Colorado River that, until now, has been flowing down into Mexico.

Mexican farmers depend on this water, especially now as the country is experiencing a drought. Mexico’s infrastructure also has problems getting water to residents.

“For decades, the United States has allowed Mexico to receive more water from the Colorado River than it was assured under a 1944 treaty. The excess water came from those occasions when more water was surging down the river than Imperial Valley farmers could use.”

Mexico will, however, still receive water from the Colorado River – but only at the level determined by the treaty.

The reservoir, a 23-mile stretch of the All-American Canal that will be lined with concrete to prevent seepage, is scheduled to be completed in August 2010.